Dark paneled walls, dated cabinetry, low windows, and a soot-covered, built-in BBQ/grill in the dining room limited the use of the spaces and did not claim their potential. To brighten the area, we painted over most of the dark paneling, added new lighting in all spaces, and visually raised the height of the windows with new window treatments.
To give the family more storage, we re-built the front entry cabinets to accommodate a mudroom bench and cubbies. We also added a formal buffet and glass breakfront in the dining room. For the BBQ/grill, which the family wanted to keep, we replaced the stone facia with ledge stone and added quartz counters to the threshold. The BBQ wasn’t the only structural element to get a face-lift. We also changed the balustrades along the front entry stairs to wrought iron as that better fits the home’s character and the new, open feel of the entry.
While we hoped the living room was to be an oasis exclusively used by mom, everyone knew better. The TV grew in size as the project moved into the final design phase, and the seating configuration, planned for several adult couples, was tweaked to allow for more kids/teenagers. The mantra was, “If we build it, they will come.” And they did. The boys use this space with their video-game-playing friends, though we like to think mom finds some peace in the chaise by the window when school is in full swing. Dad fulfills his dream of entertaining and cooking at the dining room BBQ when he’s not joining the boys in the living room.