
Project: Riverfront Kitchen Renovation
Designer: Jennifer Radakovic Design
Client Needs & Design Challenges:
• Increase & improve counter space, work space, & storage
• Increase connectivity to adjacent living spaces
• Improve natural light & views towards the river for this completely interior kitchen
• Create a timeless aesthetic with new materials & finishes
• Work within existing kitchen footprint
By rearranging the kitchen layout, we were able to add 6.5 linear feet of cabinets. The improved work triangle is now suitable for multiple chefs working simultaneously. Two new openings in masonry walls (one at the front of the
kitchen, the other at the rear) significantly increased natural light, views, and connectivity to adjacent living spaces. The new finishes fit the clients’ style and flow perfectly with the rest of the interior spaces. Their renovated kitchen is a
space they’ll be able to enjoy for many years to come.
Before & After: Floor Plans

Before & After: Opening to Morning Room

significantly reduced both natural light in the kitchen as well as views from the kitchen to the river

and views, as well as physically connecting the kitchen to the adjacent morning & river rooms.
Before & After: Range Wall

countertop appliances. This configuration limited the function of this entire run of cabinets & countertop.

disguised within the drawers to the right of the range, and the countertop appliances have a home
along the back wall, freeing up the space around the range to be used for food prep.
Before: Rear Wall

After: Rear Wall

and tall cabinets.

easy reach.
Before & After: Refrigerator Wall


opening between the kitchen & morning room moved to this side of the kitchen. Now instead of a deadend corner, the space to the right of the fridge has a variety of uses. Normally, the homeowners set it up as a coffee bar, and when they’re entertaining, this space transforms into a serving station, conveniently located near the living & dining spaces, but outside the main working area of the kitchen.
Walnut floating shelves match the island top and provide a space to display decorative dishes and plants.
Before & After: View From Morning Room


Process: During Construction

The homeowners needed the kitchen to remain operational during the holidays as they were hosting family gatherings, but construction could not stop.

• The contractor carefully removed the masonry wall separating the kitchen & morning rooms while leaving the majority of the kitchen intact.
• Hardboard was installed as a backer to the exposed cabinets after the wall was removed.
• At the end of each work day, the jobsite was thoroughly cleaned and protective barriers were removed to keep the space operational for the clients at night.

one on the kitchen side to make the dishwasher (25” finished depth) flush with the cabinet faces, and
the other on the morning room side to provide a spot for keys, sunglasses, etc, and a charging station
for phones & devices. (Photo taken from morning room looking towards kitchen)

looking towards side entry)
Process: Superior Craftmanship

world travel. The contractor provided mockups to illustrate two different grout joint options for this highly
irregular tile. As this tile has no coordinating edge pieces, the tiles behind the dishwasher were hand-mitered to create a finished edge.


Floating shelves were set prior to tile installation in order to achieve the desired tile layout between shelves.



bowls.
Conclusion
At the onset of the project, the clients had very few requests: they essentially wanted a more functional and more beautiful kitchen. Working within the existing kitchen footprint, no space was added, but the functionality was increased exponentially with simple plan shifts.
The end result is a beautifully simple, well-crafted space, equally suited for weekend baking or entertaining large groups. The design and finishes perfectly suit the rest of the home and the clients’ style, while still being timeless given the use of natural, high-quality materials.
The owners of this kitchen regularly travel all over the world, but have been spending unprecedented lengths of time at home since the onset of the global pandemic. They told our team that their newly renovated home has
given them a reason to love staying home, despite having
to cancel a number of exciting trips they’d planned for the
year.
They said their new space has become a true oasis in the
midst of the chaos. We can’t agree more.
