The original goal for this bungalow-style home in Evanston, IL was to create a larger kitchen that could accommodate an island. But when Normandy Designer Abby Osborn learned that the adjoining screened porch also needed structural attention, she partnered with Normandy Designer Vince Weber, and together they revamped the first floor layout to achieve all the family’s goals and more.

“The original kitchen was small and isolated from the rest of the living areas. So, our first step was to shift a load-bearing wall, which increased the square footage in an underused office, and we moved the kitchen there,” Vince says. “The former office connected to a back room, so we opened up the wall between the back room and new kitchen to create a nice flow between the new kitchen and new family room, making both spaces feel larger and more cohesive.”

The new family room was widened to line up with the dimensions of the new kitchen, thanks to a small addition. The former kitchen location became the new mudroom, and the adjoining screened porch that was falling down was replaced with the new expanded deck.

Traffic flow between rooms also improved due to the layout shift, and a new hallway runs between the mudroom, dining room and kitchen. “You used to only be able to get to the kitchen through the dining room, which is typical of these old bungalows,” says Abby.

With the new layout determined, it was time to move on to the fun stuff: choosing what functional details to add (like a coffee bar and separate beverage center), along with materials and finishes. In the kitchen and family room, they chose neutral, timeless finishes that combined white and walnut cabinetry with gold accents.

“Since she loves baking, the delicate marble countertop was a must-have splurge, ideal for working with chilled pastry dough. But we kept it to the island, out of the heavier work zones, and went with a more durable quartz product for the perimeter counters,” Abby says. “The family room beverage center was originally planned to be closed cabinetry floor to ceiling, but we didn’t want it to be too heavy. We instead opted for floating shelves and then added those in the kitchen coffee bar area as well. Simple details elevate the design.”

The family room features a tray ceiling, along with a row of new windows to flood this part of the home with natural light. “The arched opening between the new kitchen and family room pays tribute to the bungalow style, making the changes feel consistent with the character of the home,” Vince notes.

For the mudroom, printed floor tiles and blue-green cabinetry add a wow factor. “While she wanted more classic colors in the kitchen and family room, she really likes color, so we put it in places that wouldn’t be overwhelming,” Abby says. The mudroom cabinets act as an overflow pantry, and the gold hardware complements the gold finishes in the kitchen.

The first-floor bathroom located near the new kitchen got a refresh, too. “We converted the tub to a shower with a top-rail sliding door, shifted the window over, and refreshed all the fixtures and finishes,” Abby says. “Your design options can be somewhat limited in a small bathroom, so having a nice pop of color and shape with the hexagonal floor tile invites some fun personality into the space.”

While sweeping changes weren’t initially in mind, the home’s need for structural attention provided the opportunity to rethink the way they used the back part of the house, instead of just focusing on updating the kitchen. “This is a case when all the elements that needed attention fit together nicely to create a cohesive new layout,” Vince says. “She not only gets to enjoy a new, larger kitchen but a connection to an upgraded family room, and the new mudroom is a welcome update that will serve them well for many years ahead.”

Do you have ideas you’ve been toying with to improve the layout of your home? Schedule an appointment to learn more about the process and speak with one of our designers. To get regular design ideas and tips, subscribe to our newsletter, or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn or Pinterest.