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FIT FOR A FEAST

This Elkins Park couple set out to create the kitchen of their dreams, just in time for Thanksgiving.

Joel Fishbein and Rachel Ezekiel-Fishbein shown in their recently renovated Elkins Park kitchen with their dogs Chase Mutley and Bryce Harper.Jessica Griffin / Staff Photographer

This year, Joel Fishbein and Rachel Ezekiel-Fishbein will host Thanksgiving in their newly renovated kitchen. Though the couple has lived in their Tudor-style Elkins Park home for 23 years, this is the first year they can comfortably cook the turkey and all the trimmings, and have enough space to fit their dozen guests.

Before deciding on a kitchen renovation, they toyed with moving their empty nest into Center City. But realizing how much they loved their home and community, the couple didn’t want to leave. Instead, they set out to create the kitchen of their dreams.

“The old kitchen design was from the original house and the cabinetry, we suspect, was last replaced in the ’50s,” recalled Joel, a lawyer in Philadelphia. “It was really not functional.” The house was built about 1929.

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In early 2021, they hired Amy Cuker, owner of down2earth interior design in Elkins Park, and began brainstorming their wish list. An avid baker, Rachel wanted a KitchenAid mixer cabinet lift as well as an appliance garage. She also focused on storage, working meticulously to be sure there was a dedicated space for every appliance, dish and spice.

One cabinet is devoted to the food and supplies for their dogs Chase Muttley, a 13-year-old Yorkie Poo, and Harper, a 2-year-old Australian Labradoodle. A three-shelved “junk” cabinet fits into a corner that would have otherwise been unusable space, and a charging station is hidden between the countertop and cabinet.

  • “Before, our kitchen didn’t have any good storage,” said Rachel, owner of Making Headlines Public Relations in Elkins Park. “It was really disorganized and difficult to know what we had.”

    Jessica Griffin / Staff Photographer
A cabinet with a lift for the Kitchen Aid mixer.Jessica Griffin / Staff Photographer
The pantry. Rachel worked meticulously to be sure there was a dedicated space for every appliance, dish and spice.Jessica Griffin / Staff Photographer

The couple designed their kitchen around aging in the house, considering such matters as leaning down for the microwave as opposed to reaching up above and building a step stool into the cabinetry to safely reach high places.

Though the couple declined to share the cost of the renovation, they did say they were mindful of their budget. That meant making trade-offs. For example, they would have loved to splurge on a floor made from repurposed terra cotta from France or Italy, but it was way too expensive.

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Instead, they opted for hardwood from a Pennsylvania mill, supplied by Hard Knot Flooring in Bucks County, one of many local vendors they chose. Working with small local vendors was a way to stay on budget.

“We did custom cabinetry, which was a luxury,” Rachel said. “But by working with Dave Stoltzfus at WoodArt LLC, we got a great price and the flexibility to design exactly what was important to us.”

Though Rachel wanted a double sink, space and budget concerns allowed for just one. So she opted for a deep soapstone sink from Bucks County Soapstone that matched the countertops and backsplash behind the stove, and offered a very durable surface.

  • “The soapstone was strategically positioned so that the most stunning veins would be on display across the island top and on the wall behind the cooktop,” said Amy Cuker, owner of down2earth interior design.

    Jessica Griffin / Staff Photographer
  • “Even the green color of the cabinet and the subtle green-grays of the trim were specifically chosen for their softness so they will not look stark or trendy in this classic home,” Cuker said.

    Jessica Griffin / Staff Photographer

After devoting several months to the planning and design phase, they hired Phoenixville-based Iron Space Designs and began construction in September 2021. The wall between the kitchen and dining room was removed, enlarging the space from about 200 to 400 square feet.

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The 9½-foot soapstone island, black with gold and green veins, serves as a prep counter and seating area for quicker, more casual meals. They kept their dishwasher and refrigerator, which had both been recently replaced, and added a stainless steel double wall oven and a five-burner induction stovetop. They installed a microwave drawer that includes a convection oven, air fryer and toaster.

  • “We weren’t interested in high-end appliances,” Rachel said. “We have solar panels on our house so splurging on an induction oven was a no-brainer.”

    Jessica Griffin / Staff Photographer

Working with Paul Mencel at Philadelphia Table Co., they designed a custom breakfront and dining table and bought black-and-white wicker chairs from Serena & Lily.

For now, Rachel and her daughter Emma are busy baking for Thanksgiving. So far, five desserts have made the list.

“The thing I’m most excited about is having all of that space to cook together,” Rachel said. “And the level of organization the kitchen affords will take the stress out of cooking a feast.

Is your house a Haven? Nominate your home by email (and send some digital photographs) at properties@inquirer.com.

The recently renovated dining area and kitchen in the home of Joel Fishbein and Rachel Ezekiel-Fishbein in Elkins Park.Jessica Griffin / Staff Photographer
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Staff Contributors

  • Photographer: Jessica Griffin
  • Photo Editor: Rachel Molenda
  • Digital Editor: Katie Krzaczek