The new kitchen occupies the original footprint but is partially hidden behind the arched opening.
When the owners purchased this condominium in an 1830′s Greek Revival building they immediately embarked on a kitchen remodel. The single-family home was carved into apartments in 1965, and then converted to condos two decades later. The kitchen had most likely been a dressing room or bed alcove in its first life and the owners designed an ingenious way to pay homage to its past.
The pass-through with bi-fold shutters was replaced with an arched doorway featuring custom paneled pocket doors. When fully extended, the pocket doors do not cover the kitchen completely; they merely screen it [top photo]. Almost half of its original 90 square feet is now behind the archway, making the kitchen appear smaller. But in reality, there is more cabinetry and counter space with the new design.
To allow full access to the laundry area, the left pocket door is fully retracted into the wall and the right pocket door has been slid completely across the opening – taking the place of the left door [shown in this pair of photos, above]. A solid door matching the upper cabinets hides the stacked washer and gas dryer [shown open in the right photo, above].
The microwave/sink corner in this before photo shows the new laundry closet location – you can see the old pass-through on the right to get your bearings.
The owners added a small island in the approximate location of the original shutter pass-through. Designed at desk height, it is lower than the kitchen counters but provides extra work and serving space. Its color echoes the nearby living room marble fireplace mantel. A Sub-Zero refrigerator is located just outside the main kitchen, cleverly hidden in the custom matched maple veneer staircase “box.” More on that in a minute. A glimpse of the Miele dishwasher and soapstone sink with Mico faucet can be seen beyond the island. Oak flooring throughout the main level is stained a custom mix of ebony, Jacobean and walnut. Great care was taken in the reproduction of original millwork and plaster cornices.
The microwave, which was painted to blend in, and slide-in gas stove are found in the original refrigerator location. The integrated Broan range hood keeps the new space clean. A mix of cabinets were selected; KraftMaid base, painted to match the island, and custom made uppers. Counters are handsome soapstone while the backsplash is back painted Starphire glass.
This photo shows the original front hallway, staircase and kitchen entrance, which was through the bi-fold doors on the right.
Two hallway closets were removed, allowing the passage to shift to the left. A matched maple veneer box with a museum reveal, floating it slightly off the floor, frames the 1965 staircase. Staying sensitive to the original details, the box does not touch the 1840 envelope of the room or ceiling and the moulding was not harmed. Although not easily seen in photos, the box was designed off-axis to the apartment and is in the wedge shape of the mahogany stair treads. Looking at the top of the box, it is easier to see this design feature. The refrigerator is located in front, right corner and disappears in this unique feature.
It’s nice to witness a remodeling project that worked with the original details instead of gutting history. The Hollander House is lucky to have had mindful developers and owners so that it will be enjoyed by future generations.
