Built-In Beauty

• Wendy05.25.2009

  I don't think the house shown is a good example of creating additional storage space to stretch a small house. In addition, it would have been clearer to show "after" photos to match the two "before" photos to give an idea of the degree of change that occurred. The budget for the remodel appears to have been unlimited, the house is huge by my standards. Some of Dwell's articles should target the lower end of the $$ spectrum. Sure there is some degree of take home message that can be gleaned from any remodel example but when the article is "Think Smaller", Dwell should search around for a couple more clever small examples instead of going for the default high end designer spread.

• Carol S.05.25.2009

  I love Kerf Design cabinets, and I think they do a fantastic job, making innovative, clean, modern designed products that fit well into the 'think small' concept. They make the most of limited spaces, and they do it with style and efficiency. Calling this project "Think Small" idea is an annoying stretch at best, unless you think that a less than 200 sq ft kitchen is 'small'. The example you show is not an example of thinking small. I live in a nearly origina (except for one remuddled bathroom), one-off, Mid-Century, 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,800 s qft house. The actual kitchen foot-print is 8 x 10, including all cabinet and appliance space, and it has just one wall. The one other vertical surface is a brick wall with a fireplace. The rest is the flowing open living/dining/stairs/family room space. This example space, just counting the U shaped kitchen in the background, is at least twice the size of most average mid-century kitchens I have seen. This is a perfect example of why I let my subscription to your magazine lapse. All of us who own 'average' modern or otherwise average older homes are under your radar.

• Katherine aka. Urban Flea05.25.2009

  I adore everything in this post. I always wish that I knew how to do carpentry and make my own built in fixtures. There's something so comforting about having that pre-existing organization system that almost becomes a design element in itself. Great post, thanks so much! xo Katherine aka. Urban Flea :) www.urbanfleadesign.com

• Garth05.25.2009

  I, too, am rather disappointed/frustrated that this is what Dwell decides to include in an article focusing on "Think Smaller", and have long since let my subscription lapse for this type of disconnect. Show me how I can fit that kitchen in my large NYC 450 square foot studio apartment and I'd be really impressed. At least be realistic of what people's expectations will be when you're focusing on small homes - If I created space for a three week supply of Pellegrino I'd have to get rid of either the refrigerator or the range. Yes, the work is beautiful, and quite a change over the "what was", but isn't on target of what most will expect you to be showing us.

• John W05.25.2009

  Beautiful work. Love the post. The idea of utilizing previously unused space makes sense no matter what size space you're dealing with. I find the beautiful after-renovation photograph of the kitchen at the top of the page inspiring even though my home is much smaller. Keep up the good work Dwell!

• Max S.05.26.2009

  The "before" kitchen shown is about twice the size of my current kitchen. I have to agree - not the best choice to show a remodel of a "small" space!

• Barbara Stenson Spaeth05.28.2009

  Please note that Ibsen A. Nelsen was one of the most effective architectural innovators of the post WW II generation, and should at least get his last name spelt correctly in Dwell. Those wishing to experience more of his architecture that is open to the public should visit his largest Seattle-area project, the Museum of Flight at Boeing Field, combining the best of wooden utilitarian vernacular historic restoration with a grand glass and steel cathedral to the Pacific Northwest's affection for and world-class innovations made in the field of aviation.

• Mary O'Donnell05.30.2009

  There must be more examples to choose from - or is it by submittal only? It's disappointing to see "modern" design that is 50 years old, in my humble opinion. It's just that I never did understand why cabinets are either out of reach over head to back breakingly low. Never did seem practical. It's much easier to walk upstairs to a sitting room and walk down to a bedroom then visa versa. Oh well, it's hard to find REALLY human design. Think of all the convenient locations for things that you use everyday - everything would be redesigned, relocated, repositioned. Rooms are 8 feet tall, why? Why aren't they - well, you know what I mean. The original reason d'etre is no longer.

• Marcy07.08.2009

  I agree with the first few posters that this is not a small space. However, there are some great ideas for using vertical space. Using vertical space is the key. But what about those of us living in an apartment? There must be some affordable options for renters who cannot knock walls down or build custom cabinets. This house looks great. But I'd like to see more articles for actual small spaces with options for renters.

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