Garage Turned Kitchen

Michele Alfano

Michele Alfano Design, Montebello, NY

When these clients needed to move their mother into their home, they opted to transform the existing garage into a kitchen with an adjacent den, bedroom and bathroom. Given the mother’s memory challenges, it was essential to design a space that not only reflects her artistic and tranquil personality, but also makes it easy for her to prepare small meals.

The division of the kitchen into a cooking area and a pantry/desk area ensures functionality and a sense of order. In the kitchen area, an interplay of shapes and two-tone cabinetry – Richelieu’s Finsa Duo in earthy tones of oak and custom cabinetry painted in Sherwin Williams’ Soft Sage, both accented with Emtek Select hardware – provides a playful nod, while creating a kitchen that exudes calm and serenity. Appliance panels for the Fisher & Paykel refrigerator and freezer and the Signature Kitchen Suite dishwasher allow the units to blend seamlessly. Additional appliances include a Sharp microwave drawer, a Signature Kitchen Suite induction cooktop and an XO custom hood insert. 

Touches of nature are also evident throughout the space, including the inclusion of a window incorporated into the upper cabinetry that allows more light to enter into the space. As well, MSI’s marble-look Calacatta Prado quartz, which serves as the countertop, backsplash and apron front for the Blanco Silgranit sink with Brizo Litze faucet, is inspired by the natural environment.

Since the space was originally a garage, columns and a deep header in the middle of the kitchen were seamlessly integrated into the design.