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

Let's Talk

Menomonee Falls Kitchen Remodel
Project Details

Project Year: 2019

Location: Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin

Updates Included: Remodel

Rooms: Kitchen

Features:

  • Professional-grade appliance suite includes a Sub-Zero refrigerator and Wolf dual-fuel range
  • Full-height Blue Nile granite backsplash adds contrast and visual texture throughout the kitchen
  • Layered lighting, integrated storage, and continuous maple hardwood flooring create a cohesive and welcoming environment

Creating Space for Connection, Conversation, and Light

The homeowners loved the setting of their home, especially the natural views overlooking the backyard conservancy, but the existing kitchen prevented those features from being fully experienced. Walls separated the kitchen from the living room, while a raised snack bar and narrow circulation paths created visual and physical barriers throughout the main living areas.

The goal was to create a more open and connected environment that supported everyday living as naturally as entertaining. By removing walls and rethinking the overall layout, the home now feels brighter, easier to navigate, and far more connected from one room to the next. The redesigned space allows conversation, cooking, and gathering to happen without anyone feeling cut off from the center of activity

Designed Around Connection and Everyday Function

Functionality shaped every aspect of the new floor plan. Previous bottlenecks between the dinette, peninsula, and living room made movement through the home feel restrictive, particularly when hosting larger groups. Opening the walkway and repositioning seating areas created clearer circulation paths while helping the kitchen feel integrated into the surrounding living spaces rather than tucked behind them.

At the center of the remodel, the oversized island now supports everything from dinner preparation to homework and casual entertaining. Its larger footprint naturally creates a gathering space while allowing the homeowners to remain connected with guests and family throughout the day. Hidden organizational storage within the island also helps maintain a clean and uncluttered appearance even when the kitchen is busy.

A cozy open-plan kitchen and living area features a granite island, wooden cabinets, sofa, artwork, and a stone fireplace. Elegant and inviting space.

Creating Space for Connection, Conversation, and Light

The homeowners loved the setting of their home, especially the natural views overlooking the backyard conservancy, but the existing kitchen prevented those features from being fully experienced. Walls separated the kitchen from the living room, while a raised snack bar and narrow circulation paths created visual and physical barriers throughout the main living areas.

The goal was to create a more open and connected environment that supported everyday living as naturally as entertaining. By removing walls and rethinking the overall layout, the home now feels brighter, easier to navigate, and far more connected from one room to the next. The redesigned space allows conversation, cooking, and gathering to happen without anyone feeling cut off from the center of activity.

Designed Around Connection and Everyday Function

Functionality shaped every aspect of the new floor plan. Previous bottlenecks between the dinette, peninsula, and living room made movement through the home feel restrictive, particularly when hosting larger groups. Opening the walkway and repositioning seating areas created clearer circulation paths while helping the kitchen feel integrated into the surrounding living spaces rather than tucked behind them.

At the center of the remodel, the oversized island now supports everything from dinner preparation to homework and casual entertaining. Its larger footprint naturally creates a gathering space while allowing the homeowners to remain connected with guests and family throughout the day. Hidden organizational storage within the island also helps maintain a clean and uncluttered appearance even when the kitchen is busy.

Balancing Openness With Architectural Definition

While the remodel focused heavily on creating openness, maintaining visual balance throughout the home remained equally important. Removing the wall between the kitchen and living room introduced expansive sightlines and brought more natural light into the space, but the design also needed to ensure the rooms still felt intentional rather than undefined.

Carefully planned architectural elements helped achieve that balance. A custom dropped soffit visually frames the kitchen while echoing the proportions of the oversized island below. Symmetry around the centered cooking wall creates a strong focal point, while the full height Blue Nile granite backsplash introduces texture, durability, and visual depth without interrupting the openness of the layout.

The Details That Hold Everything Together

Creating a truly open concept required more than simply removing walls. The existing structure presented several challenges behind the scenes, particularly surrounding electrical and HVAC systems that needed to be carefully integrated into the redesigned layout without compromising the overall vision for the space.

Thoughtful craftsmanship can be seen throughout the finished kitchen. Seamless integration between cabinetry, appliances, countertops, and the full wall backsplash creates a cohesive appearance from every angle. The result is a space that feels just as comfortable during quiet mornings as it does when filled with conversation, family, and the moments that gradually become part of the home’s story over time.

From Start to Finish

Before

Before

  • The two-tiered peninsula created a visual barrier between the kitchen and the living spaces.
  • Dark finishes, dated backsplash tile, and heavy soffits made the kitchen feel closed in and visually heavy.
  • The existing layout limited conversation and connection between the kitchen and living room areas.
A cozy open-plan kitchen and living area features a granite island, wooden cabinets, sofa, artwork, and a stone fireplace. Elegant and inviting space.
After

After

  • A spacious island grounds the room, supporting both daily tasks and social gatherings.
  • Integrated appliances, durable finishes, and generous seating help the kitchen feel equally comfortable for everyday routines and larger gatherings.
  • Expanded sightlines now allow the kitchen and living room to feel visually connected and better suited for entertaining.
Before

Before

  • Wall angles segmented the kitchen, leaving it disconnected from the surrounding living spaces.
  • The sudden shift between carpet and hardwood flooring hindered the natural flow of the floor plan.
  • Limited natural light and closed pathways prevented the space from appearing open or welcoming.
Spacious modern kitchen with wooden cabinets, granite countertops, and barstools. Large windows provide natural light. Dining table with chairs in the background.
After

After

  • A new open-concept layout fosters a bright, inviting connection between the kitchen, dining, and living areas.
  • Strategically placed pendant lighting and a perimeter soffit define individual zones without sacrificing the open atmosphere.
  • Expanded sightlines, warm wood tones, and continuous flooring create a cohesive environment designed around comfort and connection.
Before

Before

  • A large dividing wall separated the kitchen from the family room, resulting in a heavy and obstructed layout.
  • Limited openings and lowered soffits diminished the perceived height and openness of the surrounding living spaces.
  • Upon entering the home, guests were met with blank walls rather than an inviting focal point or clear sightline.
  • The fragmented floor plan prevented the kitchen from serving as a natural gathering space or the true heart of the home.
After

After

  • The redesigned open-concept layout establishes a bright, fluid relationship between the kitchen and the family room.
  • An expansive island now grounds the room, encouraging natural gathering and daily interaction.
  • A full-height Blue Nile granite backsplash introduces striking visual texture that complements the warm wood cabinetry.
  • Continuous maple hardwood flooring and improved sightlines unify the main level, ensuring the space is open and inviting.
Before

Before

  • The original bank of cabinetry and appliances failed to provide the commanding focal point the homeowners envisioned for their kitchen.
  • Bulky soffits, aged finishes, and smaller appliances resulted in a cooking area that appeared visually heavy and less refined.
  • Poor microwave placement and disorganized surrounding cabinetry created an unbalanced, cluttered appearance.
  • A lack of intuitive organization and aging design details prevented the kitchen from serving as the home's true aesthetic heart
After

After

  • Professional-grade appliances establish a powerful visual centerpiece while supporting a more elevated, chef-inspired cooking experience.
  • The Sub-Zero refrigerator, Wolf dual-fuel range, and Zephyr hood introduce a clean, cohesive, and sophisticated presence.
  • A full-height Blue Nile granite backsplash adds organic texture and motion, beautifully contrasting the warmth of the surrounding wood cabinetry.
  • Under-cabinet lighting, modernized storage, and meticulously integrated finishes ensure the kitchen is as functional for daily living as it is aesthetically striking.
Before

Before

  • The original peninsula restricted preparation space and disrupted movement through the center of the kitchen.
  • Raised countertops and fragmented work zones created a layout that appeared visually cluttered and lacked the functionality needed for entertaining.
  • A microwave positioned at eye level drew the eye away from the cabinetry, breaking the visual rhythm of the room’s design.
  • Dim lighting and a restricted workspace prevented the kitchen from appearing open, comfortable, or easy to navigate.
After

After

  • The new island introduces a more open and multifunctional workspace designed for food preparation, gathering, and entertaining.
  • Layered lighting selections brighten the kitchen while helping the island feel warm and welcoming throughout the day.
  • Relocating the built-in microwave into the island creates a cleaner aesthetic and improves daily accessibility.
  • Expanded preparation space and improved circulation ensure the kitchen aligns naturally with the homeowners' lifestyle.
Discover how thoughtful design can create a home that feels more open, connected, and welcoming every day.
Outcome & Client Impact

What once felt segmented and restrictive has been transformed into a kitchen designed around connection, comfort, and everyday living. Improved sightlines, expanded gathering space, and a more open layout now allow the homeowners to cook, entertain, and spend time together far more naturally.

Warm wood finishes, layered lighting, and carefully integrated details create a kitchen that feels both refined and inviting. From quiet mornings to larger gatherings with family and friends, the redesigned space now supports the rhythms of daily life while serving as a welcoming centerpiece within the home.

Modern kitchen with stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and wooden cabinets. Bright, open space with a dining area visible in the background.
A cozy open-plan kitchen and living area features a granite island, wooden cabinets, sofa, artwork, and a stone fireplace. Elegant and inviting space.
A modern kitchen with granite countertops, stainless steel oven, wooden cabinets, floral arrangement, and decorative wall clock. Bright lighting from windows.
Spacious kitchen with granite island, wooden cabinetry, modern appliances, bar stools, pendant lights, and decorative wall art. No people present.

Dream Big. We’ll Handle the Rest.