The Recycled Kitchen

Timeless Kitchen Design -Part 3
 This amazing renovation was a family affair.  Homeowners Caryn and Josh added many personal touches to their new kitchen with the help of their extended family who kindly came in, gutted, reconfigured, and created this fabulous new space!

Who says timeless kitchen design has to be boring or expensive?  Caryn and Josh's Capitol Hill row house kitchen is anything but dull. However, it has the added feature of good karma - much of it is recycled and ecologically sound, which often translates into savings.

Since one of the reasons for the remodel was to make the kitchen more family friendly,

the first order of business was to open up the space - removing walls. The wall between the kitchen and dining room was demolished and suddenly the kids were having snack and doing homework at the new peninsula! 

Removing part of the wall to the basement stairs has had two benefits - it keeps the narrow end of the kitchen from feeling claustrophobic as well as making the basement family room more a part of the whole house.

The "new" kitchen cabinets are actually second hand finds, purchased from Community Forklift in Maryland.

The counter tops, also a Community Forklift find and sourced from the county tree department, are reclaimed ambrosia maple with live-edge. The recycled white cabinets are a nice counter balance to the rugged exposed brick and the natural wood counters tie it all together. 

The oil and vinegar shelf is actually a "when life gives you lemons" remodeling tale. When the cabinets and counter tops were installed against the newly exposed brick wall, Caryn and her sister, Krista, realized there was a gap between the backsplash and the wall - and lemonade, I mean a shelf was created. When remodeling, it is important to remember things will not always go according to the plan. Often, these hiccups offer the best opportunities.

I love the families new stainless steel farm sink. It is sleek and industrial-looking but also very practical. The dishwasher, which can only be glimpsed in this shot, like the cabinets, was purchased second hand.  The counter top on the peninsula looks like honed marble but is in fact, Ceasarstone in London Grey, an environmentally friendly option.

This kitchen is all about easy access - everything within reach. The everyday dishes are no different.

The live edge wood shelf above the sink holds the beautiful pottery that artist and homeowner, Caryn, created herself.

The final recycling coup is on the dining room side of the peninsula. The base cabinets on this side were once wall cabinets in the old kitchen. To create the custom look, the cabinet sides were laminated with mahogany and the outdated doors replaced with custom mahogany doors.

This kitchen proves that recycled elements paired with good design can create a timeless and personal space that the entire family will enjoy!