Kitchen Excellence – 2009 MBA REX Awards

Seattle, Washington

When the homeowners moved from bustling Malaysia, they had hoped to retire in a quiet community with beautiful views and luscious wildlife. After purchasing an outdated home in Sequim, Washington with dramatic views of the Olympic Peninsula, the couple knew their residence was going to need some additional work before moving in. The dark and cramped kitchen needed a makeover and the home’s layout failed to take advantage of the view. Now the design-build process is complete, and the homeowners have settled into their beautiful new house, replete with a brand new kitchen and sunroom addition.

Seattle, Washington

These homeowners had a former kitchen that was blocked off by a wall that made it feel small, gloomy and restricted. Our quest was to create an elegant, contemporary atmosphere that included many amenities within a clean design.  The challenge of removing a shear wall to capture the space on the other side was met by engineering a steel moment frame that was hidden in the ceiling, wall and floor. Beautiful custom cabinetry made of wenge and zebra wood and slab Verde bamboo granite countertops provided the backdrop of the contemporary theme throughout the space.

Ventana Construction

Seattle, Washington

Once cramped and outdated, this kitchen and adjoining service porch now make up a bright and elegant room that includes an eating nook and a new french door, graced by period details.

Custom fir cabinets, seedy glass and Cambrian black granite countertops set the tone. Subway tile, a farmhouse sink, wall-mounted faucet and vintage style lighting fixtures set expectations that the past is important in the present.

The rift grain white oak floors are finished with a low-VOC compound, for a green sensibility.

It's all new, with a big nod to this 1923 home.

Blox Construction, Inc.

Everett, Washington

Charlie and Angela purchased their small 1929 bungalow home in the outskirts of Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood, with true vision of what it could be. This past year, with their design business flourishing, they felt the time was right to turn those visions into reality. The small kitchen, with dated cabinetry, worn laminate flooring and mismatch appliances was their first priority. With Angela’s creative nature, and background in graphics design, they tackled the design on their own. The result is a fabulous transformation, creating space and functionality, while truly reflecting the homeowners’ artistic and streamlined style.