Function drove every design decision. The homeowners, who have two young daughters, envisioned a kitchen where cooking is a shared experience rather than a solitary endeavor. “It’s not just one person cooking and another cleaning — it’s a full family event,” Kirkendall says. “We needed to create a space that was conducive to that.” To support that vision, the layout was thoughtfully reconfigured. Removing an awkward corner cabinet squared off the kitchen, increasing cabinetry and improving flow. The island was enlarged to seat at least four, making it both a prep station and a gathering place. Equally important was the concept of zones. A baking zone keeps the family’s mixer and ingredients within reach. Meal prep happens near the sink. A defi ned cleanup area and refrigeration zone ensure multiple people can move about the kitchen comfortably without colliding. “Creating zones allows the kitchen to flow,” Kirkendall says. “Someone can be making coffee, someone else cooking on the stovetop and another person baking.” Storage had become one of the home’s greatest limitations. The original kitchen lacked a true pantry, relying instead on a closet in the back hallway. That underutilized space has now been transformed into a chef ’s pantry complete with custom cabinetry and pullout shelving. Small appliances are just steps away, neatly concealed behind cabinet doors that function better than the original swinging closet panels. Even the family dog was factored into the redesign. A retractable pet gate, built directly into the wall of the utility room, slides out when needed and disappears seamlessly when it’s not. “With so many families having pets, it’s important to think ahead and design for how people truly live,” Kirkendall says. Across from the kitchen, the fi replace in the adjoining room was refreshed to tie the spaces together, strengthening the visual connection from room to room. The transformation unfolded after four weeks of design planning, followed by 14 weeks of renovation construction. When it was complete, the results felt both dramatic and deeply personal. After fi nal styling, Kirkendall watched as the homeowner took in her new surroundings. “She looked at me and said, ‘I can’t believe this is my kitchen. I’m so pleased!’” tp
A custom white oak hood, crafted to match the lower cabinetry, anchors the range wall and is framed by new windows. The windows are one of the remodel’s most transformative changes, flooding the kitchen with natural light.
A closet in the back hallway was transformed into a chef’s pantry. Custom cabinetry maximizes vertical storage while replacing cumbersome doors with functional millwork.
A retractable pet gate is built directly into the wall, sliding out when needed and disappearing when not in use, keeping the home looking polished.
Across from the kitchen, an updated fireplace centers the living room. Flanked by windows and patio doors, the refreshed fireplace enhances symmetry and draws light into the home. TulsaPeople.com 79