The customers wanted a warm and inviting space.
The kitchen in a five-bedroom, five-and-a-half bathroom home in Calabasas, California, was originally traditional and dated. “The furniture was unnecessarily ornate and the countertops were loud and made with an outdated edge profile,” explains designer Sarah West.
The client's vision for the kitchen remodel was to combine modern and traditional elements to create a warm and inviting space for guests. But there was one condition: Sarah and her team couldn't expand it that much or change the floor plan. “I had to keep the kitchen's original floor plan, as the tile floor extends across the entire first floor of the house, but optimize the space to make it feel more open, inviting and functional,” she says.
Nils Timm
Fortunately, the layout and layout of the rooms were functional and the house already had excellent framework. The clients had a relaxed style, so Sarah fully embraced their mood when planning the design.
“The client really trusted my design process and allowed free creative freedom,” she adds. “I just wanted to make sure the new design continued to flow with the rest of the house.”
Nils Timm
She and her team gave the room a significant style upgrade. The kitchen cabinets are the star of the show. “The cabinets were completely custom-made, and this is where the kitchen shines,” explains Sarah. “I really thought about optimizing the space for the client's use and positioned the cabinets accordingly. From a design perspective, I combined the European front frame with alternating door styles including slab front and shaker front. I love the depth this adds to the design and how it contributes to the bespoke nature of the project.”
Nils Timm
A central kitchen island with matching cabinets was installed in the room, providing enough space for preparing and cooking as well as more storage space. A large series is another statement piece, and above is a minimalist, custom-made plaster hood that blends into the walls.
The wooden beams complement the windows and also emphasize the high ceilings. The floating wooden shelves as well as ceramic and natural elements throughout the room create an organic, homely atmosphere.
Nils Timm
The space now lives up to clients' expectations and is both inviting, warm and optimized for entertaining. And Sarah says, all in all, it was a smooth renovation. “Honestly, the process with the kitchen was pretty smooth, there wasn't much unexpected when we demoed it, and we kept the same footprint so everything moved around easily,” she explains. “Our main priority was to complete the kitchen as quickly as possible since this is truly the entertaining hub of their home.”