To create the open kitchen dreams are made of, Acclaim Renovations & Design is bringing down the walls
By Patricia Nugent
The open-kitchen concept has been the darling of the home design world for quite some time—and for good reason.
It connects family members with each other, and family members to guests, supports socialization, and fosters a feeling of togetherness. Free-flowing spaces seem calming and less confining.
Better distribution of natural light is another hallmark of open kitchens. Take the before and after photos from this recent renovation of a 1,700-square-foot home in Mentor by Acclaim Renovations & Design. With smaller-sized, closed-off rooms, the kitchen was barely getting any natural light through a small single window over the sink. The appliances were jammed next to each other, and there was scant countertop workspace.
Downsizing from a bigger home, the couple was looking for a more workable floorplan, more accessible space and functionality.
The designers at Acclaim were up to the challenge, crafting an ingenious strategy to maximize every square inch.
Walls Come Down
“During the design phase, we knew our plan would have to include knocking down the main wall between the kitchen and dining room, as well as some partial walls leading into the living room,” says Acclaim founder Bob Gallese. “This created an open floor plan and allowed light to enter the space from both the front living room and back family room. We also added pendant lights, recessed can lights and undermount lights for a layered, sophisticated effect. Any of the storage space we lost in taking the wall down was more than made up for with the large island. They went from barely any countertop space to loads of it.”
Additionally, he says they took out the soffits, which offered more room for taller cabinets and visually enlarged the space.
To accommodate five barstools, yet keep enough walk-around space, they created a uniquely shaped 9-foot island with a wider end that angled to a skinny end.
Fashioning the Focal Points
Angling the sink into a corner freed up more counter space and put a spotlight on the stunning dark gray feature, which is actually made from pulverized granite with a touch of sparkle to it.
The 45-degree angle of the corner sink mirrors the angle in the open shelving above it, creating a one-two punch of focal points.
“We created some delicate interest in the backsplash by designing an accent stripe of rectangular tiles in-between the square ones,” he says. “Their wavy finish adds a sculptural, textured appeal to the final look. To give it definition and pizzazz, we framed it on the top and bottom with strips of brushed nickel. The wife who owns this home is an artist and had an excellent eye for color and proportion throughout the process. It was a collaboration of interesting ideas that were wonderfully executed.”
This client is a family that Acclaim has done three major renovations for over the past several years. Bob Gallese says he’s pleased and proud that they put their trust in them and keep coming back.
Better Selection, Faster Turnaround
Acclaim Renovations partnered with Guru Granite last year, bringing on Guru founder Bob Potocar.
What that means for clients is a wider selection of natural stone slabs from all over the world—Brazil, Italy and the U.S.—and a faster turnaround time since they own the fabrication shop.
“Homeowners can expect to see the finish line faster on our jobs than they would with other companies,” says Potocar. “And since we buy our own inventory of slabs, we can offer much lower pricing than most places.”
Acclaim Renovations & Design is located at 8550 East Avenue in Mentor. The design-build firm has won numerous industry awards. Call 440-974-8082 or visit AcclaimReno.com.