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Custom Kitchen: Wood on White
This article details a whole-house remodel of an 1100-sq.-ft. bungalow in Sacramento's Elmhurst neighborhood, focusing on the custom kitchen design. The home, built in the 1930s, initially suffered from lathe-and-plaster walls, knob-and-tube wiring, lack of insulation, a stick-frame roof, and a cramped, maze-like floor plan. The renovation, led by Arthur Peychev of Novoya Design + Construction in collaboration with investor Stephen Riggs, aimed to modernize the space while retaining its inherent charm.
A significant aspect of the remodel involved opening up the main living areas. The walls between the kitchen, living room, and dining room were removed to create an open-concept flow, addressing the previously claustrophobic atmosphere. To support the new ceiling in this expanded space, LVL (laminated veneer lumber) beams were installed. The dining nook was subtly defined by dropping a section of the ceiling and incorporating tongue-and-groove accent walls, contributing to the home's aesthetic.
The kitchen's layout was reconfigured into a galley style, deemed the most efficient for the space. A peninsula counter was integrated to separate the kitchen from the living room, maintaining an open feel without hindering movement. A key design element throughout the house, and particularly in the kitchen, is the combination of white surfaces with warm wood accents. White-oak butcher-block slab countertops were chosen for their ability to add warmth to the bright white cabinetry and walls.
Custom, handcrafted wood elements and true stone tile are central to the kitchen's appeal. The design team opted against traditional upper wall cabinets, instead installing open shelves to foster a clean, airy ambiance. A unique challenge arose with the backsplash installation: instead of rectangular subway tiles, 3-in. by 9-in. limestone tiles were selected. These tiles required precise 45-degree angle cuts on both ends to achieve a chevron pattern, a process complicated by the frail and crumbly nature of limestone, leading to significant material waste and labor.
Another custom feature is a barn door, built on-site from pine, stained with Minwax Golden Oak, and hung with matte-black hardware. This door serves both a decorative purpose, complementing the chevron tile with its repeating diagonal lines, and a functional one, providing privacy for an adjacent office space. Interestingly, one of the most complimented design accents in the kitchen was an accidental inclusion. An unintentional cut made with a circular saw into an already installed butcher-block counter led the designer to deliberately make more cuts, fill them with wood filler, and then sand and stain the counters, transforming a mistake into a distinctive design detail.
The article lists the specific materials and fixtures used in the renovation, including Kelly Moore Swiss Coffee paint for walls and trim, Minwax Golden Oak stain and Clear Satin polyurethane for wood surfaces, Shaker-style custom cabinets, IKEA hardware, a ceramic apron-front sink, and a stainless steel faucet. The backsplash features Maravilla Serene Ivory limestone tile with Mapei Light Almond flexcolor CQ grout. Lighting fixtures in the dining room, kitchen, and living room were sourced from West Elm, while kitchen appliances include GE stainless steel models for the dishwasher, range, and refrigerator. Ventilation is provided by a ZYPHYR stainless steel hood. Overall, the remodel showcases a thoughtful approach to combining simple design with handcrafted details and overcoming construction challenges to create a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing living space.
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