Case Study: Brightening a Family’s First Oakton Home

This young family moved into their Oakton home for its potential and backyard. With a toddler, a baby on the way, and an energetic dog, they needed functional, welcoming spaces.

Their focus was a kitchen renovation to add light, open backyard views, and improve flow for daily life and entertaining, along with a more organized entryway/mudroom. Below is a look at the home’s evolution—from original spaces to the finished design.

Before: A Dark, Dated Kitchen & An Underused Entryway

The original kitchen was closed off, lacked natural light, and didn’t take advantage of the beautiful yard right outside. Cabinets lined the back wall, blocking sunlight. A tiny window was the only connection to the outdoors.

The layout made it difficult to move around or entertain.

The island was too small to be functional, offered no seating, and didn’t support the kind of gathering space the family envisioned.

The entryway/mudroom also needed help. Since the family uses the garage and side entrance daily, they needed a designated drop zone for coats, bags, shoes, and pantry storage—something organized, practical, and reflective of their style.

Spacious but empty—plenty of room, but no storage to keep the family organized.

Original floor plans illustrating the existing layout, which lacked functional flow and optimized use of space.

The Plan: Light, Openness & Family-Friendly Functionality

During the design phase, we reimagined both spaces with clear priorities:

Kitchen Goals

• Bring in much more natural light by opening the back wall visually.

• Improve the connection to the backyard.

• Add a large center island with seating to anchor the space.

• Improve flow of the kitchen to the rest of the house.

Entryway/Mudroom Goals

• Create a functional landing zone for this active family.

• Integrate coat and bag storage.

• Give the entire space a more polished, intentional feel.

Construction plans illustrating the redesigned kitchen, with improved flow, enhanced natural light, and a stronger connection to the backyard.

What We Delivered: A Bright, Elevated, and Functional New Home Core

We developed a completely new kitchen layout, infused with natural light, warmth, and modern functionality. The island now serves as the centerpiece of the home—perfect for casual meals, hosting friends, and gathering as a family.

The centerpiece of the kitchen is the stunning island in Aura Dekton (DK Natural Matte) from Cosentino.

Bellevue 9” Mini Pendants in matte black and natural brass from Ferguson Home compliment the Meridian Wall Sconces from Savoy House Lighting.

 The new bar area was designed for both style and function, providing storage for glassware and spirits, generous prep space for drinks, and a built-in wine refrigerator to keep favorites perfectly chilled.

A quiet showstopper—Enigma Graphite Gray tiles from Tilebar with a geometric pattern bring texture and elegance to the backsplash.

Mudroom Transformation

The newly designed entryway/mudroom now offers organized storage for coats and bags. The space is both functional and thoughtfully styled, with an aesthetic that ties into the kitchen.