Expanding a Kitchen for Everyday Entertaining
Magnolia Kitchen
A central gathering space comfortable for daily use, yet sophisticated enough for evening get-togethers.
These homeowners found just the home they had been searching for — a fantastic location, gorgeous outdoor spaces, and plenty of room for their family. There was only one issue: the layout of the kitchen and family room wasn’t quite right.
They envisioned an elegant yet practical kitchen that could comfortably suit a variety of everyday purposes and special events. Instead, their kitchen felt awkwardly crammed into a corner of the greater family room and out of proportion with the rest of the home. And a dated fireplace took up primary real estate.
The homeowners wanted to focus on user experience with a design equally beautiful and functional. The goal was to transform the space into a grand kitchen that felt like the heart of the home, with seamless connections to the surrounding common spaces.
To make room, the little-used family room and fireplace were abandoned and reallocated as space for an expanded kitchen that functions as a central gathering spot for both indoor and outdoor entertainment.
Grand Island
A graciously-sized island anchors the kitchen and provides ample space for cooking, eating, gathering, even homework. Magnolia Kitchen | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Grand Island
A graciously-sized island anchors the kitchen and provides ample space for cooking, eating, gathering, even homework. Magnolia Kitchen | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Flowing Design
The kitchen flows naturally, leading guests from the island to the bar and into the hall towards the dining room. Magnolia Kitchen | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Flowing Design
The kitchen flows naturally, leading guests from the island to the bar and into the hall towards the dining room. Magnolia Kitchen | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
A pro-style hood adorns the range at the back of the kitchen where the fireplace once stood. A sophisticated black and white palette ties the space together, with gold accents throughout — from the custom grilles on the cabinets, to the light fixtures and faucets.
In the middle of the kitchen stands a grand island, perfect for the many competing uses it was designed to accommodate. There’s room for homework, meal prepping, and platters of snacks all at once. The black countertop sits on a bank of light wood cabinets, softening the high-contrast color palette with earthy tones and a natural material.
Where the former kitchen once stood, a spacious bar now takes centerstage. The connection and proximity to the new kitchen lets conversation flow uninterrupted across the space for a continuous, connected experience.
The bar’s all-black cabinets offer a moody contrast to the white cabinets and tiles of the kitchen, while maintaining the continuity of color throughout the space. Custom brass grates and a smoked, antiqued mirror give the bar an artistic flourish.
Color Contrast
The large bar contrasts with the white base of the kitchen, giving the room a mature, elegant finish. Magnolia Kitchen | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Color Contrast
The large bar contrasts with the white base of the kitchen, giving the room a mature, elegant finish. Magnolia Kitchen | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Behind the bar, a butler’s pantry provides extra storage space. Across the room, the original French doors open onto a large patio for excellent indoor-outdoor entertainment opportunities. The French doors are mirrored by gracious, operable, casement windows maximizing natural light and providing a lovely view to the yard.
Custom touches throughout the kitchen are tailored to the homeowners’ workflow and preferences. A built-in paper towel dispenser is disguised just below the sink, keeping it out of sight but easily accessible. Tucked away at the end of the counter, an appliance garage offers a hidden spot where bulkier items can be stashed.
What began as a crowded kitchen and underutilized family room is now a beautiful, spacious kitchen that meets the unique needs of this family. The new heart of the home is a timeless addition balancing practical functionality with sophisticated design aesthetics.
Everything In Its Place
Enclosed, grated, and open shelf storage offers a place for everything in this kitchen: easy access to things you want close at hand or on display, and places to tuck things away out of sight. Magnolia Kitchen | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Everything In Its Place
Enclosed, grated, and open shelf storage offers a place for everything in this kitchen: easy access to things you want close at hand or on display, and places to tuck things away out of sight. Magnolia Kitchen | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Outdoor Access
The outdoors blend into the interior via large French doors providing easy access to the patio for al fresco lunches and parties. Magnolia Kitchen | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Outdoor Access
The outdoors blend into the interior via large French doors providing easy access to the patio for al fresco lunches and parties. Magnolia Kitchen | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Custom Rangehood
A pro-style hood above the range elevates the overall design by serving as a polished — yet functional — centerpiece for the room. Magnolia Kitchen | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Custom Rangehood
A pro-style hood above the range elevates the overall design by serving as a polished — yet functional — centerpiece for the room. Magnolia Kitchen | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Light Galore
Large casement windows allow plenty of natural light to enter the kitchen, which helps illuminate and balance the darker accents. Magnolia Kitchen | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Light Galore
Large casement windows allow plenty of natural light to enter the kitchen, which helps illuminate and balance the darker accents. Magnolia Kitchen | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Notes & Credits
This project was built by Bakstad Construction.
Photography by Andrew Giammarco.
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