Open for Entertaining

This project was all about taking a standard early 1990s kitchen and transforming it into a showpiece. With current lifestyles, people often want their kitchen to communicate with the rest of the adjacent spaces. As a result, it makes sense to have an open floor plan. To facilitate this need, sometimes weight bearing walls need to be removed, such as the wall between the kitchen and the living room. Optimally, we can do that and conceal the remaining beam. In this case it wasn’t possible, so the solution was instead of trying to hide it, we enhanced it, wrapping the steel beam with old barn planks. A seam was needed, due to the long span, so we created an intricate cut to enhance the joint, showcasing this featured element front and center. 

The separate entrance to the kitchen from the outside is unique on its own. An extension to the kitchen, it serves as an additional space featuring a wine and beverage refrigerator, additional refrigeration, a sink, and plenty of space for bringing the groceries in or staging a festive meal. The mud room was reorganized, and the laundry was relocated upstairs for convenience, giving more space between the kitchen and garage, including the powder room, counter, and sink area.