OUR WORK
Kitchen, Mudroom and First-Floor Remodel in Ann Arbor
A dark first floor with a pinch point at the door became bright, open rooms that are easy to live in.
THE STORY
What the homeowners wanted, and what we found.
WHAT THEY WANTED
This Ann Arbor family loved their home but had outgrown how the first floor worked. They wanted a full refresh of their main living areas. Coming in from the garage meant squeezing through a pinch point into the kitchen, and guests had to cross the kitchen to reach the office and powder room. Dark, dated finishes made every room feel heavy.
WHAT WE FOUND
The entry from the garage into the kitchen was a tight pinch point, with no true mudroom or organized storage. Guests going to the office and powder room had to walk through the kitchen, which left little privacy in the mornings. The colors and materials across the first floor felt dark and dated.
HOW WE DESIGNED IT
We removed the kitchen soffits and widened the window over the sink, filling the main level with light.
THE INSPIRATION
Light, and lots of it. The family wanted their whole first floor to feel fresh, bright and less heavy. Cabinets to the ceiling and a faux-concrete fireplace surround give it a clean, modern tone.
THE PLAN
We removed the soffits and ran cabinets to the ceiling, so the kitchen feels taller. A wider window over the sink and new can lights bring in more light. A true pantry and a dedicated entertainment counter give the kitchen more to offer. The garage entry now leads to a large mudroom with organized storage.
THE OUTCOME
How it turned out
The family comes in through a roomy mudroom with a place for everything. The kitchen feels taller and brighter, with views to the backyard. When friends come over, the entertainment counter is ready to go.
FINAL PHOTOS
The finished space.
AT A GLANCE
Reconfiguring a Kitchen and Mudroom in Ann Arbor
A first-floor kitchen, mudroom and interior remodel.
Ann Arbor.
Soffits removed, wider window over the sink, true pantry, entertainment counter, large organized mudroom.
THE FLOOR PLANS
What changed, and why.
We removed the kitchen soffits and widened the window over the sink, filling the main level with light.
BEFORE
AFTER
WHAT MAKES IT WORK
Three details that carry the design.
FEATURE 01
We removed the soffits, added can lights and put in a much wider window over the sink. With cabinets running to the ceiling, the kitchen feels taller and brighter.
FEATURE 02
A faux-concrete panel now wraps the existing fireplace for a cleaner, more modern look. It gives the living space a calm, minimal focal point.
FEATURE 03
A long, low window above the backsplash opens the view to the backyard where the family entertains. Finding the right height took care, so the view works and the cabinets above still do their job.
THE PROJECT
Reconfiguring a Kitchen and Mudroom in Ann Arbor
AT A GLANCE
A first-floor kitchen, mudroom and interior remodel.
Ann Arbor.
Soffits removed, wider window over the sink, true pantry, entertainment counter, large organized mudroom.
THE STORY
This Ann Arbor family loved their home but had outgrown how the first floor worked. They wanted a full refresh of their main living areas. Coming in from the garage meant squeezing through a pinch point into the kitchen, and guests had to cross the kitchen to reach the office and powder room. Dark, dated finishes made every room feel heavy.
HOW WE DESIGNED IT
We removed the soffits and ran cabinets to the ceiling, so the kitchen feels taller. A wider window over the sink and new can lights bring in more light. A true pantry and a dedicated entertainment counter give the kitchen more to offer. The garage entry now leads to a large mudroom with organized storage.
