From a Cramped Kitchen to an Open Family Space

The original kitchen was small, dark and simply didn't function well. Drawers were broken, some couldn't fully open because of the layout, upper cabinets were difficult for the homeowners to reach, appliances needed replacing and the finishes were outdated.

For this young family, however, the problem went beyond the kitchen itself. They wanted to entertain, but they also needed to be able to prepare meals while keeping an eye on their young children in the adjoining spaces. The existing walls and unused corner fireplace divided the main floor and limited both visibility and how the family could use the space.

The solution was to rethink the entire kitchen, dining and living area.

We removed the wall separating the kitchen and dining room and added a structural steel beam to properly support the second storey. The unused corner fireplace was removed, allowing us to create one open kitchen, dining and living space with much better sightlines throughout the main floor.



Rather than recreating a traditional dining area, we designed a large island with seating for five. It became a place for everyday meals, food preparation, entertaining and gathering—all within sight of the adjoining living space.

The result is a brighter, more functional main floor that allows the family to cook, gather and entertain while staying connected to what's happening around them.