Better by Design

A major remodel delivers a dream kitchen and a striking focal point to this 1960 home.

THIS 1960 RAISED RANCH IN OMAHA, NEBRASKA, with its vintage details and design potential, was just the thing that the clients of Andrea and Brian Kelly of AToM were looking to remodel. A must- have for the home was an open kitchen. In the original layout, the kitchen was separated from the living and dining spaces. Working with an expert, Andrea and Brian came up with a solution that would deliver exactly what their clients wanted.

“The renovation included removing all interior walls between the kitchen, dining and living rooms, including the central load- bearing support for the roof,” the Kellys say. “Along with our structural engineer, we proposed a solution to modify the stick framing above the ceiling plane and carry the load with new columns and beams, which would be wrapped in mahogany and become part of the focal piece of the space, the breakfast bar.” The new mahogany columns, beams and accompanying slatwall structures contrast with the glossy white breakfast bar to provide a major “wow” look in the space.

“The high- gloss white surface floats on one end, suspended by the delicate mahogany slatwall screen,” the Kellys explain. “The columns and beams disguise the new structure that is now supporting the roof, and the wood slats create an enclosure around the bar that both allows and obscures views of the adjacent dining and living spaces, depending on your vantage point. On the opposite end, the slats mask visibility to the more private parts of the house accessed just past the original stone entry hall floor and fireplace room.”

THE HOME’S ORIGINAL KITCHEN WAS LARGE BUT CLOSED OFF FROM THE REST OF THE HOME. TO DELIVER THE OPEN SPACE THE HOMEOWNERS DESIRED, THE RENOVATION TEAM REMOVED THE INTERIOR WALLS SEPARATING THE KITCHEN, DINING AND LIVING ROOMS.

( TOP) WITH THE SPACE NOW OPENED UP, THE BREAKFAST BAR AND MAHOGANY DETAILS ARE THE HOME’S NEW FOCAL POINT. THE BREAKFAST BAR WAS DESIGNED TO BE A HUB FOR THE HOME, A PLACE FOR MEALS, HOMEWORK, GAMES AND OTHER FAMILY ACTIVITIES.

REMOVING WALLS FOR THE REMODEL MEANT NEW STORAGE SOLUTIONS NEEDED TO BE PART OF THE UPDATED DESIGN. THE CENTER ISLAND OFFERS SPACE FOR MEAL PREP, SHELVES FOR WINE AND BOOKS, AND EVEN A CUSTOM COMPOST BIN.