Kitchen Has Right Ingredients
B.J. Farrell lived in her Irvine home for 11 years. Then she took it apart. The most “intense”--her word--part of the remodel? The kitchen.
It was gutted. The layout was changed, an island was built in the center, European-styled cabinets were added and the lighting was altered.
The old kitchen was torn out in August 1998 and the kitchen was finished three months later, just in time for Farrell to host a tea for 300 supporters of the National Charity League.
“Before the work started, I looked through magazines for ideas. I also visited custom homes that were up for sale and model homes. And I went to kitchen design showrooms. Euro Cabinet in Laguna Beach had the one thing that made redoing the kitchen exciting for me: Siematic cabinets from Germany.
“The cabinets have a European feeling and a very different look. They have a furniture quality to them. The finish is silky smooth, and cream-colored. There are small columns that add a nice detail. Because of them, the kitchen has a bright, open feeling.
“For storage and convenience, there’s a lazy Susan where the cabinets meet in the corner that holds pans and bowls. There are two pullout pantries and one double-door pantry for easy access. There are divided drawers for utensils, a built-in bread saver and vertical slats for storing platters.
“I don’t like clutter, so I just have a few decorative pieces. A big rooster sits on the center of an island. There’s also a vegetable sink in the island.
“There’s an appliance garage for the coffee maker and toaster, granite counter tops, a triple sink, a professional Viking range, two double ovens, two microwaves, a warming draw and a SubZero fridge.
“There’s now recessed lighting in the ceiling and the floors are hardwood.”
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