Tons of character and charm for a 90’s builder grade kitchen…

Before

Homeowners, Craig & Gabi, bought this dated house with the intentions of a complete remodel. The location was perfect & the bones were good but the layout was in desperate need of some reconfiguration.

Despite the tall ceilings, the foyer felt cramped and you had no sight lines into the rest of the home. — Despite the tall ceilings, the foyer felt cramped and you had no sight lines into the rest of the home.

These windows overlooked their large backyard but this nook felt more like an afterthought than a functional space to enjoy the view — These windows overlooked their large backyard but this nook felt more like an afterthought than a functional space to enjoy the view

A very cramped U Shaped kitchen with an ill placed fridge that opened into the walkway & a useless bar height peninsula was not a layout to accommodate their family of four. — A very cramped U Shaped kitchen with an ill placed fridge that opened into the walkway & a useless bar height peninsula was not a layout to accommodate their family of four.

For a moderately sized house, this dining room was taking up way too much valuable square footage. In addition to being over sized, Gabi and Craig preferred a more open concept dining area. — For a moderately sized house, this dining room was taking up way too much valuable square footage. In addition to being over sized, Gabi and Craig preferred a more open concept dining area.

original%2Blayout.jpg — Reconfiguring the layout…

original layout.JPG — Original Floorplan

A very cramped U shaped kitchen with bar seating blocking the entrance to the garage, a refrigerator that opened into a walkway, lots of dead space in the breakfast nook and a closed off dining area.

Proposed Floorplan

An open concept kitchen and dining area with a large island anchoring the kitchen work triangle. A long custom buffet will extend into the eat in kitchen with open shelving providing plenty of storage. The refrigerator wall, the dining room wall and the foyer stairway wall will be removed to provide clear sight lines throughout the first floor.

“Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.”

— Alexander Graham Bell

Because their home was undergoing such a dramatic transformation, we created a 3d rendering to make sure with absolute certainty that the new layout would work well and flow nicely. This was also a great time to try out different colors and finishes.

-After-

Opening up this stairway made a huge impact on the overall feeling of this home. Now, when you walk in, you feel drawn to the heart of the home. — Opening up this stairway made a huge impact on the overall feeling of this home. Now, when you walk in, you feel drawn to the heart of the home.

Gabi was set on open shelving & these three shelves are large enough for both function and decor. — Gabi was set on open shelving & these three shelves are large enough for both function and decor.

A custom built buffet was a must for this space. Gabi didn’t want to be limited to stock styles and sizes, rather she wanted to be able to choose her finish. So, I built her this custom buffet. there isn’t a single inch of this run of cabinetry that… — A custom built buffet was a must for this space. Gabi didn’t want to be limited to stock styles and sizes, rather she wanted to be able to choose her finish. So, I built her this custom buffet. there isn’t a single inch of this run of cabinetry that is wasted space & she was able to do the finishing staining herself.

This Semi Custom Island works beautifully and truly anchors the work triangle in this kitchen. It also serves as additional storage for the little people of the house. With ample shelving behind these doors, it is the perfect height for them to help… — This Semi Custom Island works beautifully and truly anchors the work triangle in this kitchen. It also serves as additional storage for the little people of the house. With ample shelving behind these doors, it is the perfect height for them to help themselves.

An upgraded office nook fits seamlessly into the eat in kitchen’s design. — An upgraded office nook fits seamlessly into the eat in kitchen’s design.

The design originally called for a black stainless hood but not too long into the process, we decided that a custom built hood cover was the way to go. So, I built this out of left over shiplap from the walls. It ended up being the perfect vehicle t… — The design originally called for a black stainless hood but not too long into the process, we decided that a custom built hood cover was the way to go. So, I built this out of left over shiplap from the walls. It ended up being the perfect vehicle to display Gabi’s refinished wood applique-painted colors that inspired the kitchen’s design.

Between my love for carpentry and Gabi’s love for paint, This Breakfast Nook sums up our collaboration perfectly. — Between my love for carpentry and Gabi’s love for paint, This Breakfast Nook sums up our collaboration perfectly.

“There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.”

— Jane Austen

I had drawn up the design for this table and with some salvaged wood from a neighbor and left over 2x4s, I started building the base of this table. Gabi, the trooper that she is, jumped right in and together we completed the table. It fits the space… — I had drawn up the design for this table and with some salvaged wood from a neighbor and left over 2x4s, I started building the base of this table. Gabi, the trooper that she is, jumped right in and together we completed the table. It fits the space perfectly.