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Chef's Cramped Kitchen Receives Contemporary Update

September 27, 2016

A professional chef needed a personal kitchen that was fully functional and reflected her unique style. To give her the best of both, the design team at Nar Fine Carpentry overhauled her outdated space, replacing heavy cabinetry with fresh, contemporary finishes. A collection of Alabrije statues from Oaxaca, Mexico add color and significance to the setting.

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Kitchen and Dining Room Clash

Before the renovation, the kitchen and dining room looked haphazardly thrown together, with a glass bookshelf awkwardly separating the two cramped spaces. Even the floors clashed, with patterned tile in one area and linoleum in the next. 

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Cramped and Outdated Space

Although lacking a traditional stove and counter space, this small kitchen still feels cramped and confining thanks to large cabinetry overhead. Faded yellow walls and damaged wallpaper give the room an outdated look that's not ideal for daily activity, let alone a professional chef.

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Disconnect Between Style, Appliances

With cabinetry overhead and below, this kitchen definitely isn't short on storage. Still, large appliances overwhelm the space, making the traditional room feel even more chaotic and unbalanced.

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Photo: Fred Donham of PhotographerLink. From: Nar Bustamante.

Clean and Contemporary Kitchen

Once a tight and disorderly space, the kitchen now feels open and utterly organized. Sleek appliances like a new stove and standard oven offer ample cooking options, while a gray and white palette makes the room feel bright and serene. A herringbone-patterned floor adds extra energy to the setting. 

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