Kitchen & Bath Business May/June 2022 - 28

SMALL SP A CE S
Lofty Dreams in a Basement Studio
Reimagining a floor plan delivers the open kitchen that seemed impossible
A YOUNG COUPLE HAD AN unimpressive basement they wanted to transform
into a welcoming in-law suite. Because it had a separate entrance, the
homeowners thought it could double as a rental space when no parents were
visiting. Th ey found designer Yulia Piterkina of Kirkland, Wash.-based
ULLE Studio Inc. thanks to her social media channels and challenged her
with making the 600-sq.-ft. space into one that would accommodate a full
kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and living room.
Piterkina had to come up with a smart layout to take the most advantage
of the limited available space. Th e clients wanted the bedroom to be separate,
and knowing their parents enjoyed cooking, they also asked for a full, useable
kitchen. Th e renovation had to be completed within a reasonable budget, so
moving walls and major structural changes were not on the table.
BEYOND THE OBVIOUS LAYOUT
Getting the room locations right took some creative thinking. Th e basement
had two blank-slate spaces, a small powder room and a laundry area. One of
the two rooms had a fi replace, and Piterkina was tempted to put the living
room there. But that would have meant including the kitchen and bedroom
together in the other room, which the clients did not want.
Th e design team played with a dozen versions of the layout, planning them
in AutoCAD and narrowing it down to just a few. When Piterkina presented
those to the clients, she reviewed the positives and negatives of each.
" Ultimately, we positioned the bedroom in the de facto living room, " she
said. " We like this kind of project where we get to reimagine the space. "
28
/ MAY-JUNE 2022
By CARRIE WHITNEY
ABOVE The clients wanted a
functional, simple design with
easy-to-navigate clearances
and the ability to welcome
guests or renters.
Neutral 24-by-48-in. tiles used
throughout the studio make
it appear larger than its 600
square feet.
Now, the larger area includes the open-concept
kitchen and living space with a sliding-door entrance.
Th e bedroom, including the fi replace, sits
along a small hallway and is separated but not
closed off with a wall or door. Across from the
bedroom, the powder room became a full bath.
To add the shower, the designers closed off an
exterior door near the powder room and took
over some space there.
OPEN AND URBAN IN THE KITCHEN
Although functionality was at the top of the clients'
list, the design team delivered on style, too.
Piterkina took inspiration from an urban loft and
combined that character with the need to make
the space lighter to off set its basement location.
A gray kitchen palette against a ceiling-height
brick backsplash ensured an urban look. Th e designers
kept budget in mind when choosing fi nishes
but splurged on the custom cabinets, which
will to stand up to future renters.
The team fit in a standard-size dishwasher,
microwave, range and sink, as well as a compact
refrigerator. Th e quartz-topped island has cabinets
Kitchen & Bath Business May/June 2022

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