Before and After: This Gutted Kitchen Is Now Both Hard-Working and Serene
The Philadelphia row house hadn’t been upgraded much in sixty years, so Kristy knew it would be a fixer upper when she bought it. Kristy loves to cook and wanted to create the perfect workspace, so she put a lot of attention into the kitchen.
Because of the nature of the renovation loan Kristy took out, she had to hire approved contractors to do most of the work. But that doesn’t mean it was easy. The place needed to be totally gutted so new mechanical, drywall, floors, and plumbing could be installed. Kristy planned everything out, from hiring the wood flooring installers to sourcing the cabinet pulls.
The kitchen is a sturdy, industrious kitchen dressed up in delicate hardware and a soothing shade of blue. A big farmhouse sink and a wide countertop provide a luxurious amount of space for Kristy to really stretch out when she does her baking or meal prep.
The narrow layout of the home stopped her from getting the big island she wanted, but she made it work by putting a skinny one on wheels that can be moved during big gatherings.
The choice to install both cabinets and open shelves is a clever one: Kristy can display and have easy access to her attractive dishes and cookware, but can hide anything that might be more difficult to keep tidy.
It was a tough job but Kristy learned a lot, and her hands-on planning really shows. She was able to create a well-organized kitchen while also making it beautiful and totally her own.
Congrats on a job well done, Kristi!