Refined Kitchen Remodel

Photography by David Darby

Before the remodel, this home projected a tired image from 1985 and needed an infusion of new energy.

The homeowners contracted Jørgensen Builders and Heceli Kitchen & Bath Design to renovate the compressed, inefficient kitchen with the objective of greater functionality, connectivity, and livability. The homeowners wanted the kitchen, dining, and portal spaces to become seamless, with a visual invitation of the Jemez Mountain view.

Along with these functional objectives, the homeowners wished to create an updated classic look and feel informed by their admiration of Georgia O'Keeffe's modern, western ethos of simplicity and bold organic forms.

The design/build team, keeping in mind the homeowners' passion for culinary arts, carefully crafted the kitchen with the utmost attention to form, quality, and detail. The kitchen's existing compact footprint presented a challenge — as well as an opportunity to make the space elegantly purposeful. Doing so involved many custom design solutions. The layered complexity of the kitchen design included maximizing storage and integrating space-saving interior cabinet features.

The team enhanced the feeling of spaciousness by concealing the range hood within custom cabinetry. This helped give the kitchen a seamless, monolithic appearance, eliminating visual breaks that can make a space feel cluttered or busy.

The kitchen was renovated with custom oak riff cabinetry, which was selected for its natural beauty and to complement the refinished bourbon-hued oak floors by Lightfoot, adding texture and warmth.

The counter between the kitchen and dining room was designed to allow for greater workspace for meal preparation. The counter has no seating to increase cabinet space and create an uninterrupted flow between the two rooms, both of which provide views of the mountains. As a final touch, the old grouted tile countertops were replaced with a quartz waterfall design from Infinity Stone, which elevates the feel of the entire room.