Our recent clients had a beautiful 4,700 square-foot home in Keller, Texas. The spacious 1990’s house included a large kitchen, complete with an L-shaped bar for seating and a small center island. While the size of the kitchen itself was great, the layout was not ideal. The clients loved to cook as a family, so the existing footprint with the bar on the outside and the island in the middle made it difficult for multiple people to be in the kitchen at once. This resulted in a very congested, crowded workspace. The clients came to us not only wanting to resolve this issue, but also had hopes to modernize the kitchen’s dated appearance with an open-concept look.
You would think larger kitchens (or larger homes in general) would be easier to redesign when it comes to remodeling. Surprisingly, large spaces can be just as challenging, if not more challenging, than small ones. More space often means more possibilities, so it’s important to really consider what will optimize the space in a way that that it is most functional for the specific homeowner’s needs. Just about anyone can remove a wall and throw in an island for an open concept feel, but what modifications will really make a difference in the day-to-day use of the kitchen? This is always the thought process for our designers at the start of a new project.
After meeting with the clients for an on-site consultation, our team brainstormed the best ways to improve the overall functionality of the kitchen and optimize the available square footage. Upon taking photos and measurements, our draftsman, Brandy, drew the existing version as well as the proposed modifications in our design software. Comparing the floor plans side-by-side, you can see the major structural changes that were to be made. Our detailed 3-D renderings also provided clear visuals of how the remodeled kitchen would look and function, giving our clients peace of mind when it was time to move forward into construction. It’s always reassuring for both our team and the clients to know that everyone is on the same page regarding the project specifications before anyone starts swinging a hammer!
The first and most obvious change in the beautifully finished kitchen is the stunning new island. Removing the L-shaped bar around the perimeter of the kitchen along with the very small original island allowed ample space for this luxe showstopper. The new island provides plenty of workspace on it’s sleek, 4 ft x 9 ft Titanium Granite countertop, which also doubles as a seating area. Our clients are now able to host guests while preparing their meals without feeling removed from the conversation.
This monster-sized beauty also houses additional hidden storage cabinets with adjustable shelving just behind the barstools and convenient storage drawers on the other side. You’ll also notice the elegant furniture-style Baroque posts that were installed on each end, creating a very custom, high-end look.
To the right of the new island is a convenient beverage center. It is a real treat for our clients to have a hard-piped coffee machine along with a wine cooler and counter space where they can prepare drinks without getting in the way of the cook. For that reason, anchoring the beverage center and the fridge on the outside of the kitchen is always the best practice when designing with functionality in mind. Stacked utensil drawers, upper cabinets, and LED under-cabinet lighting make this beverage corner the perfect bonus feature in a guest-hosting kitchen.
Just beyond the new 48” Sub-Zero freezer is a floor-to-ceiling double pantry with adjustable shelving and stacked lower drawers. Our clients loved the idea of making this custom pantry white to create a two-tone look in the kitchen. Glass-front doors were used on the upper cabinets with LED backlights inside, drawing the eyes upward. The obscure glass on these doors allows the clients to use the cabinets for storage without compromising the clean, streamlined aesthetic of the room.
A gorgeous Kohler Whitehaven Apron Sink was installed, complimenting the polished Quartz countertops, dark stained cabinets, and satin nickel hardware. A convenient countertop platform was installed just behind the sink to create a useable space in front of the bay windows.
The upper cabinets on the other side of the windows mirror the style of the double pantry with shaker-style cabinet doors and LED back-lit glass doors on each upper corner.
Beside the new apron sink is a sleek Thermador built-in dishwasher and stacked utensil drawers for convenient storage. The original cooktop was installed in the small island in the middle of the kitchen, lacking proper ventilation. Our clients upgraded to a beautiful double-oven gas range and matching vent hood, which was relocated to the back wall of the kitchen.
Undercabinet lights highlight the countertop workspaces and also showcase the polished Quartz backsplash that matches the countertops. Using the countertop material as the backsplash is becoming a popular trend in kitchen remodeling, as it provides a clean, simple look without the concern of grout lines.
The reverse side of the island holds many convenient drawers for easy-access storage of pans, cookware, and utensils. An under-counter microwave drawer was also installed in the island, giving a sleek, flush finish. This appliance is one of our favorites to install in new kitchens because it provides a safer, more convenient option to overhead microwaves and prevents the counter-clutter you get with traditional models.
Also below the counter, just beside the microwave drawer, is a pull-out trash bin. It actually includes two 50-quart metal trash bins inside – one for trash and one for recycling!
Additional features of this kitchen that contribute to a larger, sleeker appearance are the large 24×24” polished Daltile flooring tiles with 4×4” black Granite detail and narrow grout lines, clear glass pendant lights that provide an airy feel, and strategically placed LED can lights. The neutral taupe wall paint and dark cabinetry really tie this room together, creating a modern, cohesive aesthetic.
Our clients are thrilled with their new kitchen and are looking forward to creating new memories there with family and friends. It is now the perfect place to entertain guests and enjoy their passion for cooking!
This kitchen was a great project for everyone involved. The quality of the finished product showcases what a committed, skillful group of individuals we have the privilege of working with:
Structural Design: Mike Medford, Sr.
Aesthetic Design: Stephanie Milford
Drafting and Renderings: Brandy Anderson
Production Management: Michael Medford, Jr.
Project Manager: Dave Broadfield
Trim Carpentry: Dave Broadfield, Neil Norris, Greg Norris, Scott Vernon
Custom Cabinets: Bailey Cabinets
Electrical: Marc Miller Electric
Plumbing: Express Master Plumbing
Drywall: Alex Green Drywall
Framing Carpentry: Dave Broadfield, Neil Norris
Paint: Phillip Painting Company
Flooring: Hilton’s Flooring
Tile: HRG Granite
Glass: Kindred Glass
Final Photography: Impressia– Todd Ramsey
We’d also like to include the details of the selection items and appliances used in this project:
If you are interested in remodeling your kitchen or another part of your home to better meet your needs, our creative design team would be happy to help. Contact us today to set up an educational consultation to get started on your dream home renovation!
Warm Regards,
The Medford Design-Build Team
