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.”

Find kitchen remodelers near you

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

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

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.”

More on Houzz
Read more kitchen stories
Browse kitchen photos
Hire a kitchen remodeler