Simon Taylor Furniture was commissioned to undertake the full refurbishment of an existing kitchen space in a Victorian railway cottage in a small village, near Aylesbury. The clients were seeking a light, bright traditional Shaker kitchen that would include plenty of storage and seating for two people. In addition to removing the old kitchen, they also laid a new floor using 60 x60cm floor tiles in Lakestone Ivory Matt by Minoli, prior to installing the new kitchen. All cabinetry was handmade at the Simon Taylor Furniture cabinet workshop in Bierton, near Aylesbury, and it was handpainted in Skimming Stone by Farrow & Ball. The Shaker design includes cot bead frames with Ovolo bead moulding on the inner edge of each door, with tongue and groove panelling in the peninsula recess and as end panels to add contrast. Above the tall cabinetry and overhead cupboards is the Simon Taylor Furniture classic cornice to the ceiling. All internal carcases and dovetail drawer boxes are made of oak, with open shelving in oak as an accent detail. The white window pelmets feature the same Ovolo design with LED lighting at the base, and were also handmade at the workshop. The worktops and upstands, featured throughout the kitchen, are made from 20mm thick quartz with a double pencil edge in Vicenza by CRL Stone. The working kitchen area was designed in an L-shape with a wet run beneath the main feature window and the cooking run against an internal wall. The wet run includes base cabinets for bins and utility items in addition to a 60cm integrated dishwasher by Siemens with deep drawers to one side. At the centre is a farmhouse sink by Villeroy & Boch with a dual lever mixer tap by Perrin & Rowe. The overhead cabinetry for the cooking run includes three storage cupboards and a housing for a 45cm built-in Microwave by Siemens. The base cabinetry beneath includes two sets of soft-opening cutlery and storage drawers on either side of a Britannia range cooker that the clients already owned. Above the glass splashback is a concealed canopy hood, also by Siemens. Intersecting the 16sq. metre space is a stylish curved peninsula with a tongue and grooved recess beneath the worktop that has space for two counter stools, a feature that was integral to the initial brief. At the curved end of the peninsula is a double-door crockery cabinet and on the wall above it are open shelves in oak, inset with LED downlights, next to a tall white radiator by Zehnder. To the left of the peninsula is an integrated French Door fridge freezer by Fisher & Paykel on either side of two tall shallow cabinets, which are installed into a former doorway to a utility room, which now has a new doorway next to it. The cabinetry door fronts feature a broken façade to add further detail to this Shaker kitchen. Directly opposite the fridge freezer, the corner space next to doors that lead to the formal dining room now has a tall pantry larder with oak internal shelving and spice racks inside the double doors. All cup handles and ball knobs are by Hafele.

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.

The remodel included relaxing the heavy traditional details-and introducing color! Adding a few farmhouse and industrial touches with galvanized copper panels at the island. Mixing materials with granite, quartz, copper, stainless, bronze, painted and stained cabinetry with a multi textural tile backsplash.

The kitchen was renovated to create a brighter and more functional space for entertaining. An earth-based, neutral color palette in combination with a wall of windows overlooking the backyard creates a serene feeling. The focal point of the kitchen is an expansive center island topped with an unusually large, single slab of Victoria Falls quartzite that features a continuous wave of grain throughout the stone. Off of the kitchen, the three season room was converted to an insulated, four season breakfast room. Tall windows with transoms above and paneling below accentuate the feeling of being in a sunroom.

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   The homeowners came to us looking to update the kitchen in their historic 1897 home. The home had gone through an extensive renovation several years earlier that added a master bedroom suite and updates to the front façade. The kitchen however was not part of that update and a prior 1990’s update had left much to be desired. The client is an avid cook, and it was just not very functional for the family. The original kitchen was very choppy and included a large eat in area that took up more than its fair share of the space. On the wish list was a place where the family could comfortably congregate, that was easy and to cook in, that feels lived in and in check with the rest of the home’s décor. They also wanted a space that was not cluttered and dark – a happy, light and airy room. A small powder room off the space also needed some attention so we set out to include that in the remodel as well. See that arch in the neighboring dining room? The homeowner really wanted to make the opening to the dining room an arch to match, so we incorporated that into the design. Another unfortunate eyesore was the state of the ceiling and soffits. Turns out it was just a series of shortcuts from the prior renovation, and we were surprised and delighted that we were easily able to flatten out almost the entire ceiling with a couple of little reworks. Other changes we made were to add new windows that were appropriate to the new design, which included moving the sink window over slightly to give the work zone more breathing room. We also adjusted the height of the windows in what was previously the eat-in area that were too low for a countertop to work. We tried to keep an old island in the plan since it was a well-loved vintage find, but the tradeoff for the function of the new island was not worth it in the end. We hope the old found a new home, perhaps as a potting table. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com