An Artistic, Contemporary, Open-Concept Kitchen Remodel in Laguna Beach

Originally walking into this Laguna Beach home, there was a sense the kitchen was outdated and needed a breath of fresh air. It was closed off from the living and dining area, and there wasn’t the feeling entertaining would be easy, nor was the space as functional as it could be, due to this layout.

The goals of this redesign were not just to open up the kitchen and create an open, airy sense of flow, but also to modernize the old space and create instead a home that reflected the owner’s love of art and contemporary design.

To begin, the layout was revamped to create an open-concept design, with clear sightlines from the kitchen into the entirety of the living and dining room. The next step in the process included the replacement of the light-colored cabinetry and tiled countertops, as well as the Spanish tile flooring in the kitchen.

The new kitchen design reflects a completely revamped footprint, where glass doors lead to the patio on one side, and on the other side, there is a casual dining nook set against the backdrop of vast windows which lead to a scenic deck.

The central area of the kitchen includes an island which anchors the design, and the primary wall includes ample custom Sophia Line cabinetry in Aspen Oak. The main kitchen wall is also where the vast basin sink is located, as well as the built-in microwave and dishwasher.

The island includes additional storage, and then, where there was once a wall separating the living and kitchen areas, there is now a long L-shaped bar area, a 36-inch Wolf cooktop, and a modern stainless steel range vent.

This Laguna Beach kitchen also includes a built-in Avanti beverage center and a Sub Zero built-in refrigerator.

The Sophia cabinetry has soft close upgrades, and the selected graining of the custom cabinetry alternates between a horizontal and a vertical pattern, adding visual interest and a distinctive visual element. The backsplash against the primary wall is iridescent with subtle multicolored arabesque tiles.

The countertops, with a 1 ½ inch straight edge, continue the contemporary design of the kitchen and feature a rich, emerald green color palette. The island top is eye-catching with agate gem details.

Recessed lighting illuminates the kitchen, as does the natural light from the many large windows and doors, and a light plank tile runs throughout the kitchen and seamlessly meets the hardwood flooring in the living room. A custom bench sits at the far end of the kitchen and is designed with the same Sophia Line cabinetry, adding not just a sitting area, but also additional hidden storage.

Another component of this large-scale Laguna Beach remodel was the design and construction of a custom buffet for the dining room, using again the Sophia Line cabinetry. There is a countertop space that’s part of the buffet, as well as hidden storage and glass-front cabinets, perfect for displaying some items. It ties the dining area together with the kitchen as well as adding an improved level of functionality.

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Coto De Caza – Traditional white U-shaped designed build kitchen remodel with APlus custom cabinets

In the illustrious neighborhood of Coto de Caza, the owners of a dated home wanted a renovation that would make their abode as effortlessly stylish as the locale. After researching the competition, they decided that APlus was the only team of contractors with the skills to execute it perfectly.

Before

Originally, the home’s design was very standard. There wasn’t much in the way of character, as most of the construction and materials were fairly basic. Our task was to change all of that by incorporating personalized style and functionality into every part of the renovated rooms.

Restructuring

The first step of building what the owners praise as their new “mastercraft” U-shaped kitchen was to remove everything - even much of the left outer wall. In the new open space, we installed a lengthy accordion glass door that opened up to the backyard pool deck. This created a refreshingly airy atmosphere by letting the natural light spill in, and also added the option of making the room an open-air kitchen.

Another brightening factor was the installation of recessed lighting and sleek hanging lamps with dimmer adjusters, enabling the owners to control the intensity of their illumination. The ceiling’s light fixtures draw attention to the thick Beaded Colonial crown moulding that tops the custom cabinets, which were built in a Euro-style construction out of maple wood, with Victorian doors, Glenmore Dark Bronze hardware and a Straight White finish. Many of the upper cabinets have built-in interior lighting, glass-panel door inserts and glass shelving. We also added lighting to the undersides of the upper cabinets, for extra visibility and a touch of cozy ambiance. The refrigerator was housed within the cabinetry for a more cohesive look. Storage perks include lazy-susans built into the corner shelves (which have folding doors), and vertical spice pulls. At the center of the kitchen, we built an island with the same stately moulding patterns found on the rest of the new construction.

All of the surfaces were topped with thick slabs of granite featuring mottled earth tones. Upon the back and right wall of the kitchen, we put in a natural stone tile backsplash to add to the warmth and complement both the countertops and the subtly rustic hardwood flooring.

Custom Hood

The star of the kitchen is the custom hood, which we designed and built ourselves. The process entailed carving the hood from raw wood materials, then sanding it smooth so that it could be coated with the white finish on the upper and lower sections, and a contrasting Manganese finish at the center. It features its own elegant moulding, as well as graceful corbels and interior lighting.

Appliances

The client chose all stainless steel appliances to add a modern touch to the otherwise fully traditional kitchen. There’s an Imperial Ventilator Insert within the custom hood, which rests above a KitchenAid Commercial Style Gas Cooktop. The KitchenAid Architect Series II Built-In Double Ovens, GE Monogram 1.1 Cu. Ft. Microwave Oven, and Sub-Zero 48” Built-In Side-by-Side Refrigerator with Internal Dispenser are clustered together on the kitchen’s right side. In the center island, a Rohl Shaws Original Single-Bowl Fireclay Apron Sink is set between a Bosch 24” Bar Handle Dishwasher and a GE Monogram Wine Reserve.

Living Room

The crown moulding of the kitchen was extended into and throughout the living room, which was given a section of bright white wall paneling with a built-in compartment to mount the large flat-screen TV.

Have you considered upgrading your home’s value and style through renovation? APlus contractors provides top of the line remodeling services in Coto de Caza and the rest of the Orange County area. Contact us today for a free quote!

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Complete House Remodel in Lake Forest by APlus Interior Design & Remodeling Customer Testimonial

Check out another awesome testimonial from one of our clients in Lake Forest.  APlus Redesigned & Remodeled the whole house and built the dream house for Phil and his beautiful wife.  Let us know what you think.  

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