WESTCHESTER KITCHEN REMODEL EMBRACES THE OLD TO MAKE ROOM FOR THE NEW
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ne might not expect to see a stately manor typical of Normandy or Provence in Omaha, but nestled in the cozy neighborhood of Westchester lies the 1932 French Countryside Revival home. The sprawling acreage estate on the corner between Dodge and Pacific streets has majestic charm with its red brick exterior and hidden spacious three-car garage.
Despite its provincial architecture, something was missing. The dated kitchen didn’t match, and something had to be done for it to be a functional and livable space. Owners Kurt and Bethanie Rames, who own Massage Envy in Omaha and have managed rental properties in the past, knew the kitchen would be a lengthy endeavor to undertake. "Everybody would walk into the kitchen and my friends, who were very into design, would tell me I needed to do something about this," Bethanie remarked. The Rames envisioned an open family space instead of closed-off rooms. To renovate the kitchen on their own seemed a daunting task, so they enlisted the help of Mary Ritzdorf of JH Interior Design to guide them through a seamless process that would elevate their historic kitchen to a more modern look and feel. Contractor Jamy Clark of Walls2Floors helped achieve the desired end result with timely precision. The couple wanted to connect the kitchen with the rest of the home, so it felt intuitive to expand it, adding stained wood tones to generate more of a cohesive f low. Everything in the fivebedroom, four-bath house remained original, right down to the ornate woodwork, wrought iron, and a boiler that still runs. Starting from scratch, the kitchen was completely gutted to make way for refurbished improvements. The contractor knocked out a wall and replaced historic arches to make the kitchen feel separate from the rest of the house. Since the goal involved maximizing space and adding another walkway, the Rames replaced a peninsula that jutted out to make way for a quartz countertop island. Traditional elements such as a soffit covering the cabinets and a 90-year-old garbage incinerator felt outdated, so Ritzdorf set out to make necessary changes. The cabinetry now stands to the height of the ceiling, and a deep pantry pulls out in place of the garbage burning disposal. Every nook and cranny has been utilized to store kitchen wares and items effectively. A wood stove hood now provides more character than the stainless steel one that previously hung in its place. Brass-and-gold brushed drawer pulls add warmth, and updated appliances provide a touch of modernity that had been otherwise lacking.