Tribune, The (San Luis Obispo, CA)
March 17, 2006

RETRO REMODEL
A 1960S-ERA KITCHEN GETS A FACELIFT WITHOUT LOSING TOUCH WITH ITS MODERN ROOTS

Author: Rebecca Juretic
Special to the Tribune
Edition: Tribune
Section: HOME&GARDEN
Page: C10

Three-and-a--half years after moving in, Gary and Cindy Bonifield had updated nearly every square foot of their San Luis Obispo home.

That is, except for the kitchen.

"The kitchen was original to the house, so it was a typical 1960s-style kitchen -- gold-tone appliances, white Formica countertop, gold-patterned linoleum. It was just tired, and it wasn't very functional," said Cindy.

Even though the couple longed for an updated kitchen, they wanted a design that would be in tune with the architecture of their 1960s-era modern house -- a space that would be at once new and retro.

To help them with their design, the couple hired Cucina of San Luis Obispo, which also fabricated their sleek, contemporary cabinets.

A modern kitchen, the Bonifields learned, is a study in contradictions. Ample storage is needed to keep countertops clear and clutter-free. At the same time, cabinetry is kept to a minimum to maintain the kitchen's open and spare aesthetic. In fact, upper cabinets were restricted to a few small units because of the installation of a large span of windows that play up views of Bishop Peak. Designer Cindy Collins of Cucina met the challenge by incorporating clever organizational features that help to maximize every inch of storage space.

The retro element came into play with color choices such as subtle green laminate countertops that Cindy considers an update of 1960s avocado green. The kitchen's strong horizontal lines are another design feature borrowed from mid-century modern.

Now that the Bonifields have achieved a spare, sleek kitchen, maintaining that look does require some effort. Thankfully, most components -- from appliances to countertops -- were selected for their easy-to-clean surfaces, and the kitchen layout makes quick work of tidying.

Still, Cindy admits, "modern isn't for everybody." But for the Bonifields, the space has been the perfect fit for their lifestyle and their home: a kitchen that has every modern convenience, yet still pays homage to its roots.

Photo Captions:

(1) PHOTOS BY REBECCA JURETIC - The few upper cabinets are small and made of cherry with a coffee-bean finish.
The wood-grain laminate is easy to clean and very durable.
The Bonifields' retro-modern kitchen was designed for easy cleanup and has sleek, modern appliances.
Because of wear and tear on the floors caused by the family dog, the Bonifields decided to go with laminate flooring. They selected a bamboo pattern by Wilsonart.
The couple chose a quartz composite, Zodiaq, in smoky topaz for the island countertop because of its resistance to heat and easy cleanup.
Because the house has a flat roof with no crawl space, the Bonifields were not able to add additional light fixtures. To remedy this, they installed under-cabinet task lighting as well as spiral track lighting in a modern, European design. The track system uses one outlet but allows up to six movable light fixtures on a rope cabling system.

(2) - The Bonifields originally wanted glass mosaic tile for the backsplash behind their range, but designers at Cucina warned them that such tiles are tricky to install and often result in imperfect alignment -- a look that wouldn't fit the neat, orderly appearance of the room. Also, grout can be a challenge to keep clean. They opted instead for an inexpensive glass panel etched with a simple design. When the couple tires of the look, they can easily replace the panel or even paint it.

(3) - Because upper cabinets were kept to a minimum, lower drawers and cabinets must do double duty. To maximize storage space, all cabinets were equipped with pull-outs and drawers have specialized dividers.

(4) - Homeowner Cindy Bonifield in her remodeled kitchen.

Copyright (c) 2006 The Tribune
Record Number: 0603200139