When it comes to fashion over function, these homeowners didn’t want to have to choose. With a busy work life and two young sons, they wanted a kitchen that was functional and colorful, while staying true to the age of the home. Looking for a designer to tackle this project, Joni Spear of Joni Spear Interior Design, was the perfect fit.
“Joni had been recommended to us by our architect, Elizabeth Panke, when we asked for a designer who liked working with color and who was comfortable working with older homes,” says the homeowner. Joni was more than happy to jump onto the project. “My design style lends more traditional, and this home is a century home,” says Joni. “The clients are so joyful, and it was important to the wife that we emboldened the space with color.”
“We had ideas that we had gotten from magazines and Pinterest and knew that we wanted a kitchen that was lighter but still had color and would be functional,” the homeowner continues. Working with Joni to develop a plan for the renovation, the two pored over wallpaper and fabric selections to create an overall vision for the space. “We wanted to honor the architecture of the home and did not want to build onto the space, so we borrowed square footage from other rooms,” says Joni.
To achieve this, the opening between the kitchen and family room was shortened to elongate the refrigerator wall and allow space for a china cabinet. Additionally, Joni crafted the kitchen island with seating on all three sides, and a hall closet was removed to create room for floor-to-ceiling pantry storage. “We utilized every inch of space in the kitchen,” Joni continues. “We had a couple of extra inches on the island. I had suggested wine storage, but the homeowner came up with the idea of a cookbook display.”
Every inch of the kitchen was designed with the homeowners in mind. Quartz countertops and wipeable vinyl on the counter stools made the space kid-friendly and easy to clean. Handmade zellige tiles line the walls and reflect light throughout the kitchen, and a small broom closet is tucked between the china cabinet and refridgerator. “I took inventory of every small appliance, gadget and cooking utensil to make sure we had storage for it,” says Joni. Another personal touch can be found on the range hood, where the cabinet maker added a wooden detail with a piece of weathered wood from his farm.
The family has continued to enjoy their new and improved kitchen. “Our project came out better than we imagined; we are grateful we were able to make the renovations happen,” the homeowner finishes. “Our kitchen is both much more functional and feels larger. We continue to look forward to seeing how we utilize the space over time.”
Resources:
Cabinetry: Double Bevel Woodwork LLC
Granite/Stone/Countertop: Daltile
Stone Fabricator: Absolute Stone Craft 314-733-0123
Tile and installer: Tile Craft
Hardware/Plumbing Fixtures: Immerse
Lighting: Visual Comfort
Wood Flooring and Installer: KH Properties
Wallpaper/Wall coverings: Thibaut
