Good bones, but this kitchen needed transformation - kitchen remodeling

Like Katharine Hepburn, this small kitchen had good bones. Owners Mido and Noura Fakhoury originally thought that making the 105-square-foot, L-shaped space more appealing and functional would require expanding it. Instead, the kitchen underwent a complete transformation within its original outline.

Enlarging the room would have meant moving a load-bearing wall and putting a lot of money into new structural elements. By avoiding expensive framing and plumbing changes, they were able to concentrate their resources on the visible details: materials and finishes, counters and cabinets.

Berkeley architect Charles Debbas made the room seem larger by replacing boxy cabinetry with a more sculptural system of clear-stained maple cabinets and shelving. He also replaced a translucent dropped ceiling with a shallow vault brightened by incandescent up lights. The curve of the ceiling blurs the room's edges and is echoed in the profile of the main cabinet.

Sparing use of luxurious materials-shiny copper for range hood and buffet trim, polished black granite counters, and deep yellow sponge-finished walls-adds to the elegant effect. The remodel cost about $65,000 in 1990, including new appliances and cabinetwork. 1:1