This charming Oakland Bungalow is home to an active young family that enjoys cooking and entertaining. The early 1900’s kitchen was in its original state and in desperate need of a remodel. The owner’s wanted to open the wall between the small, cramped kitchen and the large dining room in order to increase the usable space of the home. The challenge was to open the space, yet retain the warm craftsmen character of the original home. We accomplished this by matching new fir casings and trim around the new opening even though structurally, it wasn’t needed. This created a beautiful space with a bit of separation between the kitchen and the dining room. The owners were willing to lose the built in hutch in order to accomplish this goal and are planning on re-installing it on a wall in the dining room at a later date.

Although the kitchen is small, it is an efficient working kitchen and the added counter height eating space on the dining room side of the peninsula allows for an expansion of the kitchen and a great area for the kids to dine or do homework while keeping them out of the work triangle of the kitchen.

The owner’s eye for artistic detail, and a desire for some fun incorporated in the kitchen, gave an artistic family member the opportunity to get creative! A mural of a sprawling tree has been painted on one large wall, and continued on the opposite side of the kitchen throughout open shelves contrasting with a deep wine colored wall. Another unique and creative touch, the tree mural has a metallic, magnetic base used for displaying the kid’s artwork and photos.