After finding their dream home, this young family envisioned a whole home remodel. Their wishlist included updating the bathrooms and transforming the kitchen in their Grant Park Craftsman. They craved a kitchen that would be a hub for creating cherished memories with the entire family. With a passion for baking and a desire for bold, character-filled design, they asked us to craft a warm, inviting space where tradition meets creativity.
The Vision: A Baker’s Retreat
This vibrant family wanted a kitchen that truly reflected their dynamic lifestyle and personal taste. The original kitchen in their 1920s California Craftsman home was outdated and isolated, featuring worn, orange oak cabinets and laminate countertops. Our homeowners, passionate bakers, posed an additional design challenge; they needed a dedicated space with ample workspace to bake as a family. Tasked with the vision of updating bathrooms in the home and creating an inviting and open kitchen space, the COOPER team got to work.
The Process: Creativity Comes to Life
To create a more open and inviting main level, we removed the wall between the kitchen and the sunroom. This established a spacious nook complete with a new dining room. The old dining room transitioned into a secondary kitchen with an apron sink and matching fixtures. This ultimately provided the perfect baking zone. To tackle the challenge of removing a load-bearing wall between the kitchen and sunroom, we looked at several structural options for the space. Rather than doing extensive work to install new beams into the ceiling, we kept an existing post in the design. We worked it into a striking centerpiece that anchors the new peninsula, blending function with bold design.
Our homeowners’ penchant for creativity continued in the updated bathrooms. Bold greens and striking stained oak vanities bring uniqueness to the space.
The Finishing Touches: Honoring Craftsman Style
The final kitchen combines walnut cabinetry with gold accents, painted blue-gray cabinets, and quartzite countertops, balancing personality and effortless elegance. Using reclaimed wood with inlaid details on the peninsula island adds a striking touch of personality and sustainability. One of the greatest challenges in updating older homes is achieving a seamless blend between the new and existing spaces. We focused on selecting fixtures that honored the home’s original Craftsman style throughout the remodel. The result is a stylish and functional kitchen, perfectly tailored to the needs of a lively, modern family while preserving the historic charm of their home.
Ultimately, creating an open, modern space while honoring the original style of this 1920s whole home remodel required creativity and finesse. By removing a wall, converting a dining area into a second workspace, and utilizing warm natural wood cabinetry, the kitchen was transformed into the perfect hub for a busy family.
