Book a Free Design Consult Call Us (414) 259-0300
Let's Talk

Let's Talk

Brookfield Open Concept Kitchen and Fireplace Remodel
Project Details

Project Year: 2022

Location: Brookfield

Updates Included: Remodel

Rooms: Kitchen, Living Room and Dining Room

Features:

  • Spacious kitchen island with deep drawers, honed granite countertop, and pendant lighting

  • Widened doorways with boxed Alder beams for visual flow and architectural charm

  • Floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace with matching flush granite hearth

  • Full-view Marvin window replacing bay for expanded natural light and backyard views

From Tight Corners to Connected Living

This Brookfield ranch once felt like a collection of separate rooms, with a small, tucked-away kitchen and a layout that limited natural flow. The homeowners loved their home’s character but longed for a more open, intuitive design that would support cooking, entertaining, and time together. This transformation reimagined the entire main level, creating a spacious yet cozy atmosphere where the kitchen, dining, and family areas now work in harmony.

Shaping a Space That Feels Like Home

This renovation was about more than updating finishes; it was about rethinking how the space could truly serve the entire family. The homeowners envisioned a large island for baking and entertaining, wider openings for better flow, and a connected kitchen, dining, and family room layout that didn’t feel like “just one big room.”

The solution? Relocate the kitchen to the former dining and living rooms. This created space for a new dining area, an impressive stone fireplace focal wall in the family room, and expansive picture windows that offer clear views of the backyard. The design also needed to reflect a Craftsman-inspired palette with a touch of contemporary comfort, showcasing the homeowner’s vibrant and eclectic décor.

Modern kitchen with wood cabinets, dark countertops, stainless steel appliances, and pendant lights. A rug and potted plant add decor. Bright ambiance.

Materials That Marry Warmth with Modern Appeal

Every material in this remodel was selected to balance the home’s existing Craftsman charm with contemporary function. Alder Shaker cabinetry, decorative boxed beams, and new oak floors ground the home in warmth and character. A full-slab granite island and coordinating backsplash offer dramatic texture, while stacked tile at the range wall adds a clean, modern layer. Full-height windows invite natural light into every corner, and the updated color palette lets the client’s unique décor shine.

A Whole-Home Transformation, Rooted in Purpose

This project wasn’t just a remodel; it was a reinvention of how space could support daily living, entertaining, and multigenerational family moments. Every design decision balanced openness with coziness, history with progress, and beauty with everyday function. The relocated kitchen now serves as the true heart of the home, while the new fireplace wall offers a warm, grounding focal point for family gatherings. Together, these reimagined spaces honor the home’s original character while supporting the rhythms of modern life.

From Start to Finish

Before

  • Small, divided rooms created a choppy layout with limited functionality.
  • The carpet throughout the space dated the interior and lacked cohesion.
  • Dropped headers and wall separations disrupted sightlines, making the space feel closed in.
  • Several rooms remained underutilized due to poor flow and disconnected zones.
A cozy living room with patterned wallpaper, a TV, chair, vacuum cleaner, and an antique wall clock. Furniture is partially covered.
Before
Modern kitchen and dining area with wooden cabinetry, central island, and leather chairs. Natural light streams through large windows, enhancing the cozy ambiance.
After

After

  • Removing interior walls opened up the main level and introduced a fresh kitchen layout with a seamless connection to the dining area.
  • Custom Alder cabinetry ties into decorative boxed ceiling beams, bringing warmth and visual rhythm.
  • Shaker-style cabinets and Craftsman millwork add timeless detail with clean lines.
  • New Oak hardwood flooring flows throughout, unifying the main level with a natural, updated finish.

Before

  • The living and dining rooms lacked functionality and didn’t support the family’s day-to-day needs.
  • Narrow openings created visual and physical separation between rooms, limiting flow and flexibility.
  • Outdated wallpaper, heavy furnishings, and clashing materials contributed to a cluttered, dated look.
  • Wall-to-wall carpet showed signs of wear and no longer fit the clients’ aesthetic or lifestyle.
  • Relocating the kitchen was key to unlocking the space’s potential.
A cozy living room with exercise equipment, vacuum cleaner, a piano, patterned rug, bookshelves, and decorative wooden shelves with carved animal figures.
Before
Modern kitchen with wooden cabinets, black countertops, and island with sink. Stools line one side; fruit and plant decor add warmth.
After

After

  • The relocated kitchen now serves as the heart of the home, offering a light-filled, central hub for gathering.
  • Alder Shaker cabinetry by Seville adds warmth and texture while providing tailored storage.
  • Honed Raven Granite countertops with a vertical transition meet stacked porcelain tile for a clean yet bold finish.
  • Sleek glass pendants align above an oversized island, echoing the black hardware and Delta fixtures.
  • Natural oak flooring and full-height cabinetry round out the look with intention and grace.

Before

  • The original kitchen was confined to a small corner, limiting prep space, storage, and comfort.
  • Multiple doorways, soffits, and intersecting walls made the layout feel fragmented.
  • Arched cabinetry and glass-front uppers felt dated and visually heavy.
  • Mixed finishes and low light created a dim, cluttered atmosphere.
  • The layout lacked continuity, and the refrigerator was awkwardly placed within a maze of narrow walkways.
A kitchen features wooden cabinets, a black countertop with bananas, wine, and papers. A window provides natural light, creating a cozy atmosphere.
Before

After

  • A spacious Alder island with Shaker cabinetry now centers the kitchen with ample drawer storage and prep surface.
  • The streamlined layout eliminates awkward doorways and soffits, creating a sense of openness and ease of movement.
  • Modern black hardware and Delta fixtures pair beautifully with the clean-lined glass pendants above.
  • Warm wood cabinetry refreshes the palette while honoring the home’s original charm.
  • The result is a kitchen that’s stylish, practical, and ready for everything from weeknight meals to weekend guests.
Modern kitchen with wood cabinets, dark countertops, stainless steel appliances, and pendant lights. A rug and potted plant add decor. Bright ambiance.
After
A cozy living room features a brick fireplace with framed artwork above, surrounded by decorative vases on shelves and black fireplace tools.
After

Before

  • The original fireplace wall felt dated with its red brick and open shelving, which lacked impact.
  • Inset side nooks felt awkward and cluttered the overall look.
  • The raised hearth and firebox showed signs of wear and no longer felt safe to use.
  • The surrounding floor was scratched and worn, making the space feel tired instead of cozy.

After

  • A new Vanderbilt stone wall creates a striking, earthy focal point in the family room.
  • Each stone was hand-selected and arranged for a natural, Craftsman-inspired finish.
  • A flush-mounted Raven Granite hearth echoes the kitchen countertops for a cohesive aesthetic.
  • A wide full-view window replaced the bay style, now perfectly centered on the doorway to the yard for uninterrupted views and light.
A cozy living room with a stone fireplace, wooden mantle, colorful tulips, comfortable seating, and large window overlooking a green lawn.
After
A cozy living space with a brick fireplace, artwork, photographs, and wooden flooring, featuring baskets and a television in the corner.
After

Before

  • The bay window visually boxed in the space and disrupted the flow of light.
  • The fireplace wall felt cluttered and lacked design cohesion.
  • The homeowners desired a look that was clean, simple, and inviting.

After

  • A widened doorway now provides a more open and welcoming transition into the space.
  • New Oak hardwood flooring complements the Craftsman-style millwork throughout.
  • A custom 8” x 8” boxed Alder mantel was stained to match the flooring, hearth, and trim for a unified look.
  • The Marvin Essential full-view window enhances simplicity while flooding the room with natural light.
A cozy living room with stone fireplace, modern furniture, and large window providing natural light. Features a decorative rug and flower arrangement.
After
Inspired to open up your space? Start your next chapter with a kitchen designed for real life and meaningful moments.
Outcome & Client Impact

What once felt closed off and outdated is now a spacious, functional hub that supports real life. This remodel reimagined every inch of the main level, transforming a divided floor plan into an inviting layout that centers on connection, light, and everyday ease. With a balance of timeless details and bold materials, the home now feels made for gathering, whether it’s for a quiet morning coffee or a full house of guests.

Modern kitchen with wooden cabinets, island with stools, round dining table with chairs, and fruit bowls. Bright, spacious layout with natural light.
Modern kitchen with wooden cabinets, black countertops, centered island with sink, and chairs. Greenery and fruit decorate the space. Well-lit with natural light.
A modern kitchen with wooden cabinets, a black countertop island, pendant lights, and a decorative plant. A colorful rug accents the space.
Modern kitchen with wooden cabinets, black countertops, and a central island. Comfortable chairs, stainless steel appliances, and a decorative plant complete the space.
A modern kitchen with wooden cabinets, a black countertop, and stainless steel appliances. Hanging lights illuminate the space, enhancing its warm ambiance.
Cozy living room with stone fireplace, wooden mantel, and large window. Vase of flowers on the table, patterned rug on the floor.
Cozy living room with stone fireplace, wooden mantel, art pieces, and floral arrangement. Natural light from large window illuminates the comfortable seating.

Dream Big. We’ll Handle the Rest.

S.J. Janis Company stands ready to bring your vision to life with unparalleled expertise and a commitment to excellence. Contact us today to discover how we can turn your dream home into your real home.
Modern kitchen with wooden cabinets, island, and appliances. Round table with chairs, cowhide rug, and fruit bowl. Large windows for natural light.
© 2025 S.J. Janis. Powered by Eviva Media

Dream Big. We’ll Handle the Rest.