Enough space for your DREAM space?

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Maybe you have enough space to create the kitchen of your dreams...even though right now, you really, really don't think you do.

Let me tell you a little story about a cramped kitchen, and let it inspire you to think outside the box!

Here is what my client's kitchen looked like when we first started working together--

In her original phone call to me, she explained that her kitchen just felt too small--not enough room for the eat-in area she longed for that would seat her whole family when they were over for dinner. And the kitchen overall just didn't work as well as she had hoped. 

TIME FOR AN ADDITION, RIGHT?!? 

Well, let's see...

Not if I can help it!!

We looked at her house as a whole, thinking through spaces that were underutilized and pondering how we could better use the rooms she had. Right behind the kitchen was a space her husband used for his home office--but it was small and he ended up spreading out into the dining room when he needed more room to work.  

Once we started looking at rooms just as potential space-- NOT simply as the identity they currently held--we were able to reassign a large upstairs area for their office, and consider this downstairs room as a potential addition to the kitchen without having to build new foundation, walls or roof. YAY! (a HUGE cost savings).

Here is what the space looks like now in with its expanded footprint:

Also adjacent to the kitchen was a narrow hallway and mudroom...

By opening up the space to the kitchen, and moving the laundry facilities to the second floor for convenience, this area now feels totally different--

And across from this area-- what used to be the office--is now a spacious eating area for the whole family to enjoy!

A smaller window in the room was converted to a large sliding door to improve access to the deck and give more light to the space as well.

Here is a quick video we shot on our install day, which may give you a better sense of the space, and of some of the other design details that went into creating this new room:

Erin shows off the results of an exciting kitchen renovation.

SO, if you are feeling that you just don't have enough room to create the kitchen you REALLY want, take heart!

The room of your dreams might be right behind your back wall, and right around the corner next to the mudroom! ;-)

Adding A Little Life

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adding life.jpg

It is always an exciting time at Revealing Redesign when we are preparing to have our finished rooms professionally photographed--as we just did a short time ago...

As I do the last minute preparations for the Big Day, I am reminded of how important life is in a room. By life, I mean plants, fruit, flowers...things alive and green and leafy. Almost everything on my 'to do' list the week before is something along the lines of "buy flowers for blue vase," or "get branches for urn," since a room never feels finished to me without a little bit of Mother Nature's help. 

Many clients over the years have given me pushback when I suggest buying plants for a space. Real plants and cut flowers--not fake ones.  :) Thankfully, I have used my persuasive ways to convince them to try rounding out their rooms with some indoor gardening (why not? less than $20 for a plant is not a huge investment), and I have experienced time and again their delight and surprise at what it has added to their spaces. 

SO, whether or not you have a green thumb, take a small risk and incorporate a living thing or two into your spaces.  I know it will help your rooms come alive and nurture your soul with natural beauty. :)