Before -

a gracious view but no way to get to the outside; a passion for baking but no counter space; a desire to entertain but no transitions from family room to kitchen and no powder room conveniently accessible for guests.

After -

a richly-detailed and extremely functional remodel emphasizing places to reflect and relax, to prepare and share gourmet meals and to entertain friends; elegant spaces that perform beautifully.

The new floor plan called for two major moves: taking out the wall between the living room and kitchen to open up both spaces, and dropping the semi-raised ceiling so that it was all one height. The plan also involved moving the pantry, the backside of which had originally blocked the view into the kitchen from the living room, adding a beverage area as a focal point and making the outdoors easily accessible.  Easy access to the outdoor entertainment patio is accomplished by creating a new traffic aisle leading directly to the patio door. A large peacock green granite island with cabinets and storage drawers galore becomes a baker’s dream work-center. Heavily-fluted warm alder wood columns topped with the cabinetry’s richly detailed dental capitol trim provide structural support and allow for openness between the family room, kitchen and wraparound territorial views. Chocolate-glazed, knotty-alder cabinets bring old-world appeal to the space and coordinate all work areas including the entertainment and beverage center, the display/storage buffet,  the work island, and the family audio/visual center.  The kitchen includes a gourmet’s list of amenities such as Viking cooking appliances, a hot/cold trough-sink in the beverage center, Miele dishwashers and a deep-enough-for-pasta pots, two-sink, brushed-stainless work sink. All are surrounded by the deep unifying glow of the peacock green granite counters and the red oak hardwood flooring.