Madison, WI Ranch Home Remodel With Craftsman Design Elements

In early 2018 our clients, a Gen Y couple with no kids came to us wanting to update their Midvale Heights mid-century ranch home. The project consisted of several changes including a full-gut kitchen remodel, and redesigning the L-shaped living room to be a more functional space.

Before (See After image in header above)

We also reconfigured the path from the front door, through the kitchen to the main family room, which consisted of many awkward jogs. The kitchen had the original cabinetry, and there were problems fitting new appliances. It was an isolated and dark space.

The 1950s ranch had the garage converted into living space in the 1960s, but it was not the best use of space. Our design opened up the potential of the space, connecting the kitchen, dining and family rooms to create a clear progression from the front entry to the living areas.

Defining The Scope of the Project

When we met Jeff and Trisha, they intended to open up and expand the kitchen. The home had an existing walkthrough gallery kitchen and a narrow dining room that opened up to the living room. The current homes configuration was based on the past use of the living room as the garage and the dining room as a breezeway. The previous owner of the home enclosed these spaces, and it left the house feeling disjunct.

After meeting with our clients and learning about their functional needs and aesthetic preferences, we created a two-part update. First we'd address the kitchen and dining room, and next, we'd open the main entry flow and move the powder room.

We presented our plan to our clients, and they felt that it made the most financial and “living through a renovation” sense to do both phases at once.

Opening the Space

To create the open concept, the clients were looking for required removing two load-bearing walls. We replaced one with a concealed beam and the second with an exposed header. The concealed beam was designed to unify the kitchen and dining area, while the exposed header defines the family room area, and helps it to feel cozy instead of cavernous.

kitchen window seat in open concept remodel

The space is now open from the kitchen to the family room TV area, serving our client's everyday needs and is perfect for entertaining family and friends. They also requested the addition of a walk-in pantry. We relocated the existing powder room and converted the space into a long, narrow pantry.

Opening up the space created functional circulation throughout the home. By removing the load-bearing walls, relocating a reach-in closet and transforming it into a functional walk-in closet, guests now enter the living room and make one turn to the right to see the hallway on axis leading them to the bright remodeled kitchen and family room.

Ranch Home Remodel: The Kitchen

The original kitchen was a modifies galley that had a window that opened to connect the other rooms, but was functionally isolated, dark and drab.

To add additional space, our design incorporated a small space where the eat-in dining used to be. To not disrupt the existing window in the brick exterior wall, we created a bench seat beneath the window. On either side of the bench seat are extra storage and display space.

1950s kitchen remodeling open concept floor plan

The clients wanted a unique design that was not a “typical” kitchen design. The L shaped island envelopes a semi-formal dining table is absolutely unique and again improves circulation throughout the space. The better accommodate the reused refrigerator, we relocated it and bumped back the wall at the new location. This bump allows for a few extra inches of the walkway and provides a more “built-in” feel.

The final functional change we made was to move the powder room to a corner of the front room and converted the space into a walk-in pantry. This gave the kitchen a feeling of even more space.

Aesthetically the client wanted a modern, light look that featured clean lines, and upscale finishes. They opted for Auburn Ridge custom cabinetry in maple with chestnut trim, Greenwich Full Overlay doors, and slab drawer fronts. The countertop is a rare premium granite in Magma Black with a pencil edge profile. The Vent-A-Hood Eurostyle Wall Mounted Range Hood is a modern statement piece that we accented with a modern linear tile extending to the ceiling to create a visual focal point in the space.

To further lighten and add an elegant touch to the space we installed Bellavita 3X12 glass tile backsplash in Early Mist with bright white grout. We finished the space with Armstrong Mesa Stone LVT 16x16 tile in Light Grey with Smoke grout.

The Entry and Powder Room

Once the kitchen and dining room were addressed, we turned to the entryway and powder room. When we opened the space, we reconfigured the entryway. To improve flow, we relocated a reach-in closet and transformed it into a functional walk-in closet off the foyer. The placement of the closet provides a transitional space that blocks the inflow of air, allows for plenty of room for guests entering the home, and delineates the transition from public to private space in the house.

1950s ranch open floor plan from living room to kitchen

The home's original powder room was not up to code, so we converted it into a walk-in pantry, and relocated the powder room to an unused space in the front room. The new location was budget friendly because it shares the same plumbing wall as the original. It's now up to code and in a more discreet place. The new wall of the powder room is in line with the fireplace and creates a more linear feel to the front room.

Our clients love the new sense of openness, improved flow and functionality of their home. Taking down walls to open the space gives it a modern feel. The walk-in pantry in the kitchen, along with the unique island creates a warm and inviting atmosphere and a gathering spot for family and friends. The updated finishes, bright colors, hardwood flooring, clean lines, and an improved sense of flow throughout the living area, better meet the lifestyle needs of our clients.

To see all the photos of the completed project, click here.

If you're planning a home remodeling project in the greater Madison, Wisconsin area give the experts at Degnan Design Build Remodel a call at (608) 846-5963. Let us show you how we can help to maximize the potential of your home. Click here to schedule a consultation.