Remodeling Project Overview:
Project Date: January, 2024
Service Provided: Full Kitchen Design and Remodel
Location: Birchwood Neighborhood, Okemos, Michigan
Kathleen and Jim’s home in the Birchwood Neighborhood of Okemos is tucked into a well-established area near local parks, schools, and the broader Greater Lansing corridor. Over time, the main level had simply stopped supporting how they used the home day to day.
Instead of feeling like a connected gathering space, the kitchen and dining areas felt segmented and limited in function, especially when hosting or spending time together as a family. The layout no longer reflected the ease and openness they wanted in a central living space.
The Challenge: Improving Flow, Light, and Function in an Outdated Layout
The original layout created several barriers to how the homeowners wanted to use their space. Limited natural light, closed-off cabinetry, and inefficient circulation between rooms made the main level feel smaller than it actually was.
Beyond aesthetics, the kitchen simply didn’t support modern living patterns. Storage, prep space, and social interaction were all constrained by the original design.
Key project goals included:
- Improved Natural Light: Open the space to bring in more daylight throughout the main level.
- Better Kitchen-to-Dining Flow: Create a seamless transition between cooking and gathering areas.
- Expanded Functional Space: Increase usable countertop and prep areas for daily cooking.
- Coastal Design Direction: Introduce a warm, southern-inspired aesthetic with timeless materials.
The objective was not just a kitchen update; it was a full lifestyle shift in how the main floor functioned.
The Solution: A Coastal-Inspired Kitchen Designed for Light, Space, and Everyday Living
The design focused on opening the home visually and physically while introducing coastal character through material and architectural choices.
Key design features included:
- Shiplap Ceiling Installation: Painted in a soft coastal “haint blue” to add texture and Charleston-inspired character.
- Expanded Window Openings: Removal of upper cabinetry to increase natural light throughout the kitchen.
- Large Central Island: Created a functional hub for cooking, prep, and casual gathering.
- Open Main-Level Flow: Improved connection between kitchen, dining, and adjacent living areas.
- Built-In Living Room Storage: Added functionality while maintaining a bright, cohesive design.
During construction, the team carefully executed structural adjustments and coordinated multiple trades to ensure the new layout aligned with both design intent and code requirements.
A major challenge arose when a separate contractor failed to complete a plumbing pressure test on an upstairs bathroom, resulting in water damage that impacted the newly completed kitchen and main level. Our team stepped in to assist this contractor in remediating the affected areas, restoring the damaged finishes, and completing the necessary rebuilding work to bring the home back to its intended condition.
Despite these challenges, the final space delivered exactly what the homeowners envisioned: a bright, coastal-inspired main level that feels open, functional, and deeply livable.
