Kitchen and living space remodel

The new open-plan kitchen is bright and airy

Flexible lounge pieces double as dining seats

Shoji-style cabinet doors lend an Asian influence

Before: The closed-off kitchen lacked storage

The goal for this project was to update a typical 1970s-era kitchen and living room to make it feel more spacious, while leaving the footprint intact. From a style standpoint, the clients had lived in Asia and on the west coast of the U.S. and asked us to incorporate design elements to reflect those locations and styles.

This project was a challenge because it was a small space with big needs. The existing kitchen was separated from the living room by a wall, leaving the homeowners separated from their guests when working in the kitchen. We were tasked with designing a new eating space to accommodate at least 12 guests—space that could be transformed into living space when not being used for dining. In addition, the client needed space enough for a large collection of dishes and serving pieces.

By opening up the wall between the kitchen and living room, we were able to double the size of the space without changing the original footprint. We were inspired by the Japanese philosophy of using space efficiently; the new great room furniture is used for lounging and yet converts into dining room furnishings when needed. The sofa tables can be easily transformed into dining tables, and living room chairs and benches are used as seating at the table.

We installed bamboo flooring throughout the kitchen and living space to give the areas a unified look. Custom-designed natural maple cabinets, new appliances, granite countertops, slate backsplash and fresh lighting truly updates the space in a stylish and practical manner. The storage needs were met by installing custom-designed built-in cabinets along the kitchen and living room walls; the cabinets are a perfect spot for displaying artifacts in the living area. The cabinets’ shoji-like doors feature handmade Japanese paper and glow when the cabinets are lit in the evening.

The result is truly the ultimate “flexible home.” Without changing their home’s existing footprint, the clients can now easily entertain family and friends in a comfortable, stylish setting.

→ View full set of images for this project (‘After’ photos by Josh Stokes Photography)