OUR WORK
Mid-Century Modern Kitchen Remodel in Loch Alpine, Ann Arbor
A kitchen walled off from its hilltop view became an open, playful space made for sharing it.
THE STORY
What the homeowners wanted, and what we found.
WHAT THEY WANTED
These homeowners live on a hilltop with water views, and they love to cook and bake. They wanted an open, inviting kitchen and that view brought all the way into the living room. A big wall blocked it, and a rarely used spiral staircase took up space they wanted for a dining table.
WHAT WE FOUND
A large wall divided the kitchen from the living room. A spiral staircase in the kitchen led to the basement, but it was rarely used. An oddly placed dining room off the kitchen sat too close to the bedrooms to work well.
HOW WE DESIGNED IT
We removed the dividing wall and the spiral staircase, opening the kitchen to the view.
THE INSPIRATION
It was all about the view. The homeowners loved looking out at the water and wanted a kitchen open enough to share it. Sleek mid-century white and gray set the base, and custom teal cabinets add a playful pop.
THE PLAN
We removed the wall to the living room and the spiral staircase. That opened the view and made room for an eat-in table. Shallow cabinets along the outside wall add storage while keeping the views open. A new doorway gives the bedrooms privacy, and the old dining room became an entertaining space with a wet bar.
THE OUTCOME
How it turned out
The homeowners cook at a center island and bake at their own island, with the water in view. Friends gather at the wet bar in the old dining room. The view now reaches all the way into the living room.
FINAL PHOTOS
The finished space.
AT A GLANCE
Opening Up and Transforming a Loch Alpine Kitchen
A kitchen remodel.
Loch Alpine, Ann Arbor.
Wall and spiral stair removed, original wood ceiling kept, custom teal cabinets, separate baker's island, wet bar with two wine fridges.
THE FLOOR PLANS
What changed, and why.
We removed the dividing wall and the spiral staircase, opening the kitchen to the view.
BEFORE
AFTER
WHAT MAKES IT WORK
Three details that carry the design.
FEATURE 01
Early in design, the homeowners and our designer built a Pinterest board of ideas. It showed they loved sleek mid-century lines in white and gray, plus a bright color that matched their playful side.
FEATURE 02
Custom teal cabinets match the baker's island exactly. The color ties the room together and adds a fun pop that feels like the homeowners.
FEATURE 03
The cooktop sits in the center island so it can be used from both sides, with oils and spices close at hand. Baking has its own separate space, so cooking and baking never get in each other's way.
THE PROJECT
Opening Up and Transforming a Loch Alpine Kitchen
AT A GLANCE
A kitchen remodel.
Loch Alpine, Ann Arbor.
Wall and spiral stair removed, original wood ceiling kept, custom teal cabinets, separate baker's island, wet bar with two wine fridges.
THE STORY
These homeowners live on a hilltop with water views, and they love to cook and bake. They wanted an open, inviting kitchen and that view brought all the way into the living room. A big wall blocked it, and a rarely used spiral staircase took up space they wanted for a dining table.
HOW WE DESIGNED IT
We removed the wall to the living room and the spiral staircase. That opened the view and made room for an eat-in table. Shallow cabinets along the outside wall add storage while keeping the views open. A new doorway gives the bedrooms privacy, and the old dining room became an entertaining space with a wet bar.
