By Olivia Bell Buehl

The Problem Homeowners of a dated kitchen were looking for a renovation that would be family-friendly and compatible with their historic house. The falling apart cabinets did not have enough storage space, and the range was situated in an awkward corner. The Solution Kitchen designer William Landeros judiciously utilized the existing space. Custom-made cabinets and compatible unfitted units in the island saved on money. A recessed refrigerator/ freezer and a tambour appliance storage garage give the kitchen a built-in look. Designer: William M. Landeros Denver, CO 202-777-5409 www.kitchendistributors.com

Sylvie Abecassis describes the kitchen she and her husband found in their 100-year-old Prairie-style house as “horrific.” The cabinets were falling apart, storage was limited, the linoleum floor was unattractive, and the range was awkwardly placed.

The couple presented a tall order to kitchen designer William M. Landeros of Kitchen Distributors in Denver: Both budget and existing space were snug, and with one child and another on the way, the new kitchen needed to be family friendly.

Landeros, a chef turned kitchen designer, dealt with the challenges. To complement the house’s Prairie style and oak woodwork, he suggested Shaker-style cherry-veneer cabinets. “At first we tried to be our own designers,” recalls Sylvie. “But when we met with William he showed us that we didn’t need all the things we thought we needed and could still have plenty of storage space.” Using fewer units meant that custom-made cabinets could fit within the couple’s budget. Landeros recommended using compatible unfitted units for the island, to further rein in costs.

To make the most of the modest space, Landeros removed a corner cabinet and pantry and inserted a recessed refrigerator, giving it a built-in look without a high price. Thanks to cost controls, Sylvie and Mark could splurge on a commercial-style range.

Although the owners had originally envisioned hanging cabinets above the peninsula dividing the work area from the eating area, Landeros knew they would obstruct the natural light and block views of the kitchen. Instead, he suggested a glass shelf to display barware. The height of the peninsula allowed the youngest member of the family to toddle underneath without bumping her head.

Other child-friendly features include rounded edges on the granite counters and a laminated top on the bar peninsula: “The finish on the cherry veneer, also used on the cabinets, is durable, and marks from sticky little fingers can be easily removed,” explains Landeros. Smart storage including a tambour appliance garage keeps small appliances out of harm’s way. The new oak floor, referencing the wood used elsewhere in the house, is forgiving to little knees and other food accidents.

Complementing the inspired design, quality components, and sensible trade-offs was one final component: a gallon of paint. “When the kitchen was done it looked bare,” remembers Sylvie. “So we painted one wall red to echo the brick exterior. It makes the room feel cozy, not quite so modern.”