Eco-friendly option
Think green environmental sustainability was a key concern for the designer and owners of this remodeled kitchen
An eco-friendly kitchen is also likely to be a cost-effective design solution, which makes it a winner on both counts.
Architect Rebecca Schnier says the owners of this remodeled kitchen wanted a sustainable design that would respect the environment.
"Limiting the elements that needed to be changed was a key factor," she says. "After all, the greenest thing one can do is to simply change nothing. But that wasn't an option here. The existing kitchen was showing considerable wear and tear, with some delamination and water staining."
The windows and French door were retained, however. And the new cabinetry is a similar size and shape to the existing cabinets, so plumbing and electrical services could be reused, which was also a cost saving. Some of the original cabinets were recycled for use in the garage.
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The new cabinets feature bamboo, a sustainable material. Schnier says exposing the end grain of the wood meant less glue was used.
"It was also a way to express the naturalness of the material," she says. "On the bank of wall cabinets we added inset panels of Lumicor, another green material that incorporates sea grass."
Schnier says the flush doors and drawers provide a sleek, contemporary look an effect enhanced by the removal of the original crown moldings.
The new island replicates the shape of the original unit, but provides a cherry wood display shelf at the front.
"This part of the kitchen is a focal point," says Schnier. "It is the first thing you see as you enter from the family room on the lower level."
Other green initiatives in the design include the use of low-VOC paints, granite countertops and terrazzo floor tiles that incorporate recycled aggregates, including glass.
Schnier also specified green glass tiles that were manufactured locally, thus reducing the carbon footprint.
Story by: Trendsideas
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