NOW

These Lake Highlands-area homeowners embrace dining-in and throwing parties more than ever following a down-to-the-studs, kitchen-plus overhaul. They sketched-out their redesign desires — to brighten up the dusky cabinets and walls and create more fluidity between the space where Hill likes to cook and the abutting area where friends and family gather. Then they hired local remodeler, Eric Cantu and an interior designer from Lake Highlands, Virginia Krejci. All told, the job took about six months and cost about $50,000. Passing through the construction zone on a daily basis, Hill watched as workers replaced tile with hardwood floor, rusty appliances and hardware with stainless steel and depressing browns with brilliant white, plus some pops of color and intrigue (tangerine chairs and a single wall of b lack and white hourglass-trellis-patterned paper, for example). That Cantu and company were so courteous and trustworthy made the experience bearable, Hill says. They hosted their first post-remodel party last New Year’s Eve. “At least 30 people were in her e,” Hill says, adding that he could cook and socialize with partygoers without them getting in his way — all brought in the New Yea r in comfort and style. —Christina

Hughes Babb