On the Boards: Kitchen Expansion in Brooklyn

I'm currently working on a remodel and addition to a farmhouse built in 1936 in the Town of Brooklyn, south of Madison.  As is common in a home of this era, rooms are small by today's standards.  My clients have been gradually carrying out their long-term plan for bringing their home up to date.  Twenty years ago they added a new living room and primary bedroom suite.  They've also done a number of smaller projects over the years.  Now they are ready to remodel and expand the original kitchen.

To begin with, the existing kitchen is small.  Secondly, the path from the primary entry to the remainder of the house passes through the middle of the kitchen.  In addition, the range and refrigerator sit side by side with no counter space between them to use when cooking or to place items taken out of the refrigerator.

The alterations will include removing a stair and the non-bearing wall between the kitchen and dining room, giving the kitchen double the space that it has now.  An addition will make room for a walk-in pantry, 1/2 bath, laundry room, new primary entry with mud room and a garage.  The 3D floor plan below shows the enlarged kitchen on the right side and the addition at the bottom (garage not shown).  The new kitchen will be large enough to include wall ovens, a large island, coffee station and desk.  Circulation from the new entry to the rest of the house will pass behind the island stools rather than through the "working" side of the kitchen.

The 3D interior view below looks from the new dining room toward the door of the walk-in pantry.  The new larger window above the sink faces south and will bring in lots of natural light.

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It's always satisfying to bring new life and functionality to an older home.