New England Inspired Lake Oswego Kitchen Remodel
Project Overview
A Lake Oswego kitchen cramped by poor layout and low light was reimagined by NK Designer Robby John Barham. We relocated key appliances, removed a boxed-in pantry, expanded the island, and introduced a New England-inspired aesthetic that finally lets the room breathe.
The Team
Key Facts
- Scope Level
- Reimagine
- Service
- Kitchen Remodeling
- Size
- 780 sq ft
- Location
- Holly Orchard, Portland
The Challenge
The biggest pain point was a crowded corner where the refrigerator, island, and a tight work triangle collided. Cooking and entertaining at the same time was nearly impossible, and everyday traffic flow suffered. The homeowners wanted a designated baking area, better lighting, and creative storage — plus a New England “unfitted” look that would give the kitchen real character.
Structural realities made those goals harder to reach. Low ceiling beams running across the great room prevented upper cabinets from reaching full height. The kitchen felt dim despite generous natural light, partly because the enclosed pantry and dated layout blocked sight lines and airflow. During demolition, the team discovered a support beam sitting directly in the path planned for the new range hood ducting — a problem that had to be solved before work could move forward.
Every improvement had to coexist with the home’s existing beam structure and open great-room floor plan, which meant creative engineering alongside creative design.
The Solution
We started with the floor plan. Relocating the range and refrigerator and eliminating the walled-in pantry freed enough square footage to reorient the entire kitchen. Moving the range and hood to the wall created a natural focal point and improved ventilation. The refrigerator landed closer to the hallway French doors, flanked by new pantry cabinets that replaced the storage lost when the old pantry came out.
A larger island now anchors the room, with space for cooking tasks and seating for guests. We relocated the formal dining room door and converted it into an open doorway, improving traffic flow and pulling natural light from the dining room’s bay windows deep into the kitchen.
For the beams, our carpenters brought wall cabinets up to just below the beam line, then capped them with solid stock material running to the crown moulding. The result reads as full-height cabinetry while contrasting cleanly with the dark wood beams above. The ducting obstacle was rerouted to clear the support beam without compromising hood performance.
- Relocated range, hood, and refrigerator to eliminate the crowded corner and open the work triangle
- Removed the enclosed pantry and replaced it with integrated pantry cabinets for better access and sight lines
- Installed a larger island with seating for cooking, baking, and entertaining
- Converted dining room door to an open doorway, improving traffic flow and natural light
- Extended wall cabinets to the beam line with custom millwork for a full-height appearance
- Rerouted hood ducting around an obstructing support beam discovered during demolition
The kitchen remodel was expert from start to finish. They started the day they said they would and pulled up stakes and finished the day they said they would. The design execution, project management, planning, organization, team cooperation, attention to detail, the gift of craftsmanship and knowhow is unparallel. The shear effort that was put into my kitchen remodel just cannot be understated. In addition, the level of regard and consideration for our home was without question, astonishingly professional.
Materials & Features
Every material was selected for longevity, beauty, and fit with the home — here is what was used and why.
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01
Cabinets
Decor Cabinetry — Custom painted maple with Farrow & Ball "School House White," shaker door style
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02
Island
Custom — Rift white oak with "Briar" finish, matching door style as perimeter cabinetry
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03
Cabinet pulls
Owner provided — Aged brass oval knob pulls
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04
Range Hood
Hoodsly — Custom curved wood hood in black, 36" wide
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05
Countertops and Backsplash
Inalco — Larsen collection "super blanco-gris" porcelain slab throughout kitchen, laundry, and desk with high gloss polished finish, mitered drop edge, and 4" backsplash
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06
Kitchen Sink
Rohl — Original Lancaster single bowl farmhouse apron front sink in white
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07
Kitchen Faucet
Waterstone — Traditional pulldown faucet in chrome
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08
Appliances
Jenn-Air and owner-provided — Jenn-Air dual fuel range; existing refrigerator, dishwasher, and microwave reinstalled
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09
Flooring
Red oak hardwood throughout kitchen, living room, laundry, and entry
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