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Slight Rise for Open Construction Jobs in March – Eye On Housing

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The number of open positions in the construction sector edged higher in March, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS). The current level of open jobs is down measurably from three years ago due to declines in construction activity, particularly in housing. However, recent gains for nonresidential construction have not fully offset soft conditions for housing with respect to the demand for construction labor.

The number of open jobs for the overall economy declined, falling from 6.92 million in February to 6.87 million in March. The March reading was down from a year ago (6.95 million) due to a cooling labor market.

Previous NAHB analysis indicated that this number had to fall below eight million on a sustained basis for the Federal Reserve to move forward on interest rate reductions. With estimates remaining below eight million for national job openings, the Fed, in theory, should be able to cut further. However, this is situation is complicated by rising energy costs due to the Iran war.

The number of open construction sector jobs increased for the month, rising slightly from 201,000 in February to 224,000 in March. This total was down compared to a year ago (278,000). The chart below notes the declining trend that has been in place for unfilled construction jobs since the Fed raised the federal funds rate and home building weakened. While home building employment was declining during the second half of 2025, other subsectors of the construction industry have expanded (e.g. data centers). This has produced volatility within a reduced range in the job openings series since 2024.

The construction job openings rate increased to 2.6% in March, down from the 3.3% rate estimated a year ago.

The layoff rate in construction declined slightly to 1.7% in March. The quits rate increased to 1.7% for the month.



This article was originally published by a eyeonhousing.org . Read the Original article here. .

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Cheerful Kitchen in Blue, White and Wood With an Open Layout

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Before Photo

Tara Lenney DesignSave Photo

“After” photos by Steven Lenney

Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with two kids — one in college and one still at home — and a labradoodle
Location: Richardson, Texas
Size: 430 square feet (40 square meters)
Designer: Tara Lenney Design

Before: The dreary, chopped-up, 310-square-foot kitchen had dark oak-stained cabinetry, granite countertops in brown, tan and black, and a beige ceramic tile floor. It also had what Lenney describes as “the world’s weirdest shape.” A black electric cooktop sat on an angled wall to the right, while a stainless steel double-bowl sink was positioned beneath two windows. (Take note of the window near the sink to help orient the view in the following “after” photo.)

A large stainless steel refrigerator protruded past surrounding cabinetry along a wall backed by a centrally located laundry room (see the before-and-after floor plans below) and was squeezed next to a pair of wall ovens. The laundry room further divided the kitchen from the closed-off dining room and sunken living room.

In the background, a short peninsula cut the kitchen off from the breakfast area and a den. “It was very uninviting,” Lenney says. “Everything was spread out in weird locations. It was also like a hallway. You’re trying to get your cooking done and there are literally people walking through your cooking area. If you were in the kitchen, you couldn’t be where anyone else was because of the layout.”

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This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .

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Soft Construction Labor Market Shows Decline for Open Positions – Eye On Housing

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The number of open positions in construction in February was down year-over-year, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS). The current level of open jobs is down measurably from three years ago due to declines in construction activity, particularly in housing. However, recent gains for nonresidential construction have not fully offset soft conditions for housing with respect to the demand for construction labor.

The number of open jobs for the overall economy declined in February, falling from 7.24 million in January to 6.88 million in February. The February reading was down from a year ago (7.24 million) due to a cooling labor market.

Previous NAHB analysis indicated that this number had to fall below eight million on a sustained basis for the Federal Reserve to move forward on interest rate reductions. With estimates remaining below eight million for national job openings, the Fed, in theory, should be able to cut further.

The number of open construction sector jobs fell, declining slightly from 230,000 in January to 202,000 in February. This total was down compared to a year ago (255,000). The chart below notes the declining trend that has been in place for unfilled construction jobs since the Fed raised the federal funds rate and home building weakened. While home building employment was declining during the second half of 2025, other subsectors of the construction industry have expanded (e.g. data centers). This has produced volatility within a reduced range in the series since 2024.

The construction job openings rate decreased to 2.4% in February, down from the 3% rate estimated a year ago.

The layoff rate in construction declined slightly to 1.8% in February. The quits rate decreased to 1.3% for the month.

The current data looks similar to the much discussed low-hire, low-fire labor market paradigm.



This article was originally published by a eyeonhousing.org . Read the Original article here. .

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Flat Conditions for Open Construction Jobs – Eye On Housing

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The number of open positions in construction in January was flat year-over-year, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS). The current level of open jobs is down measurably from three years ago due to declines in construction activity, particularly in housing. However, recent gains for nonresidential construction combined with soft conditions for housing have left the number of job openings in construction flat.

The number of open jobs for the overall economy increased in January, rising from 5.83 million in December to 6.20 million in January. The January reading was down from a year ago (6.55 million) due to a slowing labor market.

Previous NAHB analysis indicated that this number had to fall below eight million on a sustained basis for the Federal Reserve to move forward on interest rate reductions. With estimates remaining below eight million for national job openings, the Fed, in theory, should be able to cut further.

The number of open construction sector jobs was relatively flat, declining slightly from 245,000 in December to 231,000 in January. This total was flat compared to a year ago (232,000). The chart below notes the declining trend that has been in place for unfilled construction jobs since the Fed raised the federal funds rate and home building weakened. While home building employment was declining during the second half of 2025, other subsectors of the construction industry have expanded (e.g. data centers).

The construction job openings rate decreased to 2.7% in January, equal to the 2.7% rate estimated a year ago.

The layoff rate in construction declined to 1.0% in January. The quits rate decreased to 1.7% for the month.



This article was originally published by a eyeonhousing.org . Read the Original article here. .

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Bathroom of the Week: Open, Airy Update With a Curbless Shower

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When it came time to refresh their dated primary bathroom, this retired Keller, Texas, couple turned to a familiar face. Three years earlier, they’d found design-build pro Chris Chumbley on Houzz and hired him to update the kitchen in their 2006 traditional-style home. Now they called him back to tackle the bathroom’s outdated finishes and cramped layout.

Seeking better function and a high-end look, the couple envisioned a more open, airy layout with ample storage and a spacious shower. Chumbley, who uses Houzz Pro software, delivered with a sleek, curbless shower free of glass or doors, a custom white oak double vanity with all-drawer storage and an elegant freestanding tub that enhances the sense of space. Soft neutral tiles and refined details complete the calm, luxurious retreat.

Before Photo

USI Design & RemodelingSave Photo

“After” photos by Ken Vaughan of Vaughan Creative Media

Bathroom at a Glance
Who lives here: A retired couple
Location: Keller, Texas
Size: 200 square feet (19 square meters)
Design-build pro: Chris Chumbley of USI Design & Remodeling

Before: The bathroom, with its tall cove ceiling, skylight, taupe walls and abundant light brown tile, felt dated and divided. Two separate single vanities with oval sinks — including the husband’s smaller one seen here — occupied opposite walls, while a corner shower beside the vanity felt squeezed in. “They wanted a walk-in shower with a wider entry,” Chumbley says. “They also didn’t want any glass in the shower, so we had to create a much larger footprint.”

An arched doorway by the shower led to the wife’s dressing room, home office and laundry area. Across from the shower, a tiled deck surrounded an oval tub, part of which is visible at right. The homeowners wanted to incorporate the water closet in the new design.

USI Design & RemodelingSave Photo
After: Chumbley removed the two single-sink vanities, floor tile, corner shower and decked tub to start fresh. In their place, he created a larger, curbless shower with no glass or doors — the feature that inspired the bathroom’s new open layout. “It all started with the shower,” Chumbley says. “We wanted to create a universal design. The wider opening is for that, and getting away from the glass was about less maintenance.”

Durable marble-look porcelain tiles wrap the shower walls and enclosure, setting a luxe tone. The shower includes both a fixed head and a hand shower in satin brass. A long niche with matching satin brass Schluter trim keeps hair and body products organized, while a built-in bench offers a relaxing spot. Beige matte porcelain floor tiles slope gently toward a linear drain in front of the bench to keep water contained.

A new white oak double linen cabinet now stands where one of the old vanities sat, coordinating with the updated double vanity (see below). “It’s a 24-inch-deep cabinet that’s nice and spacious,” Chumbley says. “We put organizational racks on the inside of the doors too. It’s very functional in terms of zones for storing what you need.”

Wall tile: Golden Reverie, 12 by 24 inches, Daltile; floor tile: Reside USA in beige, Arizona Tile

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USI Design & RemodelingSave Photo
This wider view showcases the bathroom’s open, airy layout. “It’s about style but also performance,” Chumbley says. “It’s a daily indulgence that effortlessly supports routines.” The existing arched doorway to the updated dressing room and home office received new trim. “They have grasscloth on the walls in the home office now, and I needed to terminate it in the doorway, so I had that trim made to create a stopping point,” Chumbley says.

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Before Photo

USI Design & RemodelingSave Photo

Before: The wife’s vanity on the opposite wall included a sit-down makeup area. “She told me she didn’t use it,” Chumbley says. “It’s one of the first things we find out in the interviews — what they use or not.”

The white vanities, with white-framed mirrors and dated lights,

had limited storage. A double linen cabinet appears here to the right of the wife’s vanity. “Because the other vanity was going away, we wanted a larger scale for the double vanity on this wall,” Chumbley says. A door partially visible at right leads to the husband’s closet.

USI Design & RemodelingSave Photo
After: Moving the double linen cabinet next to the new open shower made room for a custom 10-foot-wide white oak double vanity with a neutral finish and all-drawer storage “for ease of access,” Chumbley says.

A Cristallo quartzite countertop and backsplash deliver durability and drama. The rare natural stone features a white base with bold gold veining, orange and gray flecks and subtle translucency. A mitered edge enhances the countertop’s hefty look.

Wall, ceiling and trim paint: Modern Gray, Sherwin-Williams

What to Consider When Choosing a Bathroom Vanity

USI Design & RemodelingSave Photo
The double vanity features undermount rectangular porcelain sinks with solid brass widespread faucets with a satin brass finish and ADA-compliant handles. Above, a custom mirror integrates two recessed LED lighted medicine cabinets for a sleek, built-in look. A pair of three-light sconces in a brushed bronze finish, mounted directly on the mirror, provide bright task lighting and maintain symmetry with the sinks below.

Faucets: Skylar in satin brass, Newport Brass; sconces: Lanza in brushed bronze, Hinkley

The 10 Most Popular New Bathrooms Right Now

USI Design & RemodelingSave Photo
The recessed medicine cabinets feature soft-close doors, adjustable glass shelves and built-in electrical outlets. A defogger keeps the mirrors clear after showers. “It was about maximizing storage,” Chumbley says. “I think that’s important when a couple shares a vanity.”

Medicine cabinets: Krugg Reflections

See the Bathroom Features Homeowners Want Most in 2025

USI Design & RemodelingSave Photo
The double vanity’s drawers were customized to fit the homeowners’ storage needs, with built-in organizers and internal drawers. The top drawer shown here keeps hair appliances off the counter but within easy reach, thanks to a built-in outlet.

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Before Photo

USI Design & RemodelingSave Photo

Before: The oval jetted tub sat in a tiled deck with sharp corners. “They just didn’t like the deck design and wanted a freestanding tub,” Chumbley says. A shallow arched niche above the tub was painted green.

USI Design & RemodelingSave Photo
After: An elegant 31-by-67-inch white acrylic freestanding tub with soft curves takes up less floor space and enhances the bathroom’s open feel. A floor-mounted tub filler in a satin brass finish coordinates with the vanity faucets and shower fixtures.

Chumbley expanded and squared off the former niche to create an accent wall clad in 13-by-39-inch fluted ceramic tiles featuring a crisp white background with soft taupe and gray veining and touches of gold. “That particular tile is art to us,” Chumbley says. “We made the accent wall taller to separate it from the arched doorway next to it. Also, cutting those fluted tiles on a straight line is easier than a radius. It gives you a more successful and cleaner outcome.”

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Kitchen of the Week: Colorful, Open and Full of Personality

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These Bellevue, Washington, homeowners wanted a kitchen as fun and relaxed as they are — full of color, pattern and personality. For 18 years, they lived with a small, dark, U-shaped kitchen with aging honey oak cabinets and no island, hardly a source of joy in their 1979 transitional-style home. The eating area had great light but was cut off by a peninsula. With one son in college and another in high school, the couple were ready for something brighter, more open and designed for gathering, complete with a spacious island, ample storage and a few surprises.

To help bring their vision to life — and to rethink the unused formal dining room off the kitchen — they turned to designer Erin Etchemendy of 31E Designs and to Houzz photos for inspiration. Removing the peninsula and dining room wall expanded the footprint by 121 square feet, making room for a long, custom island detailed with colorful patterned porcelain tiles. A walnut-and-quartzite top adds a unique twist to the light blue island base, while engineered wood flooring and flat-panel white oak cabinetry warm the space. Horizontally stacked rectangular tiles lend texture and movement, completing the bright kitchen brimming with character.

Before Photo

31E DesignsSave Photo

“After” photos by Candi Kintzley

Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with a son in college and another in high school
Location: Bellevue, Washington
Size: 231 square feet (21 square meters)
Designer: Erin Etchemendy of 31E Designs

Before: This photo, taken from the doorway of the unused dining room, shows the dated 110-square-foot kitchen with its honey oak cabinets, no hardware, granite counters and cold tile floor. “They definitely wanted to get rid of that,” Etchemendy says. “They wanted to warm up the space for sure.”

Upper cabinets over the peninsula cut the kitchen off from the eating area and family room, making the already tight space feel even smaller and darker. The range wall separated the kitchen from the dining room, while the stainless steel refrigerator across from the sink jutted out awkwardly. “It felt cramped, and the organization — or lack thereof — was a problem,” Etchemendy says.

One bright spot: a large fixed window over the sink. The homeowners loved the natural light and wanted to make it a bigger feature in the new design.

After: Etchemendy removed the peninsula, cabinetry, counters and flooring, then took down the former range wall to absorb the unused dining room, expanding the kitchen from 110 to 231 square feet. “They didn’t really use the formal dining room and have that other eating area,” Etchemendy says. “We eliminated a room they didn’t use while maintaining space to eat, both in the eating area and at the new island.”

The spacious island measures 3 feet, 2 inches wide by 14 feet, 6 inches long and features light blue flat-panel cabinets and drawers — including a charging drawer — plus open shelves for cookbooks. The top combines sealed walnut and Blue Lava quartzite, the latter a stunning stone with a cool blue background and dark blue and orange veining. “They wanted to incorporate the wood, but I didn’t think it would be a good idea to make the entire island top walnut,” Etchemendy says. “This way they have somewhere to put hot pots or other items and not worry about it. It’s also just a cool feature. They just wanted to do something that was different and unique.”

The light blue of the island contrasts with the perimeter flat-panel white oak cabinetry in a honey pecan finish. Engineered oak flooring with 7½-inch brushed and smoked planks adds more warmth. “They didn’t want to go sterile and do white or be overwhelming with a bunch of color,” Etchemendy says. “Adding the wood gives a warm backdrop to the pops of color.”

The newly open kitchen flows into an updated dining area with a new built-in bar, as well as a refreshed family room with a new fireplace surround and built-ins. LED recessed ceiling lights provide flexible illumination. The homeowners skipped island pendant lights to keep the focus on the backsplash. “They were worried the pendants would get in the way of that,” Etchemendy says. “But it’s wired in case they want to add pendants in the future.”

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Encaustic-look porcelain tiles in a mix of lively patterns wrap one section of the island base, adding a playful hit of color and texture. “That was actually a request from the client,” Etchemendy says. “They both love color. When they saw this tile, they sort of fell in love.”

Tiles: Tangier Decos, Surface Art

Before and After: 4 Revamped Kitchens in 150 to 250 Square Feet

By extending the kitchen into the former dining room, Etchemendy was able to move the range to the sink wall and create an adjoining pantry and refrigerator wall with an integrated beverage station and a paneled French door refrigerator that blends seamlessly with the cabinetry. “Function-wise, this allows them to keep a lot of the food they use on a regular basis at hand,” she says. “They also have an additional pantry off their entry hallway that used to be their laundry room.” Polished marble-look quartz countertops on the perimeter add a light, durable and elegant touch.

Paint colors: Egret White (walls and ceiling) and Pure White (trim), Sherwin-Williams

See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software

A new 30-inch, dual-fuel range features four burners and a custom drywall hood accented with a white oak band. “We had extra wood paneling for the cabinets and used that for the hood trim,” Etchemendy says.

The upgraded double-basin stainless steel sink is paired with a touchless pull-down faucet, flanked by a dishwasher to the right and a trash-and-recycling pullout to the left. The backsplash, made of 2-by-10-inch gray-tone horizontal field tiles with a glossy finish, adds subtle texture and visual height. “They really liked the idea of having a bit of physical texture to the tile but not have it be overwhelming,” Etchemendy says. “We found a suite of tile with a flat glossy finish and a stacked stair pattern that just adds more character to a long, continuous wall.”

An interior corner to the right of the sink has floating wood shelves for decorative items, with a toaster oven tucked away off the main counter. “It was going to be interesting trying to figure out how to put a cabinet there with the window so close by,” Etchemendy says. “This creates a unique feature with the open shelving.”

Backsplash tile: Lighthouse in Mist, United Tile

9 Ways to Save on Your Kitchen Remodel

Here’s a look at the beverage station tucked into the pantry wall. An upper shelf holds a microwave, while a pullout below houses the coffee maker and supplies. “It was just to get all of that behind closed doors, to avoid having busy counters,” Etchemendy says. “There are pullout drawers below for their tea and coffee, so it creates a one-stop spot for those items.”

Flat black hardware in various shapes and sizes adds flair to the pantry, refrigerator wall and the rest of the cabinetry. “These clients are all about the unique and different,” Etchemendy says. “A pantry wall can be very overwhelming, but bringing in different accents helped break it up.”

25 Genius Kitchen Storage Ideas

Before Photo

31E DesignsSave Photo

Before: This opening once separated the living room (front) from the formal dining room (back). “They wanted to open up the two spaces,” Etchemendy says. “They didn’t really use that living room.”

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After: Widening the opening creates a smoother flow between the updated living room and revamped kitchen, making the kitchen feel more open and connected. “This improved floor plan puts the big, bright kitchen at the center of everything,” Etchemendy says. “We were able to create a space that feels nice and open but not too grandiose.”

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Kitchen of the Week: Open Floor Plan With a Pantry

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Audrey Scheck DesignSave Photo
Mehrl kept the pendant lights over the island simple, smaller and more modern than the other elements in the room. “These bridge the gap between styles and eras,” she says. “Also, with the three rooms open to one another, it was important to keep the lighting in each space from competing too much.” There’s also undercabinet LED strip lighting.

“Because the style of the room is traditional, we wanted a bridge faucet,” Mehrl says. “We were able to find one with the modern convenience of a pull-down sprayer.” The island also contains a trash pullout, a cutting board pullout and extra storage on the work side.

When choosing the counter stools, Mehrl kept the new open plan in mind. “In order to keep a comfortable amount of space between the sectional sofa in the living room and the island, we needed stools that would tuck under the counter,” she says. These stools have simple, traditional style, and their padded leather seats provide comfort.

Faucet: Weymouth bridge pull-down, Moen

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Kitchen of the Week: Open Floor Plan With a New Pantry

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Audrey Scheck DesignSave Photo
Mehrl kept the pendant lights over the island simple, smaller and more modern than the other elements in the room. “These bridge the gap between styles and eras,” she says. “Also, with the three rooms open to one another, it was important to keep the lighting in each space from competing too much.” There’s also undercabinet LED strip lighting.

“Because the style of the room is traditional, we wanted a bridge faucet,” Mehrl says. “We were able to find one with the modern convenience of a pull-down sprayer.” The island also contains a trash pullout, a cutting board pullout and extra storage on the work side.

When choosing the counter stools, Mehrl kept the new open plan in mind. “In order to keep a comfortable amount of space between the sectional sofa in the living room and the island, we needed stools that would tuck under the counter,” she says. These stools have simple, traditional style, and their padded leather seats provide comfort.

Faucet: Weymouth bridge pull-down, Moen

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This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .

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Kitchen of the Week: Traditional Within a New Open Floor Plan

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Audrey Scheck DesignSave Photo
Mehrl kept the pendant lights over the island simple, smaller and more modern than the other elements in the room. “These bridge the gap between styles and eras,” she says. “Also, with the three rooms open to one another, it was important to keep the lighting in each space from competing too much.” There’s also undercabinet LED strip lighting.

“Because the style of the room is traditional, we wanted a bridge faucet,” Mehrl says. “We were able to find one with the modern convenience of a pull-down sprayer.” The island also contains a trash pullout, a cutting board pullout and extra storage on the work side.

When choosing the counter stools, Mehrl kept the new open plan in mind. “In order to keep a comfortable amount of space between the sectional sofa in the living room and the island, we needed stools that would tuck under the counter,” she says. These stools have simple, traditional style, and their padded leather seats provide comfort.

Faucet: Weymouth bridge pull-down, Moen

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This article was originally published by a www.houzz.com . Read the Original article here. .

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Kitchen of the Week: Bright and Open in White, Wood and Green

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With three energetic boys, these Georgia homeowners wanted a more open, functional layout to replace their aging kitchen and closed-off dining room. The husband, a skilled general contractor, was comfortable doing the construction work; the wife had plenty of creative ideas. But the couple needed help turning their vision into a workable plan, designing the right layout to fit their busy lifestyle and choosing stylish finishes.

They brought in designer Rosa Moreno and, after several revisions, the team removed a dividing wall and pushed the kitchen into the former breakfast area, adding 72 square feet. The new layout made space for a larger island with seating and storage. A muted green for the island contrasts nicely with soft white perimeter cabinets. White oak floors and warm wood accents add inviting texture, while marble-look quartz counters and a herringbone porcelain tile backsplash polish the earthy, transitional design.

Before Photo

Rosa Moreno KitchensSave Photo

“After” photos by Irina Chepko

Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of five
Location: Norcross, Georgia
Size: 242 square feet (22 square meters)
Designer: Rosa Moreno Kitchens
Builder: Atlanta Renovations and Construction

Before: This photo of the former kitchen was taken from the breakfast area. The dated 170-square-foot space had striped wallpaper, a soffit, mismatched standard appliances, dark brown cabinets, laminate counters, a ceiling fan and vinyl flooring. “There was a lot of wood and it was so heavy,” Moreno says. “The white fridge sticking out was a problem too. I knew we definitely could do a lot better.”

On the left, a drop-in double-bowl sink sat beneath a window that the homeowners were open to removing to improve the layout and storage. The fridge wall separated the kitchen from the dining room, making the kitchen and its small island feel cramped. “But by removing that wall, we were getting rid of storage,” Moreno says. “So that was the big question on how things would work.”

The door seen at the back opened to a hallway leading to the living room. In that hallway was a powder room and door to the basement. A door to a closet is just out of view on the fridge wall. “There were so many doors that we had to deal with,” Moreno says.

Rosa Moreno KitchensSave Photo
After: Moreno stripped the kitchen down to the studs, removing the appliances, backsplash, cabinets, ceiling fan, counters, vinyl flooring, sink window, soffit and closet. She filled in the window above the old sink to make room for a new focal-point range and a reworked appliance layout that better fits the family’s needs.

She also took down the wall between the kitchen and dining room, expanding the kitchen into the former breakfast nook, adding 72 square feet and dramatically improving flow. The extra space allowed for a larger custom island, which is painted a muted, organic green with soft gray undertones. “It’s a really pretty neutral green that’s warm at the same time,” Moreno says. “I like to ground a space so everything isn’t so white. Plus, her favorite color is green. It took time to find the right green, and we went with this neutral one because it’s transitional but also modern.” Soft white custom inset cabinetry along the perimeter brightens the room and contrasts gently with the island. Satin bronze hardware adds a rich, polished touch to both.

Moreno placed the new farmhouse-style sink in the island and placed the new range where the sink used to be. She moved the refrigerator to the cooktop’s former spot, resulting in a smarter, safer layout. “I’m not a big fan of putting the range in the island, especially when you have little kids,” Moreno says. “Removing that sink window allowed us to put the range there with the hood as a focal point. She was afraid of losing the light from that window, but now we’re getting light from the front of the house by removing that wall.”

Paint colors: Alabaster (perimeter cabinets), Drift of Mist (walls), Pure White (ceiling and trim), Shade-Grown (island), Sherwin-Williams

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Rosa Moreno KitchensSave Photo
Polished marble-look quartz countertops on the island and perimeter combine durability with a touch of elegance. Four modern counter-height stools, featuring brushed flax upholstery and solid wood frames, provide casual seating at the island. They coordinate with the new natural-finish white oak flooring and the white oak accent band on the range hood, all of which bring warmth and texture to the space.

Above the island, a pair of 16-inch brushed brass bell-shaped pendant lights with clear glass shades add a stylish detail. LED ceiling lights provide general illumination, while undercabinet lighting brightens key task areas.

Pendant lights: Newton Bell in brushed brass, Innovations Lighting

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Rosa Moreno KitchensSave Photo
A 36-inch smart commercial-style gas range now sits where the sink was. With six burners, three-level convertible grates and a convection oven, it’s built for serious cooking. “She loves to cook and cooks a lot, so it was important for her to have the right appliances and perfect layout,” Moreno says.

A custom paint-grade wood hood with a white oak accent band is painted to match the perimeter cabinetry. A powerful hood insert helps prevent smoke and odors from drifting into nearby spaces. The backsplash consists of 2-by-6-inch white porcelain tiles laid in a herringbone pattern; the tiles have subtle tone variations, a glossy finish and frost white grout. “Everything is very neutral here, so bringing that texture there on the backsplash was important,” Moreno says. “It doesn’t stick out but brings another element into the space. Something I also like about that tile is the glossy finish that reflects the light.”

Range: 36-inch smart commercial-style, gas with six burners, KitchenAid

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Rosa Moreno KitchensSave Photo
The upgraded 36-inch counter-depth stainless steel French door refrigerator, now placed along the former cooktop wall, has a fingerprint-resistant finish for easy maintenance. Thoughtful storage upgrades add to the kitchen’s functionality, including pullouts for spices and cooking utensils that flank the range and a hidden trash and recycling center in the island.

Refrigerator: KitchenAid

25 Genius Kitchen Storage Ideas

Before Photo

Rosa Moreno KitchensSave Photo

Before: Here’s a closer look at the wall that divided the kitchen and dining room (visible through the doorway at right). The white refrigerator seen in the earlier “before” photo sat in the empty cabinet frame. To the left of a pair of aging white wall ovens stood a door leading to the previously mentioned closet. “It was a load-bearing wall,” Moreno says, “so we had to put in a beam.”

Rosa Moreno KitchensSave Photo
After: This photo was taken from about the same angle as the previous one. Removing the wall and introducing a structural beam opened up the layout, allowing for seamless flow between the kitchen and dining area.

The interior side of the island features a streamlined setup with the pullout trash and recycling center on the left, a classic white farmhouse sink with a dedicated base cabinet in the center and a quiet, top-control stainless steel dishwasher completing the lineup.

Dishwasher: KitchenAid

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Rosa Moreno KitchensSave Photo
The undermount single-bowl farmhouse sink accommodates large pots and pans, making it a practical upgrade for the home chef. It’s paired with a semiprofessional kitchen faucet in a rich gold finish, equipped with touch technology and voice activation for convenience. “She cooks for the entire family and wanted a large sink,” Moreno says. “She hated the double-bowl sink she had before. Going with a large single-bowl sink is much easier.”

Sink: Whitehaven, Kohler; faucet: Odin in Brilliance Luxe Gold, Brizo

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Rosa Moreno KitchensSave Photo
Removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room and eliminating the closet made room for a custom built-in storage center with illuminated display shelves and the same backsplash tile used elsewhere in the kitchen. “This gives her space to store dishes she uses for special occasions,” Moreno says. “They wanted the lighted shelves for decorative items and pretty things.”

At the back right of the photo is the home’s updated staircase to the second floor. “We removed another piece of wall there to make the staircase area more open,” Moreno says.

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Rosa Moreno KitchensSave Photo
This view from the open dining room into the kitchen highlights the new French doors that replaced an original bay window in the former breakfast area. “We had to straighten out that wall with the bay window to add the new French doors,” Moreno says. The adjacent door leads to a newly built walk-in pantry outfitted with open shelving and neatly arranged storage for both dry goods and small kitchen appliances. Shallow cabinets added to the base of the island provide the family with additional storage space.

“I’m most proud that they trusted me and listened to my advice,” Moreno says. “Before, the kitchen was so dark you couldn’t wait to get out. Now they can entertain family and friends and be all together.”

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