GOLD AWARD
Grossmueller’s Design Consultants, Inc., Washington, D.C.
ART Design Build, Bethesda, Md.
Project location: Silver Spring, Md.
Sq. ft. before: 83
Sq. ft. after: 83
Project cost: $49,200

Most kitchens in America are not monstrously large affairs. This one, by Grossmuller’s Design Consultants, Inc. in Silver Spring, Md., is closer to the average. Remodeling a small space takes a different kind of vision. The remodeler must appreciate the nuances and ramifications of every decision.

For this project, the clients were looking to open up and modernize their kitchen. They wanted to retain the feel of the existing older style but incorporate more functional cabinetry with current amenities. They also sought to remain within the existing footprint of the house.

The list of challenges included the existence of a huge radiator in the sink base cabinet, which needed to be changed. Another challenge was the clients desire to remove walls and yet increase storage. They also wanted to integrate a new hardwood floor into the existing hardwood floor of an adjoining space.

To make the space more functional a number of moves were made. The refrigerator was moved to the rear wall with some counter space between it and the sink. Under the sink, the old radiator was converted to a toe-space radiator. And a new microwave was built into the upper cabinets to free up counter space.

To open up the room, the upper portion of the wall between the kitchen and the dining room was removed, allowing the kitchen to open into the dining room. The room now not only feels more open, but also grabs more natural light from the dining room windows.