Desperate Kitchen Makeover: Austin Loft-Inspired Kitchen

Kitchen Cousins John and Anthony help an Austin couple remake a kitchenette sized space, opening it up to adjoining rooms and giving it spacious, loft-like feel.

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August 06, 2015

By: David L. Haynes

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Photo By: Sarah Lim / Getty Images

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Photo By: Sarah Lim / Getty Images

Loft Inspired Kitchen

Kitchen Cousins John Colaneri and Anthony Carrino transformed a tiny kitchenette-style space into this impressive and versatile new kitchen with an open feel and free-flowing access to surrounding rooms.

Loft Inspired Kitchen

Walls were removed to remedy a confining, maze-like arrangement, and the floor plan for the kitchen as well as surrounding spaces was substantially reconfigured.

Loft Inspired Kitchen

The new design called for an informal butcher-block breakfast bar that delineates the new kitchen and the small adjacent dining room.

Loft Inspired Kitchen

The exposed-brick partition dividing the kitchen and living room is actually an ordinary wall that was cut down and wrapped in brick veneer.

Loft Inspired Kitchen

Butcher block from the breakfast bar wraps around the brick partition and extends into the living room.

Loft Inspired Kitchen

Anthony and John fashioned industrial-look open shelving using reclaimed wood and ordinary plumber's pipe.

Loft-Inspired Renovation, Dining Area with 3D Wall Treatment

The dining area was upgraded with a textured wall treatment, stylized lighting and a new dining table.

Meet the Homeowners

Homeowners Kacie and Tim pose for a pic with John and Anthony. Their renovation wish list included: more kitchen storage, unified living spaces and a more open dining area for family dinners.

BEFORE

Prior to the renovation, the tiny kitchen was separated from the makeshift dining area by a half wall. Access and movement in the kitchen was restricted by tight spaces, overcrowding and awkwardly placed entries.

AFTER

The new kitchen has expanded storage, plenty of counter space and the open feel of an urban loft. What had once served as the dining room is now a functioning work area that shares space with the kitchen.

Kitchen, BEFORE

The old kitchen was cluttered and crowded. Pantry items were stored on top of refrigerator, cookware was kept on the stove top and and there were open wire racks in place of lower cabinets.

Kitchen, AFTER

The renovated kitchen comes with cabinetry in a deep blue finish, an apron front sink, cantilevered shelving and stainless steel appliances.

Dining Area, BEFORE

Dining Area, AFTER

In the reconfigured floor plan, the dining area has been relocated. Highlights in the new space include a three-dimensional paneled wall treatment, custom banquette with storage drawers and a larger dining table that's expandable with additional leaves.

Breakfast Bar and Dining Area, AFTER

Dining Area, Detail

The three-dimensional wall tiles are actually made from a recycled byproduct of sugar cane processing. The individual tiles fit together to form a seamless pattern and are easily installed using construction grade double-stick adhesive tape.

Dining Area, Detail

At one end of the dining area is a storage cupboard that helps divide the space from a new play area for the kids.

Kitchen, AFTER

The dividing wall behind the sink is wrapped with brick veneer. The surface is vintage brick that's been cut into thin tiles that are easy to install but retain the authentic look of exposed brick. "Brick veneer is really a great thing to use, says Anthony. "You're not actually stacking full, thick bricks, so it's a fraction of the weight and it takes up a lot less square footage. It's kind of a win-win, and you're accomplishing the aesthetic that you want."

Kitchen, AFTER

The new cabinets have plain slab doors, simple panel faces that create an uncluttered, contemporary look.

Kitchen, AFTER

John and Anthony went with woven vinyl floors, an ideal and durable option for heavily trafficked areas.

Kitchen, AFTER

Kitchen, Detail

To create the suspended shelving above the range, threaded flanges are secured to the wood with screws and ordinary 18" plumbers pipe in black finish are simply screwed in on both sides.

Kitchen, Detail

The simple wood and metal suspended shelving is particularly well suited to the loft-like vibe of the new space.

Kitchen, Detail

John and Anthony created a custom mosaic-style backsplash using cross-cut cedar 4x4's sections cut in varying depths and arranged with end grain showing. John added a burned finish using a propane torch then waterproofed the wood with a sealant.

Kitchen and Living Room

In the reimagined floor plan, the kitchen becomes the center of the hub and is surrounded by -- and opens onto -- the dining room, living room, work room and a kids play area.

Living Room, AFTER

Living Room and Dining Area

Living Room, Detail

The 3D mosaic pattern made from 4x4 sections used to create the backsplash is replicated on this accent wall in the living room.

Living Room, Detail

Work Space, BEFORE

Kacie has a custom t-shirt printing business and works from home, so she needs a utilitarian work space.

BEFORE

In the redesigned space, this former dining room would soon become Kacie's new work room.

Work Space, AFTER

The new work space is directly adjacent to the kitchen. John and Anthony retained Kacie's desk but gave the top a fresh white finish in keeping with the white countertops and trim.

Work Space, Detail

Anthony and John created this 4-foot-square custom art piece: a wood relief based on a city map of Austin, Texas. Kacie and Tim's house is marked on the map with a tiny red heart.

Artist at Work

To create the map replica, the lines for the roads and highways were marked off using a scribing tool. Anthony then used a router to carve out the lines for depth. Once cut, the roads were filled in with colored epoxy and the entire piece was given a clear coat finish.

Kitchen and Play Area

Just off the kitchen, and behind Kacie's work space, is a play area for the kids.

Play Area

The back side of the kitchen's storage cupboard is painted with kid-friendly chalkboard paint.

Play Area

Custom Storage

The built-in bench banquette in the dining room has deep, soft-close drawers for added storage. The bench and drawers also extend into the play area for storage of toys.

Kitchen Panache

The Cousins pull off yet another radical kitchen remodel with their trademark style.

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Loft-Inspired Renovation, Dining Area with 3D Wall Treatment

Meet the Homeowners

BEFORE

AFTER

Kitchen, BEFORE

Kitchen, AFTER

Dining Area, BEFORE

Dining Area, AFTER

Breakfast Bar and Dining Area, AFTER

Breakfast Bar and Dining Area, AFTER

Dining Area, Detail

Dining Area, Detail

Kitchen, AFTER

Kitchen, AFTER

Kitchen, AFTER

Kitchen, AFTER

Kitchen, AFTER

Kitchen, Detail

Kitchen, Detail

Kitchen, Detail

Kitchen, Detail

Kitchen and Living Room

Living Room, AFTER

Living Room and Dining Area

Living Room, Detail

Living Room, Detail

Living Room, Detail

Living Room, Detail

Work Space, BEFORE

BEFORE

Work Space, AFTER

Work Space, Detail

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Kitchen and Play Area

Play Area

Play Area

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