THE PROBLEM Our client adores their traditional layout and their traditional design style. But there were a few things that could be improved including flow and functionality in the kitchen - not to mention the cabinets, counters and appliances that had seen better days. The family room was used heavily for movie viewing, but it did not have a great set-up for the TV and was seriously lacking in the audio department. Their garage entry had become the primary way into the home for the homeowners, however it did not offer the welcoming feeling they wanted to have after a long day. THE SOLUTION To create better flow, we shifted the entry from the mud hall down a bit which gave us the space to add another run of cabinetry and relocate the fridge. We closed up the former dining room wall and converted it into a new office space as both homeowners work from home. Due to the shift in the entry from the mud hall, we also were able to then center the island to where it should be in the room creating some much needed balance. Because we were not creating an open floor plan and removing walls and such, there was more budget for high ticket finishes. One of which was a 11’ custom walnut countertop for the island which became the anchoring design element for the kitchen along with custom cabinetry and high-end appliances.