My friend Susan's kitchen makeover
My friend, Susan Warburg, lives in Westport, CT, very close to Compo Beach, located on Long Island Sound. Her home is a charming, but quite small, beach bungalow, built in 1943. She has been renovating and making improvements to it for several years. This year, it was finally time to redo the rather tiny kitchen. I was able to help her a bit because I just happened to have some extra kitchen appliances, which I gifted to her this past spring. Come and take a little tour of Susan’s bright, airy, and very functional new kitchen, it should be on apartment therapy!
Every conceivable design idea was used to maximize the use of this very small space. The insert storage area will have shelves just as soon as Susan measures all her containers that will 'reside' there.
All the cabinets were purchased at Home Depot. I was amazed at the fabulous workmanship and clever combinations that the homemaker can put together to create a very 'custom designed' looking kitchen. The shelving, however, was made by Susan's carpenter, with fancy brackets and pretty edging moldings.
The Wolf stove top and oven were placed on the back wall with a good vent above to extract heat and cooking odors. Susan even has lots of counter tops - white marble, custom cut by Fairfield County Granite, located in Bridgeport, CT. 
This oven was purchased from Gaggenau. Notice that the cooking gadgets and spices are within easy reach.
Wonderful glass doors, almost floor to ceiling, create spacious cupboards for all of Susan's beautiful china, platters, and glassware. She found the doors at United House Wrecking in Stamford, CT.
The island is where she has her sink and dishwasher and also more open shelving.
Susan's everyday dishes on the left are lovely ones from France. The dishes on the right are beautiful English china passed down through generations. Susan stained the oak floor herself in a bold diamond pattern.
The island meets the wall where more shelves hold books and kitchen antiques collected over the years by Susan on her extensive travels. She also found a wonderful bracketed Toshiba TV that even has a DVD player. The under-shelf lighting is xenon, the new cool version of the old halogen.
Both Susan and I love open shelves, which make everything used on a daily basis very accessible. Notice the beautiful, curvaceous brackets and the carefully measured shelves which hold her pretty collection of glassware.
The large, white door and drawers on the right is a Sub-Zero refrigerator and freezer. Susan had a matching door made on the left to house a stacking washer and dryer.
The Bosch washer and dryer are nicely tucked away. 
The seeds of spring lead to the weeds of summer
Harvesting garlic in my garden recently
Computer problems? Help desk to the rescue!
Let's hop on the MSLO shuttle bus!
The customer relations department behind the scenes!
Martha,
Thank you so much this gives me great encouragement for the home we are remodeling. These are some great ideas.
Marcy
Posted by: Marcy | August 6th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
Lovely functional, clean design. I love it!
It's always a treat to see a creative use of small, functional spaces. . .
Posted by: MMC in San Diego | August 7th, 2008 at 12:05 am
Wow! I love this kitchen.You can tell that every square foot was well thougth out and planned for maimum benefit and enjoyment.Well done and thank you for sharing it with your blog readers.
Christopher O'Connor
Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
Posted by: Christopher O'Connor | August 7th, 2008 at 12:05 am
Hi Martha, Thanks for another really "cool" blog. Your friend, Susan Warburg, is one lucky lady to have such a generous friend as you. Her kitchen remodel job is absolutely fantastic. When one is faced with small spaces, it takes some real organizing to fit everything that you want into those spaces. I'd say that she did a wonderful job of using the space she has. I love the washer, dryer and refrigerator placement. I can imagine that she is very pleased with her new kitchen. Enjoy! Thanks so much for sharing. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | August 7th, 2008 at 12:18 am
Oh, this suits me to a T--now to find a place like that! My own kitchen in a rented condo wouldn't hold all that, but. . .one of these days.
And yeah, I see a bunch of books that inhabit my cookbook shelf, too!
Amy in Houston
Posted by: Amy | August 7th, 2008 at 12:47 am
I love white cabinets. Such a great design. So functional yet so divine.
Posted by: Norbie K. of Las Vegas, NV | August 7th, 2008 at 1:01 am
That is a lovely kitchen... so inviting! Love that it is open to a nook... perfect place to sit, sipping coffee, chatting with friends and admiring the kitchen! It is magazine... apartment therapy worthy!
BTW... hope you don't mind, but I borrowed some artichoke ideas from you for my post tomorrow... Giving you full credit of course.
THANKS for the inspiration AGAIN!
Fifi
Posted by: Fifi Flowers | August 7th, 2008 at 1:29 am
Ooooh...nice!
Posted by: Isle Dance | August 7th, 2008 at 1:48 am
Small space, big style! Personally I get more enjoyment out of seeing brilliantly designed small spaces, such as this one, than larger spaces. Because every inch of space has to have a purpose and needs to look good, I really appreciate the the amount of thought that goes into a space like this.
Posted by: Adam | August 7th, 2008 at 1:52 am
A fresh white kitchen will never go out of style. What a great use of space! Beautiful to work in no doubt!
Posted by: Jane from Oz | August 7th, 2008 at 2:56 am
beautiful kitchen. love the white and the lighting. it seems very organized and well thought out to suit all of Susan's kitchen habits. lots of multifunctional space which is great - work, cook, clean, laundry. love that.
Posted by: ShopLittleGifts | August 7th, 2008 at 3:42 am
Hi, Martha,
Thanks for the tour of your friend Susan's kitchen. How wonderful! I dream of such a kitchen.
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy | August 7th, 2008 at 5:55 am
Very cute!! Thank-you for the tour!!
Posted by: Paula | August 7th, 2008 at 7:15 am
Please tell Susan that I am totally inspired by her design!! I love the open shelf concept!! And everything is so white and pristine. Love it.
Posted by: susieshomemade | August 7th, 2008 at 7:32 am
I love it! You are right that it should be on Apartment Therapy (one of my other favorite blogs!)
Posted by: Lizzy | August 7th, 2008 at 7:42 am
Is it a kitchen?unbelievable.
Posted by: Elliott | August 7th, 2008 at 7:45 am
I thought the use of a Roman Numeral clock was unusual and unique.
Posted by: SteveNYC | August 7th, 2008 at 8:05 am
Very nice! I love how she stained the floor and the green dishes from France are so pretty. I see she has the kind of juicer you use on the show once in awhile. Excellent! Thanks for sharing some great ideas. Trish
Posted by: Trish | August 7th, 2008 at 8:29 am
I looooooooove kitchen re-dos!!!!!!! We did a huge kitchen addition and renovation 5 years ago. BEST THING WE EVER EVER DID! What a great space to cook and hang out in! I wouldn't change a thing! The kitchen you just show is so fantastic. I love everything about it! Oh, and my washer and dryer are in my kitchen too! all my friends think I'm nuts, but why do I need to run to the basement to do laundry when I'm always in my kitchen? My machines are top notch and I get to fold on GRANITE!
Posted by: Jane M | August 7th, 2008 at 9:09 am
Lovely,,,and i see she has some of your glass containers with green tops from Kmart in her glass-doored display. Enjoy your blog daily...looking forward to September and the new season starting!
Posted by: Sarah | August 7th, 2008 at 9:10 am
Beautiful, functional, efficient, well done! I love the TV with the DVD player...sometimes you just need that in the kitchen! I always drag the portable DVD player into the kitchen after my AM Radio shows (Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity) are over.
Posted by: A Farmer's Wife | August 7th, 2008 at 9:16 am
How ADORABLE! I would love to see the rest of Susan's renovations. This looks like a wonderful "small space, big style" home.
Posted by: Jenny B. from Illinois | August 7th, 2008 at 9:17 am
I love the kitchen, I am in the planning stages to start my new kitchen after the holidays. My home was built in the mid 20's. In my minds eye this is what I wanted it to look like. Now I am eager to get started. To bad there is other remodeling that has been scheduled first. Thanks Martha, and thanks to your friend for sharing her home.
Posted by: sandra dunn | August 7th, 2008 at 9:27 am
Very nicely done! I love the marble, the glass cabinets and all the open shelving, which makes it so functional.
Beautiful!
-Andrew in Ottawa
Posted by: Andrew Ritchie | August 7th, 2008 at 9:56 am
Wouldn't this home be a great subject for a segment on your show? So many live in small spaces and would love to see creative solutions....especially those utiliizing affordable, easily accessible products from stores such as Home Depot.
Posted by: lil | August 7th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Thank you for sharing this lovely and inspiring kitchen. One question: How does one person maintain the cleanliness of the china and glasses on open shelving?
Posted by: Ingrid | August 7th, 2008 at 10:23 am
Absolutely beautiful! I love the shelving for the books and the calming white is very nice in a kitchen. Great post, Martha!
Posted by: Desiree' | August 7th, 2008 at 10:49 am
Great Job!
As a Home Depot associate, I'm especially proud. Though, when we did our,kitchen last year, we chose Ikea for the clean Swedish modern look. With 5 cats, 2 dogs and a lot of peat dust here in the CA central valley, open shelving isnt a good choice.
Beautiful!
Marcia
Posted by: marcia | August 7th, 2008 at 11:45 am
I loved the freshness of this kitchen and the wonderful use of the space. Susan has some lovely things and they are displayed so nicely...there's a bit of 'Martha' in her!
Posted by: Sherey | August 7th, 2008 at 11:52 am
Thank you for sharing this with us, it showed me a great deal of information for a smaller space.
Again thank you.
Posted by: Sandra Foster | August 7th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
a room does not need to be large to be functional. I did remodeling and design for several years and turned many small spaces into fabulous retreats. Using every bit of space is key.
Posted by: jai carney | August 7th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Hi Martha-Gorgeous..a kitchen makeover sounds great. I have had the same ugly chicken curtains for 18 years. Now if I could sell a few Longaberger Baskets to you all I too could have a kitchen makeover!You all need Longaberger baskets in your kitchens, they are the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The new village baskets and pottery coming out in September are the best yet. Martha, please can I be your home consultant?
Maybe you already have one?
What does your kitchen look like Martha, am so curious?!
Posted by: Jennifer Fancher | August 7th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
m in luv with the floor 2 ceiling lighted cabinets, with regard 2 kitchen, bigger is not always better, lovely lovely, tk u M 4 sharing.
Posted by: charmayne | August 7th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Happy Birthday Martha!!
Posted by: linda | August 7th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
It's too dry and dusty here also to have all open shelves but I so enjoyed seeing someone else's collection. In fact, seeing a real working home kitchen, stock pot to gravy boat, is far more interesting than one created to sell appliances or cabinets. I was inspired to sort through five "catch-all" utensil drawers in my kitchen this morning. It's like shopping!
Posted by: Julie W. | August 7th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Very pretty renovation! However, spices are best kept away from heat and out of direct light, so storing them right next to or above the stove is not advisable. I do like the open shelf concept, but particularly for glassware, doesn't this invite a lot of dusting work?
Posted by: Jennifer | August 7th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
It is both a functional and sofisticated kitchen. Susan and Martha seem like the most practical and gifted women. I wish they were leaving closer to where I live (Israel) so my country can benefit from them as well.
Keep the good work!
Posted by: yora kisch | August 7th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Wow Home Depot huh??? How nice did her kitchen come out ??? By the way only you would have a few extra appliances hanging around.....lol
Have a great week-end, inching closer to Sept 15
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy :) | August 7th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
A wonderful new kitchen!
Obviously, a long way from earthquake country.
We would never see all that glassware on open shelves like that.
LOL!
Posted by: Bonnie P. | August 7th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
I just love the white marble counters - it is just such a classic and elegant choice! I would vastly prefer to cook in this cozy kitchen instead a much larger cold-feeling kitchen.
Posted by: Nanette | August 7th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Living here in California, earthquake country, open shalving is very impractical and dangerous. Otherwise, I would adopt this decor in my kitchen. But when the earth shakes, doors on cabinets need to be secured in such a way they don't fly open disgorging their breakable contents. A kitchen is sometimes all about geography.
Posted by: Peking | August 7th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
This is inspiring to see! My husband and I are in the beginnings of renovating our 1853 farmhouse. Needless to say, the kitchen has a lot to be desired. It is great to see that even a small space can be made functional and attractive as well!
Posted by: Kate Rineer | August 7th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Martha:
I think you and Susan did a wonderful job on the kithchen. It looks great and reminds me a lot of how you renovated your old kitchen on Turkey Hill Road, particularly with the marble countertops and white cupboards.
I live in an old house and my kitchen originally was used as a large walk-in closet, believe it or not, so I love seeing how you were able to maximize the small space with a perfect balance of function and style.
I, too, have open shelves in my kitchen and everthing is painted cream. It can be a pain to dust everything, but my collection of jadite shows up much better with open shelving than in closed cupboards, even those with glass doors.
Perhaps you might consider writing a book focusing on how to make the most of small spaces.
My brother and his wife are currently re-doing their kitchen with Swedish-style painted furniture and blue and white porcelain. They're trying to decide on a wall color other than white, do you have any suggestions? I'm going to have them check out this post.
Thanks!
Joseph
Posted by: Joseph Brennan | August 7th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
Everything is relative....I would kill to have a kitchen that "tiny"! haha
Very charming!
Posted by: Shelly | August 7th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
Martha:
I forgot to mention how impressed I am with the way you and Susan cleverly disguised the refrigerator, washer/dryer and particularly the dishwasher under the island. Hiding them certainly gives the impression of a much larger, open space, rather than one over-powered by appliances, which is always a challenge with tight quarters.
Necessity is the mother of invention!
Joseph
Posted by: Joseph Brennan | August 7th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
Oh Martha, that kitchen is far from tiny. I guess it would be considered tiny compared with your kitchen set for the show. It sure looks nice though.
I've redone 2 of the three places I've owned and learn something every time. Every time I swear I'll never do it again. Then I get a contractor's quote and it's off to Home Depot to do it myself. Those pull outs are the best. I have one for spices, as no rack could every possibly hold the array of things I have.
I'm ready to move again and am crossing my fingers for a butler's pantry in the next place.
Posted by: Scott R. Davis | August 8th, 2008 at 12:58 am
my kitchen in teeny-tiny and seeing this gorgeous kitchen remodel gives me hope. i love the floor to ceiling cabinets and the hidden fridge.
i.love.it.
Posted by: heather* | August 8th, 2008 at 5:02 am
It is a beautiful kitchen. I love the open shelves, but that many are completely impractical for anyone who doesn't have at least weekly maid service to keep the dust down. We have just one set of open shelves, and it's amazing the gunk that collects on them.
Also, there is no universe in which that kitchen could rightly be called "tiny" or "very small." "Tiny" is the 6 x 6-ft kitchen I had in my first apartment that still managed to squeeze in a full-size refrigerator and stove, a double sink, an exterior door that opened inward, and about overhead cupboards. Total counter space: about 4 square feet. And it wasn't even in New York.
Posted by: Lori Paximadis | August 8th, 2008 at 9:45 am
I have thoughts of endless dusting when I see this. I also think of my cats on every shelf! It looks fantastic though.
Posted by: Carolyn J. | August 8th, 2008 at 11:26 am
I've been wanting, searching for a new place,ran into Baers and wondered if Martha had any ideas why for my new apartment therapy I shouldn't use cherry red colors with gold and black trim. Trish seems to have a handle on things but I want your input....
Posted by: Shawn | August 10th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Inspiring yet also convicting....I have been needing to make changes in my tiny kitchen since I bought the house 15 years ago....oh, someday, when time and money allow! I got some beautiful ideas, however...thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Michaele | August 10th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
I am very curious about open cabinets. I love the look and think it's great that she can display some of her beautiful things...but in all practicality, HOW will this stay dust-free? I find it necessary to dust my barware which stays out (or hangs) in my wetbar...even when it's just been used a week or so ago.
This will never be practical for me, either, due to having long-haired, very furry, pets (not to mention as another poster did... the cat climbing). But in all seriousness, does Martha's staff have suggestions for minimizing dust in a kitchen like this?!
Posted by: Jennifer | August 10th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
Would you believe I am a kitchen desigerfrom Lowe's, who needs a new hip because of an accident at work? Go figure. Love, Love, Love the new kitchen you and your friend did, its amazing how qonderful the cabinet lines from the big bosx store are. You reallky can them look like a milllion bucks. And you just cannot beat the white. Great Job!!
Posted by: Caroline | August 11th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
hi martha, watch your show every morning and have been for YEARS.
I just am amazed at eveything you demonstrate and alll your knowledge. if only a person could FOLLOW YOU around for a week think of what we would learn!!!
just viewed your BLOG for the first time, keep hearing you talk about it, so much to view and read, love it!!!! a loyal fan, caron harker, MRS. dartmouth NOVA
SCOTIA CANADA , should come for a visit, you would have so much tos see and take pics. of for sure, bye for now, c
Posted by: caron | August 13th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
High-end luxury meets cozy!!
Fabulous kitchen...
~Gloria
Winterport, Maine
Posted by: Gloria Brown | August 14th, 2008 at 6:58 am
Great kitchen! I love all the white, makes it look so clean and bright.
Just a little FYI for you and your readers about Xenon lights. They are not cooler than Halogen. The main reason they are sold as "cooler" is that the lamps are almost always a lower wattage (maybe by only 5%) which makes them generate less heat, but as we all know, Watts=Heat.
As an experience purveyor of lighting products, I always recommend using fluorescent lighting for under cabinet illumination. If you're worried about the icky blue or yellow color, that can be easily solved by selecting a lamp color in the 3000-3500 Kelvin range.
Fluorescent lighting is energy efficient, keeps your kitchen cooler, and the lamps last longer.
Posted by: CattherineAtlanta | August 14th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Wish my kitchen was so "tiny" Martha! LOL.
Posted by: Jaynie | August 15th, 2008 at 7:29 am
Check out the blanco sink on this website, qualitybath.com. It is very nice and afforadable. They have a ton of other blanco kitchen sinks as well.
Posted by: blanco | August 25th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Very lovely remodel. Thank you so much for sharing.
Posted by: desiree | August 25th, 2008 at 7:28 pm