This masterfully remodeled kitchen and adjoining storage area is located about 30 miles northeast of downtown San Diego, CA, in Escondido. The homeowners were looking to complement existing architectural features, maximize perceived space, and balance traditional and modern elements. Existing highlights included vaulted wooden ceilings and hardwood floors.
The dining room showcases floating cabinets, intentionally designed to be shorter than standard cabinets. This approach makes the room feel taller and more spacious. Positioned at dining room table height, about six inches shorter than typical kitchen cabinets, these walnut cabinets blend with the existing wooden floors and ceilings. This transitional style cabinetry features Shaker-style doors with a modern twist, providing a contemporary yet traditional look that enhances the room’s architecture.
The kitchen continues the theme with stained walnut cabinets and a matching island. A stained hood coupled with nickel hardware create a cohesive and sophisticated look. A ceiling fan, its fins made of walnut to complement the island and cabinets, adds a subtle touch of elegance.
Despite the kitchen’s long and narrow layout, Holland’s was able to craft a large island, addressing one of the project’s biggest challenges: maximizing space in such a linear room.
The varying ceiling heights in the kitchen and dining areas presented another challenge. The vaulted ceilings resulted in taller-than-standard heights on the hood wall, while the sink wall had lower-than-standard ceilings. Such variation required careful planning to maintain balance and harmony.
Near the bottom of the stairs in a hallway outside the kitchen and dining areas, Holland’s created a functional yet stylish storage solution. With oversized drawers and door fronts, this grouping of upper and lower cabinets now serves as a catch-all for linens, blankets, and sundry household items. Undercabinet lighting enhances the space, adding depth and utility to this practical but stylish nook.
