First step in this kitchen remodel: she enrolled in an owner-builder class

Sunset, Feb, 1986

First step in this kitchen remodel: she enrolled in an owner-builder class

When Maryanne Mott decided to revamp her cramped 1920s kitchen and pantry, she enrolled in an owner-builder course, where she met Santa Barbara architect Dennis Thompson of Bob Easton Design Associates. They teamed up to achieve this well-thought-out custom design.

Thompson gutted the interior and pushed out a 10- by 20-foot addition, creating a bright open kitchen and a comfortable library and entertainment area, divided by an island with cooktop on one side and bookshelves on the other. Windows line a new front wall avove the sink counter. A double sink near the refrigerator is part of a food-preparation triangle; a single sink, by the dishwasher, is in the cleanup and storage area.

Since both Mrs. Mott and her husband are tall, counters are 39 inches high. She specified 35 1/2 inches as a comfortable height for the cooktop. But for tasks that she really has to put her shoulder into, she asked for sturdy pull-out cutting boards at the 32-inch level.

Under the counters, a multitude of drawers are designed to suit each type and piece of kitchen gear. By the refrigerator, shelves hold frequently used ingredients and containers. Countertop hatches open to recycling bins, emptied from outside.

Open shelves in one corner hold glassware and everyday tableware (convenient to the dishwasher) and a wine rack. Slots over the ovens store cooky sheets, wire racks, and baking pans.

Thompson designed an entertainment center with shelves, drawers, and partitions to fit a television set, record albums, turntable, cassette tapes, and so on. Lockable drawers hold camera gear; "cutting boards' pull out for sorting slides, and a pull-down screen fits under the top of the bookcase frame.

Throughout, Thompson installed oak flooring and chop-block counters (maintained with mineral oil); he specified clear fir for all shelves. Mrs. Mott chose marble for the cooktop island's surface because it is easy to wipe free of greasy spatters.

Photo: Header beam over island marks location of original exterior wall--removed in remodel that added bright new cooking area and revamped old kitchen as a casual living area

Photo: Twice the size of the old kitchen, expanded room gets light from new wall of windows and skylight over island. Colored lines indicate walls removed; shaded area is addition

Photo: Entertainment center holds hobby gear: record albums and tapes, television, cameras, slides, and pull-down screen

Photo: Kitchen addition has open shelves, dozens of drawers. Counters and cooktop are at comfortable heights for tall owner. Pull-out boards offer lower work surfaces for tasks that take more-than-usual muscle--such as mixing bread dough

Photo: Beverage corner stores glassware and wine. Deep counter accommodates appliances and canisters for making coffee

Photo: Custom-designed drawers fit specific tenants, from flat lids to tall blenders. Drawers range from 1 1/2 to 15 inches high