Modern MakeOver, South Orange, NJ
The original call from these owners was about expanding and renovating their kitchen. Before we could even meet with them, a devastating electrical fire gutted the interior of the entire home. Thankfully, the family was not home and the horror of losing everything became an opportunity to take a holistic approach to resolving fundamental architectural issues that plagued the home. Below is a the new expanded kitchen portion. For the full home renovation, click here for the Clawson Architects website. All fixtures, finishes, and furnishings were either restored or selected by Clawson Architects design team.
Custom Woodharbor “Key Largo” doors in Maple stained champagne surround the perimeter of the kitchen. Thermador double wall oven, Miele Coffee Station , Sharpe Microwave drawer and Avallon undercounter beverage refrigerator. Photo by Aimee Photo
Below are the before images of the kitchen. The new kitchen is considerably larger. With the original sink located at around the middle of the island. For orientation purposes, the new induction cooktop and hood are on the back wall flanked by large windows.
Before— Room size doubled. Ceilings vaulted, sky lights added.
Before — now the location of the banquet.
Before— Room size doubled, pushing towards the back of the lot and into the hillside.
The new custom built in banquet is located at the opposite end from the new hood. The lower ceiling is reflective of the old kitchen ceiling height and the need to locate mechanical ducts.
Two options for informal Dining. The Island created using the Key Largo Door style in a custom Benjamin Moore Paint color BM2123-10 Mediterranean Teal. Classic Modern Knoll Cesca Stools with upholstered seats. The custom refrigerator panels are also Key Largo in Designer White. Photo by Aimee Photo
The Island created using the Key Largo Door style in a custom Benjamin Moore Paint color BM2123-10 Mediterranean Teal. Classic Modern Knoll Cesca Stools with upholstered seats. Surround cabinets are also the Key Largo door style in maple with a hand wiped stain — color is champagne. Photo by Aimee Photo
The original kitchen ended on the right side of the refrigerator. The new addition offers easy access to a fenced back yard and allowed for a vaulted ceilings and skylights. Together, the new larger windows that follow the roof line and the skylights light up this space even on a gloomy day. The addition doubled the work space and created a family style kitchen where friends and family can hang out or help.
Island created using the Key Largo Door style in a custom Benjamin Moore Paint color BM2123-10 Mediterranean Teal. Classic Modern Knoll Cesca Stools with upholstered seats. Surround cabinets are also the Key Largo door style in maple with a hand wiped stain — color is champagne. The custom refrigerator panels are also Key Largo in Designer White. Photo by Aimee Photo
View from kids play room. Custom banquette with upholstery by Knoll Textiles . Thermador column refrigerator and freezer with custom panels by Woodharbor in Designer White. Photo by Aimee Photo
Both Counter seating and informal dining were created for this busy modern family. The custom banquet by Clawson Architects, is flanked by two pantry cabinets. The two chairs were salvaged from the fire, ebonized to match the Knoll Cesca bar stools and reupholstered in textiles from Knoll. The cased door opening to the left of the refrigerator takes you to the mudroom. The glass kitchen door makes it easy to come and go as well as pass out snacks to kids in the yard.