Wolf Street Kitchen Remodel
The 90s were not great to kitchens. Laminate countertops with odd lines. Enclosed, dreary spaces. Randomly-placed lighting. But they do have potential! All you have to do is knock down a few walls and replace everything! Enter Wolf Street:
This project was particularly special because its our very own home! This 90s builder-grade kitchen was small, with limited counter space, and an odd layout. They also attempted to pack as many cabinets in as possible which, while functional, felt crowded. The black cabinets, giant wall, and small window created a dark, cave-like feeling. The major goal for this space were to knock down the wall dividing the dining room and the kitchen—this way, the kitchen, positioned at the center of the home, could truly act as the command center with unobstructed sight-lines to all the communal spaces in the home. Removing this wall would also allow us to expand the kitchen and create more storage space. The sink and appliance were in great positions and required only minor adjustments, but a larger window would allow for more light, while also allowing us to keep the sink centered.
This project was essentially a full gut—new cabinets, appliances, counter tops, and flooring. We opted for taupe cabinets, white quartz countertops, and stainless steel appliances.
One of the keys to a successful kitchen remodel is to know your priorities so that you can properly determine splurges and saves. The 48” range was a splurge. We love to host and plan to have a large family, so a double oven and six burners is incredibly helpful. And you can’t really add a larger range later on once your floor plan is already set. We saved by going with a high quality but cost-effective cabinet vendor (rather than custom) and using standard subway tile for our backsplash. This also allowed us to take the backsplash all the way up to the ceiling as the cost per square foot was so low.
In keeping with the transitional aesthetic, we opted for a blend of matte black and polished brass for the finishes. We added a brass foot rail at the base of the island, which adds a touch of the English, while also providing a comfortable perch while we’re seated at the tall stools. For lighting, we kept with simple recessed lights and a pair of sconces over the sink window. While we love a pair of pendants over an island, we decided to forgo them due to our our tall, slanted ceilings and budgetary constraints. The final piece of jewelry in this space is the custom range hood cover, which makes the room feel much larger and grander in scale.
The end result was a new kitchen that made the entire house feel new. It’s functional, with plenty of storage, and beautiful, using light tones to help the space feel larger and brighter.
