Modern Kitchen: Breaking Down Walls for Flow and Function
When homeowners entertain frequently, a kitchen needs to be more than just a place to prepare meals, it needs to be the heart of the home’s social life. For the owners of this franklin property their existing kitchen was functional but fell short of their entertaining aspirations. Divided by a wall that created two distinct spaces, the kitchen felt cramped and disconnected from the outdoor entertaining area they loved to use.
A Vision for Connection
“Our kitchen worked, but it always felt like we were cooking in isolation,” the homeowners explained when they first approached Build Unlimited. “We wanted a space where we could interact with our guests while preparing food, and where the transition between indoor and outdoor entertaining would be seamless.”
The vision was clear: remove the dividing wall to create one cohesive space, maximize the limited footprint, and create a direct connection to the outdoor deck where the family hosted gatherings throughout the year.
Structural Challenges, Spatial Solutions
Pete from Build Unlimited knew that transforming this kitchen would require more than just new cabinetry. The dividing wall that split the kitchen into two areas was a structural element that needed careful consideration.
“The first challenge was determining how to remove that middle wall without compromising the structural integrity of the home,” Pete explains. “We designed a beam installation that would support the ceiling while opening up the space completely.”
But structural concerns weren’t the only spatial challenge. A narrow doorway leading to the outdoor deck was further constricted by a refrigerator that protruded into the walkway, a daily frustration for the homeowners.
“In a kitchen renovation, every inch matters,” Pete notes. “The clients emphasized how important it was to maximize that walkway space. Our solution was to recess the refrigerator into the wall, essentially creating a built-in look that freed up precious floor space in the traffic path.”
Designing for Entertainment
With the structural solution in place, the team turned their attention to creating a kitchen specifically designed for entertaining. The breakthrough idea came when looking at the bay window area that faced the deck.
“We extended the benchtop right into the bay window area with its bifold windows,” Pete explains. “This created a perfect pass-through serving area. When the windows are folded open, food and drinks can be passed directly from the kitchen workspace to guests on the deck. It’s essentially an indoor-outdoor servery.”
The design choices reinforced the connection between the kitchen and the rest of the home. Dark cabinetry was selected to complement the white benchtops and match other dark timber features throughout the residence, creating visual continuity from room to room.
For task lighting, the team installed LED strip lighting under the upper cabinetry, illuminating the work surfaces without harsh overhead lighting. This not only improved functionality but added a sophisticated ambient lighting option for evening gatherings.
Living Through Renovation
For many homeowners, the thought of living through a kitchen renovation, especially one involving structural changes can be daunting. Dust infiltrating the entire house is a common concern, particularly for those who need to continue living in the home during construction.
“Dust control was a priority for these clients,” Pete recalls. “We implemented a Zip wall dust barrier system to seal off the renovation space from the rest of the home. This allowed the family to live relatively dust-free while we carried out the demolition and construction work.”
Beyond dust control, the Build Unlimited team took on complete project management of the renovation, coordinating all trades, managing delivery schedules, and problem-solving when inevitable challenges arose.
“When you’re renovating a kitchen, you’re orchestrating plumbers, electricians, cabinetmakers, countertop fabricators, flooring specialists, it’s a complex dance,” Pete explains. “For homeowners trying to manage this themselves while working full-time, it can quickly become overwhelming.”
Navigating Supply Chain Challenges
This project wasn’t without its complications. Delays from the kitchen company threatened to derail the timeline, but Pete’s proactive management kept the project moving forward.
“Nothing was a problem and if it wasn’t for Pete, the kitchen company would have been a nightmare to deal with because of their delays,” the clients later shared. “He sorted all the tradesmen for us and did the building work required for the kitchen renovation.”
By maintaining open communication with both the clients and suppliers, Pete was able to adjust schedules and keep the project on track despite the setbacks.
A Transformed Space
When the renovation was complete, the transformation was remarkable. What had once been two disconnected spaces became one open, flowing kitchen that served as both a functional workspace and a social hub.
The recessed refrigerator opened up the walkway to the deck, creating easy movement between indoor and outdoor spaces. The benchtop extension into the bay window area created the perfect serving station for entertaining, allowing the hosts to remain part of the conversation while preparing food.
“Before the renovation, the kitchen was functional but felt like two distinct spaces,” Pete reflects. “By opening it up and making it feel like one room, we provided a more open feeling as well as improved the function of the space. This was important to the clients as they often entertained guests.”
A Long-Term Relationship
The EGLE kitchen renovation wasn’t Build Unlimited’s first project with these homeowners. Over the years, Pete and his team had completed multiple projects for the family, including building a walk-in wardrobe addition to their bedroom and work on their rental properties.
This long-standing relationship speaks to the trust and quality that defines Build Unlimited’s approach to every project.
“Pete has done a lot of work for us from building onto our bedroom for a walk-in wardrobe, and work on our rental properties, to the most recent – total renewal of our kitchen which he project managed,” the clients shared. “We would highly recommend Pete to anyone needing a builder.”
For Pete and the Build Unlimited team, the EGLE kitchen renovation represents their commitment to transforming spaces in ways that enhance daily living—breaking down walls both literally and figuratively to create homes that truly work for the people who live in them.
