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KITCHEN RENEWAL
Recipe for makeover: modern homes that restore
joy, functionality, and style to the mid-century kitchen

From the pages of the CA-Modern magazine
By Tanja Kern

The kitchen is the heart of the home, nourishing both the body and the soul.

On a functional level, it's the place where meals are prepared and often consumed. On the emotional level, it's the room where families gather to share stories, make game plans for their day, solve dilemmas, and create memories. The space must also appeal to a family's aesthetic so they feel good about the time they spend there.

When done correctly, a kitchen renewal project can unite practicality and beauty into a feeling of joy and renewed functionality.

There's usually a point when homeowners realize their old mid-century modern kitchen isn't working. It might be the jumble of glassware that can't find a home, the moment they find themselves chopping vegetables on the kitchen table because the countertop is too low, or -- better yet -- when that decades-old original range finally gives out right before company comes.

Greg and Anna-Karin Kight, owners of a Cliff May Rancho in Long Beach, knew they had to remodel their kitchen the first time they entered the home. "The design was dated and did not complement the overall 1950s post-and-beam concept of the modern ranch," Greg Kight says. In addition, the couple uses the kitchen as the home's main activity hub and needed to make it more functional for Anna-Karin's decadent cooking.

For Ava Hahn and her husband Perry Clark, owners of an Eichler home in Palo Alto, they needed to be able to multitask while caring for their baby or entertaining family and friends. Remodeling was their answer. "Our original particleboard cabinets were so old, they were literally disintegrating," Hahn says.

The kitchen in Scot and Carmen Nicholls' San Jose Eichler was also in desperate need of a makeover. "This kitchen was tired and had run its course," says Scot Nicholls, who is also a general contractor. "The original kitchen had been destroyed by years of renting out to biker gangs."

He and his wife were haunted by an original oven that didn't meet their culinary expectations, a poor cook top replacement, and a floor in the sink base cabinet that was falling through.

There's a lot of work that goes into determining how to fix kitchens that are not working. And the options for renewal run the gamut from quick surface updates to restoration to complete remodel.

First, the space needs to be functional. The 'work triangle,' consisting of sink, stove, and refrigerator, has long been a basic of good kitchen design. Many of today's homeowners want more open floor plans and additional appliances -- second dishwashers, banks of ovens, trash compactors, and wine coolers -- that can make the traditional traffic flow more complicated. They must also consider storage solutions and lighting changes that will make work tasks easier.

However, mid-century modern homes usually have specific structural limitations that can dictate the extent of the kitchen remodel. A lack of subfloor can make electrical and plumbing changes a challenge. Radiant coil heating in the floor and a lack of walls for ventilation encourage some homeowners to stick with the simple galley floor plan of the originals.

"You can move plumbing and gas lines -- even bearing walls -- but that can be expensive," says Jonathan Cooke, an Eichler-focused general contractor with Renaissance Man Construction in San Mateo.

General contractor Ron Key, owner of Keycon, Inc. on the San Francisco peninsula, recalls one homeowner whose budget jumped from $45,000 to $600,000 when preliminary tests uncovered a failed radiant heat system and damaged sewage, electrical, and plumbing lines under the concrete floor. As a result, the entire floor was torn up and replaced. "Of course, this homeowner decided to fix everything first-class, including a full-house renovation, so he wound up spending a lot more to fix the problem," Key says.

In addition, Key and Cooke note that the electrical systems in these homes often need to be upgraded to accommodate the increased electrical load needed for most kitchens today.

Structural issues aside, deciding what type of kitchen to create can pose another challenge. Finding a trusted contractor or kitchen designer is the first step to ensuring your finished product will be what you imagined. If you plan on doing much of the work yourself, one of the simplest ways to organize your wish list, according to design experts, is to keep a design journal.

As you browse through magazines and books, clip or photocopy images of kitchens and the specific attributes that you like. Inspiration can come from a feeling of organization, the newest Wolfe or SubZero appliance, or a floor plan that inspires you to get things done. Put all of your notes and clippings in a folder and take them with you on visits to designers and stores as you shop for the elements of your home.

"I always tell my clients to choose a look that suits their personal style instead of following trends," says Sue Olson, of Sue Olson Designs in Menlo Park, a designer specializing in Eichler homes. "This way, they'll be happier with the results."

The National Association of Realtors recently reported that on average, major midrange kitchen remodels in 2005 cost $43,862 and returned $39,920 at re-sale, or 91 percent of the costs to remodel, up from 66 percent in 2002. The National Kitchen and Bath Association suggests that the kitchen is worth about 10 percent of the total value of the home -- but that doesn't mean that one should automatically spend $50,000 on the kitchen in a $500,000 home. It all depends on your personal situation.

"I always recommend that homeowners who plan on selling a home in a couple of years just do a quick facelift to modernize it and add value," says Cooke. "If you plan on living there a while, it's worth it to customize the kitchen and spend more to make it just as you want it."

A "quick" kitchen update might include stripping paint off of kitchen cabinets or refacing the cabinet doors. Refacing can work well if you want to match new countertops and works best for cabinets that look tired but are otherwise in sturdy shape. Updated light fixtures, fresh flooring, and decorative hardware can also go a long way in making older kitchens appealing to buyers.

In restoration, homeowners often maintain the original kitchen footprint and make every attempt to capture the original spirit of the space. In the case of Carol Bua and Todd Clark, the owners of an Eichler in Granada Hills, this meant finding a cabinetmaker who could recreate the original cabinetry in more elegant mahogany. Carol says the work paid off when an Eichler owner came to see the kitchen and thought it was the kitchen installed when the home was built.

A full remodel offers homeowners the opportunity to truly customize their space. Walls might be knocked down, custom cabinets are installed, and time is taken to solve a family's specific needs. This might mean designing a custom banquette for informal dining, adding two prep stations for couples who like to cook together, or extensive storage for dishware or cookbook collections.

All of these extra features can add up. "There are usually five parts of the kitchen remodel to consider -- floor, cabinets, appliances, countertop, and contractor," says Nadja Pentic, an Eichler-savvy kitchen designer with La Vita ´ Bella, Inc., based in San Francisco. "All can vary dramatically in budget, so the clients should build their budget based on what is most important to them and how much contractor work will be involved in the projects."

Cooke says he usually takes a potential client on a first walk-though writing down a wish list of items they want to change in the space. He'll then compare this list with the overall budget and timeline and show the owner how to break up the project to different building stages that might work for their financial situation.

For best results, designers and contractors work together to specify materials that will help work within budget parameters. Substituting mid-sized ceramic tile for large-scale European porcelain tile for floors and backsplashes can help trim a budget. Installing ready-made cabinets instead of custom ones can also significantly reduce remodeling costs, but designers say that it is important not to substitute a lower cost for poor design or craftsmanship.

"You want to keep the feeling of an open space and maintain the relationship between the inside and the out," Olson says. "Also, be careful about lines. Larger 24-inch by 24-inch tiles will create fewer lines on the floor than smaller 12-inch by 12-inch tiles would. Fewer lines create a more open feeling."

The cabinetry is usually one of the more flexible parts of the puzzle, and it can be as plain or elaborate as the homeowner wants it to be. Simple cabinets made of veneered wood, oak, or maple will cost significantly less than those made of more exotic materials, like tigerwood or wenge, an African hardwood. Built-in storage features, such as revolving trays, pull-out baskets, and dish caddies, can also add significant cost for their added conveniences.

Designers of mid-century modern homes often recommend using plain doors to stay true to the clean, minimalist look. "It's the Eichler aesthetic to keep things uncluttered and as simple as possible," Olson says.

Also, it's important to think ahead to how tones and textures will work together upon completion. "When remodeling a house that has a lot of wood paneling, I always recommend going with color to minimize clashing of wood shades and also not to have the house look completely wooden," Pentic suggests.

A trend in Europe has been to keep all tall pieces, such as the refrigerator, double oven, and pantries, on one wall; and keep shorter elements, like sinks, cook tops, and low cabinetry, on another. "Large islands and peninsulas are also a trend, particularly when the wall between the kitchen and dining rooms disappear to create one large living space," Pentic says.

One of Olson's recent open designs included the Hahn-Clark Eichler in Palo Alto. In their striking remodel, new white concrete countertops top black cabinets and shine in front of stainless tambour wall cabinets. "We also covered the fireplace wall in black stone, which is what you look out at from the kitchen," Olson says. "This was a classic Eichler situation -- with the flying coffins blocking all the views before."

"Now, we are able to multitask," Ava Hahn says. "We can cook while watching the baby, or while socializing with family or guests in the dining and living areas, or while watching the evening news. The kitchen, dining, and living areas are all unified into one beautiful space that makes it a joy to hang out at home."

The Kights worked together to complete their kitchen remodel. The most important choice, they say, was high-end Finnish plywood cabinetry for an authentic look. "As Birch plywood was used extensively in the original 1950s design, this product was a natural choice for the counters and cabinetry doors," Greg Kight explains. "The outer surface of the counters is plastic laminate similar to the 1950s original design."

The couple used environmentally friendly cork flooring, which is used in many modern homes. The result, the Kights admit, was a kitchen they could spend many happy hours in.

"To see this kitchen through from concept to completion has been extremely rewarding," Kight says. "The design-build relationship allowed for an intimacy where the kitchen was permitted to ultimately express its true form and function."

To create a more inviting and functional space in their Eichler, the Nicholls looked to Fu-Tung Cheng, an influential Bay Area designer known for his work with concrete, for inspiration. Scot and Carmen decided to use open walls and cabinet space for an airier feeling. A new, large island features a concrete wall and pull-out drawers. Swinging doors to the patio also brought the outdoors inside.

"Less formality invites people to take on new roles and rules in dining," Scot Nicholls says. "There is more participation in the preparation of the meal, and the openness invites interaction with others who may be relaxing in the patio but are not out of range for conversations that are going on in the kitchen."

No matter how extensive the renewal project, investing in the kitchen of a mid-century modern home will help keep it a treasured and enjoyable space and worthwhile investment for years to come.

Photos: David Toerge, John Eng, Arthur Coleman Studio, Rochelle Kramer of SoCalModern.com; and courtesy Sue Olson Designs, Paul Kaplan of midcenturyproperties.com, Kevin McPhee, Scot & Carmen Nicholls, Carol Bua & Todd Clark, Greg & Anna-Karin Kight, Jennifer & Paul Freudenberg

The Eichler Network sincerely thanks all of our readers who submitted before/after photos and anecdotes of their kitchens. Hopefully space will allow us to feature more of them in the future.

RESOURCES
• La Vita é Bella, Inc.
• Sue Olson Designs
• Renaissance Man Construction
• Keycon, Inc.: 650-965-1256

How Do 'You'
Spell Renewal?

When homeowners approach a kitchen renewal project, early in the process it is important to put pen to paper and note a few important considerations. There are several questions to ask yourself as you navigate through the planning process. For example:

• How long do I plan to live in my home? If you plan to stay in your home permanently, your approach and budget may be very different than if you expect to move away in a few years.

• How do I want to use the space? If you envision the space being used for helping your children with schoolwork, it may call for a different approach than if you intend to entertain large groups.

• How much do I want to spend? One of earliest decisions that should be made is the budget. While budgets are certainly subject to change and revision during the remodeling process, it is very important to begin with a budget in mind.

• Should I upgrade or do a full remodel? What approach is best for me? This involves thinking through whether it makes more sense to restore, to upgrade, or to fully remodel the kitchen by gutting it and creating a new space. This decision will be based on a whole host of considerations, including needs around budget and timing.

• Is cooking with gas important, and do I want an exhaust hood? It is more difficult to run gas lines into Eichlers, since they are on slab and do not have crawl spaces or attics, but it is not impossible. Gas lines can be run over the roof or underneath the overhangs.

• Should I upgrade the insulation and utilities at the same time? Remodeling is also the perfect time to add insulation, bring the electrical system up to code, and check out the domestic water lines.

• Where do I set up my temporary kitchen? During the renewal project, you'll still need a kitchen. Your contractor can assist in relocating your kitchen basics to a temporary location with running water, perhaps to a practical and safe spot in the garage. Also consider a combination of a grill and mini-refrigerator in the patio.

- Cathye Smithwick

BEFORE / AFTER MAKEOVER #1
Kitchens in transition

Carol Bua & Todd Clark
Eichler owners, Granada Hills

Your old kitchen: what didn't work? "We loved the clean, sleek design of the original kitchen cabinets but the previous owners had not only thrashed them, but also painted every speck of wood with several coats of yellow paint."

Your kitchen needs: how did design come about? "We really wanted to remain true to the Eichler aesthetic, so we came up with the perfect solution -- have a cabinetmaker rebuild the cabinets using the originals as a template and building them with new mahogany wood and modern hardware. We had recreated the counters and backsplash in white Formica in the original dimensions."

Your kitchen renewal: successful ingredients? "We raised the cook top to the standard height and made the wall oven space wider to accommodate a modern oven. We also extended the wall cabinet that could be used like a buffet or sideboard."

Your new kitchen: what you like best? "The clean, sleek design fits into the Eichler aesthetic. We also learned a lot about the history of the house and our neighborhood by hearing stories from our cabinetmaker's father. Such is the power of Eichler design!"

Before ↓

Before ↓

BEFORE / AFTER MAKEOVER #2
Kitchens in transition

Greg & Anna-Karin Kight
Cliff May owners, Long Beach

Your old kitchen: what didn't work? "The former kitchen was flawed in the spatial and aesthetic sense. Movement and light were hindered by several misplaced walls and ceilings. The tile counters and stained cabinets were dated to an era not compatible with mid-century modern principles. It was very obvious that the kitchen space was not being utilized to its full potential."

Your kitchen needs: how did design come about? "After living in the space for several months, opportunities presented themselves. Formal drawings were not executed, so we physically moved the refrigerator in three different locations before coming up with the final solution. We were able to capitalize on a dysfunctional space by demolishing unnecessary walls, and by adding custom cabinets, a spice rack, and pantry."

Your kitchen renewal: successful ingredients? "With strategically relocating the refrigerator and opting for an energy efficient washer/dryer combo unit, we solved the challenge of opening the space to the remainder of the living room. Finnish plywood harmonized each of the separate functions. The cork floors also tied into the rest of the home."

Your new kitchen: what you like best? "We have developed a newfound intimacy and respect for our kitchen. What was once a menial task of food preparation has transformed into a satisfying daily ritual of meditation in action for the enrichment of body and soul."

BEFORE / AFTER MAKEOVER #3
Kitchens in transition

Kevin McPhee
Eichler owner, Palo Alto

Your old kitchen: what didn't work? "The original kitchen in my 1951 Eichler had been remodeled and, aesthetically, no longer embodied the sleek and functional design that Eichler had intended. It was filled with leaded-glass front cabinets that were French provincial. Also, the kitchen was narrow and hard to work in for more than one person. It was enclosed with a partial wall, which cut it off from the rest of the house."

Your kitchen needs: how did design come about? "The main idea was to open it up to the rest of the living space. It allowed for a more spacious feel. It also encouraged social and entertaining activities while preparing food."

Your kitchen renewal: successful ingredients? "The cabinetry is custom with dark wenge wood doors. The countertops are thick, white Carrera marble slabs, which keep a strong minimal feel to the space. The main architectural element is the middle island, which has marble that encases it on three sides. This gives a strong anchor to the design, and provides a visual delineation between the living and kitchen areas of the house."

Your new kitchen: what you like best? "The new kitchen gives me more space to prepare food, and has allowed me to entertain with more ease, keeping the guests part of the entire production."

Before ↓

Before ↓

BEFORE / AFTER MAKEOVER #4
Kitchens in transition

Jennifer & Paul Freudenberg
Eichler owners, Thousand Oaks

Your old kitchen: what didn't work? "Aesthetically, though the rest of the house was all original, this updated kitchen did not fit in with the Eichler vibe. It was not at all modern, let alone mid-century modern. It had to go."

Your kitchen needs: how did design come about? "We looked at a million magazines and tore out hundreds of photos of things we liked. We then got down to the actual re-design using graph paper and dimensions and information for the appliances from the Internet. We cooperated and worked as a team to put the kitchen together. The most difficult part was finding hardware for the cabinets that we both liked and that didn't bust our budget!"

Your kitchen renewal: successful ingredients? "The equity line of credit, design magazines, and a sense of humor about the construction nightmare."

Your new kitchen: what you like best? "Kitchen life is finally all we dreamed it could be: slab-style cabinets, groovy pendant lights (and original globe lights above), a silent dishwasher, and plenty of room to move around in. We feel like the house is thankful that we made it 'right' again, and we absolutely love to cook in our new kitchen."

For your next kitchen renewal project, consider the Eichler Network's team of 'Preferred Service Companies':

General Contractors:
• Keycon, Inc. (S.F. peninsula): 650-965-1256
• Bay West Enterprises (Palo Alto): baywestbuilders.com
• Calvert Ventures (San Mateo area): exclusivelyeichlers.com
• USA Builders (San Jose): 925-778-5331
• Diamond Building & Construction, Inc. (Marin & S.F.): Homediamond.com

Architects:
• Garcia DeCredico Studio (Marin & SF): gdesarch.com
• Klopf Architecture (San Mateo area): klopfarchitecture.com
• M-Designs (Palo Alto): mdesignsarchitects.com
• Thimgan Architectural Group (Sacramento): thimganarchitecture.com
• o2 Architecture (Palm Springs): o2arch.com

Interior design:
Source (orange-Long Beach area): source-rd.com

Cabinetry & design:
• Sue R. Olson Designs (throughout Bay Area): srodesigns.com
• European Kitchen Design (Palo Alto): europeankitchendesign.com
• Arclinea (Marin, SF & East Bay): arclineasanfrancisco.com
• La Vita e Bella (Marin & SF): lifesbeautiful.com
• Kitchens Italia (East Bay): lifesbeautiful.com
• Cucina Italia, Inc. (Sacramento): cucineitalia.com
• Kitchenconcept, Inc. (Long Beach-Orange area): kitchenconcept.com

Flooring:
• Concrete Colorist (architectural concrete): theconcretecolorist.com

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The Eichler Network
info@eichlernetwork.com

KITCHEN RENEWAL Recipe for makeover: modern homes that restore joy, functionality, and style to the mid-century kitchen

How Do 'You' Spell Renewal?

BEFORE / AFTER MAKEOVER #1 Kitchens in transition

Carol Bua & Todd Clark Eichler owners, Granada Hills

BEFORE / AFTER MAKEOVER #2 Kitchens in transition

BEFORE / AFTER MAKEOVER #3 Kitchens in transition

BEFORE / AFTER MAKEOVER #4 Kitchens in transition

KITCHEN RENEWAL
Recipe for makeover: modern homes that restore
joy, functionality, and style to the mid-century kitchen

How Do 'You'
Spell Renewal?

BEFORE / AFTER MAKEOVER #1
Kitchens in transition

Carol Bua & Todd Clark
Eichler owners, Granada Hills

BEFORE / AFTER MAKEOVER #2
Kitchens in transition

BEFORE / AFTER MAKEOVER #3
Kitchens in transition

BEFORE / AFTER MAKEOVER #4
Kitchens in transition