A Kitchen That Fits

One of the most beloved home styles of the twentieth century, the craftsman bungalow tends to be long on charm, but often short on space – especially when it comes to the kind of open, inviting kitchen most homeowners are looking for today.

For architect Josh Allison, meeting the needs of his bungalow clients in North Carolina was a tall order. They wanted a kitchen in which at least two cooks could work comfortably together, on the most efficient appliances possible. Another wish was for a butler’s pantry or staging area between the kitchen proper and dining room. And they asked for a seating area for two that could be used for snacks or a quick meal when the family wasn’t eating together.

An additional challenge was giving the whole space a look and feel that would be appropriate for this classic 100-year-old home – the clients did not want a period craftsman kitchen, but something timeless that would still look fresh decades from now.

To create the needed space, Josh developed an addition to the house, expanding into what had previously been patio space, allowing the kitchen to double in size and creating a new screened in porch that would be perfect for entertaining. This created room for both the butler’s pantry and casual seating for two. Appliances were selected for maximum performance and space efficiency – a Wolf 36” dual fuel range and Sub-Zero 36” built-in refrigerator would easily accommodate the family’s needs.

Aesthetically, the Kitchen Design Contest judges praised this kitchen for “classic materials and form with inventive elements like the steel shelves and cooktop back.” The simple pallet of wood cabinets with inset doors, soapstone countertops, stainless steel appliances and shiplap siding evokes a clean, simple feel. The custom blackened steel range backsplash along with blackened steel pot rack and shelves serve as accents that will patina with age. A multitude of thoughtfully designed nooks and shelves adds fun opportunities for the homeowners to display their pottery collection, glassware and other special items.

By all accounts, the project has been a huge success in the eyes of the clients. It has breathed new life and personality into one of America’s classic homes, making it viable and desirable for many years to come.