These Mercer County, New Jersey homeowners had recently purchased a home with the plan of making some changes. A kitchen and mud room remodel topped the list. The kitchen had a staircase leading to the basement that the homeowners did not like, and the kitchen was in need of some overall updating. Further, the home had a large sunroom that the homeowners didn’t plan on getting much use of. Thus, they wanted to take a chunk of that space and convert it into a mudroom. The Trenton, New Jersey homeowners hired the Design Build Planners to create kitchen and mud room designs.
At the top is a dollhouse overview of the project. Below are a couple of before photos of the existing space. Also below are the final computer designs created by Jason Parsons, a Certified Kitchen and Bath Remodeler.
For their project, three design plans were created. The scope of those plans is listed below.
Plan 1~ ROBUST
KITCHEN
- Removal wall from kitchen to dining room and relocate stairs to back wall
- Close in kitchen doorway, while creating a pass thru from kitchen to living room
- Relocate patio door opening and install new patio door (wood)
- Enlarge opening from living room to dining area with new flush header
- Add hardwood flooring to the kitchen to match the existing dining room and living room flooring and finish all
- Relocate sink approx 1′ to the right (farm sink)
- 36″ range on side wall with stainless hood, relocate fridge, add under cabinet microwave at the pass thru
- Painted cabinets, stained trim on windows and doors, black granite counter tops, and subway porcelain tile.
- Lighting per plan
- Paint fireplace stone
- Paint from kitchen thru the dining area, living room, and hall
MUD ROOM
- Partition Mud Room in Sun Room
- Remove siding and add drywall to existing walls
- Relocate washer and dryer to the new mud room
- Tile floor
- Paint room
- Patio door to remainder of sun room (vinyl)
Plan 2 ~ MODEST
Differences from Plan 1
KITCHEN
- Removal wall from kitchen to dining room and open up stairs with knee wall and railing. Close in basement stairs with partition wall and door
- No pass thru
- Kitchen doorway and door to the rear remain
- Patio door to remain in existing location
- Opening to living room and dining room to remain the same size
- Add hardwood flooring to kitchen to match existing dining room and living room flooring and finish all
- Relocate sink approx 6″ to the right (undermount sink)
- 30″ range relocated to the stairs side, with stainless hood, refrigerator, and add a built in microwave next to the refrigerator
- Stained cabinets, stained trim on windows and door, tan granite countertop, and 4″x4″ ceramic tile
- Lighting per plan
- Fireplace stone to remain as is
- Paint from kitchen thru dining area, living room, and hall
Plan 3 ~ WOW Packages
Changes from Plan 1
KITCHEN
- Remove wall from kitchen to dining room and relocate stairs to the hall closet
- Remove the entire wall kitchen to the living room and remove ceiling joists
- Relocate HVAV ducting as needed and install structural collar ties with finished wood trim
- Relocate patio door opening and install new patio door (wood)
- Add new patio door and opening at rear windows
- Install composite deck and landing
- All new wide plank hardwood flooring for kitchen thru hall
- Relocate sink approximately 2″ to the right (farm sink)
- Relocate and install new window at sink
- 36″ cooktop on side wall with stained hood, relocate refrigerator, and add a wall oven with microwave/convection combination oven
- Two tiered island with bar seating for 3 and built in bench for table
- Painted and stained cabinets, new painted trim for doors and window, new base molding, black quartz countertops, with super white on island, and dry stack back splash
- Lighting per plan-upgrading ceiling lights and LED under counter lights
- New fireplace stone extended to the roof line
- Wood mantle surround on the fireplace
- Built in cabinets at the fireplace
- New enlarged front door
- New coat closet
- Paint from kitchen thru dining area, living room, and hall
MUD ROOM
- Move washer and dryer (requires concrete trenching)
- Add built in bench seating with storage
- Add shelves and storage cabinets
- Add door to garage and two stairs
The homeowners style preferences were for a modern look and finishes. They drew their inspiration from kitchen projects featured on Houzz.com. The design options are a result of homeowners online research combined with an in-home consultation with Design Build Planners. There is also a proprietary profile checklist that homeowners fill out that depicts their lifestyle and kitchen use. After compiling this information, Design Build Planners incorporates their construction knowledge and design creativity for the space with a focus on the budget and overall investment.