The finished product: It's perfect for cooking and gathering, with warm, classic colors and a bar that invites you to pull up a stool and chat. Photography by Marco Valencia

Talk about starting from scratch! The only familiar piece of this floor plan is the column.

This may be a small kitchen, but it’s big on style and workspace. In addition to the counters on either side of the stove, the island houses the sink and more workspace. Photography by Marco Valencia

The old dining room got a redo, too, opening up sightlines to the living room and the windows beyond. Photography by Marco Valencia