Favorite Spaces Winner: Kitchen

Why he loves it:
What was once a small, dated and secluded 1970s kitchen is now kitchen and bath designer Jim Howard’s favorite space in his home. “I waited a long time to redo that original room without having to compromise my wish list,” says Jim, “and I really wanted a kitchen that was reflective of my abilities as a designer.” Jim hired one of Glen Alspaugh’s carpenters to do the demolition and lay the tile. “With the exception of a licensed electrician, the rest of the work was done by me,” Jim stated. “Some of my favorite details are the large sink/drainboard, two tall display cabinets, the fold-down wire racks behind the range that I salvaged from an old stainless steel backsplash, the spice drawer and spice wall cabinet to the right of the range, the microwave drawer, the lighting and the in-kitchen dining area.“ Functionally, the kitchen works perfectly, with a place for everything and easy access to it all. Plus, there is plenty of room for up to four cooks and guests, too. “Designing my own space and seeing that creation come to life has been so rewarding,” says Jim.

Why the judges love it:
We love this gorgeous amber-colored kitchen! The color palette is calming, and the backsplash tile is beautiful. The room is pleasantly scaled and is an efficient design in a tight space. We also love how the homeowner integrated the breakfast nook into the overall design.

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