| | Published September 26th, 2012
| The Moraga Country Club Kitchen Tour Promises to Delight
| | By Sophie Braccini |  | | The custom-made center island adds seating and prep space to John and CJ Greenblatt's kitchen Photos Ohlen Alexander
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Every year Sue Olson enthusiastically sets out to convince Moraga Country Club homeowners to open their recently remodeled kitchens for a tour that raises money for the Moraga Education Foundation (MEF) - and every year she succeeds in convincing a handful of homeowners to do so.
This year, the 5th annual Moraga Country Club Kitchen Tour (MCCKT) is presenting four of the most interesting remodels in this large community. The tour shows how crafty architects have opened up and completely redesigned floor plans that were a bit dated, and offers a way for community members to check the latest trends while enjoying wine and appetizers at each home, and contributing to Moraga schools.
One of the four homes belongs to empty-nesters, John and CJ Greenblatt, who agreed to open their home despite their daughter's wedding that same weekend. "We could not say 'no' to Sue," says CJ Greenblatt, who adds that friends will be there to answer questions.
Their home, which is set close to the sixth green of the golf course, still had the original floor plan when they bought it. The kitchen and family room had no view of the greens. "We started thinking about moving spaces around," says Greenblatt, "and when our architect, Allan Sayles, came in he had the same idea." The wall that separated the small kitchen from the dinette area was removed and the family room was moved from the front to the back of the house so the great view could be enjoyed most of the time.
In the larger kitchen, a center island was custom-made to fit the room, adding seating space, prep space and a prep sink. The Greenblatts chose two different tones of gray granite for the counter tops and the island. All of the cabinets are white and hide the appliances, including a cool built-in Miele coffee machine. The color contrasts pleasantly with the dark oak floor. The openness of the plan serves the view well, and light abounds in the house. The transitional style blends nicely with the Japanese inspiration of the garden that was redone a few years ago.
Transitional describes another home on the tour belonging to a young family with school-age children. When the Foleys bought their house a year and a half ago, the kitchen had been redone by the previous owners, but a serious leak damaged it and they turned that accident into an opportunity to remodel the floor plan to their liking. Walls were removed between the kitchen and the family room to add perspective. "My husband loves the view of the hills; by removing the kitchen wall we can now enjoy our view from the family room as well," says Foley. They chose Premier Kitchens in Lafayette to design the space with dark cherry cabinets, quite different from the former light gray that was there before.
The countertops are made of rainforest serpentinite, a kind of marble that's stronger than regular marble. The slabs have been very nicely cut to hug the space, with some reddish veins that match and contrast with the rest of the room's decor.
While this event is supposed to be a kitchen tour only, visitors to this house will enjoy the three-tiered garden with decks, entertainment areas and a Jacuzzi.
The two-hour tour will begin at 5 p.m. October 4. After touring the homes attendees are invited to the new Moraga Country Club Clubhouse for raffle prizes and a tour of the new MCC clubhouse kitchen. Information and reference material will be available at each home, along with the architects, contractors or homeowners who will respond to questions and brainstorm design solutions with guests.
Last year, the MCCKT raised $6,600 for MEF and Moraga schools. Kitchen Tour tickets are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the tour, and may be purchased at the Moraga Country Club front desk, Across the Way or online. For more information or to purchase tickets go to www.mcchometour.com.
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 | | The Grennblatt's view from the kitchen window
|  | | The Foleys chose rainforest serpentinite countertops in their remodeled kitchen Photo Ohlen Alexander
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA