OUR WORK
Mid-Century Modern Kitchen Remodel in Ann Arbor Hills, Ann Arbor
A heavy, cramped kitchen became an open, playful space made for two cooks.
THE STORY
What the homeowners wanted, and what we found.
WHAT THEY WANTED
These homeowners are two social cooks who love to entertain. They wanted a kitchen that worked for both of them, felt open to the rest of the home and honored its mid-century character. Heavy cabinets and a tight layout cramped them, and the eat-in space felt wasted.
WHAT WE FOUND
A past remodel didn't match the home's mid-century style or the homeowners' artistic taste. Traffic jammed up when they entertained. A pantry closet, fridge niche and old dumbwaiter crowded the south wall, and the working triangle didn't make sense.
HOW WE DESIGNED IT
We cleared the clunky storage off the south wall and organized the whole kitchen around a central island.
THE INSPIRATION
Two social cooks with a love of color. The design honors the home's mid-century roots with dark wood slab cabinets, then lets chartreuse tile have some fun.
THE PLAN
We removed the pantry closet, fridge niche and dumbwaiter along the south wall. The fridge moved to a better spot, which made room for a serving area. A central island now folds in the old eat-in space and fixes a tight corner. A larger opening to the dining room links the kitchen to the living spaces.
THE OUTCOME
How it turned out
Both cooks have room to work, and guests flow easily around the island. The kitchen feels much larger and stays connected to the dining and living spaces. Looking across the island, the homeowners see the green backyard through a wide door wall.
FINAL PHOTOS
The finished space.
AT A GLANCE
More Function and a Fresh Look for a Mid-Century Kitchen in Ann Arbor Hills
A kitchen remodel.
Ann Arbor Hills, Ann Arbor.
Central island, dark wood slab cabinets, chartreuse backsplash, wider opening to the dining room, views to the backyard.
THE FLOOR PLANS
What changed, and why.
We cleared the clunky storage off the south wall and organized the whole kitchen around a central island.
BEFORE
AFTER
WHAT MAKES IT WORK
Three details that carry the design.
FEATURE 01
Taking out the pantry and fridge build-out freed up a lot of space, and the fridge moved to a better spot. The island and a larger opening to the dining room keep the cooks connected to the party.
FEATURE 02
Dark wood slab cabinets echo wood found elsewhere in the house, for a minimal, modern look. Chartreuse backsplash tile adds the color and fun the homeowners wanted.
FEATURE 03
Existing skylights bring in great light, but a massive old hood used to block the backyard view. Now the kitchen runs parallel to the windows, so your eye travels across the island to the wide door wall and greenery beyond.
THE PROJECT
More Function and a Fresh Look for a Mid-Century Kitchen in Ann Arbor Hills
AT A GLANCE
A kitchen remodel.
Ann Arbor Hills, Ann Arbor.
Central island, dark wood slab cabinets, chartreuse backsplash, wider opening to the dining room, views to the backyard.
THE STORY
These homeowners are two social cooks who love to entertain. They wanted a kitchen that worked for both of them, felt open to the rest of the home and honored its mid-century character. Heavy cabinets and a tight layout cramped them, and the eat-in space felt wasted.
HOW WE DESIGNED IT
We removed the pantry closet, fridge niche and dumbwaiter along the south wall. The fridge moved to a better spot, which made room for a serving area. A central island now folds in the old eat-in space and fixes a tight corner. A larger opening to the dining room links the kitchen to the living spaces.
