Working with Derek Decker of Black Hickory Construction, Tammy and Jerome reconfigured the entire floor plan, moved the interior walls, vaulted the ceilings and added oversized windows at every turn. Many of the more complex challenges that arose during the remodel were overcome by Derek. What’s more, they managed to keep the project within the confines of the existing footprint, except for one small addition off the back of the house. 

“The vision for the space was to have a modern, open layout,” Tammy says, “but to keep the mid- century modern elements of the original home.”

To achieve this vision, the kitchen became an integral part of the entire first floor, from the moment you open the front door. Tammy knew she wanted the space to be a standout moment, without losing its functionality. A back kitchen was built behind the main kitchen space, a detail Tammy prefers for all modern homes. 

“It’s a way to focus on beauty, while keeping the functionality in the prep area,” she explains. 

In the main kitchen area, she brought in two stunning blue-green natural stone slabs that she discovered in Austin, Texas. Both slabs were seamless, with one used on the island and one behind the range. The finished look created a perfect wave pattern from the island to the range wall. 

“I think a lot of people get intimidated by color,” Tammy reflects. “But when you have a palette that is so neutral, like this home, you need something that pops.”

The kitchen is rounded up with a stylish built-in coffee station, loads of hidden storage and custom wooden circular cabinet handles. The circular pattern is discreetly repeated throughout the house, a detail taken from the original front door design as a way of honoring the home’s story. 

“It was a labor of love,” Tammy says of the project. “There’s nothing that brings me more joy than doing a project like this.”

@TorresDesignKC