This month’s project spotlight focuses on much more than a kitchen, but a thoughtful renovation that brought life and functionality back to a historic home.

Nestled in a peaceful suburb on the constantly bustling Main Line sat our client’s beautiful 1911 Colonial style home. After a few years of living in the house, our clients realized that their first-floor layout left some things to be desired. Looking to introduce new program spaces as well as open-concept designs to rooms that already existed, they decided to renovate and create a home that truly worked for them.

Our client’s main goal was to open up and promote traffic flow through their dining room and kitchen. They wanted their kitchen to become the home’s central gathering space, with easy access and visual connection between interior rooms, as well as their outdoor entertaining space. They also wanted to create new program spaces that could be used for both entertaining and everyday life.

Before

The first step was to remove a butler’s pantry that once functioned as the kitchen’s additional storage, which now isolated the kitchen from the rest of the home. The separation also made use of the family’s updated dining room difficult and often discouraged the family from its regular use. The butler’s pantry also granted access to the home’s basement. The client’s had a few other concerns to address during the renovation. They wanted to increase visibility and flow to the backyard, build a mudroom in place of their existing kitchen entryway, and create more lounge space for entertaining and playdates.

Construction

One goal of the renovation was not to expand the home’s existing footprint. To add square footage without expanding a small concrete deck at the back of the home was removed. In the deck’s place a 100 sq. ft. addition was built, which made the renovation possible.

The first step was removing the obstructive butler’s pantry from between the kitchen and dining room, which joined the two spaces into one, large, open-concept area. This lessened the formality of the dining room and made it perfect for everyday use. It also increased the flow of traffic to the new kitchen gathering space. Because the butler’s pantry was removed, the basement stairs were relocated to the new addition at the back of the home. In the new location, the stairs were removed from the center of the basement, which provided the necessary open area for the new recreational space.

Aside from providing to a location for the basement stair, the addition created square footage for the homeowner’s new wet bar, mudroom, and pantry. Each new room has open sightlines to the kitchen gathering space with the help of glass-paneled doors. They also help introduce natural light and create a seamless transition from room to room.

After

With clear sightlines and increased traffic from every direction, this kitchen’s central location is the perfect place to entertain guests or just relax on a casual weeknight.

The new kitchen blends traditional design with modern details to create a stunning timeless look. White framed cabinetry provides plenty of counter space, storage, and added functionality with the inclusion of two sinks. A newly paneled dishwasher and refrigerator blend right in, completing the perimeter’s cohesive look. The new Night Forest stained island acts as the focal point in the room. It provides both seating and expansive counter space, perfect for entertaining or kicking back with a snack. An additional pantry was built to enhance the kitchen’s storage, create balance, and help keep the direction of traffic moving throughout the space.

To create a warm yet elegant atmosphere, our clients chose timeless finishes, with subtle modern details. Polarstone Quartz countertops and the Shiraz Callacutta backsplash elevate the elegance factor, while the Darlana chandelier and warm hardwood floors evoke warmth.

As the new central gathering area, the kitchen grants uninhibited access to the outdoor patio space and each room in the new addition. Each entrance uses glass-paneled doors, which guarantees open sightlines to each of the encompassing spaces.

The new wet bar is an extension of the kitchen’s elegance with an adults-only twist! The bar is complete with white frameless cabinetry, topped with Polar Stone Quartz, and completed with a Calacatta gold polished backsplash. To give the space it’s own personality, a hammered stainless steel sink was installed, which accents the brushed silver hardware. Within proximity to the outdoor space, the wet bar is only a few steps away from both the kitchen’s and mudroom’s exits, although a set of windows assures anyone making drinks full view of the outdoor action.

In the new mudroom, everything has its place! With plenty of storage options, the space welcomes the homeowners and their guests in a warm and organized fashion. Custom built-in in storage, cubbies, and a bench make the perfect spot for shoes and book bags, with the additional option of a closet for coats. With a dark, durable, porcelain floor tile for easy cleaning and a glass-paneled door for a clear view, this mudroom has it all.

The final space in this renovation is the newly finished basement rec room! Originally unfinished, the basement was used primarily for storage, but the homeowners saw the potential wanted to create a lounge-worthy space. After digging out a crawl space, the newly finished portion of the basement provides 550 square feet of multi-purpose fun. Drop ceilings conceal mechanical piping above the new space while providing bright recessed lighting. On one end of the room, a wall-mounted TV and wall built speakers create an entertainment area, while at the other end, foosball occupies anyone with a competitive streak. In addition to finishing this space, the clients chose to include a perfectly petite powder room. Under the new stairs, the half bath takes up no additional space but adds plenty of value to the home.

We’re thankful to have been able to help our clients create their fantastically functional new spaces. To see more images of the renovation, visit us on Houzz.