Rancho Bernardo Addition & Kitchen Remodel

A Mid-Century Home Reimagined with More Space, Light, and Function

This Rancho Bernardo addition and kitchen remodel transformed a 1970 Mid-Century Modern home into a brighter, more open, and more functional living space. The home had generous living, dining, and den areas, but the original galley kitchen was small and separated from the main living areas.

The homeowner wanted to reallocate the layout, open the space, and create a more inviting design that honored the home’s Mid-Century character. By incorporating outdoor patio space into the interior footprint and reworking the kitchen, dining, and living areas, the remodel added approximately 338 square feet of interior living space.

Project Overview

Location: Rancho Bernardo, CA
Project Scope: Addition and Kitchen Remodel
Designer: Anastasia
Key Updates: Kitchen relocation, added interior square footage, removal of two load-bearing walls, widened openings, raised headers, flush beams in the attic, white oak engineered hardwood flooring, remodeled hall bath, updated entry, new kitchen cabinetry, countertops, backsplash, lighting, appliances, and fixtures.

“Our client wanted to reallocate space in her Mid-Century Modern home, which had a relatively large living room, dining room, and den, but a very tiny galley kitchen. She wanted to open up the space to create a more livable, inviting space that honored the Mid-Century style of her home.”
– Anastasia

Dining and living area with wide windows in a Rancho Bernardo addition remodel

Open dining and living area after a Rancho Bernardo addition and kitchen remodel

Bright sitting area with large windows and white oak flooring

Sitting area connected to a remodeled open kitchen

Dining area with large windows and white oak floors in a Rancho Bernardo remodel

Gold chandelier lighting in the open dining area

Open kitchen with dark alder island, oatmeal cabinets, and white countertops

Knotty alder kitchen island with oatmeal perimeter cabinets and white backsplash

Stained knotty alder kitchen island with white countertop and warm wood flooring

Stained knotty alder island with brushed hardware and white countertop

Close-up of stained knotty alder island drawers with brushed metal pulls

Open-concept kitchen with island seating and white oak hardwood floors

Kitchen island with Calacatta-style countertop, pendant lights, and custom cabinetry

Glass Genie pendant light over the kitchen island

Large kitchen island with pendant lights and oatmeal cabinets

Kitchen induction cooktop, stainless range hood, and glossy white backsplash

Bosch induction cooktop set into Calacatta-style kitchen countertop

Close-up of brushed hardware on white upper kitchen cabinets

Glossy white Celine porcelain backsplash tile behind the induction cooktop

KitchenAid oven and microwave combination in remodeled kitchen

Remodeled kitchen with large island, induction cooktop, and tall pantry cabinets

Large kitchen island with pendant lighting and wide window views

Kitchen island and sink wall with large windows in open-concept remodel

Open kitchen and living area with white oak flooring and widened opening

Kitchen sink and induction cooktop with glossy porcelain backsplash

Kitchen sink and Delta pull-down faucet with bright countertop and backsplash

Glossy porcelain backsplash and kitchen faucet detail in remodeled kitchen

Calacatta-style countertop and glossy porcelain backsplash detail

Oatmeal shaker kitchen cabinets with brushed metal hardware

Hall bathroom remodel with brown gloss shower tile and white niche

Wall-mounted bath faucet with illuminated mirror and white Silestone countertop

Bathtub and shower with glossy brown porcelain tile and white niche

Close-up of bath shower with Delta fixtures and white tile niche

Closed dark wood double entry doors with sidelights and white oak flooring

Interior view of dark wood front entry doors in Rancho Bernardo remodel

Before and After Addition and Kitchen Remodel

See how this Rancho Bernardo home was transformed from a closed-off layout with a tiny galley kitchen into a spacious, open living area with a larger kitchen, added interior square footage, and a stronger connection between the kitchen, dining, and sitting spaces.

Opening the Layout While Preserving the Home’s Character

The main challenge was not simply making the kitchen larger. The design needed to reallocate space in a way that made the home feel more natural, more livable, and more connected while still respecting its Mid-Century Modern roots.

To create the open layout, the team removed two load-bearing walls, raised headers, and widened existing doorways. Several flush beams were added in the attic to properly support the existing roof load. This structural work made it possible to create a cleaner, more open interior without taking away from the finished design.

From a Tiny Galley Kitchen to a Spacious Gathering Space

The remodeled kitchen now feels like the heart of the home. The larger footprint allowed for a generous island, improved storage, better appliance placement, and a smoother connection to the dining and living areas.

The stained knotty alder island brings warmth and depth to the room, while the oatmeal-painted perimeter cabinets keep the kitchen feeling calm and balanced. MSI Calacatta Cinela countertops add a bright, refined surface, and the Celine porcelain backsplash brings subtle texture without competing with the rest of the design.

Two Genie pendant lights over the island help define the kitchen visually, while the Bosch induction cooktop, Bosch refrigerator, KitchenAid oven and microwave combination, and GE cabinet range hood give the space the function needed for daily cooking and entertaining.

Large windows bring in natural light and views, while Rivoli white oak engineered hardwood flooring adds warmth throughout the main common areas. The finished layout gives the homeowner a kitchen, dining area, and sitting space that now work together as one connected living area.

Hall Bathroom Remodel

The project also included a hall bathroom remodel with warm, earthy finishes and a clean, updated layout. The shower and tub area features Memory San Brown Gloss porcelain tile, paired with a white Memory tile niche for contrast and storage.

A Zeus Silestone countertop, wall-mounted Delta bath faucet, illuminated mirror, and Delta bath fixtures help the bathroom feel polished and functional. Gazzini Amalfi Flux porcelain floor tile and baseboard complete the space with a light, durable finish.

Structural Work Behind the Finished Design

One of the most important parts of this remodel is what cannot be seen in the final photos. Removing two load-bearing walls required careful structural planning and execution. Raising headers and widening existing doorways helped create the open feeling the homeowner wanted.

To support the existing roof load, several flush beams were added in the attic. This behind-the-scenes structural work made it possible to reallocate the space, open the layout, and create a finished design that feels more spacious, natural, and intentional.

Final Result

What started as a Mid-Century Modern home with a tiny galley kitchen is now a warm, open, and more livable home with added interior space and a much stronger connection between the kitchen, dining, and living areas.

The finished remodel blends function and beauty through a spacious kitchen, warm white oak flooring, a stained knotty alder island, soft oatmeal cabinetry, refined countertops, and carefully selected lighting and fixtures. The overall result feels elegant, calm, and welcoming while still honoring the character of the original home.

Thinking about remodeling your kitchen or adding more livable space to your home? Kaminskiy Design and Remodeling helps San Diego homeowners create thoughtful spaces designed around real life.