Open‑Plan Living That Blends Family, Work, and Entertaining
The first floor of our clients’ 1960s two‑story home was once a maze of narrow lanes. We transformed it into a single, sun‑splashed great room that flows effortlessly from cookie‑decorating marathons to family movie nights. By removing walls, centering the pro‑grade Café‑equipped kitchen around a spacious island, and installing luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout, we created an easy circulation path that keeps the cook connected to guests and homework helpers alike. A discreetly relocated powder bath now sits off the main traffic flow, while a sculptural stair rail and wide multi‑slide patio doors invite extra daylight and fresh breezes, making the entire level feel larger and more connected to the backyard.
Project Scope: Whole home remodel, kitchen & first‑floor remodel, and stair refresh.
Design & Materials
Flooring: MSI “Sandino” LVP — Waterproof wide planks unify every first-floor space, giving the home one seamless visual baseline.
Cabinetry: Mantra / Kemper Shaker in Low-Sheen Sage — Overlay doors, soft-close hardware, pull-out pantry, and hidden appliance garage.
Countertops: MSI “Calacatta Viraldi” Quartz — A marble-look quartz with stain- and heat-resistant durability.
Backsplash: Ceramic Herringbone Field Tile — Full-height pattern draws the eye and amplifies light.
Powder Bath Tile: Bedrosians Octagon & Hexagon Mosaics — Slip-resistant matte mosaics deliver a boutique hotel vibe.
Appliances: Café Suite + Under-Counter Wine Cooler — Pro-grade performance plus dual-zone chilling for beverages, keeps vintages and sparkling waters ready for guests.
Lighting: Matte-Black Dome Pendants, LED Strips, and Recessed Cans — Layered task and ambient illumination provides task light for chopping and an ambient glow for gatherings.
Stairs & Rail: Painted Steel Balusters with Oak Treads — Slim black rails meet warm wood, turning a traffic path into a design feature.
Gallery
Immerse yourself in the finished details – from the custom vent‑hood banded in brushed brass to the copper farmhouse sink and stone fireplace anchoring the refreshed family room.
Key Features
Island Hub – The quartz counter overhang provides casual seating and a cookie-decorating space.
Appliance Wall – Floor-to-ceiling storage flanks a built-in French door fridge for a sleek, furniture-style look.
Copper Sink & Brass Accents – Warm metals add richness against the cool sage cabinetry.
Wall‑to‑Wall Glass – A multi‑slide doors flood the living area with San Diego sunshine and erases the indoor‑outdoor divide.
Stone Fireplace – Re‑faced with ledgestone and reclaimed‑oak mantel for a cozy focal point on cool evenings.
Objective
Our goal was to blend family living with a thriving home‑based bakery without adding square footage. We reoriented the kitchen toward the backyard, carved out a walk‑in working pantry, and created clear sightlines so parents can supervise homework while batches bake.
See the Transformation – Before & After Video
Press play to flip through side-by-side photos of every high-impact space: the once-closed kitchen now re-imagined with sage cabinetry and a quartz island, the living room opened to the great room, a refreshed powder bath, and the new glass wall that fuses indoor comfort with outdoor living. One quick watch, and you’ll understand how dramatic a well-planned remodel can be.
The Challenge — Choppy Floor Plan & Hidden Structure
Several interior walls cut the kitchen, dining, and living areas into cramped zones. Opening the space meant first confirming which walls carried load and uncovering how plumbing and electrical lines were woven through the framing.
Working with our structural engineer, we discreetly added hidden supports where walls came out, keeping ceilings level and sightlines panoramic. Plumbing and electrical were rerouted into slim chases, and the powder bath was nudged just enough to allow a centered island and uninterrupted cabinet runs, achieving an airy great‑room feel without costly second‑story reinforcements.
Project Highlights
Open Great Room Flow: Eliminates bottlenecks, allowing cooking, homework, and entertaining to occur simultaneously without crowding.
Family-Proof Finishes: Quartz countertops, LVP flooring, and ceramic tile are designed to withstand spills, scratches, and everyday wear and tear.
Showpiece Hood & Mixed Metals: A custom vent hood and brass-black hardware lend an artisanal character that ties the entire level together.
Sun‑Welcoming Openings: Wider cased passages and multi‑slide doors pull daylight deep inside and connect to the yard.
Hidden Workhorse Zones: Walk‑in pantry‑mudroom tucks appliances, backpacks, and bake‑shop supplies neatly out of sight.
Turn Inspiration into Reality
✨ Ready for a home that works, feels, and looks exactly the way you’ve always pictured? In one relaxed in‑home visit, our award‑winning design team will explore your space, unpack your wish list, and sketch first‑round ideas—all at no cost. Your dream remodel starts with a conversation—let’s make it happen. Call 858-271-1005 to schedule your Free In-Home Consultation and start turning dreams into daily living.
