Utilizing Height in a Kitchen

Situated in a former school building, the condos in this Medford, MA building have soaring vaulted ceilings in addition to original brick, slate chalkboards, and beautiful exposed beams. The clients were renting in the building when they had the opportunity to purchase a 3-bedroom unit to make home. The original kitchen was dated and lacking function and storage. After reviewing three options for a new kitchen plan, the client decided to keep the same general layout of the cabinetry. This time, however, the kitchen cabinetry would extend all the way up to the ceiling.

The custom-built cabinets were made reach a newly constructed soffit making the cabinets eleven feet high. This enabled additional storage in this relatively small space. Additionally, we were able to create specific storage cabinets for the clients most-often used frying pan and skillet in one pull out, and a custom pull out with stainless canisters for cooking utensils. These pull outs flank the stove for quick access to these daily-used cookware. A barware cabinet sits on the peninsula counter and incorporates much needed additional full-extension drawers. Glassware is showcased in this cabinet which also features interior lighting. Additionally, we incorporated a drawer microwave, a blind corner cabinet, and an additional cabinet on the seating side of the peninsula for added function and storage.

We kept a portion of the exposed brick on the stove wall and juxtaposed it against the larger-scaled penny tile on the sink wall. The repetition of the round penny tiles adds softness and whimsy to this very stately kitchen. Soft white and pale gray textured quartz countertops offer a durable yet feminine surface to contrast the cabinets painted in Benjamin Moore color, Gray Owl.

Finally, beautiful brushed golden champagne-colored hardware by Amerock adds a beautiful metallic finish against the monotone gray, white, and stainless backdrop of cabinets and appliances. The warm toned hardware balances the cool tones of the paint, and provides a soft tactile experience when in the kitchen.

Of Note:

Cabinetry: Custom by Austin Roberts Construction
Tile: LaFauci Tile, Watertown MA
Hardware: Amerock Bar Pulls, Golden Champagne
Quartz: Calacatta Vicenza, Q Quartz
Stone Fabricator: Brazusa Stone Inc., Medford MA
General Contractor: Austin Roberts Construction, Boston MA
Appliances: Yale Appliance