Parsonage Kitchen Reno

Location: Montclair, NJ

Designer Credits: Valerie Ruddy

Project Overview:

The renovation of the main parsonage kitchen in this 125 year old stone church complex in Montclair, NJ was long overdue.  The sometimes drafty space had traffic flow issues with openings for a stairwell to the second floor, basement stairwell, porch entryway and adjacent pantry area all converging in the same place.  It made for a cramped and awkward work space with only a small area for a table in the center of it all.  We moved the 2nd floor stairway opening so it would now lead into the pantry area which now allows better placement for the refrigerator and gives more counter space in the cooking area.  The sink wall was opened up creating better flow between the pantry and main kitchen space.  We also raised the ceiling to its full 9′ height as the previous 1950’s renovation included a low false ceiling probably to try to maintain the heat in the room.  The sink was moved to the opposite wall and tons of new custom floor to ceiling pantry cabinets make this one of the best kitchens we have done in terms of storage.  Medium stained cabinetry is timeless and maintenance free.  By removing the stair to the 2nd floor from the main kitchen area, replacing  all of the windows and adding new weather stripping around the door, the kitchen feels warmer and cozier in the long NJ winters.