Case Study

The Problem

For George & Carolyn, retirees living in Dayton, Virginia, space constraints in their small 1950s-era kitchen meant they had to work "elbow-to-elbow."  But they loved their neighborhood and wanted to stay in the house, so they decided to build an addition.  During the process, they felt overwhelmed by questions about design problems and possibilities for the new kitchen layout, so they came to Classic Kitchens for help. 

The kitchen was very small for a family with multiple cooks, and the existing knotty-pine cabinets were not easy to access.  Storage was very limited.  They wanted more countertop space for food preparation and they wanted to be able to enjoy chatting with visitors while cooking. They also wanted a new look for the cabinets and countertops.

The Solution

Using space gained by the addition, Classic Kitchens designer Gabby Koontz designed a large island to accommodate a cooktop, additional counter space, and four seats on the back where company can now sit and talk during food preparation.  Spices and other baking ingredients are within easy reach of the chef in the pullouts at either side of the cooktop.  The island also provides space for a second sink so more than one person can do food preparation or cleanup.

Gabby also designed a pass-through window in a large wall that separates the kitchen from a breakfast nook with a large fireplace. The window extends the new open feel of the kitchen and gives a peek into the breakfast nook without sacrificing wall space for cabinets and countertop space. A tall new pantry with rollout shelves provides additional storage, and all base cabinets have rollout trays for pots and pan.  Corner cabinets have lazy susans for easy accessibility.

The kitchen's formal, elegant new look is completed with granite countertops in "Butterfly" color, with emerald and granite flecking, and caramel color River Run Lenox cabinets in a solid birch with a coffee glaze. George and Carolyn enjoy chatting comfortably with guests in their new kitchen, and are happy with the "generous amount of space."

"Everything is on a first-name basis at Classic Kitchens. It's a company that's a family," says Carolyn. "It is wonderful to feel taken care of and not railroaded.  The installers are conscientious and are craftsmen." George and Carolyn consider their new kitchen "a dream come true."