Raw Materials Speak for Themselves in a Kitchen Remodel Inspired After a Tea Shop

Good things come to those who wait. After twice postponing their North Berkeley kitchen remodel⁠—HDR Remodeling’s clients were finally ready to embark upon their long-awaited kitchen makeover.

The Challenge

Avid cooks, the couple’s original 1920’s-era kitchen was cramped and inefficient, with limited storage and counter space, and separated from the home’s other living spaces. 

The Goal

Taking their inspiration from San Francisco’s Song Tea & Ceramics, the couple’s favorite tea shop, HDR Remodeling’s design team assisted in achieving their kitchen vision by pulling from various design cues.  The goal was a happy marriage of modern industrial utility and Scandinavian sensibility⁠—with one caveat: the materials be allowed to “speak for themselves.” 

Our objective was to:

• Modernize and expand the kitchen.

• Utilize earthy, natural materials in their natural expression.

• Reintroduce the kitchen to the rest of the dwelling.

• Improve sight lines and traffic flow.

• Provide the chef with plenty of opportunities to interact with guests.

The Solution

HDR Remodeling’s architect, Milton Tong, began by removing and reconfiguring the existing walls between the dining and laundry room to create an expansive and intuitively designed kitchen – with enviable counter and storage space. 

This new kitchen design created the optimal workflow between the kitchen sink, stove, and refrigerator, and significantly improved natural light⁠—and sightlines⁠—from front to the back. Hardwood oak flooring, stained to match existing floors, replaced dated linoleum, seamlessly integrating the newly expanded kitchen space.

Finishes were carefully selected to elevate the Scandinavian minimal appeal. A stunning cobalt blue Fireclay glazed thin brick kitchen backsplash provides a dramatic focal point⁠—and a pop of color⁠—to an otherwise neutral palette. The opaque glaze over Fireclay’s California-made aggregate bricks adds depth and dimension⁠—and unexpected texture⁠—to the palette.

Ardent travelers and collectors, the couple specified unstained Baltic core plywood for the kitchen cabinetry. Its natural appeal and durability entirely in keeping with the Scandinavian and minimalist ethos. The unstained open shelves, including the cubbies surrounding their gourmet range, fit their design vision perfectly, and provides easy access to go-to cooking essentials⁠—along with a stunning display for their beloved objets d’art. 

Honed black granite countertops were selected for their low-luster sheen and long-lasting appeal. Used expansively, the dark matte stone adds gravitas and subtle contrast to the colorful backsplash and natural wood cabinetry. Stainless steel appliances complement the stone’s somber sheen and add modern appeal.

The Outcome

“We hosted our first meal last night, and we couldn’t be happier. The new space is beautiful and smart⁠—and the flow from the kitchen to the dining and living rooms accommodated our 10 guests perfectly. It feels like we’re living in a whole new house.

Feeling inspired to design a new kitchen for your home? We can help turn your kitchen inspirations into a beautiful reality. Call us or send us an email and schedule a complimentary in-home consultation.