DIY Kitchen Revitalization
Revitalized kitchen in process.
The design principals develop for the on line book / experience can also be effective in a kitchen design ready for revitalization. The kitchen at the Harmony acres testing site was in need of overhaul. This post will explore the options to create a new kitchen space with a tight budget and options for sweat equity. View and overview movie
Existing plans and images highlights the challenges and the opportunities.
The before pictures indicate the existing conditions
The budget for this need was limited. Phasing for the revitalization was key in establishing a modern working kitchen in a short time frame.
Visit the Harmony acres research web page to learn more about recent development
Existing and new proposed plan. Comparison
Existing kitchen plan had some opportunity for space re-purposing. Corridors for circulation are recaptured to provide new space for fundamental changes in the main cooking area of the kitchen.
The refrigerator located in the main cooking area was a must for relocation. Corridor from the bedroom zone was a secondary need with the entry from the foyer into the great flex space as a preferred option when compared to the priority of the kitchen space. The creation of a new wall and enclosure of the opening to the great flex space was a DIY project. The wall was constructed of 2x4 studs secured on top of the existing ceramic tile. A wood wall cladding was preferred to compliment the existing wall structure. The new wall becomes a location for a collection of photography that has been collected and a long awaited display project.
New kitchen plan concept.
Phase one was to create the new wall and enclose the opening from the Great Flex so the frig could be relocated. This new space in the main cooking area provided a new open plan space.
The wood walls located throughout the interior of the home were a monotone experience and did not take advantage of the natural light from the garden view window over the sink. The option to paint with a neutral white bounced the natural light in the space an experience of expansion of the limited foot print of the kitchen.
Before and after comparison provides an overview of the phased revitalization.
Base cabinets where well beyond the service life but could not be replaced at this time. Cabinet finish had failed and was dated. A solution was to white wash the existing cabinet finish after a sanding of the existing solid wood cabinet doors and drawer fronts. White based jell application maintained the visual grain appearance of the wood while the white color helped with natural light vibrancy. New drawer pulls and door handles where installed to compliment the cabinet front finish changes.
Relocation of frig from main kitchen area opens up the ability to layer the space with Flexing options.
Cabinet top is a color and materiel type of the era in which it was installed. This will be replace at a later date with the base cabinets. A short term solution was to stop by the local ceramic tile show room and ask to purchase some of the display tile. This search resulted in a collection of ceramic tile to resurface areas around the clean up and main cooking areas. These paneled tiles can be relocated on the counter top providing a layer of variety a finish flexing option.
New tile panels are a DIY to revitalize an old counter top.
Some of the shops offered the samples for free in hopes of sale when the future revitalization is celebrated. A new metal edging and a carpet tape backing create a new more durable material top for the kitchen transformation in progress. Large format tiles provide a new counter top with the placement of some carpet tape on the back side of the tile to protect the existing counter top finish.
Corner cabinet can pantry space revitalized with addition of turn tables.
The corner base cabinet storage to the right of the kitchen sink space is restructured with the addition of two turn tables to be placed at the front edge for revolving access. This deep inaccessible cabinet space is re-purpose as the can pantry with stock pile of canned fresh vegetables from the garden on the top shelf and store bought can goods on the lower shelf.
New microwave hood opens up wood block counter.
The microwave located on the wood block counter top to the right of the range is moved to the basements for movie night snack operations. A new hood microwave is installed above the range. Microwave up high provides more counter space around the cooking surface area. The light function of the appliances provides more light on the burner area of the range. The filtered fan helps to reduce the impact of cooking odors and will be connected to an outside duct in the future.
Corridor space transforms into a new pantry zone outside the main cooking area of the kitchen. Pantry space is the new location of the refrigerator. The existing opening to the great flex is filled in with a new wall and with a wood finish on the great flex side of the opening. A the pantry side surface is cabinet grade plywood. This plywood is painted white to help bounce the light in this new space. The plywood also provides support for the addition of two new wall cabinets that have similar style and wood type as the existing base cabinets. The new wall cabinets are finished with the same wash white technique and matching hardware door handles as the base cabinets in the main kitchen. These cabinets become the pantry area for the dry goods items that are not well suited for the open shelf in the main kitchen.
Young cooks working in the quick stop kitchen create in the new pantry area.
When you have children in the home it can be equipped with the needs of a quick stop kitchen. Toaster for warming a pop tart for a quick breakfast. Or creating a grill cheese in a sandwich press. This space flexes to a quick stop kitchen.
The small counter top created by the the wall hung cabinet in the typical base cabinet location creates a space for storage of many of the high use counter top appliances. It can also double as a wet bar for a quick drink mixing station. This new pantry area can also become a quick stop kitchen for all to create that quick snack outside the main cook zone. Young cooks can begin experimenting with cooking skills.
Snack event at the quick stop kitchen. Young cooks learning basic.
New pantry area creates layers of young cook opportunities. The frig provides drinks and source for a quick meal or snack. This cook zone is located outside the main kitchen area so a quick snack can be prepared while main kitchen is in full production for the evening meal.
A media screen provides a source for family calendar. This screen can also function as the source for watching the latest cooking video content to help in expanding the family menu.
This screen can also function as the video chat check in screen for the senior family member spending the day alone at home.
New pantry area and mobile island layers of self serve bar for a family food event.
Pantry area can also provided layers of self serve kitchen area for a family food event. Working in conjunction with the mobile island pantry is beverage central.
The open shelf area is leveraged as the storage area for the everyday dish and cup items. This area also provides a show case area for those ceramics that have been collected over time. Fresh cut flowers and plants bring the garden view to life which is provided by large window above the sink.
New open space plan in the kitchen provides layers of accessible space to the new revitalized kitchen.
The top surface of the refrigerator in this new more out of sight space becomes the hide away for those larger item counter appliance. Mixers, crock pots, and instant pot are stored and ready for use on the recaptured counter top surface near the range thanks to the new microwave. The transformation of a revitalized kitchen can become a domino effect. One change can create new layers of opportunity for new experiences in as the kitchen space is activated as joy source.
Main kitchen now has space for the addition of a mobile island. This new counter space is welcomed in this limited size kitchen. The base cabinets units are from Ikea and are selected for the style and finish that will in the future replace the existing base cabinets. Ikea cabinets provide a variety of features including the cost savings of DIY option of assembly for the sweat equity opportunity. Layers of flexing as the mobile island is relocated for the need of the next food event.
Ikea cabinets are a central component of a new mobile island cabinet.
Ikea base cabinet features allow for a custom drawer options. These provide a pull out access to the base cabinet area. Traditional base cabinet with swinging door below with fixed shelving and single drawer above create access issues for all and are not a well aged cooks option. The drawers pull complete out allow for full visual of the contents and easy of access from a standing position. Features available for the mobile island base cabinet area are flexing and organizing celebration. Accessible needs are meet with these cabinets.
Learn more about the Flex concept with an overview movie.
Visit the Flex concept page. Read a blog post on the flex concept
Center island location layers of multiple cook work zones.
Mobile island located in the center location as illustrated in the image above offers layers of work station options. The cooking event can become a collective gathering of cook sharing in the great joy of making food to share and celebrate with others. A elemental human experience elevated by human need design.
Angle mobile island kitchen layers of experience.
Mobile island allows for options to meet the needs of any food event. For this new revitalized space.
Positioned as an island it adds layers of experience for the range cooking area. Additional food preparation area near the cook top and range. This island location creates space and work surface for a sue chief to contribute to the cook’s art of making food to share. After the sue chief work is complete more layers of experience are possible. A stool transforms this space into a visitor’s whole body experience space. Add a glass of wine for a taste bud activator. Smell of the food cooking. Visuals of the fresh ingredients creating a moving painting as the food is created. A view of the garden beyond at the window over the sink. Sharing a memory from your child hood of watching your Mom preparing food. This is the elemental whole body experience space. A moment of joy to be savored and celebrated. Design creates layers of experience. A joy moment in space.
Another food event that activates this location is baking. This could be a day of shared baking for the extended families daily bread. Or maybe that bake sale for the kids fund raiser this kitchen provided layers for all cooks no matter age to contribute and share in the art of food creation. Inter generational cooking experience the act of food traditions passing form one generation to the next.
A canning event is a food event a garden to table experience. The taste of fresh vegetables is elemental and should be experienced by a whole family event. A seed in the ground and the process to harvest is a layered experience that can provide a feeling of self sufficiency and satisfaction of a contributing member of the family unit. Family coming together to work toward the goal of extending this bounty of harvest time meals throughout the year and as food sharing to the extended family and beyond. Memories of wisdom from our well aged family members speak of a time when a offering of canned vegetable was gift of comfort and love. Mobile island is positioned to best suit the number of contributing members best suited for the task at hand.
Mobile island provides counter top surface ready to flex for the creation of a self serve space for the next family food event. A food buffet line or a beverage station mobile island provides the layers.
Cooking day for the lunches for the week is a shared event that can activate this revitalized kitchen. A family assembly line working together to create a source for quality meals for the week is a food event where many cooks in the kitchen is well served by flexing kitchen. Working together to share in creating food to share is an elemental experience.
The kitchen as a gathering space is a flex available with the mobile island in this new open plan area of the kitchen. Making of all types and sharing time with family and friends. This space is a full body experience space. Opening the garden view window may provide a scented breeze from the garden and the sound of birds as you watch the humming birds visit each flower. Conscious design with the human experience in mind helps celebrate the elemental needs a kitchen can become.
Family in the kitchen. Celebrate each moment of time you have with family. Cooking the family meal is not a time to be alone in the kitchen revitalize the kitchen to help encourage young and old to interact in the kitchen. Mobile island positioned near the range provides the counter surface area for the cook while offering a dining space for a breakfast or a quick stop meal. Image above indicates the eat at bar location of the island.
Pantry space provides layers of transformation for the kitchen . The corridor space re purposed add layers of experience to the main kitchen space as it flexes and transforms according to the family dynamic needs. Young cooks exposure to adults making of all types is a elemental human need. The kitchen can become a space for gathering and making as a family. Cooking traditions and the passing along through the actual act of making is an element of living.
Inter generational has many layers to offer a family unit. Well aged living with more first hand interactions between family members is a elemental design directive. Maintaining and active mind with a sense of purpose and a reduction of loneliness is the key to a well aged environment. The family life cycle has many needs and a flexing and transforming revitalization can be a a rewarding process.
Images above are a moment in the revitalize kitchen as young cooks interact as team to a making event. Sharing and giving of food and support to the family unit. Elemental human moments celebrated creating memories meeting innate human needs.
Sustainable living is a goal that should be consider for all family home needs. Revitalization of an existing home the extension of the life span of a home is balanced approach when you consider the impact a new home can have on the environment. A key is to phase the project based on a source plan of an overall design objective to meet fluid nature of family needs. With design guidance DIY options help to create a budget balance approach to phased revitalization. Small budget project are a true design challenge with the control of DIY guided by the interaction with a design professional. Harmon acres research is a laboratory for the development of a return to the elements of living. Seeking wellness through human needs based design philosophy.
Read these blogs links below:
MODS
www.returntoelementsliving.com/blog/2019/6/4/mods-layers-of-elements
Plan Transformation
www.returntoelementsliving.com/blog/2018/11/25/plan-transformation