Anchored by Design
Building a Forever Home After a Lifetime on the Move
Some years ago, this homeowner had purchased a home in Oakwood and had us design and build a kitchen for them. Life happened, and they ended up selling that home, something they always regretted. After retiring from a 26-year career in the Air Force that had them moving every few years, they decided to root down here in Dayton. “In God’s grace, we found a small parcel in a highly desirable neighborhood,” said the homeowner.
After purchasing the property, their first step was engaging Springhouse Architects. The second thing was bringing us in to build their cabinetry. “Cabinetry was so integral to our home that Peters Cabinetry was the only contractor invited to architectural design meetings with the Springhouse team,” said the homeowner.
Form Meets Function
As a family that really uses their kitchen, cooking often, and serving meals nightly, a function-forward, clutter-free design was vital. Daily-use cabinets are strategically placed to facilitate workflow, and essentials like seasonings or pots and pans are always within fingertip reach. To further clear the workspace, small, bulky appliances are stored in an appliance garage until needed.
“The knee-activated electric trash drawer is super cool and super useful,” says the homeowner.
As with every project, a few aspects of the layout proved challenging. One area in particular was the junction of the 12-foot kitchen ceiling and the 20-foot vaulted ceiling of the dining area. We designed some extra-tall cabinets for this space to help smooth the transition. While these cabinets are accessible only via ladder, they’re ideal for storing seldom-used items, expanding their overall utility.
Another challenging area was the counter levered quartzite island countertop. To support the weight and enhance the countertop's structural integrity, we subtly raised the countertop height to incorporate eight pieces of structural steel reinforcement.
“Peters’ craftsmanship and attention to detail are second to none. The entire kitchen and all joinery in the house is perfectly fitted and purposed for the practical people we are. We demanded function over form across all 176 items of custom-built cabinetry, and Peters masterfully delivered both.”
Lessons Learned
When asked about some takeaways from their project, the homeowner volunteered the following:
Hire a reputable architect. Take advantage of their broad range of experience to turn your ideas into functional, aesthetically pleasing spaces.
Invite your cabinetmaker to join your architect in design meetings. This ensures that your cabinets are an integral part of your design, rather than something pasted on as an afterthought.
Take time to do your research beforehand. Gather inspiration from everywhere you can. Visit showrooms to see products in person. Ask your friends and neighbors who have tackled building or renovation projects about their likes and dislikes.
Mock up your kitchen design to scale on the floor as soon as you can to get a better feel for the flow and help identify any pinch points.
Recognize that even with all of this prep, there is bound to be something that is overlooked. We still have an awkward space in our kitchen where we vie for space. Fortunately, the ample size and quantity of storage enable us to tweak things and rectify the awkwardness.
When looking back on the project, the homeowner said, “Peters’ craftsmanship and attention to detail are second to none. The entire kitchen and all joinery in the house is perfectly fitted and purposed for the practical people we are. We demanded function over form across all 176 items of custom-built cabinetry, and Peters masterfully delivered both.”
We’re enthused with how this kitchen turned out, and we’re really glad to have been part of this project.
