Diary of A Kitchen Makeover - Part 2

After: More elbow room

New double-glazed casement windows replaced old double-hung windows in the corner, and a farm-style trough sink came in.

We chose limestone as the countertop material for its appearance, even though we knew it could be stained by wine or other deeply colored fluids.

After considering cork and stone floor tiles, we decided to extend the hardwood of the dining area into the kitchen to make it seem more like a living space.

After: Warm task lighting

Pendant lights illuminate the work surface of the kitchen island and provide a dash of warm color.

After: Fir cabinets

A cabinet builder helped choose the finish for the fir cabinets. We selected and ordered antique glass for the four wall-cabinet doors and purchased doorknobs and drawer pulls from a specialty hardware store.

After: An open, colorful kitchen

For the island top, I ordered a 3- by 5-foot chopping block of sustainably harvested Oregon madrone from a supply store in Portland.

We chose maple for the island base, which was given a red stained base, then painted flat black and sanded to reveal the red.

After much debate, we decided to paint the dining room and kitchen the same color -- a dusty olive green -- to enhance the rooms' relationship and open flow.

After: Built-in storage

When the project was done, we filled the wine rack by the refrigerator with bottles, opened one, and toasted the new kitchen.

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Diary of A Kitchen Makeover

Before: Time for an upgrade
By Peter O. Whiteley

Shortly after moving into our hillside 1,400-square-foot 1950s tract home, my wife, Beth, and I decided to remodel.

The 12- by 13-foot kitchen was largely walled off from the adjacent dining room, which enjoyed a view of the San Francisco Bay.

Our goals were to open the spaces to each other and to turn the kitchen into a warm and elegant entertaining area. And we wanted to do all of this without adding on.

Before: No continuous work surface

Rude surprises awaited us in the kitchen: the counters were too shallow for a built-in dishwasher, and the oven fan vented only into the attic.

A jumble of work surfaces made cooking prep and socializing difficult.

Before: Out with the old

We covered and protected the floors in the dining area with thin foam and sheets of plywood, and then hired help to tear out the cabinets, plaster wallboard, kitchen flooring, and black ― yes, black ― wallpaper.

We moved the old refrigerator to the garage, which became our temporary kitchen.

We now had a better sense of the new space. We laid out a plan on the floor with blue masking tape, using rough measurements for placement of appliances.

We cooked in a microwave and used a camp stove or our gas barbecue. We bought lots of paper plates and washed pots and pans in the utility sink as spiders watched. We began to eat out frequently.

After: Time pays off

We took our time choosing the materials, finishes, and appliances -- sometimes changing our selections several times.

We started with photographs of kitchens we liked; doodled out floor plans; gathered material samples.

The process of remodeling took about nine months, but we were physically without a kitchen for less than three.

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Eco-friendly Victorian Remodel - Part 3

Encourage flow

With the old interior walls taken away, traffic and light move easily from room to room.

To keep things looking airy, Feldman installed overhead cabinets with textured glass doors between the kitchen and dining room; the cabinets can be accessed from either area.

The look for less: Clearly modern

Add light without blocking the view with the multilevel Firefly pendant lamp ($199; cb2.com or 800/606-6252).

Pull it together

The living room, located at the front of the house, retains its original window bay.

For the soothing blue furnishings and accents, interior designer Lisa Lougee (415/252-1100) drew inspiration from the nearby kitchen backsplash.

The look for less: Into the blue

Anchor a crisp navy- and-white decorating scheme with a pair of streamlined armchairs. Klappsta chair with Nyarp white/Sanne blue/black cover ($199; ikea.com).

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Eco-friendly Victorian Remodel - Part 2

Before: A dreary stairwell

Typical of Victorian-era townhouses, the original stairwell was dark and confining.

After: Bring in natural light

Now, the Gosselins enjoy a more open landing and new skylights, along with open stair risers and a glass foyer wall.

Soften a modern edge

Colorful backsplash tiles contribute a mix of whimsy and history.

The Iznik design (annsacks.com) is based on 16th-century Turkish originals.

The kitchen also features eco-friendly cast-stone countertops and reclaimed wood floors and cabinets.

The look for less: square deal

Turn to Turkish tile for colorful flair, as in this handmade piece called Constantinople ($24 each; sintraantiquetiles.com or 305/856-3828).

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Eco-friendly Victorian Remodel

A new backyard ― on the roof

For many couples with children, the desire for a spacious backyard forces them to leave the city. Not so for San Franciscans Reed and Jennifer Gosselin.

Architect pal Jonathan Feldman helped them replace part of their Victorian’s top floor with a green space, opening up the interior to light, views, and family-friendly flow.

Plus "it's a super-eco project," says Feldman, pointing out the reused cabinets and flooring, the solar photovoltaic array, and radiant floor heating.

Before: Cramped breakfast nook

Cramped rooms on the house's third floor, including this eating area, were removed to make way for open living spaces and garden.

The renovation reduced the house's total square footage from 3,700 to 2,997 ― an eco-friendly move.

“It’s sometimes hard to see the potential, but the house has exceeded our expectations,” says Reed.

After: Creating a view

Now new windows and a glazed pivot door open up the family room and eating area.

The roof's tall railing has frosted glass panels to protect privacy and open sections to frame city views.

Landscape: Loretta Gargan, San Francisco (415/850-5482)

Builder: Lorax Development/KLM Builders, Inc., San Francisco (415/264-4428)

Floor plan: Before & after

Cramped rooms on the house’s third floor (left, above) became open living spaces and a 540-square-foot roof garden (left, below).

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Condo Design Tips - Part 2

Take advantage of the rectangle.

Design tip: Rectangular rooms are easier to live in and furnish than square rooms, according to condo owner Erik Barr. "Because their sides are unequal, rectangles give you a sense of movement, whereas squares are just static."

Simplicity helps a small space.

Design tip: The counter and backsplash are the same material ― Jerusalem Gold limestone ― for an uncluttered look. A wide farmhouse sink is mounted under the counter for easy clean-up.

Contrast enlivens an interior.

Design tip: In the sunroom, the floor, lower cabinetry, and seating anchor the space in darker hues while upper walls around the windows maximize the light. Pillows and art vases in blues and greens echo the color of the light. A mixture of soft and hard textures, from the deep shag rug to the sharp edges of the window seat and cabinets creates a balanced design.

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Condo Design Tips

Expanding the Kitchen

In the compact kitchen, a dark cork tile floor, light-colored walls, and a single storage wall help the space feel roomy. The stainless steel rolling table is from a restaurant supply store.

Adding Color to the Kitchen

Mahogany cabinetry and cork floor tiles add warmth to the kitchen. The "Leather Bound" ( Sherwin-Williams, 6118) wall is in the dining room; "Aspen Orange" (Ralph Lauren Paint, GH176) is in the wine storage area.

Double-duty Buffet

In the dining room, a built-in wine cabinet and counter doubles as a buffet.

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