A New Kitchen Design

This was an interesting project. Being without a kitchen for a few months and doing the dishes in the bathroom sink was a challenge. The existing kitchen had been built with tall and deep cabinets that were not easily accessible. The space was rather dark at any time of the day and was not functional. Also, there was not much counter space.















Our idea to rebuild the kitchen was, not only to introduce more natural light into the space, but also to redesign its functionality. With the help of our cabinet maker, Gary Peters, owner of Color & Grain Inc. in Champaign, IL, we solved many issues regarding the “work triangle” within our limited space. We worked out the design of a peninsula with a honed granite top and a single bowl copper farmhouse sink. Our “kitchen triangle” turned out nicely considering the configuration of the space. Ultimately, we were able to position the stove across from the sink and the fridge in the adjacent space. We sought to maximize the space with as much built-in inlay cabinetry as possible, including some with glass doors.















So, not only the circulation of the space was improved, but also the under-cabinet lighting makes the space much more welcoming. To balance out the large granite area of the peninsula with the wall where most of the cabinetry is, I uncovered and rehabilitated the flue, and sealed it with SealKrete, a waterproofing sealant to protect the bricks and grout. Above all, we are enjoying the new kitchen and so are our friends.