When you have a super-small kitchen—with only open storage, to boot—every detail is writ large, and there’s little room for error. Fortunately, this minuscule but mighty office kitchenette, was dreamed up by a pro, one who happens to have a knack for customized storage, a love for considered materials, and a penchant for challenging projects: Lynn Kloythanomsup of Bay Area-based Landed Interiors & Homes.
“We were asked to design the remodel of an office in the Panhandle area of San Francisco,” says Lynn, of her clients, design and branding agency, Design by Offset. “Since they often host meetings for their own clients, many of them in the food and wine industry, they asked for a kitchen that they could actually cook in, despite its postage stamp size.”
Just how small? Try 30 square feet. In this tiny footprint, Lynn was able to fit in a beverage refrigerator, a small convection oven, a hot plate, as well as storage for small appliances. And she was able to make it all look beautiful—in a style, she says, inspired by “Japanese cabinetry and joinery, Northern California materials, and a utilitarian lifestyle.”
Let’s take a tour; then scroll down to learn how to steal the look.
Above: “We designed each shelf space in the sink base shelving to fit specific appliances because the shelves are not adjustable. They’re built with mortise and tenon joinery,” says Lynn. “The striped curtain hides a multitude of sins! The clients store extra folding chairs, a stepladder, cloth shopping bags, extra wine bottles, and their aprons in the closet.” Above: “The base shelving was custom made by our woodworker EVG Design for a custom concrete counter with integrated sink and drainboard made by SC Fabrication.” Above: “The wall treatment throughout the space is a favorite touch. We recreated a lime-plaster look with natural, non-toxic paint and a protective coat. We used milk paint from The Real Milk Paint Co. The result is a subtle cloudy effect on flat-textured walls,” explains Lynn. A Boos walnut cutting board mounted on brackets makes a tidy butcher-block countertop. (The artwork is a 1984 collage design by visual designer Ivan Chermayeff.) Above: Douglas fir was used throughout the office, which, in addition to the kitchenette, includes an office work area and a conference and research space. “Partner Byron Hoffman brought in his Napa family connections for the custom build-out, and many of the defining elements of the project are made by relatives, including woodworking and concrete work,” says Lynn.
Below, how to steal the look.
Storage
Above: Lynn sourced the stainless steel Wall Mounted Shelving from a restaurant supplies store. For an online option, she suggest WebstaurantStore. Above: The Laguna Rattan Shelf Basket by Kouboo comes with a removable cotton liner; $54.50. Above: For a similar trash bin, try Brabantia’s affordable Step Trash Can; $64.05 on Amazon.
Above: From Italy’s Ceramica Rondine, the ceramic New York Black Tiles have a matte finish. Above: According to The Real Milk Company, “Oyster Grey paint is a dark gray paint color like fresh oyster shells pulled right from the bay.” It’s $18.99 for a pint; $29.99 for a quart; $69.99 for a gallon. Above: The Edison Pull-down Spray Kitchen Faucet is by Vigo; $177.90 at Build.com. Above: The Rhodes Metal and Wood Seat Square Counter Stool by Project 62 is $125 for a set of 2 at Target.
Lighting
Above: The Tolomeo LED Wall Light by Artemide starts at $425 at YLighting. Above: SC Fabrication fabricated the custom lightweight concrete pendant light. For a similar look, try the Sigmund Pendant Light by Regina Andrea; available in two sizes, from $337.50, at YLighting.
Ceramics
Above: Carter & Co. Stoneware Dinnerware can be purchased at one of our favorite San Francisco stores, March; from $28. Above: The handmade Stone Mugs by W/R/F Lab are $34 each.
Above: The Donabe Rice Cookers from Toiro Kitchen & Supply start at $65. (See our story on the Japanese store here.)
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