We are excited to share our most recent project reveal within the Baxter Village Project! Here we tackled a full overhaul within the kitchen and family room. This adorable family dreamed of a high functioning living area where they gather to watch tv, enjoy fellowship, and occasionally tackle a complex puzzle. Durability & storage remained top priority as we navigated potential layout and finishes. Although the space provided an open concept, the lack of functioning wall space within the existing square footage presented a challenge. Creative storage solutions within the new cabinetry was necessary to accommodate their laundry list of needs.
The wonky island and the separation from other working areas heavily interfered with the "working triangle" and "dining area" within this kitchen. These clients could host a dance party in the middle of the kitchen, but not allow their guests to sit and enjoy a meal together. The dining room to the right of the kitchen was closed off to the main living area which eventually evolved into unused space. Also, both the kitchen and family room felt dark and were in desperate need of revamped lighting plan.
Extensive storage was at the top of the list; therefore, we opted for full custom cabinetry to further accommodate within the existing square footage. Custom cabinets allow for custom dimensions and additional interior accessory solutions. This investment allowed us to design the width and depth of each cabinet exactly to their needs & square footage.
Another request was to connect the dining room and kitchen with a cased opening; therefore, we moved the sink to the island, and relocated the refrigerator and range to the exterior wall on the left side of the kitchen. The new cased opening and two picture windows allow for more natural light. An appliance garage to the right of the cased opening houses power and storage for small appliances. Just below is their new microwave drawer perfectly tucked out of the way.
We moved their eating area from the cramped breakfast nook to an oversize extension on their large scale island where we maximized seating and seasonal storage. The scale of the island created a challenge with traffic flow; therefore, we called in our engineer to help move the existing wall two feet towards the dining room. Two feet may not sound like much, but the 2nd floor structural support was in jeopardy; therefore, engineering plans were in order.
Another challenge was the fireplace wall. The existing niches were insanely deep and lacked necessary storage. The mantle surround was incredibly high causing strain while watching tv. Neither spoke to the desired aesthetic, so additional base cabinets and modernized mantle surround helped solve this problem.
We moved the fireplace wall 12 inches which added space for the furniture layout, as well as balance on the right side of the windows. The base cabinets house games and toys, and the floating shelves provide opportunity for personal keepsakes. We aimed for a feminine/masculine blend within a causal transitional curation to compliment both the husband and wife.
We painted the walls a bright cozy white, and we mixed color and textures for layered depth and interest. These clients are a young active family; therefore, performing fabrics and solid surfaces were a must have. We are pleased to share their kiddos have already put this room to the test, and thanks to performance fabrics, they can focus on making memories rather than worrying about their investment.
We thoroughly enjoyed collaborating with this sweet family. Major renovations require a lot of time together, and having the opportunity to get to know them was such a blessing. We wish them many years of memorable moments within their beautiful new spaces. Cheers friends!