Creative Kitchen Combines Traditional Styling And Modern Convenience

By Author: Norma Zager
Total Articles: 4
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Relenda and Larry Blair were determined to create a kitchen that would give them the space and convenience they lacked in their old 60s style confined space. Faced with the design challenge of creating an updated look that would successfully combine modern essentials and their traditional tastes, they turned to Universal Remodeling's experienced design team.

Working in concert with Universal's Project Manager Yani, they achieved a unique space and creative blending of styles.

I wanted a kitchen that was classy but homey and opened the entire space to an easy flow, Relenda says. The finishing work looks very high end and custom-made. I can barely tell where the seams are.

The Blairs' old 60ish space was updated with traditional maple cabinets deepened and richened with a coffee glaze.

Henry did a wonderful job, we couldn't have asked for more. The cabinets are beautiful, Relenda notes.

The Windsor style cabinets fit with the more traditional furnishings in the Blair home, and yet the space has a clean modern feeling that updates ...
... the entire home.

New granite countertops in varying tones of brown lend warmth and compliment the cupboard's coffee glaze. Finished off with rose toned metal handles, it was exactly the look Relenda sought.

We searched and when we saw these handles we knew they were just perfect, she adds.

Tumbled travertine with rich quartz accents dress the backsplash and create an interesting dynamic of textures. A slate earth tone hued floor compliments the space. Area rugs add color and additional warmth while stainless steel appliances give a modern feeling to traditional styling.

Relenda says she is so happy with the way the new kitchen layout creates an easy flow from one room into another. Once confined while cooking, the open design creates a space that moves freely combining the living areas of the home.

It seems so much larger and more open now, Relenda says. The whole area looks complete and unified. Extending the floor into the laundry room and adding designer touches like French doors is a complete and unified look.

Small touches like a built-in microwave and the new Kitchen Aid oven that features three ways of cooking, convection, auto conversion or full convection have made cooking so much easier and fun. An added pantry eliminates overcrowding and allows easier access.

Before everything was always filled to the brim and overflowing; now it's so roomy and there's a place for everything, she says. It feels like a home and a kitchen.

Relenda praises Yani for his help in creating a design plan and implementing their preconceived vision.

Yani gave us options that would enhance and fit in with our vision. We had ideas, but he helped us alter and conform these into our space. He also explained things clearly so we could understand why something would or wouldn't work within the confines of our design.

Happy with all their design choices, she raves about her new sink that features one much deeper side for easier access and brushed aluminum faucet with the removable sprayer handle. That was my husband's choice.

Recalling hosting a recent Thanksgiving dinner, Relenda was impressed with the wonders of having an abundance of space.

It wasn't claustrophobic at all. You can look straight back into the backyard, and the whole property just flows and looks so big now. The back of the house is open and glass and can be seen from the kitchen through to the laundry room. I just love it.

Although she had heard stories about remodels, Relenda was pleasantly surprised through their process.

Yani was so forth right, explaining everything so clearly. We did our research and understood the meaning of good ratings and qualifications and he was very honest and trustworthy.

During the remodel she said they dined out a lot and they barbecued. They also moved out for eleven days to make it easier.

It wasn't bad at all. It seemed to go by very quickly. When Yani said he would send someone out to check something or fix a problem, they were there and there quickly. I was impressed that they showed up for work every day, always worked on the project and never said they won't fix something, never once. That was a big plus. When they said they'd take of it, they did. They did their job and were helpful and polite.

Although they still need to add some finishing touches and accents, they are enjoying their new space.

The more I'm in the kitchen, the more comfortable I get. Both Larry and I enjoy cooking and entertaining so much more now and we try new recipes.

He's my guinea pig, she laughs. He has a couple of meals he likes to fix, but basically it's a team effort. I never imagined I'd have something like this. I took pictures before and after I saw the transformation, I was so pleased.