A junk filled, too-narrow-for-a-modern-car garage separated the house from a meaningful relationship with the yard. Our clients were hoping to find a way to expand their kitchen and create family space with a focus on the outdoors - with an area to drop off incoming junk, space to eat, space to lounge, space to work . . . The garage had to go! The initial design discussions evolved from a kitchen and family room combination into a more all-in-one approach. We were bound by not blocking the living room window on one side and not expanding on the other into a side yard reserved for future gardening. For the sake of economy, as well, we wanted to use as much of the existing garage foundation as possible. The challenge became sculpting a long, narrow room in an elegant fashion. A remnant of the original kitchen - two glass cabinets and a plate rack - ties the kitchen addition to the existing house. From there it stretches out, creating distinct areas within a unified room, with ties to yards at both sides at various points. The working kitchen is an “L” shape bound by a long island. Opposite from the working area is a comfortable lounge nestled into a bay window which projects out over the patio. A raised breakfast table is built on to the end of the island, rather than along its length, so that the circulation from front to back is uninterrupted by stools. Anchoring the far end of the room, a built-in hutch with desk backs up against the mudroom area. The position of the mudroom addresses access from the driveway into the house and the muddy feet of playing kids prior to pattering into the room. Given the shotgun shape of the kitchen, it became important to address the ceiling in a manner that would modulate and give order to the varying elements, and add a unifying texture. A regular pattern of lightly stained oak beams was created which positioned lighting and located appliances. The beams became the starting point for a rich color palate envisioned by Tara Shimberg of Tara’s Interiors, a close neighborhood friend of the owners. The cabinets selected were a semi-custom, eco-friendly, Shaker style line by Executive Kitchens - the island in Misty Green with a white glaze, perimeter cabinets in Antique White, the pantry stained in Island Finish, and the hutch rendered a deep blue. Cambria counters in “Bristol Blue,” and four mosaic glass shade pendants by Jesco Lighting help to tie the rich hutch color back into the balance of the room. Benjamin Moore “Hampton green” and Porcelanosa Duo Verde backsplash tile round out the mix. Unique highlights include punched tin inserts in the pantry doors by Country Accents, FLOR mats positioned on the wood strip flooring, and a Fireclay apron front farm sink. The stained breakfast table and desk top, fabricated by the contractor, from reclaimed wood, brings the warmth of the stained beams down to a touchable level. Close collaboration between the architect and designer, carefully crafting by the builder - Ardo Contracting, Inc. - and the dedication of the owners, worked well to integrate the myriad of elements which enrich and unify this colorful kitchen.