BRICKSIDE

After more than thirty years in this 1913 home, the kitchen and adjacent sunroom had become spaces our clients simply worked around. Kitchen appliances were failing, storage was scattered, and the sunroom, once a porch, had slowly turned into a catchall. This renovation became a chance to give a long-lived home the care it deserved, restoring its beauty while opening it to more light, flow, and ease.

Working closely with the architects at Piper Wind, we rethought the entire main level connection. A wall between the kitchen and dining room was opened, a beam raised in the kitchen now quietly integrated into a coffered ceiling that bridges old architecture with contemporary simplicity. Two islands anchor the kitchen, slender enough to keep circulation easy, substantial enough to offer the storage and workspace a true cook needs. Deep counters run seamlessly into the windows, forming generous sills and an added surface for prep, plants, or simply leaning into the light. Granite counters wrap sides of the island tops, trimmed in warm wood for a subtle textural contrast and interest from the dining room.

The tiny powder bath received its own thoughtful transformation. Space was limited, so we designed a curved walnut vanity that allows for a deeper counter while still giving ample clearance to enter the room. The small space reflects the subtle palette of the kitchen, though in a richer, moodier way.

The former porch is now a fully realized extension of the kitchen, surrounded by windows and designed for the many ways this family lives. We added full-height cabinetry, fridge drawers, and an appliance garage to create a functional second zone that supports both coffee and cocktails. A built-in banquette offers storage below and sunlight above; in the mornings it’s a bright place for breakfast, and by evening it becomes a relaxed spot to share a drink or watch a show. Upholstered in a durable indoor/outdoor fabric chosen so that the family dog looks especially handsome when he hops up, the banquette has quickly become a beloved perch.

Throughout, we honored the home’s original trim profiles and proportions while giving the family a kitchen that supports the pace of modern life. Illuminated cabinetry, tall pantries, and carefully planned storage, right down to mixers that lift to counter height and appliances that tuck away, give every tool a place. The result is a warm, open, and easy space that finally matches the family’s contemporary art, furniture, and way of living. Brickside is both a renewal and a return: a home restored to its best self, ready for another chapter.