To discover our process for building this beautifully traditional San Clemente kitchen, read below!
Before
The previous kitchen was becoming dated fast. Rather than go for a renovation that hinged on fleeting trends, the homeowners wished to invest in something that would stand the test of time. This is why they chose a traditional theme for their new kitchen, a look that will never go out of style.
Restructuring
As soon as we stepped in, we teamed up with the homeowner to plan a more efficient layout. An L-shaped kitchen with a long island was chosen as the best use of space. It would maximize the workable surface area of the kitchen, while still leaving plenty of room for a dining table to the right. We crafted Euro style custom cabinets in this layout, with Victorian doors and a deep, sophisticated African Mahogany finish. The long, spacious kitchen island also serves as a bar with seating, making it ideal for casual entertaining. In addition, the island encourages social interaction during meals and gatherings. At one end of the island, a built-in wine rack sits beside a designated space for a compact wine refrigerator. This layout keeps beverages easily accessible while maintaining a clean design.
The full-height custom cabinets make every inch of space useful for storage, and with matching crown and foot molding, timelessly stylish too. For a bit of something different, we contrasted the dark brown cabinetry with a white wooden hood installed over the cooking range. 1 ½” single bevel edged countertops in a granite marbled with earthy tones of sand and charcoal plays off both the light and dark neutral hues of the kitchen’s palette.
Creamy white rectangular flagstones now run horizontally along the bar side of the island. In addition, the same tiles extend across the open wall space beneath the rest of the kitchen cabinetry. Above the cooking range, smaller tiles in the same style create a strong focal point. Moreover, this detail adds texture and visual interest to the overall design.
Appliances
Our client turned to Thermador to provide most of the new appliances, all in a stainless steel finish. A Thermador Sapphire 24” dishwasher sits in the island beside the Kohler Whitehaven 36” farmhouse sink. In addition, this placement improves workflow and everyday convenience. Beneath the Imperial range hood insert, a Thermador 36” Professional Series Pro Grand commercial-depth all-gas range anchors the cooking area. Below it, a Thermador 30” Masterpiece Series single oven with a professional handle adds baking flexibility. Elsewhere, a Thermador built-in convection microwave sits alongside the existing refrigerator. Finally, a U-Line Wine Captain wine cooler fits neatly into the narrow space at the end of the island. As a result, the design maximizes storage while maintaining a clean, streamlined look.
If you live in San Clemente or another part of Orange County, and are looking for professional local contractors to help you with your own kitchen renovation, don’t hesitate to contact APlus Interior Design and Remodeling!
