An Award-Winning Open Plan Kitchen Remodel for $80- $100K

We recently won the National Association of the Remodeling Industry’s 2017 Remmie award for kitchens $60,000 – $100,000!

We thought it would be fun to walk you through the before and afters.

Before and After Walnut Creek Kitchen Remodel that won an award

The Kitchen Remodel Challenge

Our European clients had just relocated back to the States and felt a major remodel was in order. This two-story townhouse was dark, outdated, and had a small, closed-in 70’s style kitchen.  The galley kitchen with laundry at one end and dining area at the other gave the home an “apartment feel.” Interior walls and a beam with several posts broke up the living area of the home.

before and after of award winning walnut creek kitchen remodel

 

The homeowner’s wish list included opening up the kitchen to the living room and dining room, bringing in as much natural light as possible, and adding LED lights throughout.  They wanted a kitchen with clean lines and a contemporary European flair. They asked for more and better storage, more counter space, and room for two to cook.  The walls, the beam and posts, the large laundry machines, and the deep pantry all closed the space down and constricted the kitchen.

The Open Plan Solution

The laundry machines were moved to the garage and the wall separating the kitchen and nook from the living area was removed. (Engineering needed here, folks) Additionally, we removed the large central beam along with two supporting posts that were in the room. The new replacement engineered beam was supported at either end on new posts and footings. We were able to keep one post strategically placed in the island and created another false post in the island for balance, symmetry, and incidentally, for a chase for plumbing and electrical as we were building on a slab foundation.  We removed the over-deep, built-in pantry and replaced it with a very functional tall pull-out pantry. The white cabinetry and gorgeous white textured backsplash tile brighten up the kitchen and beautifully contrasted with the natural “Blue Night” granite countertops that completed this kitchen remodel.

before and after of award-winning kitchen and open plan living area remodel

Beautiful St. Laurent Brushed Oak wood flooring and bright splashes of primary color complete the look and feel of this bright, open plan kitchen!

See more photos of this gorgeous Walnut Creek kitchen.

Next, check out our award-winning bathroom.

And, 3 more award-winning projects here!

And for more before and after photos of an entire home remodel of over $1 million, check out this award-winning Pleasanton, CA remodel.

Kat Mullen

Kat and her husband, Scott Westby, own and run MSK Design Build, an award-winning design-build firm located in the San Francisco East Bay. With over 10 years of experience in design-build construction for high-end remodels, Kat enjoys sharing her knowledge, experience and expertise. Kat's favorite part of the design build process is hearing her client's vision for their home and helping to make their dream into reality.