A split level home from the early 1980s offers efficiency in the plan but is often tighter on space. Working within the original footprint can be difficult, but we were able to accomplish my client's goals by opening up the wall between the kitchen and living room to allow for counter height seating. They wanted to not only visually update their kitchen but have it function better for the cook and baker in the house. At the same time, she wanted to seat up to 10 people in this space, a challenge I accepted. Our goal was to keep the budget favorable for their style of home while increasing value and function.

As an Independent Designer who works with clients on a consultation basis, I offer a variety of ways to partner with my clients. With this project, I provided the plans/vision and finish selections, connected them with a cabinetry/granite contractor, and allowed them to take ownership of the management side of the project. All while guiding them along the way as they worked through coordinating and hiring the Subs on their own. The flexibility to manage projects allows my clients to work within lower budgets than most Kitchen/Bath Remodelers who have In-House Designers, Project Managers, and Contractors under one umbrella. Everything was updated within this kitchen and we met our $25,000 budget; contractor opened the wall between the kitchen and living room, popcorn ceiling removed and replaced with smooth, new recessed lighting added to replace fluorescent lighting, new LVP flooring which expanded into the living room to allow for counter stools at the new island, new cabinetry, new appliances except DW, new granite countertops, new tiled backsplash.