Montclair NJ
Montclair NJ
What was once a cramped and outdated kitchen has been completely reimagined into the heart of this Montclair home.
Not only was the existing kitchen’s Happy Days Diner vibe inappropriate with the rest of the house, its awkward layout and limitations made daily life a struggle for the family. The narrowness of the room created difficulties for cooking, the rear entry/mudroom took up valuable real estate, and natural light and incredible views were prevented from entering the space. All-in-all it was a space no one really enjoyed being in.
The design widened the kitchen and added clarity to its multi-purpose function. Cooking, storing, cleaning, and gathering “zones” were created by architectural features such as portals and a long slim island down the middle of the space. Millwork around windows and doors echo the home’s existing details, pairing its Craftsman interiors with the clean, modern lines of the custom wood cabinetry. A new stair and rear entry, complete with an awning, provide a simpler connection to the driveway for carrying groceries into the house.
The former rear porch was enclosed and reworked into a light-filled breakfast nook—now one of the most beloved cozy spaces for casual family dining, homework, or board games. From here, you can catch a distant glimpse of the New York skyline on the horizon.
Overall, the result is a new modern kitchen that feels grounded in the home’s original historic character. A few months after completion, the Owner has stated that the family practically lives in this space all the time. Exactly what the modern Kitchen is meant to do.
Photography by: Femen Odgun, Windigo
