Marion, MA major home renovation designed by Brandy Souza

The Goal
Make the space work better for a family of 5 plus their dog, improve storage, and open the space into the next room for more natural light.

The Challenge
The space needed to be better designed, which included opening a wall into the next room, with two steps down from the kitchen. The eat-in kitchen had a large table, and the existing upper cabinets had no doors.

The Summary
The new large island provides plenty of working area for baking and other projects, increased storage, a second oven, plus seating for everyone. New blue/grey wood flooring was installed in the adjoining dining room and light grey flooring in the kitchen. A custom walnut beam was designed for the expanded opening to match the new corner shelving units near the stove. In addition, more storage and a mudroom with areas for each child was built adjacent to the kitchen.

Transformed kitchen in Marion, MA home designed by Brandy Souza

Transformed Living Spaces

Private Residence in Marion, MA

Omega Cabinetry, Renner Style, Blue Lagoon Finish, Schaub decorative hardware, Northport style

Cabinetry: Omega
Door Style: Renner
Upper perimeter cabinets: Elemental White
Island & base perimeter: Blue Lagoon
Countertops: Cambria Quartz, Portrush Finish
Decorative hardware: Schaub, Northport

Apron sink: Nantucket, Hyannis Style, 39” sink

Before & After

BEFORE the stove area had a stainless steel range hood, the microwave was under the counter next to the stove, the wall cabinets had no doors, and the corner was cut at angle making the corner counter area deep and dark.

AFTER the renovation the stove has a custom hood, there is a new backsplash that matches the new countertops, the microwave has been moved, the upper cabinets have doors, and there are new open shelves in the corner, creating a more comfortable open work area.

BEFORE there was a large dining table in the kitchen and a wall closing it off from the next room. The small hutch and sideboard provided a little bit of storage.

AFTER the renovation there is a versatile large island that provides space for casual dining and lots of cooking prep space. The new cabinetry provides much more storage than the furniture there previously plus another countertop area. Removing the wall and creating a new opening provides plenty of natural light coming in through the new dining room.

Warming Drawer

When homeowners experience their transformed kitchen space, it feels like it always should have been this way. A small example in our featured project is that the homeowner’s daily routine included microwaving her coffee mug and then placing coffee in it.

Brandy Souza recommended the warming drawer to keep her mugs in and a built-in coffee maker above it. Below is a bar fridge for their favorite creamers and milks. Small daily comforts that make the routine flow more smoothly. That’s an example of the attention to detail that a designer brings to a project

Large Island

Prep and clean-up side includes the new second oven and an enormous amount of storage space.

The large refrigerator is close enough to place things from there onto the island. Also convenient for putting away groceries.

The island countertop cuts around the large square decorative legs on the working side. Second decorative leg near the stove provides a buffer when people walk around the island while preparing meals.

Casual eating side has legroom under the island countertop, which also makes space to push seating in out of the way when not being used.

Mudroom in Marion, MA home designed by Brandy Souza

Mudroom with Cubbies & Storage

This space off the kitchen has been made more functional with the addition of thoughtfully designed cabinetry. Cubbies make it easy for family members to hang up their coats and more. The bench provides seating to change shoes or winter boots, with big storage drawers beneath. Lots of ceiling height cabinetry provide an enormous amount of storage space, but being white it keeps the space feeling open and welcoming.

Dry Bar for Entertaining

Cabinetry isn't just for the kitchen. This dry bar makes entertaining easy with a place to put out trays of food and a convenient beverage refrigerator under the countertop along with storage cabinets. Upper cabinets have a wine rack and closed storage for glassware.

< LAST PROJECT | NEXT PROJECT >

< BACK TO DESIGNER PROFILE