There is never a perfect space
So here’s a hard truth: there is no perfect space. Real, lived-in interiors come with their own individual design challenges. So why even hire a designer, if I say nothing will ever be perfect? I can navigate the existing preconditions and help confront the catches. Univeral issues like budget, room size, or even blending two totally different style preferences can often stall any forward progress. The custom renovation experience I gained while designing challenging New York City spaces translates well to some of the more peculiar layouts in existing Ocean City structures.
One of my most recent projects was a classic example of working within the spacial confines of an older OCNJ home. The layout of the 1960’s Cape Cod had remained original, and simply didn’t function for the family. Finding the best design in this existing 1960’s layout had it’s set of distinct challenges. The first was the kitchen’s actual location. It was isolated away from the rest of the living space and tucked behind walls. The second issue was the relatively small size of the kitchen. The large corner real-estate was dedicated to a dining room, leaving the original kitchen in a dark, narrow corridor.
A New Concept for a modern kitchen
A big change was needed to make this home function to it’s fullest possibility. Home function has changed in today’s modern world. Bright, open kitchens in which to gather and socialize are much more desirable than in times past. Since enlarging the home wasn’t a possibilty, re-imagining the space was necessary to create change. Trading the kitchen and dining spaces was the key to creating a more open and thoughtful layout. This swap allowed the unobstructed kitchen site-lines to the living room and created the coveted “L” design for maxium countertop space. Moving the kitchen also allowed the addition of a spacious island, which the homeowners had envisioned family and friends gathering.
The compromise was the loss of the formal dining room. While the formal dining room was taken away, the client’s didn’t lose their actual dining table. It is now cleverly oriented in what has always been the narrowest part of the home, the former kitchen. If a new kitchen complete with the much longed for kitchen island had stayed in the original spot, it would have created a true traffic jam. The modern farmhouse table functions perfectly in this space with its long slender style.
I see design as a way to be resourceful, and believe it can shape a home to fit the daily rhythms of a family. For this home, we couldn’t actually make the space bigger. However, with the correct concept and design in place, the home now functions beautifully. No space is perfect, but I love finding ways to make it as close to perfect as it can be.