The owners wanted to expand the kitchen and build a room where their three sons could watch television and entertain friends. The owners also wanted a new mudroom and laundry room. Because one of the homeowners enjoys cooking, the new kitchen had to be well equipped with plenty of countertops and storage.

The new kitchen features a center island surrounded by a “U” shaped working area. The aisle between island and counter is larger than normal to allow all of the family access to the cooking area. A new breakfast area is set in a bay window across from the kitchen. The custom cabinetry is ash with beaded inset doors. The appliances are all professional grade with stainless steel finishes.

The new kitchen space receives abundant natural light from a large east facing bay window, large skylight above the island, and west facing windows above the sink. A new mudroom off the garage is placed where the original kitchen was and the door between the garage and dining room has been closed in.

The new family room is directly behind the new kitchen and extends into the yard. The mansard roof of the family room recalls the mansard of the main house and allows this room to have 12’ ceilings and tall windows. At the east side of the room are doors that lead to a stone patio that is also accessible from the living room. A large bay window on the north wall and tall windows on the west wall ensure that this room is bathed in natural light throughout the day. Finishes in the family room include hardwood flooring, crown molding, and a cast stone fireplace mantel.

Because the family wanted large and generous spaces for their three boys to roam around in, the new kitchen and family room are generously proportioned without being overbearing. The scale and character of the new rooms are in keeping with and floe naturally from the scale and character of the existing spaces.