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Adding-on Before Moving-in

Sometimes, finding the right home involves a bit of change before making it your own. That was the case for this suburban family, who loved the neighborhood and charm of their new potential home, but decided it needed a bit of TLC (and by TLC we mean space), before moving in.

Right off the bat, the master bedroom seemed out of proportion in comparison to the rest of the home. “Although the bedroom had loads of space, it lacked closet storage and needed a major
layout to revamp,” says Normandy Designer Leslie Lee. “Not to mention, there were four family lowered two tiered kitchen island members and only three bedrooms and two bathrooms; whereas on the main level, the kitchen had an extremely compartmentalized set-up, with a peninsula directly adjacent to its eating area.”

As we know, when the remodeling begins, challenges do too. “Since the master bedroom was so massive, we decided to re-purpose some of that space into the fourth and final bedroom; we just needed to make sure that this new space was on par with the other three bedrooms and their square footage,” notes Leslie. “When moving onto the kitchen area, which was extremely small and situated between the garage and powder room, the question was how to improve this layout and its flow to the rest of the home?”

before pic of kitchen

The final results included a spacious addition with an enlarged kitchen, a new mudroom, and an enlarged family room (complete with a bar, of course) on the first floor. On the second floor, we expanded the master suite, created a fourth bedroom, and added a third bathroom. “We decided to re-purpose the existing breakfast/powder room area into the now extended kitchen, which was more open, spacious, and featured a lowered island eating area,” Leslie exclaims. “Upstairs, each family member has their own bedroom as well as a much appreciated additional bathroom. Style-wise, this family was a lover of all things simple-and-clean, so we made sure to integrate a transitional aesthetic that they seemed to love.”

Main bedroom

Home officenewly remodeled family room

If you’re searching for a house-wide remodel but unsure of where to begin, set up a time with Leslie to discuss your home’s possibilities. In the meantime, register for one of our upcoming virtual webinars where we’ll discuss everything from kitchen remodels to home additions. Make sure to follow Normandy Remodeling on Facebook and Instagram for even more home remodeling tips, tricks, and inspiration.

wine and beverage center

Large Kitchen Design Tips

open kitchen layout with an adjoining sitting areaLarge kitchens have a LOT of square footage to work with (225 square feet or more to be precise), which seems like it would be a major plus when looking at your long list of must-haves. Sometimes though, getting a plan together for all that space can feel a bit overwhelming. The good news is that although there’s a variety of components to consider, we laid out a few major pieces to help get you started on your way to making the most of that generous amount of space.

Long, white kitchen takes advantage of the space with two islands, each with their own purpose

Appliances play a big role in every kitchen layout, and large kitchens are no different. “A large kitchen is usually part of a large home, which means the size and number of your appliances should not only match your home aesthetically but should meet your family’s needs as well,” says Normandy Designer Leslie Lee. “I would recommend a minimum of a 42-48” refrigerator and a 36” range/cooktop to start off with, but you may scale all the way up to a 60” range or 60” fridge. Depending on how your family uses the kitchen, you may instead prefer supplemental units  like a speed oven or bar fridge instead of just increasing the size of a few key appliances.”

Big kitchens everywhere all seem to have a kitchen island, but before marking out a designated spot, it’s important to make sure there’s enough space on all sides for traffic flow. “The width of your kitchen dictates whether you can have an island or a peninsula, as well as what size would work best,” Leslie adds. “There are even some kitchens large enough for two islands. I recommend a minimum of four feet between both islands to ensure a comfortable traffic pattern as well as Large white kitchen with two islandsan optimal seating arrangement.”

Large kitchens have another benefit besides the obvious, they give you more freedom to indulge your creative side. “Mixing metals, finishes, and colors just a few of the options you can play with to add contrast and dimension to what can otherwise become a rather stagnant space,” Leslie adds. “Carving out a hearth room or a smaller family room adjacent to your kitchen is another great way to separate a space and let guests still socialize with you while you’re working in the kitchen.”

White and gray kitchen with two islands, one for prep and another for diningIf you’re long overdue for a kitchen overhaul, set up an appointment with Leslie to discuss the possibilities. While you’re at it, make sure to register for one of our upcoming virtual seminars where you can learn about home additions, kitchens, and even primary bathrooms. For even more home inspiration and ideas, follow Normandy Remodeling on Facebook and Instagram.

 

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