Patterson House
Contemporary Kitchen, Ottawa
Traditionally Modern
In this long, narrow '90s traditional home, the dining room was dark and unused because of the adjacent closed kitchen. Removing the kitchens’ two non-structural walls revealed the dramatic water view through the living room. A large kitchen window and the addition of three stainless take-a-peek portal windows now provide natural light to the dining space.
The use of natural materials helps achieve a warm look. Upper cabinet doors of acid-etched glass framed in aluminium communicate an almost transparent feeling. A change in glass texture and sculptural handle marks the location of good china and crystal. In-cabinet lighting and glass shelves help with the transmission of ambient light into the kitchen. A change in depth of the upper cabinets -- 19 inches, up from the usual 12 inches -- allows for extra storage. Outlets are concealed in a power strip tucked under the upper cabinets beside the task lighting.
Behind the matte-finished, vertical grain cherry drawer fronts, varying depths accommodate storage of goods of different heights. Stainless toe-kick drawers with integrated foot pulls offer bonus storage for flat and canned goods (including hockey skates tucked under the closet). Cherry pilaster strips frame the cabinets, dishwasher and refrigerator, unifying the overall appearance of the room. This look was enlarged for the closet area for dramatic effect and to conceal the relocation of the upstairs air ducts. The closet contains several drawers for storing gloves, scarves, boots and rollerblades. Door-triggered lights make for easy viewing into a bottom corner cabinet and the front hall closet.
A Zen boot tray sits next to the closet. This cherry-clad, stainless tray with natural polished rocks provides a temporary holding area for wet winter boots. A magnificent random-patterned, heated, Scotia slate floor provides warmth to the boot tray.Aromatic scents are added to the tray water to condition the air around the boots. In the summer, it makes a great home for bulb flowers to grow. On occasion, the home owner has even used the heated floor to warm plates and raise pizza dough.
A modern, stainless, farm-apron sink sits under a striking, green and black soapstone counter. The large ledge provides space for a removable, beech butcher block to cut fresh veggies. The solid pebble, matte finish of the soapstone complements and contrasts with the thick, broken edge of the clear, shiny glass bar-top above it. The curved front of the soapstone peninsula mimics the curve in the glass hood of the kitchen fan and in the soapstone peninsula. The built-in coffeemaker (with water feed) is strategically placed so it can be accessed from both sides of the peninsula for easy serving.
The window seat conceals file storage below, the integrated cherry heat vent grill, and the toe kick central vacuum outlet. Tucked behind large pillows, stainless flaps with chutes allow for delivery of recyclables to outside bins. A pull-out appliance garage and mini stand-up desk area sit on a five-foot, pull-out, stainless countertop, reminiscent of traditional Hoosiers of early 1900s Indiana.
This project re-interpreted traditional materials, including soapstone, slate, glass and wood, for a modern context while maintaining a warm, inviting look. An intimate, comfortable relationship permeates this space -- a wonderful sense of home in the Modern Tradition.
Paul Denys
Designer/Renovator/Restorer
Pager 613-594-1706 M-F, 8-5pm
Denys Builds Designs
54 Mason Terrace
Ottawa, Ontario,
K1S 0K9
(613) 236-6516
paul@denys.ca
www.Denys.ca
Stove backsplash