The Vision
Our clients approached us at Riemco Design+Build with a vision to transform their 1940s home into a more open, functional, and inviting space. They dreamed of a kitchen where they could cook together and entertain guests with ease – an environment that encourages connection and creativity. Equally important was designing a main-floor layout that would allow them to comfortably age in place, ensuring long-term livability without sacrificing style or flow. Our challenge was to honor the charm of the original home while reimagining it for modern living.
The Kitchen: Strategic Redesign
The kitchen was strategically relocated to become the central hub of the home, and designed using a dual-zone concept that minimizes the visual impact of modern appliances while maximizing functionality.
One zone contains a beverage station and prep area, where the refrigerator and microwave are positioned for accessibility yet concealed from immediate view. The second zone serves as the primary cooking and entertainment area, with the range hood integrated into the cabinetry.
This arrangement allows our clients to comfortably work in the kitchen together on a daily basis. When entertaining, the prep area can function as a cocktail bar and hors d’oeuvres station, keeping the main cooking area free for meal preparation.
The original kitchen space was converted into a functional mudroom with a compact pantry, creating a practical entry point to the home.
Without converting the house to a true open floor plan, the connections to the adjacent spaces were improved to enhance flow while preserving the separate rooms. Instead of removing walls completely, traditional doorways were widened slightly to enhance sight lines from the front entry through to the beautiful gardens in the back yard, connecting indoor and outdoor spaces more effectively.
Reconfigure the Upstairs Bathroom
The second-floor bathroom presented a particular spatial puzzle. Built under the eaves, much of its floor area had limited headroom because of the sloping ceiling.
The solution was counterintuitive, but by reducing the bathroom’s width by two feet and repositioning the wall where ceiling height was adequate it created a space where all vertical surfaces could be fully utilized, allowing for proper placement of a vanity and mirror. The redesign transformed an awkward space into a beautiful and functional bathroom complete with a walk-in shower, vanity, and integrated linen storage.
A Home Designed for Living
Throughout the renovation, functionality drove design decisions. We reconfigured the first-floor bathroom to tackle their aging-in-place considerations, ensuring the home will continue to serve our clients for decades to come. Refinished hardwood floors throughout the home to provide visual consistency, creating a cohesive backdrop for both vintage elements and contemporary additions. Large windows bring in natural light and provide views of the gardens while creating sight lines across multiple rooms.
The result is a home that respects its historical context while embracing the present—a delicate balancing act that creates spaces for both daily living and entertaining, honoring the past and embracing the present.
