AWARD-WINNING DESIGN
The winners of the 2009 NKBA Design Competition were announced in the Spring issue of Profiles magazine, and among them was Diane Foreman, CKD, CBD, of Neil Kelly Design in Lake Oswego, OR, who was honored for Best Before & After. She transformed her client's inefficient and outdated kitchen into a contemporary space that happens to feature the Millennia Classic Wall Oven and Renaissance 30" Gas Cooktop by Dacor.
Selected from hundreds of entries, Foreman's client wanted to do an extensive remodel but needed to stay within a certain budget. Ultimately, the renovation entailed a whole house remodel of the 1940s two-story with a full basement, which meant a complete reconfiguration of the first floor, relocating the kitchen and a second floor addition.
Faced with a few challenges and the knowledge that there would need to be some compromise in order to keep the project within budget, Foreman and her team worked closely with the client to plan the new space.
"The main challenge was budget," said Foreman. "It was an extremely large project that required us to completely redo the house from top to bottom. So, we had to make compromises on materials to keep the project within budget. For instance, instead of doing a full glass backsplash, I created a design that used a combination of glass and cermaic tiles."
And as with many homeowners, the client wanted an open floor plan that was conducive to entertaining with upgraded appliances that would provide a more efficient cooking experience. While Foreman had to source low-cost solutions for much of the home, there was little room for compromise when it came to the quality of the appliances.
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Foreman recommended the Dacor Wall Oven because she was confident about the level of quality and performance the product offers.
"I really believe in Dacor products. I feel like Dacor has a wonderful wall oven with lots of interior space. The product is excellent."
Selecting appliances are key to space planning because they have a major impact on the floor plan, which is why Foreman suggests clients pick their appliances as early in the process as possible.
"When you're planning the kitchen, you want to make sure you have room for the applainces to maintain an easy workflow and enough counter space. Knowing the appliances you have to plan around ensures the best use of the kitchen."
Keeping some of the original art deco elements of the early 1940s home, Foreman delivered on her promise to create a breathtaking room that is truly the center of the home and offers inspiration for cooking and entertaining.
What was once a labyrinth of small rooms is now a space that feels far larger than it is. The kitchen was integrated into the space with furniture elements such as a mix of cabinet finishes: a dark, rich coffee color contrasting with a warm, brandy color.
The focal point of the kitchen is a boxed eating bar highlighted by LED rope lighting below the sand-blasted glass top. A whimsical aluminum leg supports one end of the box, its gentle curves repeated in the cabinet knobs and pulls and undulating lines of the sink faucet. Floating wall cabinets and a random geometric porcelain and glass tile backsplash add to the mid century-inspired mix.
Click here for more informatin on the award-winning kitchen by Diane Foreman.
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