Tabula Rasa: Kitchen Perfection in Fruita, Colorado

photos by Robin Bouricius

What does a fresh start look like? Tabula rasa; the blank slate, onto which hopes, ambition and intent can be inscribed, creating a life as close to the idealized as possible. It is that feeling of optimism that homeowners John and Colleen Martin have captured in the kitchen of their recently constructed home in Fruita, Colorado.

A small town on the far western edge of the state, Fruita has deep agricultural roots that can still be felt in the area. Though it has more recently become a destination for outdoor adventurers attracted to the rugged beauty of the

Colorado Plateau. For the Martins, Fruita provided the ideal location to construct their dream home, equipped with their dream kitchen.

John and Colleen brought to life a kitchen with an almost celestial quality to it.

While many would rely on a professional designer, John’s experience heading his company, Improving Spaces, put the Martins in a unique position to spearhead

the kitchen’s design themselves.

The Martins wanted a space that would allow them to host family gatherings and post-golf get-togethers with friends. They wanted a kitchen with room for self-care, including a coffee/tea station, a walk-in butler pantry and plenty of storage to keep things organized.

Utilizing white veined quartz for countertops and backsplashes, as well as

the no-nonsense white Ikea cabinets, John and Colleen brought to life a kitchen with an almost celestial quality to it. Bright whites glimmer on every surface, accented by black hardware. Clean and crisp with an almost sterile fastidiousness, one cannot help but feel a sense of optimism when entering this kitchen, which positively glows in the sunlight.

Stainless steel appliances lend the space an unflinching functionality. The luxurious double doors of the Frigidaire Professional 19-cubic-foot fridge and accompanying freezer swing open into the kitchen, providing massive storage capacity and EvenTemp cooling systems that ensure uniform temperatures throughout the cavernous interiors of both. An advanced vegetable crisper in the refrigerator automatically removes excess moisture and features an added ethylene adsorber filter, while the massive freezer standing alongside comes with a superior tight seal that can keep food frozen for up to two days in the event of a power outage. Placed above the refrigerator/freezer is a set of custom cabinets courtesy of John’s handiwork.

In the main kitchen is a 36-inch, five-burner gas cooktop, also from Frigidaire Professional. With a wide assortment of heat outputs, the cooktop can accommodate a variety of cooking demands simultaneously. With outputs ranging from 5,000 all the way up to 18,200 BTUs, the cast iron grates can easily be adapted into a flat-top griddle for a professional short-order cook experience.

In the kitchen island, you’ll find the Frigidaire Professional 24-inch dishwasher.

Three racks can accommodate the mess of a cooking frenzy, and the trademarked

EvenDry system means that everything that’s put inside will be ready for use again

in short order.

Just off of the main kitchen area is another essential component of the Martins’ vision: the butler’s pantry. Here, in addition to plenty of extra storage,

you’ll find the 30-inch single wall oven with the accompanying microwave built in

above, both by Frigidaire Professional. The multifaceted oven offers a smorgasbord of cooking modes, including air fry, steam bake, slow cook, steam roast and, of course, regular convection roasting. The no-preheat feature cuts down on baking time as well, taking food from frozen to feastable in a hurry.

Just above the oven, the built-in microwave provides even more options for

food prep. With the addition of convection cooking, the microwave has the capability to sear food utilizing the grill and broil settings. Internal sensors can determine the perfect cook settings, and a warming feature means that the first course out of the oven can be kept in the microwave at the perfect temperature while the next course is being prepared.

Colleen says the couple chose the Frigidaire appliances not just for their

clean, upscale design, but also because they were a great value. And the Martins have already put the setup to the test, utilizing the butler’s pantry to cook and carve their Thanksgiving turkey while keeping the island gathering area free of clutter. Colleen says the finished project has left her feeling blessed and grateful, and it’s easy to understand why.

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Since 2002, Improving Spaces has been transforming homes in Grand Junction, CO, and the surrounding areas with exceptional craftsmanship and innovative value engineering. Led by John, a highly skilled general contractor, specializing in creating functional and stylish spaces without breaking the budget. From using cost-effective solutions like IKEA cabinets to custom-built enhancements—such as optimizing storage with beautifully crafted cabinets above refrigerators and freezers—ensuring every detail is tailored to your needs. With a commitment to quality, affordability and customer satisfaction, Improving Spaces is your trusted partner in making your home more beautiful and functional. woodjobholder@gmail.com

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