This Orchard Lake kitchen remodel was part of a whole house renovation. The clients wanted a large, open kitchen with room for multiple cooks and a warm, inviting space for entertaining guests and family. A custom Grabill kitchen was designed with professional grade Wolf and Thermador appliances, an oversize island and large windows highlighting the spectacular view of the lake. Kate Benjamin Photography

Cooking for Two Location: Plymouth, MN, United States Liz Schupanitz Designs Photographed by: Andrea Rugg Photography

Great use of lower drawer for liquor in bar area. Photography by Todd Gieg

Bill Worley

As innkeepers, Lois and Evan Evans know all about hospitality. So after buying a 1955 Cape Cod cottage whose interiors hadn’t been updated since the 1970s, they set out on a whole-house renovation, a major focus of which was the kitchen. The goal of this renovation was to create a space that would be efficient and inviting for entertaining, as well as compatible with the home’s beach-cottage style. Cape Associates removed the wall separating the kitchen from the dining room to create an open, airy layout. The ceilings were raised and clad in shiplap siding and highlighted with new pine beams, reflective of the cottage style of the home. New windows add a vintage look. The designer used a whitewashed palette and traditional cabinetry to push a casual and beachy vibe, while granite countertops add a touch of elegance. The layout was rearranged to include an island that’s roomy enough for casual meals and for guests to hang around when the owners are prepping party meals. Placing the main sink and dishwasher in the island instead of the usual under-the-window spot was a decision made by Lois early in the planning stages. “If we have guests over, I can face everyone when I’m rinsing vegetables or washing dishes,” she says. “Otherwise, my back would be turned.” The old avocado-hued linoleum flooring had an unexpected bonus: preserving the original oak floors, which were refinished. The new layout includes room for the homeowners’ hutch from their previous residence, as well as an old pot-bellied stove, a family heirloom. A glass-front cabinet allows the homeowners to show off colorful dishes. Bringing the cabinet down to counter level adds more storage. Stacking the microwave, oven and warming drawer adds efficiency.

This Historical Home was built in the Columbia Country Club in 1925 and was ready for a new, modern kitchen which kept the traditional feel of the home. A previous sunroom addition created a dining room, but the original kitchen layout kept the two rooms divided. The kitchen was a small and cramped c-shape with a narrow door leading into the dining area. The kitchen and dining room were completely opened up, creating a long, galley style, open layout which maximized the space and created a very good flow. Dimensions In Wood worked in conjuction with the client’s architect and contractor to complete this renovation. Custom cabinets were built to use every square inch of the floorplan, with the cabinets extending all the way to the ceiling for the most storage possible. Our woodworkers even created a step stool, staining it to match the kitchen for reaching these high cabinets. The family already had a kitchen table and chairs they were happy with, so we refurbished them to match the kitchen’s new stain and paint color. Crown molding top the cabinet boxes and extends across the ceiling where they create a coffered ceiling, highlighting the beautiful light fixtures centered on a wood medallion. Columns were custom built to provide separation between the different sections of the kitchen, while also providing structural support. Our master craftsmen kept the original 1925 glass cabinet doors, fitted them with modern hardware, repainted and incorporated them into new cabinet boxes. TASK LED Lighting was added to this china cabinet, highlighting the family’s decorative dishes. Appliance Garage On one side of the kitchen we built an appliance garage with doors that slide back into the cabinet, integrated power outlets and door activated lighting. Beside this is a small Galley Workstation for beverage and bar service which has the Galley Bar Kit perfect for sliced limes and more. Baking Cabinet with Pocket Doors On the opposite side, a baking cabinet was built to house a mixer and all the supplies needed for creating confections. Automatic LED lights, triggered by opening the door, create a perfect baker’s workstation. Both pocket doors slide back inside the cabinet for maximum workspace, then close to hide everything, leaving a clean, minimal kitchen devoid of clutter. Super deep, custom drawers feature custom dividers beneath the baking cabinet. Then beneath the appliance garage another deep drawer has custom crafted produce boxes per the customer’s request. Central to the kitchen is a walnut accent island with a granite countertop and a Stainless Steel Galley Workstation and an overhang for seating. Matching bar stools slide out of the way, under the overhang, when not in use. A color matched outlet cover hides power for the island whenever appliances are needed during preparation. The Galley Workstation has several useful attachments like a cutting board, drying rack, colander holder, and more. Integrated into the stone countertops are a drinking water spigot, a soap dispenser, garbage disposal button and the pull out, sprayer integrated faucet. Directly across from the conveniently positioned stainless steel sink is a Bertazzoni Italia stove with 5 burner cooktop. A custom mosaic tile backsplash makes a beautiful focal point. Then, on opposite sides of the stove, columns conceal Rev-a-Shelf pull out towers which are great for storing small items, spices, and more. All outlets on the stone covered walls also sport dual USB outlets for charging mobile devices. Stainless Steel Whirlpool appliances throughout keep a consistent and clean look. The oven has a matching microwave above it which also works as a convection oven. Dual Whirlpool dishwashers can handle all the family’s dirty dishes. The flooring has black, marble tile inlays surrounded by ceramic tile, which are period correct for the age of this home, while still being modern, durable and easy to clean. Finally, just off the kitchen we also remodeled their bar and snack alcove. A small liquor cabinet, with a refrigerator and wine fridge sits opposite a snack bar and wine glass cabinets. Crown molding, granite countertops and cabinets were all customized to match this space with the rest of the stunning kitchen. Dimensions In Wood is more than 40 years of custom cabinets. We always have been, but we want YOU to know just how much more there is to our Dimensions. The Dimensions we cover are endless: custom cabinets, quality water, appliances, countertops, wooden beams, Marvin windows, and more. We can handle every aspect of your kitchen, bathroom or home remodel.

Glenn Layton Homes, LLC, "Building Your Coastal Lifestyle"

Open kitchen to family room with granite countertops, shaker style cabinets and windows.

Homeowners aimed to bring the lovely outdoors into better view when they removed the two 90's dated columns that divided the kitchen from the family room and eat-in area. They also transformed the range wall when they added two wood encasement windows which frame the custom zinc hood and allow a soft light to penetrate the kitchen. Custom beaded inset cabinetry was designed with a busy family of 5 in mind. A coffee station hides behind the appliance garage, the paper towel holder is partially concealed in a rolling drawer and three custom pullout drawers with soft close hinges hold many items that would otherwise be located on the countertop or under the sink. A 48" Viking gas range took the place of a 30" electric cooktop and a Bosch microwave drawer is now located in the island to make space for the newly added beverage cooler. Due to size and budget constaints, we kept the basic footprint so every space was carefully planned for function and design. The family stayed true to their casual lifestyle with the black honed countertops but added a little bling with the rustic crystal chandelier, crystal prism arched sconces and calcutta gold herringbone backsplash. But the owner's favorite add was the custom island designed as an antique furniture piece with the essenza blue quartzite countertop cut with a demi-bull stepout. The kids can now sit at the ample sized counter and enjoy breakfast or finish homework in the comfortable cherry red swivel chairs which add a pop to the otherwise understated tones. This newly remodeled kitchen checked all the homeowner's desires.

In order to create a balanced feel to the room, a coffee station sits between a 27” Subzero paneled refrigerator on the one side and a 27” Subzero paneled freezer on the other. For additional cold storage, integrated refrigerator drawers were installed in the base cabinet below this coffee station to hold an assortment of beverages. The white inset cabinetry continues into a mud-room area complete with cubbies and lockers for each member of the family. A GE spacesaver stainless microwave was installed in the island and a 36” six-burner Wolfe range was added to this top-of-the-line appliance list allowing for a professional experience while cooking in this kitchen.

The original floor plan of this townhome had the kitchen surrounded with sheetrock walls and no view. Removing the walls and creating an open plan kitchen resulted in an "Awarding Winning" kitchen for my homeowners.