When our clients purchased this home they knew they wanted to remodel the kitchen. It was outdated, had low ceilings, an inefficient layout, and limited storage. Despite the kitchen being located at the back of the house which opens up to a beautiful backyard, it lacked natural light and felt disconnected to the outdoors.
After living in the home for a few years, they came to us finally ready for a transformation. They wanted an open and airy kitchen that balances transitional warmth with contemporary design. See the before and after photos from this remodeling project and read on to discover how NK Design Consultant Tawni Peterson and her team overcame costly challenges.
Vaulting the ceiling transformed the scale of the room and allowed light to flow throughout the space. A new central island improved functionality and gathering space, while a custom butler’s pantry with a wet bar added convenience and elevated everyday living. Along the exterior wall, custom windows now extend to the peak of the vaulted ceiling, bringing in abundant daylight and reinforcing the connection to the backyard.
The completed kitchen is welcoming, efficient, and thoughtfully designed, offering more than double the original storage capacity while enhancing the overall livability of the home.
Design Challenges
During the initial walkthrough, the design and construction team identified a significant structural concern. The existing vertical stick framing was not adequate to support the current load and could not accommodate the additional weight required for the vaulted ceiling and expanded window design. Resolving this issue without exceeding the homeowners’ budget required a strategic and creative approach.
Design Solutions
To keep the project aligned with the homeowners’ budget, the team revised the west-facing exterior wall design. Fixed picture windows were incorporated within the existing vertical framing, reducing the need for extensive structural reinforcement while still achieving the desired increase in natural light. This solution preserved the visual impact of the design and saved the homeowners significant construction costs.
Special Features
The ‘dirty kitchen” or butler’s pantry stands out as a favorite feature of the home. A bold wallpaper paired with a statement faucet introduces an unexpected pop of color and personality. Given the creative freedom, Tawni presented colorful options and the homeowners fully embraced the playful palette.
Key Suppliers and Manufacturers
Cabinetry: Decor Cabinets
Cabinet Hardware: Top Knobs
Appliances: TV Standard & Appliance, Dacor
Backplash: Daltile
Vent Hood: Hoodsly
Countertop: Pental Quartz by Architectural Surfaces
Wallpaper: WallpapersToGo
Plumbing Fixtures: Keller Supply, Kohler, Jaclo Industries
Lighting: Arteriors, Rejuvenation
Windows: Milgard
Ready to reimagine your own space? Whether you’re considering a kitchen remodel, whole-home renovation, or a thoughtful update tailored to the way you live, Neil Kelly’s team is here to help. Schedule a complimentary consultation to explore design ideas, discuss your goals, and take the first step toward a beautifully crafted remodeling project designed around you.
Tawni ran her own design/build firm for several years before joining Neil Kelly, and her entrepreneurial mindset and experience are highly valued by her team and clients. She describes her professional philosophy as “Whole-person oriented design;” creating home environments that enhance how people live their lives and relate their homes in mind, body, and spirit. Her goal is to help her clients create a space that makes their lives easier and serves as a reflection of their favorite parts of themselves.
When she’s not designing amazing spaces, you’ll find Tawni creating amazing characters as an actor/singer/dancer in live theatre performances around the Portland area.