2 different kitchen makeovers offer the same satisfaction

HERE'S SOME food for thought: Imagine the kitchen of your dreams.

Today we offer two such spaces. Their differences are many: one traditional, the other modern; one from an interior designer, the other an architect; one big, the other small; one plotted and planned, the other an impulse buy.

Their similarities, however, are singular and universal: both kitchens were once outdated, chopped-up places in otherwise good and useful homes.

"There was a wall here," says Margaret Bolger, waving her arm at the big open space near the dining table. "And one here," she says, waving in the vicinity of the front door.

This is the modern house whose new kitchen was remade with much planning and forethought, growing from 146 to 267 square feet.

"I really think this is how the house is supposed to be," says Bolger, wearing a big it-was-all-worth-it smile.

The Bolgers, Margaret and Tom and their two children, 6 and 4, live in a gabled Midcentury Magnolia home designed by Ira E. Cummings. After four years there, they well knew what they did not like about it.

Also, their architect, Colin Brandt, gave them pre-demolition homework, assigning them the task of listing everything their hearts desired. The list was long: "Kitchen/entry should look like it's always been there; comfortable, space to sit, lean, gather, hang out; more counter space; easy access to yard/deck; want to create the nerve center of the house, this is not a show kitchen — we will live here." And more.

The result is all of the above. And more.

"Our main entertainment is having other families over," Bolger says. "We're very informal. Either we're cooking in here or barbecuing."

Now maple cabinetry, beginning at the new glass door, defines the space's circular pattern; entrance, kitchen, dining, living, entrance. The sink faces a big window into the backyard, good for the view and keeping an eye on the kids. A corner nook is a hangout magnet. Built-in bureaus in the new opened entrance hall offer seating and easy storage. The outdoor pavers take a few steps inside, crossing the line between indoor and out. A new blackened-steel mantle wraps the original living-room fireplace, a remodel ribbon that carries the eye back to the entrance hall.

No less delighted with their new space are Elizabeth Bird and Gary Thompson. Their Edmonds kitchen, just 120 square feet, got a complete overhaul under the care of interior designer Amely Wurmbrand after Bird won her services at a Poncho auction three years ago.

"I just thought what a great idea. I wanted my kitchen done, and this supports the arts," Bird says. "The two glasses of wine probably helped, too."

Well then, cheers to this bidder's better kitchen.

Wurmbrand had planned to take down walls, but a strict $70,000 budget held the project to its original footprint. So the designer stayed small and got grand. Serving as anchors are royal navy maple cabinets, honed marble countertops and custom-blended blue crackle 1-inch tiles over the oven. Rich and golden are Ann Sacks creamy subway tiles with heavily beveled edges and Benjamin Moore HC-6 Windham Cream paint.

Quality fixtures and appliances contribute to the small room's big statement.

"We could have saved money on the appliances, but I absolutely love that dishwasher," a Miele Optima, Thompson says. "All my life I had dishwashers where you had to wash the dishes first. I'm so surprised every time they're clean now."

For Bird it's the range: "The six-burner American gas range with the commercial oven is like the one in Crow, our favorite restaurant. I want to make that roasted chicken like they do. That's the goal.

"We'll make that chicken and we'll never have to leave the house again."

Rebecca Teagarden is assistant editor of Pacific Northwest magazine. Mike Siegel is a Seattle Times staff photographer.