Due to the existing roof structure combination of trusses and rafters, the existing kitchen had a low ceiling. The living room was sunken down from the kitchen area and the kitchen was closed off from the dining and living areas by walls. In order to vault the ceiling in the kitchen and remove some of the existing walls to create a great-room concept kitchen, four beams were installed. The existing sunken floor into the living room was raised and the step down was moved out to the entry/foyer space. This provided the needed space to expand the kitchen to twice the initial size and to accommodate the professional grade appliances the homeowners desired. Since the dining space was moving from the existing kitchen to a new space, it was of key importance that a large kitchen island be part of the design to provide for more informal dining/entertaining. The living room space was relocated just off the kitchen and the two L shaped walls provide an area to hang the TV and to separate the living room from the dining room and entry areas. A new fireplace (complete with a Battista Ash stone surround and wood mantle) provides a cozy feature in the new dining room. The four structural beams were wrapped in a dark wood with custom stain, providing a unique contrast to the light rift cut vertical grain cabinetry and LVT flooring. A new black metal stair railing (complete with wood cap to match the beams) ties in with the black plumbing, lighting and hardware accents. This space went from a culinary nightmare to a chef’s dream.