SMRC wanted to make this main floor renovation as charming and unique as the homeowner who contacted us for the design. The existing main floor had a disjointed entry with a compartmentalized dining room and living room. The kitchen layout placed the main prep and cooking areas directly in the circulation path and caused clutter to accumulate. Our client wanted to rework the main floor layout to create a kitchen that was more open to the dining area for entertaining, while also directing daily use traffic out of the main work area. She also wanted to buffer sound from the family room so noise from the television wasn’t disruptive across the rest of the home.
Client communication is key for every renovation, and visual tools aid our process. We use floor plans to show a bird’s eye view of the new layout along with renderings and finish samples to help clients visualize the finished product.
For this project, we knew we needed to rework the footprint to redirect circulation patterns and to zone areas for their desired uses. To accomplish these goals, we opened up and reworked walls in the entry, living room, dining room and kitchen area in order to make the kitchen feel more connected to the entertaining areas of the house. We included a coffee and beverage bar for entertaining and daily convenience. We rearranged the cabinet layout to create dedicated work areas and a circulation pattern allowing movement through the kitchen without intruding on the work zones. We also added a hallway landing zone to give daily use items a designated place. Finally, we closed off one of the family room entry points and changed the remaining entry to a French pocket door with a transom, buffering sound but allowing light to pass through.
Our client had a very defined style and wanted to use muted blue, unlacquered brass, and natural wood as her kitchen palette. Refinished hardwood floors with a natural finish and a rift sawn oak coffee bar provide the perfect neutral backdrop for the lovely blue hue on the rest of the cabinets. Creamy white quartz with translucent warm gray veining creates movement and texture on the countertops and backsplash. The jewel of this kitchen is a beautiful unlacquered brass range hood that creates a stunning focal point. We complimented this with brass hardware and fixtures. Another favorite design element is the custom millwork used to create an accent wall in the dining area and a custom fireplace surround in the kitchen.
Communication with sub trades is an integral part of our process. Detailed construction drawings including demo and mechanical plans, section details, elevations and renderings are used to ensure all team members have the necessary information to create the project as it was designed.
A beautifully renovated space is the goal of every project and our success is measured by the satisfaction of our clients. We love hearing that we’ve made our client’s home more enjoyable while our process made the renovation experience exceed their expectations. Reviews like this one from the homeowner of this project are what we strive for every day!
“I showed Caleb and Stephanie a kitchen inspiration picture and they gave me a kitchen that far exceeded my dreams!”
- Cherokee Gardens Project Homeowner
