Schram’s kitchen: a 169-square-foot masterclass in micro-design

Architect Everett Schram has squeezed a staggering 50% more countertop and 60% more cabinet space into a compact 169-square-foot Baltimore kitchen – without lifting a single wall. It’s a feat of spatial engineering that challenges conventional notions of kitchen design and offers a potent lesson in maximizing every inch.

Reimagining a colonial revival

The renovation wasn’t about adding size; it was about fundamentally rethinking function. Schram, a specialist in reviving historic homes through a modern lens with his firm, J. E. Schram Architect, prioritized honoring the 1928 Colonial Revival’s original character while providing a practical and stylish space for his family’s plant-based cooking habits. “I wanted it to be fun and unique and yet still timeless,” he explains.

The project began with a meticulous assessment of the space’s shortcomings. The original refrigerator placement, situated where the cooking range now stood, was a critical bottleneck. Schram deftly relocated it, creating a streamlined zone for food preparation and storage. A statement wall of floor-to-ceiling cabinets, meticulously crafted from solid millwork, became the defining element, concealing appliances and instantly amplifying the perceived volume of the room. “Every run of cabinets in there is one entire cabinet, so there's no joints,” Schram notes, highlighting the precision required to achieve such a dramatic transformation.

The bold choice of Farrow & Ball’s ‘Black Blue’ paint further accentuated the space, a risky move that demonstrates Schram’s commitment to pushing design boundaries. “That's often not something most clients are comfortable doing,” he admits, “I want to show people you don’t have to be scared of dark colors.”

But the real showstopper is the custom-made Zellige subway tile backsplash. Schram collaborated with Tiles of Ezra to produce a three-by-six brick in a Moroccan glaze – a unique solution that satisfied both his wife’s desire for subway tiles and his aversion to their ubiquitous use. “I love that it's a one-off,” Schram says, “And I love that both my wife and I got what we were separately wanting.”

Beyond the aesthetic flourishes, Schram emphasized smart storage solutions, including pullout drawers and cabinets, and an ingenious 10-inch deep pantry that eliminates the frustration of lost items. Even the knife drawer is a bespoke creation, showcasing the attention to detail that permeates the entire renovation. “I wanted to show how much you can do with a small space with custom finishes and details,” he concludes.

This project isn’t just about a beautiful kitchen; it’s a testament to the power of thoughtful design to transform even the most challenging spaces. It’s a reminder that cleverness, not square footage, is the key to a truly exceptional home.