Majtyka
"A little bigger, a little brighter, and look like it's been here forever" were the marching orders given for this kitchen, which has been featured in both the Real Estate Section of the Sunday Star-Ledger and the Rotary Club of Maplewood's House Tour in 2003.
Before
After
Cindy Potters of the Star-Ledger states that the exposed the staircase gives "unique architectural detail to the kitchen," while the Rotary Club House Tour Program describes this renovation as "an exquisite kitchen that preserved and enhanced the original back stair case and butler's pantry while introducing tumbled slate, soapstone counters and every amenity one could want."
To maximize the usage of space, an alcove was built beneath the staircase for the family's dog and the baseboard heating was installed in the foot rest of the island seating.
The existing Butler’s Pantry was altered to receive a new wine cooler, copper sink and new soap stone counters.
The end results are seamless down to matching the historic brick. Annexing space for the kitchen from an adjacent existing rear entry stoop which already had the distinctive green tile roof provided the "little bigger" and new windows and the decision to exposed the secondary staircase more fulfilled the "little brighter."
