HOME

ELEVATED BASEMENT KITCHENETTE 
Custom Italian Cabinetry


NEWTON, MA
SCOPE: Basement kitchenette integration within an irregular five-wall niche, including custom Italian cabinetry specification, lighting design, and material coordination.
ROLE:  Interior Designer  
  • Spatial Planning
  • Casework Detailing
  • Finish Selection
  • 3D Modeling
  • Technical Drawings
  • Project Management (including order tracking and delivery and installation coordination)


This kitchenette was introduced into a challenging five-walled niche in the basement level of a residential property, where each the walls all had different lengths and met at slightly different angles. The client sought a sophisticated, fully functional space that would elevate the basement into a proper living environment. With no natural light and ceilings at 6'7", the design and material strategy were critical to the success of the space.

Following careful site documentation, the layout was developed to maximize cabinet volume within each wall segment, with scribe-cut fillers planned between units to accommodate the irregular geometry. The program included a dishwasher, sink, under-counter refrigerator, and wine fridge — all integrated seamlessly into the cabinetry run to maintain a clean, continuous façade. The cabinetry is Molteni, with finishes selected by the client after visiting the showroom - Eucalyptus Wood and Iris Metal. To counteract the absence of natural light, a thin Inalco slab was carried across both the countertop and backsplash as a continuous surface, integrated lighting was included in the upper cabinets, and floating Rimadesio EOS shelves were introduced on the “back” three walls to preserve openness and reflect light back into the space.


EXISTING CONDITIONS
Existing five-walled niche with a ceiling height of 6'7" and recessed soffit placement. 
Niche electrical placements.  

COMPLETED PROJECT
Front View - final placement of appliances adjusted on site according to outlet availability.
Side Detail of Upper Cabinet - chosen to be aligned to frontmost soffit rather than centered on their respective walls as shown in drawings. 
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
Dimensioned Floor Plan - based on site surveys prior to and after sheetrocking and plaster. 
Detailed Base Cabinet Callouts
Detailed Upper Cabinet and Shelves Callouts
Dimensioned Front Perspective View showing Floating Shelf Placement

MATERIALS AND FINISHES



Updated 26.08.07