Wendy Ross and Tomas Gilbert knew they wanted a home in West Seattle, but five years ago, the housing market made it difficult for them to find the perfect move-in fit. “We kept getting outbid by cash offers,” said Ross. “So, our realtor recommended we take a different approach.” Ross and Gilbert were brought to to a charming historic Tudor with one major problem – a nearly unusable kitchen.
“It was a depressing, dark little place,” said Ross. “There was no dishwasher, a cramped breakfast nook that wasn’t usable, and barely more than one person could fit in at a time.” Remnants of a previous remodel included dated mid-century blond wood cabinets and a linoleum floor.
Ross and Gilbert decided to bring in the professionals.
Lauren Hockema of K&L Interiors helped Ross and Gilbert find more space, light, and functionality, harmonizing the kitchen with the rest of the home’s style.
“We removed a wall to the adjacent dining room and removed the breakfast “nook” which was only functional as storage,” said Hockema. Windows were shifted to add light in the right places, and additional cabinetry, flush to the ceiling, brought more storage space in the enlarged footprint.
Stylistically, the kitchen adopts the more traditional spirit of the 1931 home, as if it has always been there. “The terra cotta floor tile has a raw finish meant to patina,” Hockema said. “Giving it a lived-in look like it’s original to the house.”
Hockema had a custom surround built for the Zephyr 30" Monsoon stove hood insert. “The house has many curved shapes, including entryways and built-ins. The softer lines of the hood tie into that,” said Hockema. It has been painted the same Benjamin Moore Bruton White as the cabinets. “It’s the perfect, subtle, warm grey-beige.”
There is a classic farmhouse sink and unfinished brass hardware and plumbing. The natural, unpainted finish of the windows and baseboards has been matched to the rest of the house. The stone quartzite countertops have a traditional marble look but are more durable.
Ross and Gilbert trusted Hockema and Paul Quade from STS Construction Services enough to move out of the house while the remodel occurred. “We came home to what I think is one of the best-looking kitchens I’ve ever been in,” said Ross. “Now it’s bright, airy, and beautiful. The whole experience was fantastic. Lauren did an amazing job, and Paul brought it all together on time and on budget.”
PROJECT SOURCES
CONTRACTOR
STS Construction Services
stsconstructionservices.com
INTERIOR DESIGN
K&L Interiors
kandlinteriors.com
