26 | Oregon Home CUSTOM FIT: Build Forward For most people, the kitchen is the heart of the home. And when the space is inadequate, what should be joyful occasions like mealtimes and gatherings can become frustrating experiences. That was certainly the case for the owners of a 1919 home in Portland’s Laurelhurst neighborhood. They wanted to incorporate a dining area within the kitchen for their family of four, as well as utilize the overall space better. It now feels bright and airy thanks to opening up a kitchen wall, new cabinetry, white subway tiles and fresh paint. “The stove was on the opposite side of the kitchen from the oven, so the layout was awkward for making meals,” explains Dawn Bush, head of operations and marketing for Portlandbased design-build firm Build Forward. “We also added storage with floor-to-ceiling cabinetry in a space just off the kitchen and added an additional wall of cabinetry in the kitchen.” Build Forward’s owner, Javier Montalvo, says they could tell on their first visit that the family was trying to squeeze too many activities into the tiny kitchen, because there was nowhere else to go. “We utilized as much unused space as we could,” says Montalvo, “and we gained probably about 40 square feet for the kitchen.” A RENOVATION THAT BREATHES NEW LIFE INTO A CENTURY OLD HOME By Vanessa Salvia Photos by Genny Moller Blending Old AND NEW
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