Perspectives
Before & After
pros tasked with revamping the tiny •The condo kitchen didn’t have a lot to work with. Quite
an integrated pantry.” A built-in cabinet to the right of the new opening, literally. At only ninety square feet, space was at a premium. designed to mirror the kitchen cabineNot only was the footprint small, but the building itself had try, balances the expansion. Chrome constraints—like ceilings that couldn’t be raised and ducts legs and a gray Caesarstone top make that couldn’t be moved—to contend with. it feel like furniture and work nicely The owner enlisted Kurt Hakansson of with the living room decor. Hakansson Design Group and Jaye GorThe duo also lowered the ceiling don, now with Interiology Design Co., to in front of the fridge to match the soffit in the kitchen and reimagine the room. bring unity to the space. The kitchen harkened back to another Gordon designed the lower cabinetry of rift-cut oak that era, says Hakansson. “It was from the days has been frosted then glazed, allowing the grain to show when people pretended they didn’t have a through, while the uppers are white-lacquered for a bright, kitchen and hid it. We wanted to invite it airy feel. Notably, the designers eliminated the cabinetry back into the space and make it integral to above the sink. In its place is a beautiful large-format porcethe home.” The first step: lain tile that lends movement and texture. the old white laminate Rounding out the remake: white Caesarcabinets and countertops, black appliances, stone countertops, a new wood floor, a wall PROJECT TEAM and worn floor tile had a date with the dump. oven, and a seamless induction cooktop. Interior design: Before they tackled fixtures and finishes, The homeowner wanted a change, and Kurt Hakansson, Hakansson and Gordon eliminated a threewhat he got, thanks to a savvy design team, is Hakansson Design Group, and Jaye Gordon, now foot-wide wall to create a larger opening from a user-friendly, gorgeous, and award-winning with Interiology Design Co. the kitchen to the living room. “By extend(it racked up a 2018 National Kitchen and Builder: Steve Simms, ing the kitchen to the HVAC ductwork, its Bath Association Design Award) space. Simms Construction natural ending spot,” explains Gordon, “we RESOURCES: For more information about this home, were able to incorporate a full-size fridge and see page 234.
| BY LISA H. SPEIDEL | 198 New England Home | September–October 2018
SO18 Perspectives.indd 198
After photo by Jared Kuzia
8/8/18 12:45 PM