The time has finally come - photos of our "Humble House" Project have arrived!! I have to shout out Ellen Renee Photography for these incredible images - we had such a good time, we worked our tuchus off, and still we have more rooms to shoot!
We covered the first floor progress of this home in this post, if you need a refresher. Today we're sharing the reveal of the new kitchen and breakfast area but first, let's show you what we started with...
Kitchen Layout Swap
When NLI came onboard, our clients were already onboarded with a construction company and the place had been demo'd. While we weren't involved in the changes to layout, we did have to then make sense of the changes that had already been put into play, with regards to space planning and furniture layout.
The stairwell, the landing, and the return back into the entry were all removed, making the stairs directly accessible from the living room. That led to more domino decisions that impacted the possible furniture layouts. Thankfully we nixed the angled wall and niche (Male Texas builders...please stop with the niches. I beg of you, for the love of God and all that is holy PLEASE.STOP.)
And finally...the reveal...same view as above...
With the stairs now straightened out, it allowed the removal of the wall you see below. Everything was moved, in fact, to allow for a totally open spacious kitchen. Gone is the builder grade granite and mosaic tile backsplash (again, builders, just don't, please stop the mosaic madness).
Our clients really wanted a 48 inch gas range oven, and when you're doing a down to the studs reno, that's your chance so take it. BUT as you've heard me preach before, you really need to plan ahead. Hire your trusted team to make sure it's feasible to move things around if need be so that you can be sure to get what you have your heart set on.
When our clients first reached out to us for help, they were adamant that they didn't want farmhouse style. I told them they had come to the right place. Instead we discussed the difference between various aesthetics and narrowed down their style to modern transitional. While I wouldn't call this farmhouse we did yell 'plot twist' and added a hint of traditional brought in by pieces inherited from my client's father...more about those later.
As soon as I walked in the front door of this house I instinctively knew this house needed to go neutral in color in order to bring all the now-wide-open spaces together. We selected a wonderful slightly warm white for the wall color throughout and used the same color, but in different finish on the trim, interior doors, and on the kitchen cabinets.
In the kitchen, we knew we wanted low maintenance for this busy family with young kids. We selected a gorgeous quartz for the countertops and carried the same material up for the backsplash. The custom plaster hood was trimmed in wood and stained to match the new wood flooring that runs throughout the lower floor, stairwell, and hallways upstairs.
My clients requested we bring in black on the island, which we also continued onto the built ins in the bar area in the breakfast area. The black we selected (Onyx by Benjamin Moore) is rich in depth and tone without being too overpowering or cold- like a milky way black hole. It definitely set the tone for the breakfast area bar and stood strong in support of the showcase showstopper backsplash tile with its little bars of brass accent.
I'm floored every time I see these photos side by side y'all!
Breakfast Area
This angled wall was again removed then straightened and replaced with a custom glass slider for better access to the backyard, while the angled doorway into the home gym was closed off for privacy (plus who wants to enjoy dinner while staring at gym equipment? not me).
How glorious is this bar area with a built-in wine fridge and display shelves? I know. It's amazeballs if I do say so myself.
Pulling the black from the island over to this area really serves to marry these two spaces and the bar itself feels weighted on that wall as a stand alone space. The bar cabinets hold everything from a wide selection of coffee and accoutrement to adult beverages, plus glassware galore. We wanted the breakfast area to carry the feeling of being grounded in its own space even while it's floating.
The clients requested seating for six but we made sure to stay within a certain size so as not to overwhelm the space and block the flow going in or out the new back door, or the home gym. We found this scrumpdillyicious dining table - note the curve detail on both ends of the table and mirrored in the leg trestle below. We opted for the simple chair style in a magical black stain to pop against the wood tones of the new table.
Right off the breakfast area is the laundry room (stay tuned for that reveal) with a fantastic geometric floor and pops of my favorite color on the cabinets. Any guesses as to which colorway I'm googoo over? #ifyoudon'tknowmebynow
These simple barstools are small but mighty, and a great option for young families with small kids because they're easy to wipe down. We used them in a wood stain in order to pop against the black island. Small but mighty and good looking. Check, check, and check.
The lighting over the island was a source of great debate for a little while and in the end I'm happy that my clients trusted me. I felt like it was important to bring in some curves and while my client was not a fan of globes or spheres, this gorgeous modern twist on a lantern gave us the best of both worlds...fun and geometric, open so as not to block the view of the gorgeous new space from any direction, with round fixtures to break up all of the linear action going on in the kitchen itself. We fell in love with the gorgeous gold hardware during the selections process and knew it was perfect for this house. It ties in the gold/brass light fixtures in both kitchen and breakfast area while popping against the black on the cabinetry.
We also incorporated custom pullout trash/recycling receptacles and a hidden microwave on the far side of the island. Don't be afraid to relocate things like this in a full reno - this is your chance!!
I have to end this post with a close up of this bar area tile with the brass accent bars - mmm *chef's kiss* I can't get over it! The transformation is stunning. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for the full reveal of the rest of this incredible home!
And if you're facing a big renovation and don't know where to start, let us help you love where you live. You know where to find me!
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