Nestled among mature trees, this North Raleigh Cape Cod-style home had generous proportions and tall ceilings, but the kitchen and living spaces felt disconnected from one another and from the backyard. We completely reconfigured the kitchen, opened it to the living room, and added a generous central island topped with Ijen Blue Quartzite. Its soft blue coloring and warm movement give the island a little surprise and make it a natural gathering place for cooking, conversation, and everyday family life. An expansive sliding glass door brings in more natural light and creates an easy connection to outdoor entertaining. We also combined an existing storage room with the laundry room to create a larger laundry and mudroom with the storage the family needed. Locally sourced stone rises to the full height of the living room fireplace, while a custom metal hood anchors the kitchen across from it. The rooms now feel lighter, balanced, and connected, with a layout designed for both daily routines and a full house of guests.
Photography by Marco Mendez Photography
