Studio Dearborn Transforms This Kitchen for a Young Family

This article highlights four regional architects who renovated five outdated kitchens in Pittsburgh, transforming them from functional spaces into designer areas. The architectural projects emphasize improved layouts, increased natural light, and enhanced aesthetics, focusing on the kitchen as the central hub of the home. Architect Mary Cerrone undertook two kitchen renovations. In Squirrel Hill, a 320-square-foot kitchen and deck addition aimed to improve the home's functional layout and views. The design incorporated durable materials such as linoleum over radiant floor heat, stainless steel, engineered stone countertops, stained maple cabinets, and porcelain tiles. A new deck connected to the kitchen expanded views and natural light. Cerrone maximized space by combining the kitchen with a small pantry, building out over the basement stair for a recessed refrigerator, and using a sliding screen door to eliminate door swings. In Upper Saint Clair, Cerrone transformed a 1,000-square-foot first-floor kitchen from a builder-style design into a streamlined, contemporary space. This involved redefining connections between the kitchen, eating area, laundry, and family room by adding windows and reorienting the kitchen workspace. The project featured end-matched walnut cabinets, aluminum and glass elements, Cambria countertops, and cork flooring. Storage was maximized by trading wall cabinet space for windows and installing an 8-foot length of full-height cabinets. The formal dining room was converted to a living room, and a generous eat-in area was created to accommodate twelve people. Fred M. Fargotstein focused on renovating a 1920s Pittsburgh home, changing its 1970s modern kitchen to a traditional style that aligned with the house's overall character. The renovation increased the kitchen size by 36 square feet by removing a servants’ stair. A colorful cast iron English import range became a focal point, featuring five commercial-style burners, two convection ovens, and a separate broiling compartment. Fargotstein improved efficiency by eliminating the problematic servants’ stair traffic pattern, creating a contiguous countertop work area, and ensuring the dishwasher did not obstruct access. A separate, fully functional work zone was incorporated in the pantry, complete with a prep sink and hot beverage station. Storage capacity was significantly increased by extending wall cabinets to the ceiling and incorporating glass doors for a sense of openness. Custom modifications included specialized storage for cookbooks and a nook for pet food bowls. Paul J. Levine revamped his own 1920s French Tudor home's kitchen in Point Breeze. His goals included aligning the kitchen with the home’s style, complementing existing Mexican Saltillo tile floors, increasing home value, and creating an eco-friendly space. The small kitchen, measuring 8 by 15 feet, was designed in a Craftsman style. He maximized island cabinet space and countertop surface for a bar-type eating area, using frameless cabinet construction to enhance interior space. Custom features included extending wall cabinets to the ceiling, using drawers instead of roll-out shelves, and a specific drawer for flatware. Levine self-performed the construction, using low VOC paint, water-saving fixtures, and Energy Star-rated appliances. He replaced a drafty back door with an energy-efficient wood door and restored a transom window. Gerald Lee Morosco led a kitchen remodel in Shadyside as part of a rehabilitation of a Dutch Colonial-style home. The existing kitchen, remodeled in the 1980s, lacked historical details. Morosco’s design aimed to reintegrate functionality with the home’s classic style. The kitchen was arranged into functional areas: a primary cooking area with a range and island, a cleanup area with dual dishwashers, a pantry with storage for a freezer and wine cabinet, and a breakfast space. Cabinet and drawer contents were meticulously planned for efficiency, with pull-out trays for pots and pans, and individual bins for garbage and recyclables. The island's non-working side included pull-up stools for guests, allowing them to engage without obstructing the cooking process. #KitchenRenovation #HomeDesign #ArchitecturalDesign #InteriorDesign #SpaceMaximization #SustainableDesign #FunctionalKitchens #PittsburghHomes #HomeImprovements

Architect Mindy Kelson O'Connor undertook a significant renovation project to transform a dysfunctional and outdated galley kitchen into a modern, minimalist masterpiece. The initial kitchen was described as a "functional disaster" and "truly falling apart." The client's primary requirements for the new space included a large island for meal preparation and gathering, ample storage for various small appliances, and improved connectivity between the kitchen, the rest of the first floor, and the outdoor deck and gardens. The existing layout presented challenges, particularly the disconnect between the kitchen and other living areas, and the cramped nature of the galley design. To achieve a more open and cohesive living space, O'Connor's design involved a complete demolition and redesign of the existing kitchen, adjacent breakfast room, and dining room. Partition walls separating the kitchen from the breakfast room and the hallway were removed, as were walls connected to a corner of the dining room. This structural modification allowed for an expanded kitchen footprint, utilizing space previously occupied by the breakfast nook. The renovation also included the installation of new windows to enhance natural light, new flooring throughout the redesigned areas, and updated lighting fixtures to contribute to the modern aesthetic. A central feature of the transformed kitchen is a 12-foot-long island, designed to serve as a versatile hub for cooking, serving, and dining. This island addresses the client's desire for a central gathering point and provides extensive counter space. Beyond its functional utility, the kitchen incorporates aesthetically pleasing elements such as a hand-painted Tabarka tile backsplash and a Lacanche range, which contribute to the space's sophisticated design. The cabinetry is painted in Farrow & Ball's Hague Blue, creating a classic and soothing ambiance complemented by painted terracotta tiles. The design successfully merges traditional and modern elements, evident in the combination of dark wood and marble countertops. The choice of lighting from Hector Finch further enhances the contemporary yet timeless feel of the space. The overall transformation aimed to create a highly functional, visually appealing, and well-connected kitchen that seamlessly integrates with the home's first floor and offers easy access to outdoor living areas, catering to the clients' lifestyle and culinary needs. #KitchenRenovation #HomeDesign #InteriorArchitecture #ModernKitchen #GalleyKitchenTransformation #MindyKelsonOConnorArchitecture #KitchenIslandDesign #HomeImprovement #MidiMalistDesign

This article showcases six distinct interior design projects by local Rochester designers, highlighting their unique approaches to transforming living spaces. Each project demonstrates how designers blend client needs with creative vision to achieve functional and aesthetically pleasing outcomes. Bob Breissinger, owner of Designers Library, details a kitchen remodel in a Perinton ranch house. The original kitchen was dark and enclosed, prompting a complete overhaul. Breissinger's team removed soffits, gutted the room, and eliminated a wall between the dining room and den to create an open floor plan. This transformation allowed for two islands, a 36-inch stove, a prep sink, and various ovens. White perimeter cabinets, white and amber-gray granite counters, and glass-fronted, lit cabinets contribute to a light and airy feel. Walnut-stained oak floors were matched to existing den floors, creating a cohesive look. The project dramatically changed the home's feel and functionality, making it ideal for cooking and entertaining. Ayse Lewis, an interior designer based in Canandaigua and Rochester, shares her personal project: an 800-square-foot cottage on Canandaigua Lake that she transformed into a 2,000-square-foot, two-story home. Lewis, who always envisioned living on a boat, retained the original footprint due to legal requirements but maximized the lake views with numerous windows. Her design features a non-traditional nautical theme, incorporating colors from nature with touches of red and black. The master bedroom offers spectacular views, with a black-and-white zigzag rug evoking waves and pinkish-yellow lighting creating a sunset ambiance. The all-white, open-plan kitchen takes advantage of the lake views, designed to let natural outdoor colors infuse the space. Lewis emphasizes meaningful design that balances aesthetics with practicality, especially for a home frequently visited by grandchildren. Margit Jacobson, an interior designer and senior project manager at Leighton Design Group, discusses designing a grandchildren's suite in a Canandaigua Lake house. This project creatively utilized existing architectural elements like a pickled-wood ceiling, wood floors, and sloped roof angles to create specialized children's spaces. Jacobson focused on making the room functional and whimsical. She designed a reading nook with a daybed and open storage in a corner, alongside Dutch doors concealing a playroom. A built-in desk with a continuous paper scroll for art projects and a metal board above it offers creative outlets. The closet was converted into a nursery with wallpaper, built-in storage, and a chandelier, transforming it into a magical space. Jacobson highlights the satisfaction of seeing children actively engage with the room as intended. Robin Muto, owner of Robin Muto Interiors, addresses the challenge of merging disparate aesthetic preferences of a husband and wife in a Pittsford home. Muto, an interior and lighting designer, navigated the couple's preference for French Country (feminine) and industrial urban (masculine) styles. Through inspiration photos, she discovered common ground in the color gray and a rustic, warm aesthetic. The project, a whole-house interior design completed in two phases, prioritized the family room as a stylistic anchor. Muto opted for simplicity, focusing on color and texture rather than elaborate patterns. Elements like plain natural linen drapes, a traditional English sofa in linen velvet, a shabby-chic linen sofa, an industrial coffee table ottoman, and burgundy chairs were combined to create a handsome yet inviting space that satisfied both partners. Heather DeMoras, from Heather DeMoras Design Consultants, recounts the renovation of a 1901 Queen Anne home in Canandaigua. The goal was to preserve its Victorian charm while updating it for modern living. DeMoras conducted extensive research to ensure period appropriateness, incorporating Victorian and Arts & Crafts styles for a more casual feel. Period hardware, lighting from Historic Houseparts, and Bradbury & Bradbury wall coverings were selected, with colors inspired by the home's stained-glass windows. The kitchen was expanded by integrating the butler's pantry and a smoking room, featuring hidden appliances and custom cherry cupboards. Bathrooms incorporated Carrara marble, hand-painted subway tile, and oil-rubbed bronze fixtures. In the bedroom, a fabric matching the wall-covering was used for curtains around a bay window, creating a cohesive and anchored look. Jason Longo, founder of JDL Design, shares a career-defining project with a client in Henrietta. This client, a positive and resilient woman, sought a light, efficient, and eco-friendly home with warm colors after her husband's passing. Longo, who went full-time with his design company around this time, collaborated closely with her. The project involved improving the entry by creating a foyer and separating it from the new dining room (originally the living room) with a wall. The great room became the new living room. Longo reconfigured windows, added walls, and installed a flat wall of windows with an alcove in the dining room, alongside built-ins and an arch-top alcove. In the living room, square windows were replaced with a small arched window above a tiled fireplace, flanked by new windows. The client's trust allowed for significant structural changes. Longo reflects on her profound impact, as she validated his work and inspired him, even as she battled terminal cancer during the project's completion. #InteriorDesign #HomeRenovation #KitchenRemodel #LakesideLiving #ChildrensRoomDesign #VictorianHome #DesignChallenges #ClientRelationships #SpaceTransformation

The Seitz family, Sarah and Levi, embarked on a significant home renovation project in their Broadview neighborhood residence in Seattle, focusing on transforming their outdated 1960s kitchen. The original kitchen, described as a "hideous brown-on-top-of-brown" space, was a condition of their home purchase, with Levi promising its eventual overhaul. After three and a half years, the need for a modern, functional kitchen became pressing, particularly with the arrival of their two young sons, Asher (4) and Canaan (2). The existing 130-square-foot kitchen was too small and poorly laid out to accommodate family activities, limiting Sarah's ability to involve her children in cooking, a cherished childhood memory for her. The couple meticulously researched budget-friendly remodeling options, ultimately deciding on a hybrid DIY approach. This involved professionally customized IKEA cabinets, complemented by lighting fixtures from West Elm. For a touch of elegance, they selected Martha Stewart gold cabinetry hardware and herringbone backsplash tile from the Builder Depot. Locally sourced glass railings were incorporated, and Levi took on a substantial portion of the renovation work himself. His contributions included demolition, installation of various components, tiling, plumbing, and electrical work, with assistance from an electrician friend. However, certain heavy-duty tasks were outsourced to professionals, such as the installation of a new gas line, drainage systems, hardwood flooring, drywall, and the quartz countertops. Despite their young age, the children played an indirect role in the design process. Sarah noted that the boys enjoyed visiting stone yards, expressing admiration for shiny granite and gold-flecked marble. Asher particularly favored the gold accents throughout the finished kitchen, while Canaan acted as Levi’s "tool man," fetching tools as needed during the renovation. The new kitchen has significantly improved the family's daily life, especially for the children. The redesigned space now offers ample room for Asher and Canaan to engage in craft and art projects at the dining room table, which is now clearly visible from the kitchen area. A new peninsula provides a dedicated surface for baking activities, such as rolling out dough and decorating cookies. This peninsula also features a cabinet with drawers specifically stocked with art supplies, empowering the boys to access materials independently. Sarah highlights the convenience and joy this brings, as her sons can easily grab what they need for creative endeavors without her constant assistance. #kitchenRenovation #familyHome #DIYProject #homeImprovement #interiorDesign #seattleHomes #familyLiving #budgetRemodel

Mindy Kelson O'Connor, known for her vibrant and bold design choices, embarked on a kitchen renovation project that perfectly encapsulated her signature "midi-malist" aesthetic. This design philosophy blends maximalist elements with a minimalist sensibility, focusing on careful curation rather than stark simplicity. Her previous kitchen, characterized by a dead-end galley layout, felt cramped and offered limited counter space and an uninspiring view of a side yard. The goal of the renovation was to create a kitchen that was not only more functional and open but also visually stunning, incorporating elements that reflected her unique style while maintaining a clean, modern feel. The transformation began with a bold structural change: removing a wall that separated the kitchen from a seldom-used breakfast nook. This single alteration dramatically improved the kitchen's flow, opening it up to the adjacent living and dining areas and creating a more cohesive living space. The once-dead-end galley was replaced with an L-shaped layout, significantly increasing counter space and storage options. This new configuration allowed for a more intuitive workflow and better interaction with guests during entertaining, a key consideration for O'Connor. Material selection played a crucial role in achieving the desired "midi-malist" look. O'Connor chose natural walnut wood for the lower cabinets and a textured off-white for the uppers, striking a balance between warmth and modernity. The countertops feature a durable and elegant Caesarstone, providing a clean surface that complements the custom cabinetry. The backsplash was a point of contention with her husband due to its bold pattern, but O'Connor’s vision prevailed, adding a distinctive artistic touch to the space. The flooring was updated with engineered hardwood that extends throughout the house, ensuring continuity and a sophisticated foundation. Appliance upgrades were a significant part of the renovation, fulfilling O'Connor's long-standing desire for high-performance kitchen equipment. She selected a six-burner range, a counter-depth refrigerator, and a fully integrated dishwasher, all chosen for their functionality and sleek design. These appliances not only enhance the kitchen's usability but also contribute to its modern aesthetic, blending seamlessly with the new cabinetry. The hardware, including handles and drawer pulls, was carefully chosen to complement the overall design, adding subtle yet impactful details. Lighting was another area of significant improvement. The original kitchen suffered from poor illumination, a common issue in older homes. O'Connor addressed this by installing a combination of recessed lighting, under-cabinet lighting, and a striking globe pendant light over the sink. This multi-layered lighting scheme not only brightens the space but also highlights the kitchen's architectural features and material choices, creating an inviting and well-lit environment. The new window over the sink further enhances natural light, offering a pleasant view of the backyard. The overall design reflects O'Connor's "midi-malist" approach by integrating vibrant art, unique textiles, and personalized accessories within a clean, modern framework. The kitchen now boasts an improved layout, enhanced functionality with dream appliances, and a distinct aesthetic that harmoniously combines Mid-Century Modern influences with a minimalist sensibility. This renovation successfully transformed a dated and impractical space into a contemporary masterpiece that is both beautiful and highly functional. #KitchenRenovation #MidiMalistDesign #ModernKitchen #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #GalleyKitchenTransformation #CustomCabinetry #ApplianceUpgrade #HomeImprovement