Closed-Off Kitchen Opens Up to Family Life
A structural remodel removes walls and raises the ceiling, creating an airy kitchen with a large island and better flow
A major plumbing leak on the sink wall sparked a full-scale renovation of this once-closed-off kitchen in Dana Point, California. Working with designers Natalie Carr and Aaron Golden, the owners transformed the space into a bright, welcoming hub that connects seamlessly to the living room and supports family life with their two young children.
Removing two load-bearing walls doubled the kitchen’s size and created room for a generous island topped with natural soapstone and outfitted with seating, a sink and ample storage. Vaulting the ceiling enhanced the airy feel. Marble countertops and backsplash bring light, movement and elegance, while quartersawn oak cabinetry, unlacquered brass hardware and engineered wood flooring add warmth and character. Integrated appliances, a custom range hood and relocated patio doors create a more functional layout and a stronger indoor-outdoor connection.
Removing two load-bearing walls doubled the kitchen’s size and created room for a generous island topped with natural soapstone and outfitted with seating, a sink and ample storage. Vaulting the ceiling enhanced the airy feel. Marble countertops and backsplash bring light, movement and elegance, while quartersawn oak cabinetry, unlacquered brass hardware and engineered wood flooring add warmth and character. Integrated appliances, a custom range hood and relocated patio doors create a more functional layout and a stronger indoor-outdoor connection.
After: The remodeling team gutted the kitchen and removed the two load-bearing walls surrounding it, adding a structural beam to support the new vaulted ceiling. The changes doubled the footprint by expanding the kitchen into the former dining area and created a seamless connection to the living room. “It’s so much better for them because they’re a very active and busy family,” Golden says. “We wanted it to read as an open space. This way everyone is a part of the experience.”
A new patio door, partially seen at right, was pushed out 3 feet to better align with the rear of the house. The former sliding patio door was removed to make room for larger appliances, including the new paneled refrigerator and freezer columns at left.
The expanded footprint created room for a spacious island with seating, storage and a sink. A black soapstone countertop complements the black glass-front cabinets flanking the range, black aged-iron pendant lights, black stools and black gridded window framing backyard views. Arabescato Corchia marble countertops and backsplashes along the perimeter add elegance and movement.
Semicustom quartersawn oak cabinetry has a light brown stain that highlights the wood grain. Unlacquered brass knobs and pulls will develop a natural patina over time. “We didn’t want the kitchen to be typical,” Golden says. “We wanted to break things up a bit and make it more artistic. It really fits their aesthetic and style.” New engineered wood flooring with 8-inch-wide planks, a hand-distressed finish and durable polyurethane coating adds warmth and texture.
Cabinetry: Jax door style in color Baja, Omega Cabinetry; cabinetry hardware: Massey in unlacquered brass, Rejuvenation
A new patio door, partially seen at right, was pushed out 3 feet to better align with the rear of the house. The former sliding patio door was removed to make room for larger appliances, including the new paneled refrigerator and freezer columns at left.
The expanded footprint created room for a spacious island with seating, storage and a sink. A black soapstone countertop complements the black glass-front cabinets flanking the range, black aged-iron pendant lights, black stools and black gridded window framing backyard views. Arabescato Corchia marble countertops and backsplashes along the perimeter add elegance and movement.
Semicustom quartersawn oak cabinetry has a light brown stain that highlights the wood grain. Unlacquered brass knobs and pulls will develop a natural patina over time. “We didn’t want the kitchen to be typical,” Golden says. “We wanted to break things up a bit and make it more artistic. It really fits their aesthetic and style.” New engineered wood flooring with 8-inch-wide planks, a hand-distressed finish and durable polyurethane coating adds warmth and texture.
Cabinetry: Jax door style in color Baja, Omega Cabinetry; cabinetry hardware: Massey in unlacquered brass, Rejuvenation
Cabinetry on the seating side of the island provides storage for seasonal items. A large pantry cabinet on the right includes rollouts for easy access to dry goods and small appliances. “We typically always add storage for our clients when we see an opportunity,” Carr says. “It especially made sense here for this family of four.”
Pendant lights: Limoges Grande, Suzanne Kasler, Signature Collection, Visual Comfort; stools: Silus, Safavieh; wall, ceiling and trim paint: Simply White, Benjamin Moore
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Pendant lights: Limoges Grande, Suzanne Kasler, Signature Collection, Visual Comfort; stools: Silus, Safavieh; wall, ceiling and trim paint: Simply White, Benjamin Moore
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A 48-inch stainless steel slide-in professional gas range with six burners and a griddle gives the family plenty of flexibility for everyday cooking and entertaining. A crystal white microcement range hood with clean lines serves as a refined focal point while adding subtle texture. “We’ve been using microcement a lot lately, even in showers,” Carr says. “It’s totally wipeable and better than smooth stucco because it won’t absorb oils or stains.” The statement hood houses a custom 48-inch insert with a powerful blower and LED lighting. Interior lighting in the glass-front cabinets adds another layer of illumination.
Across from the range, the island features a 33-inch white undermount farmhouse sink paired with an unlacquered brass pull-down faucet. A paneled dishwasher and microwave drawer are integrated on the same side.
Sink: Whitehaven, Kohler; faucet: Davoli in unlacquered brass, Rejuvenation
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Sink: Whitehaven, Kohler; faucet: Davoli in unlacquered brass, Rejuvenation
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
A structural beam supports the new 12-foot vaulted ceiling while subtly defining the kitchen and living room. “It created one big living space that makes it possible for them to entertain,” Golden says. “Someone can be cooking in the kitchen, have multiple people seated at the island and people casually sitting in the living room. Everyone feels connected now.”
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Before: The former kitchen (top) was cut off from the dining room (right) and living room (bottom). Although part of the space is labeled “nook,” it was too small for a table. A sliding door off the left side of the nook consumed valuable wall space and further constrained the layout.
After: By removing the two walls, expanding the kitchen into the dining area and pushing the new two-panel patio door into the backyard, the remodeling team opened up a flexible layout with room for a spacious island. “When we removed the walls, we created a perfect cooking triangle and we were able to add more cabinet space,” Golden says.
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Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with two young children
Location: Dana Point, California
Size: 480 square feet (45 square meters)
Designers: Natalie Carr and Aaron Golden of Sea Pointe Design & Remodel
Before: Walls cut the 240-square-foot kitchen off from a dining area on the right and living room on the left. The space lacked an island and featured basic white cabinetry, black granite countertops and backsplash, and a sliding patio door that consumed valuable wall space. (See floor plans below.) “It also had a range hood that was only 15 inches off the countertop,” Carr says. “It was crazy.”
A 7½-foot coffered ceiling added to the enclosed feel. The homeowners liked the wood flooring but wanted it to match the floors in the rest of the home. They also hoped to maximize natural light, incorporate integrated appliances and create a better setting for entertaining. “They wanted to be able to entertain and have family functions there,” Carr says. “The way the walls enveloped that kitchen just wasn’t functioning for them as an active family of four.”
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