These empty nesters had enjoyed many happy years in their family home—and with their grown children returning home with children of their own, this couple realized their old kitchen just didn’t cut it. They needed an updated and upgraded space to cook and entertain, yet one that was still comfortable for just the two of them.
They turned to Dover Home Remodelers to reinvent their Italian family kitchen, creating a lighter, brighter Tuscan kitchen with lots of unique features—a project that earned Second place in the NARI Contractor of the Year (CotY) Awards 2020 for Kitchen Renovation: $60,001 – $100,000.
This family kitchen had seen its share of family activity, and over the years had grown outdated and lackluster. The homeowners’ vision for the renovation was a lighter, brighter modern kitchen with touches of old-world charm and character. Eager to carry on many of their family’s cultural traditions, we designed this kitchen to be the heart of their Italian home with add-ons and custom appointments that really make the space special.
The Kitchen: Before
Back in its day, this kitchen was on-trend, but it had since grown tired: The wood cabinets and floors made the space feel closed in. The planning desk was no longer used. Lack of workspace was a problem. And the fixtures needed a style reboot.
The Kitchen: During
We worked within the room’s existing footprint to redesign a space that had a much more practical layout. The new design eliminated the planning desk to make room for a wet bar; swapped out old the sliding door for a crisp, new model from Pella with no grilles for a clear view outside; and updated and upgraded all appliances. We designed a large central island and used semi-custom cabinetry (Waypoint Cabinets by Reliable Cabinets) to maximize every inch of space and add more storage and functionality.
The Kitchen: After
A lot of thought went into deciding whether or not the homeowners should eliminate their dining table to create space for a larger island. They wanted an expansive area large enough to accommodate one of their favorite family traditions—making polenta. Our solution allowed both to remain: A custom dining table and side table were designed that could either stand alone or connect to the island to accommodate a crowd to gather around. The side table and table adjoin with concealed latches to ensure they stay in place. The table was also designed with a removable leaf to adjust to the size of the gathering.
Where the planning desk once stood is now a wet bar with wine storage. We moved the entrance to the dining room to gain more space for glassware display cabinetry.
The couple also wanted a place to showcase their vast Italian copper collection passed down from his mother. The glass and light filled upper cabinets were the perfect place to do so while adding warmth and charm.
