The owners of a stately Queen Anne Victorian in Belmont envisioned a new kitchen that was larger and more functional than the existing. Given the extraordinary rear yard area with a classic barn at one side, we designed our renovation to take advantage of prime views of their lovely backyard, thus creating a new kitchen that was spacious and filled with light.

The first floor was a warren of dark, small rooms. By expanding the footprint of the kitchen and creating a new hallway bordered with three sets of sliding glass doors, the interior now has a sense of grandeur in keeping with the scale of the house. By also opening the kitchen to the family room, Feinmann was able to infuse that room with light and release the space from its previous "confinement." Circulation throughout the first floor has an improved flow. Two interior wall openings were made in the kitchen allowing light to pass through to the family room and hallway, with one of the cutouts above the corner sink providing a view into the front foyer.

An existing hall bath as well as the back door and small porch were relocated as part of the renovation. The new side entrance has a handsome portico and wood and granite steps that match the new Ipe decking along the back of the home. The overall result has restored the home to stately splendor.