We were hired to update the kitchen in a back bay brownstone initially built back in 1843.
The home had a small, narrow kitchen commonly referred to as a “galley kitchen.” Our client wanted a brighter, more-modern, open-concept kitchen, and living area, including a bar suitable for entertaining.
Any time you are working in a Brownstone Penthouse, it is a challenge – you have tight stairs; you can’t access anything from above or underneath, and there is nowhere to put a dumpster! With a little ingenuity and inspiration, we were off to the races.
Design inspiration comes from several sources; meeting the client, learning about what inspires them, getting to know them, and visiting their home. In this case, we set out to design a space full of different textures that would be colorful, classic in a way that matches the brownstone style and modern, and highly usable.
Initially, the client wanted the entire kitchen to be open to the living room. Due to an electrical box in the wall in the dividing wall area, keep a portion in place was required.
Ultimately, a closed-off galley kitchen with an awkward eating area has turned into a beautiful and modern open concept kitchen with a seated waterfall island. The glass wall tile adds texture to the room, and the mirrored bar area finishes off the room and makes it perfect for entertaining.
Watch City Kitchens has long been a member of EM NARI, a non-profit membership association dedicated to advancing quality in the professional remodeling industry. We are incredibly grateful to have been presented the 2020 CotY Award at EM NARI’s Virtual Evening of Excellence event on Wednesday, September 2nd.
This project was just one of 80 total projects submitted for CotY Awards across eighteen categories. A panel of eleven independent reviewers judged the project entries in a blind evaluation. Projects are judged on a 70 point scale with points awarded for how well the project met the client’s needs and enhanced the functionality and aesthetics of the space, innovative uses of materials and methods, the ability to overcome obstacles creatively, the craftsmanship displayed in the project, and the presentation of the project.