A New Addition and Remodeled Kitchen in Country Grove Estates

A New Addition and Kitchen Remodel

Our clients, Chris and Carol, are a professional couple living in the Country Grove Estates subdivision.

The couple first approached us looking for a kitchen remodel and a dining room addition off the back of their home. Originally built in 1993, their home had undergone several updates over the years.

In 2007, they had concrete work done in the back of their home that could be converted into a 3-season room.  Over time, their needs changed and the 3-season room became a 4-season addition to provide more living space for their family.

See how our design gave them the additional space they needed and a functional, bright, open kitchen.

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We Started with the Dining Room Addition

Chris and Carol wanted to add a dining room addition off the back of their home. When they came to us, they brought sketches of their vision for the space. The purpose of the space was to add both living and dining space. The couple’s backyard was a driving factor for the design of the addition.

Chris and Carol have spent years on their landscaping, creating a beautiful backyard. Our design for the addition revolved around the backyard views. Our design features large windows on the entire back wall of the addition to take advantage of the stunning view. As an added feature, the windows flood the new kitchen with natural light.

Blending Old and New

It was crucial to blend the addition seamlessly with the existing structure, both the interior and exterior. On the exterior, we accomplished this by using the same materials to seamlessly integrate the addition.

On the inside, the original wall height was 8 feet. In the addition, we wanted the ceilings to be taller. The challenge was increasing the ceiling height without creating an awkward transition between the existing home's roof and the dining room addition. Our solution was to add a tray ceiling that started at 8 feet and stepped up to 9 feet. This allowed us to seamlessly integrate the addition's interior with the existing home and achieve additional ceiling height.

The final step for integrating the addition with the existing home was the floor level. It was crucial to make sure that the floor of the addition was seamless with the rest of the home. This allowed us to feature the beautiful Brazilian walnut flooring throughout the entire space.

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Transitioning to the Kitchen Remodel

The home’s original kitchen was dated, clearly indicating it was built in the early 90s. The couple's main concern with the existing kitchen was congestion. Having more than one person working in the kitchen was difficult. Chris and Carol also wanted better organization and more storage space. Many of their overflow items were stored in the basement, and they wanted everything easily accessible from the kitchen.

The entry from the garage was in the kitchen. There was also a small closet that was not very useful. They asked us to design functional storage without detracting from the overall kitchen design. Our solution was to create a tall cabinet with large doors. Opening the cabinet, you find space for jackets, shoes, and shelving for additional storage bins.

Next to the cabinet is a corner pantry. This replaced the original small pantry. We finished the pantry with quartzite countertops, a beautiful tile backsplash, and custom Amish cabinetry. These finishes allow the pantry to serve as an extension of the kitchen while providing ample storage for larger items and small appliances. The space is even large enough for Carol to do her baking, keeping the mess to one area!

A Functional Kitchen Triangle

On the adjacent wall is the counter-depth refrigerator encased in a tall cabinet. We carefully planned the refrigerator’s location to work with the pantry. The pantry walls were designed and built specifically for the refrigerator's size. This custom touch allows the refrigerator doors to open fully.

To the right of the refrigerator is an open space with base cabinets that have tall pull-outs. With glass cabinets above and lighting inside, it creates ambiance but is also functional for the wall oven on the right side. The double wall ovens were a must-have for Chris and Carol. We placed a drawer below the ovens to store baking dishes and trays.

In the center of the kitchen is a large island. The island features an electric cooktop with a hidden downdraft vent. With the range on the island, it offers plenty of prep space. Each cabinet and drawer unit was carefully planned to include accessories based on how the couple would use the island. The accessories keep everything needed for food prep in one area, resolving the overcrowding issue in the old kitchen. On the opposite side of the island is seating for four people.

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Turning to the sink, it’s placed in a peninsula that separates the kitchen space from the new addition. The sink peninsula is a dedicated area with cabinetry on the three exposed sides. The peninsula also features the dishwasher and plenty of countertop space. However, it’s the view beyond the sink, through the large windows overlooking the backyard, that is stunning. Doing the dishes is definitely more enjoyable!

The backside of the peninsula is open to the addition and features three cabinets and drawers. This acts as storage for table linens, games, and miscellaneous items. The bright off-white cabinetry helps to open the space and maintain a bright, airy feel throughout.

The opening to the addition features a glass cabinet on the left. This cabinet looks like and functions like a piece of furniture, and it is used to store special items that the family doesn’t use daily. This cabinet features dimmable lighting, adding to the overall ambiance of the space.

On the opposite side is a beverage station. This area features a lighted beverage refrigerator, lighted upper cabinets, and a custom wine rack. It’s in the perfect location for anyone in the addition, kitchen, living room, or outdoor patio.

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Finishing Touches

Lighting was a key consideration throughout the process. In addition, the tray has recessed rope lights hidden by the crown molding and features task lighting. In the kitchen, we included under-cabinet, above-cabinet, decorative, and task lighting. Every lighting element was used for a reason, and all are controlled by dimmer switches, giving the homeowners the option of ambient or task lighting. This gives each space flexibility throughout the day.

The final touch was reworking the staircase to make the space feel more open. The original staircase was closed in by a knee wall that felt bulky and detracted from the elegance of the newly finished spaces. We removed the knee walls and installed new newel posts and balusters for an updated look to match the elegance of the newly remodeled space. Finally, we replaced the carpeting down the stairs with a beautifully detailed carpet that complemented our design.

The Result of This New Addition and Remodel

With the new addition, the couple can relax and enjoy their fabulous landscaping through the large windows. The light-filled dining room addition and new kitchen remodel are bright and airy. The open design is inviting, comfortable, and functional. This project is a transitional, elegant living space that will keep Chris and Carol happy for years to come!

Let us help you create a new look and design the perfect finished space to meet your needs! If you live in the Greater Madison area, call the experts at Degnan Design-Build-Remodel at (608) 846-5963. We can take your home to the next level of comfort, design, and function! Are you ready to learn more? We’re always happy to answer your questions.