Our clients built this home 26 years ago. The kitchen and dining area had become the gathering area of the house but had long been too small and ill-equipped for their entertaining needs. This homeowner is a regular contributor to Cook's Illustrated and serves full, multi-coursed meals multiple times a week. She had been actively planning her dream kitchen for four years and we were honored to bring her dreams to life.They sought a kitchen design that allowed socialization while the meal was being prepared. The space needed to be warm and inviting with good flow between the family room, dining room, and kitchen. It also needed to be functional with ample storage and good access to all appliances and tools. By rethinking the layout of the first floor and removing an unneeded hallway, we were able to add 95 square feet of space to the kitchen. This allowed for a large island with a second sink and ample storage, both hidden and exposed. The laundry room was relocated to a more intuitive location and features built-in custom cabinetry storage and shelving. To separate this functional area from the rest of the home, a smoky glass pocket door was installed. It takes advantage of the sunlight from the exterior laundry room door while still hiding any 'dirt laundry.' The space saved by shifting the laundry became a small drop zone and charging station with an area for coats and shoes.

Elsewhere, changes like additional doorways, a powder room update, and new carpets freshen spaces otherwise untouched by the remodel. Small touches and large ones combine to make this Brookfield house feel immediately like home.