My client had been looking for a long time to find the perfect home: a warm and welcoming home with just the right size yard. This home she found is gorgeous and just the right size for her and her family, with a playful split level lay-out.
This client bought this house with having me as a designer in mind. How sweet is that?
She had been following my work for years and couldn’t wait for this partnership where I would home to her new home and crack the code of this uninspiring space.
The home is well-maintained and well kept, yet very outdated for this century.
Some parts of the house have lots of space, but just no room. The kitchen is outdated and just too small. The living room feel very isolated from the rest of the house. The fireplace needs a face lift.
There is this huge open peek-through right in the middle of the kitchen that looks straight into the bedroom, that needs to be changed immediately. Also, there is a powder room missing in the floor plan. The downstairs area will get a make-over as well: with an en-suite bathroom, powder room, laundry room and home gym.
When I see pictures of a home like this – I only see potential. My brain starts racing and I get all these great ideas.
~Kitchen~
~Living room~
DEEP DIVE
Sitting down with the homeowners, talking about ideas, looking at kitchens.
AS-BUILT PLAN
The As-Built is what the home currently looks like and the start of any design.
DESIGN ROUND#1
This Design Journey takes us through several different lay-out, and several different kitchens.
Everything can be mixed and matched, this design round is to explore all options from the most common to out-of-the-box to extreme ideas.
Floor plan 1B
Open-concept plan: large kitchen with island. Make post a focal point, make double deep.
Floor plan 2C
Open-concept plan: large kitchen with island and lots of storage and prep space. Embrace the post with an entire countertop slab. 
Floor plan 2D
Open-concept plan: large kitchen with island and dedicated cooking wall. Embrace the post with an entire countertop slab.
Floor plan 3E
Embrace the post and extend with a wall for a cozy kitchen. Lots of black accents. Still open-concept plan with large kitchen and island.
Floor plan 4F (out-of-the-box, more construction)
Flipping the sliding doors with the window. Creating a cozy functional kitchen with sliding doors in the middle of the space. 
Floor plan 5G
No obstruction from post for a true open-concept floor plan.
Here is the link to my YouTube channel for the video explanation.
And this is what happens when you do evening presentation, the client spoils you with delicious food and drinks.
WALK-THROUGH VISIT WITH CONTRACTOR
We have possession of the house and can do another walk-through with the contractor.
As we are removing an entire wall, we need to figure pit if we are good with just a large beam or that we need an additional post.
SHOPPING TIME: KITCHEN SHOWROOM AND COUNTERTOP SLABS
DESIGN ROUND#2
We are pretty sure of the main design, now we are awaiting if we can use a large beam or that we need an additional post.
DR#2- Floor plan 2C
Open-concept plan: large kitchen with island and lots of storage and prep space. Embrace the post with an entire countertop slab.
Stove is on the far right, in close proximity to the dining room.
DR2# Floor plan 5G
No obstruction from post for a true open-concept floor plan.
The stove is now to the far left, closer to the fridge.
FINAL DESIGN ROUND
We have good news, no post needed! We can now create the open-concept!
CONSTRUCTION BEGINS, SEVERAL VISITS ARE MADE
VISIT-1 First day of demo
VISIT-2 More demo this week
The designer drops by again.
Holding up the mood board with pictures what it will look like.
VISIT-4 Things are beginning to come together: drywall, kitchen cabinetry in.
A couple of more weeks and the homeowners can move in.
When everything is finished, we will come to do the professional photoshoot.