Serenity Gathering Space Remodel
in Nowthen, MN
Peaceful Abode
- WHAT
Gathering Space Remodel
- WHERE
Nowthen, MN
Who’s says two level splits need to be boring? We took this basic 1970’s home and turned it into a luxurious, one of a kind gathering space. When we first arrived, we stepped into a small foyer which doubled as the mid point landing between the upper and lower levels.
You know, your typical split level entry. The stairwell was confined. Fully opening the door required a series of fancy maneuvers any acrobat would be proud of.
As we walked up the stairs we stepped into the living room. To the right were the sleeping quarters and straight ahead was a sheetrock wall hiding the small kitchen and dining room. The homeowners loved to cook and needed a bigger kitchen. They also loved the view out back and wanted to improve the sight-lines. With the living room, dining room, kitchen, and awkward stairwell filling up all of the gathering space, there really wasn’t much real estate for a kitchen expansion. We tossed around the idea of bumping out into the backyard but at the end of the day, they didn’t feel comfortable with the cost of working outside the current footprint. After mulling it over for a while, we asked how they felt about eliminating the dining room completely and filling the entire space with kitchen? They responded by telling us that a recent dining room table purchase was the catalyst of the remodel concept but they were open to new ideas. A week later, we presented our original concept drawings and which were met with enthusiastic approval. By eliminating the dining table, we were able to grow the kitchen to allow for a more comfortable cooking and dining experience. A massive kitchen island played the role of both a prep area as well as an eating area. The original dining room table they ended up returning could comfortably seat 6 people. Their new 9′ x 4′ island seats 10 with room to spare. As for the view and sightlines, we braced the roof, vaulted the ceiling, and filled the entire back wall with countertop to ceiling windows. The end result is more than we could’ve expected and it gives me a new love for split level potential.
