Contemporary Cooking

Before

CHALLENGE: To transform an outdated kitchen into an open, unrestrictive and well-organized space.

Before

CHALLENGE: To transform an outdated kitchen into an open, unrestrictive and well-organized space.

SOLUTION: The moment Mark Dysart, co-owner of Marc Christian Fine Cabinetry, stepped into Caryn and Bruce Sandweiss' outdated U-shape kitchen, he envisioned endless possibilities. “Before I even talked to Caryn about a new design, I knew she had a great space to work with,” says Mark. While the kitchen was large, its closed-in, inefficient layout and obsolete design did not flow with the rest of the home's open, modern and clean-lined spaces. Mark and Caryn collaborated to design a new space with her three must-have elements: an open feel, contemporary ingredients and a functional layout. They worked with contractor Joe Huber of Joseph Huber Construction to achieve these goals. And as a former art teacher who had “done her homework” on the newest trends in kitchen design, Caryn had many ideas to share with Mark for the remodel but knew one thing for certain. “I didn't want my kitchen to look like everyone else's,” she says. “I knew I wanted a mix of different mediums for a more creative, artsy ambience.” To accomplish this one-of-a-kind look, they blended maple cabinetry, granite countertops, glass shelves and 3-D laminate pullout drawers embossed with a diamond design to add texture. For striking contrast, black laminate display shelves were selected to showcase Caryn's artful serving pieces.

Almost every aspect of the former kitchen was encumbering. “We entertain a lot, and I only had a tiny area underneath obstructive cabinets through which to serve my guests; it was horrible,” says Caryn. By removing the center cabinet wall and increasing the square footage off the kitchen, Joe opened the space dramatically. The oversized, inefficient walk-in pantry was jettisoned in favor of an open island plan featuring built-in pantry storage, as well as a number of tall storage cabinets throughout the kitchen. A split-level counter on the island extends to form the kitchen table, surrounded by whimsical stainless chairs, while perimeter workspace features angled counters for easy maneuvering. And although the cooktop's former placement forced Caryn to look at a wall, she is now able to stir sauces while watching the family's flat-screen in the great room or talking with guests in the next room. “Now, I love the fact that I can be with the rest of my family when I'm in the kitchen,” says Caryn. “I can talk to my son while he's doing homework or entertain friends as I cook,” she says. “I'm probably the only person who's had this much fun with a kitchen remodel. I was sorry to see Mark and Joe go!”