THE CHALLENGE: MAKE THE KITCHEN MORE FUNCTIONAL, MORE FUN AND MORE A PART OF THE HOUSE WITHOUT ADDING SPACE
The background: The homeowners, both of whom enjoy cooking and entertaining, wanted a kitchen that could accommodate more than one chef. They also wanted the kitchen to be connected to -- rather than cut off from -- the rest of house, which overlooks the St. Croix River Valley.
Open up: By removing the soffits and bulky hanging cabinets, Butler was able to open the kitchen to the adjacent great room.
Stealing space: Instead of enlarging the footprint of the kitchen, which would have been costly, Butler gained space by transforming two coat closets: one into a pantry, the other into a recess that holds two wall ovens (not pictured).
Cost containment: Even though she reconfigured the kitchen and moved many appliances, Butler left the sink in its original location, avoiding expensive plumbing charges.
Contemporary, not cold: The homeowners were after a contemporary feel, but they didn't want "something that felt sterile," said Butler. So they chose a vibrant mix of materials -- maple flooring, granite countertops, glass tile -- in warm tones.
Custom, not cookie cutter: Partly to keep the kitchen from having a uniform look, Butler installed two-tone cabinets in maple and cherry. "It adds interest and makes the kitchen more personal," she said.
Island access: To incorporate a comfortable, designated seating area at the kitchen, Butler added a polished piece of curved glass atop the island countertop. The glass bar also makes a natural gathering spot for guests.
Color-coordinated: When one of the homeowners admitted to having a thing for purple, Butler incorporated "a punch of purple" in the mosaic tile backsplash, the wall color and the glass light fixtures.
