Kitchen and Dining Room Transformation
The objectives of the clients on Sagamore Road in Norfolk, MA, was to open up the kitchen and dining room, add storage and a wet bar, update everything, and keep the existing kitchen intact. Another challenge was to make the new elements look like they were always part of the existing kitchen area. The new dining area storage cabinets and wet bar cabinetry were specified to match the style and (new) color of the existing kitchen cabinets, so the entire space would blend and flow.
The project consisted of the following kitchen and dining room transformations: remove the dividing wall between the kitchen and dining room, add storage in the dining area and a wet bar in place of the desk area, create a second entry to the adjacent step-down family room to improve traffic flow. Install new flooring and paint the existing kitchen cabinets, as well as the walls of the finished kitchen/dining space. The existing cabinets, appliances, countertops, backsplash, window, pendant lights, wainscoting and even the stools were to stay.
I soon discovered that to make this kitchen and dining room transformation pay off, a new lighting plan was also needed. The kitchen and dining area was very dark and there was insufficient task lighting. I recommended a simple lighting plan which was essential to meet the objectives of the project. The clients understood and agreed. Strategically placed recessed lights were added and the dividing wall removed. Removing the wall also brought in great, natural light from the previously cut off dining room windows.
The Before Picture shows the dividing wall at left, dark wainscoting, a dark faux beam, dated and drab floor tile, and a badly placed ceiling light fixture. The buffet in the dining room (seen through the opening at left in the photo) will become the new entry to the family room beyond. It’s overall a dark space. Now, the entire kitchen/dining space is much brighter and airier – removing that wall made all the difference! For the new tall cabinets and wet bar cabinets,
I selected a style that closely matched the older kitchen cabinets in a fresh, white painted finish. Next, we painted the existing kitchen cabinets to match. Notice the beams are gone; the ceiling appears higher and the saved pendants look clean and updated.
This amazing transformation was achieved by painting the cabinets, painting the walls and wainscoting, removing the beams, plastering and painting the ceiling and installing new hardwood flooring. The original backsplash and countertops really pop and shine! New recessed lighting replaced the unsightly track lighting. It’s amazing how these individual details add up to such an improved space!
So, if your kitchen layout is working and your cabinets are in good condition, painting and opening up dividing walls can go a long way to achieving a complete transformation! Check out more photos of this project on our Houzz page.
