The kitchen in this hilltop home in San Diego was originally hidden from its panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Mission Bay. Designer Sol Quintana Wagoner of San Diego, Calif.-based Jackson Design and Remodeling and his design team – Liz Carter, John Kavan and Karina Kmiotek – hoped to open up this 1960s design to its surroundings and bring it back to its mid-century modern design.
The original kitchen only offered a glimpse of its view behind outdated appliances and materials.
By first replacing the exterior walls with floor-to-ceiling windows, the existing high ceilings and exposed beams helped make the view the highlight of the redesigned space.
Keeping in mind the clients’ expanding family, the design team created a kitchen meant for entertaining and hosting with a large island and easily accessible storage.
The backsplash is made of shades of green, blue and brown to echo the natural colors surrounding the home, while its rectangle pattern is oriented to the view.
Bold black iron chandeliers make the lighting feel like a natural architectural element in the home, while the open bulbs are a rustic mid-century modern detail.
The dining area is defined by an artistic grouping of mid-century modern-inspired pendant lamps with a metallic shimmer on the interior.
The kitchen is fully integrated with the outdoor living area, which features a fire pit and benches for entertaining. The wood architectural element framing the main window matches the one on the interior to unite the spaces.
The stainless steel hood was selected because of its subtlety in the open design. The hood trim can be adjusted to glow with different colors for mood settings.
Because of the open layout and the continuous tongue-and-groove ceilings and exposed beams, the living area and the front entrance feel connected to the living and dining space.