EXISTING KITCHEN: Located in the Springmill Streams subdivision in Carmel, this 20-year-old kitchen had a choppy layout that didn’t work for the homeowners. A large walk-in pantry monopolized too much space and divided the kitchen from the formal dining room. The homeowners’ dream was to create an open-concept layout for better flow and modernize the design for a more contemporary look.
REMOVING PANTRY: To create the desired open layout, the pantry and walls separating the kitchen from the dining room were eliminated. As a result, the space now feels spacious and bright. In place of the pantry, a new desk was installed using maple cabinetry with a “Coco” finish. A Cambria “Torquay” countertop was chosen to contrast with the dark cabinetry.
TIEING IN DINING AREA: To compensate for lost storage from the terminated pantry, new contrasting cabinets with a “Polar” finish and a Cambria “Wellington” countertop were installed along the far dining room wall to store rarely used china and kitchen accessories. The new pantry wall also functions as a buffet for formal dinner parties.
MODERN DETAILS: The existing layout of the kitchen worked well; it simply needed to be modernized. The same two-toned cabinetry and Cambria countertops from the desk and dining area were used for the kitchen perimeter wall and island for consistency. A separate beverage station was added to keep traffic out of the main prep area. The sleek stainless steel appliances and glass tile backsplash polish off the desired contemporary look.
CONNECTING KITCHEN WITH DINING ROOM: LED recessed can lights, under cabinet lighting and new pendants installed on dimmer switches adds visual interest and helps connect the two spaces. New hardwood flooring was installed throughout the main level to create a continuous look.
FINAL RESULT: “We love having so much space to move about in the kitchen the most. Before the remodel, we never used the formal dining room. The new layout allows us to use the entire space all the time.”
