This Builder-Basic Kitchen Got a Makeover That "Feels Quietly Elevated"

"For homeowners Erica and Joe Chekanoff and their interior designer, Molly Blain Cochran, the goal was to rework the layout of Erica and Joe's 110-square-foot kitchen without having to expand the space. "The layout just didn't work," Erica says. "The refrigerator jutted into the middle of the room, and one entire wall sat empty. We put a freestanding hutch there, but it was really wasted space that we couldn't afford to lose.""

"They like to host functions with friends and serve up appetizers and light bites, and Joe likes to bake. So Molly came up with a kitchen design that worked better. "Rather than expanding the footprint, we focused on reimagining the layout by relocating the stove and refrigerator to create a more efficient and intuitive flow," Molly says. "The sink remained centered beneath the window, while a new range and full-height quartzite backsplash became the visual centerpiece of the room.""

Erica and Joe Chekanoff had a 110-square-foot kitchen with a dysfunctional layout: a refrigerator that jutted into the room and an empty wall that had been filled with a freestanding hutch. They kept the hardwood floor but replaced peeling cabinets and dated finishes. The redesign maintained the existing footprint and preserved the sink beneath the window while relocating the stove and refrigerator to improve workflow. A new range and a full-height quartzite backsplash serve as the visual centerpiece. The creamy-white palette brightens the space. The redesign accommodates entertaining, baking, and a more efficient, intuitive kitchen routine.

Read at Apartment Therapy