Retro Renaissance Kitchen Remodel

Bringing More Function and an Updated Look to a Mid-Century Modern Space in the Ann Arbor Hills

The Story

Client Goals

Our clients needed a new vision for how they functioned and entertained in their kitchen. The outdated cabinets felt heavy and oppressive and the plan was tight for two social cooks. The eat-in space felt wasted and awkward. Our clients also like to entertain and wanted the kitchen to feel more inviting and connected to the rest of their home, while honoring the mid-century modern era.

The Existing Conditions

The existing kitchen was remodeled in the past, but not in coordination with the aesthetic of their mid-century modern home. Besides feeling outdated, the kitchen did not reflect our client’s artistic style.

The circulation became congested at times of entertaining and the space felt dysfunctional in terms of storage placement and the working triangle.

The Plan

For better use of the entire footprint, we eliminated clunky storage along the south wall which included the pantry closet, fridge niche, and dumb-waiter. This opened up space for more intentional storage, a central island, and improved circulation. The island re-organized the kitchen’s flow and reoriented the kitchen’s visuals. Including the valuable space of the former eat-in area into the island and overall kitchen plan made the space feel much larger.

Changing the Layout

Removing the pantry and fridge build-out freed up a tremendous amount of visual and physical space in this kitchen. The fridge moved to a more functional location, giving room for a secondary serving area.

Circulation around a central island eliminated a tight corner and elongated the kitchen, making more use of the eat-in area. The island, and a larger opening to the dining room, connects the working area of the kitchen to the entertainment area of the living space.

The Color Palette

Darker toned wood was featured in other areas of the house so we brought that into the cabinetry and kept the doors as slabs for a minimal and modern look. The chartreuse backsplash tiles pop against an otherwise minimal color palette. It was important to our clients to embrace color and fun in the remodeled kitchen.