Opening Up

October 4, 2024

One single space emerges from several smaller ones in this timeless yet transitional kitchen.

Words by Christine Emming | Photos by Josie Benefield

s often happens with older homes, owners love their location but not their interior spaces. After raising their family here, a Lee's Summit couple grew tired of the lack of maneuverability in the space, especially the kitchen, where flow was restricted when more than two people were in there.

“The client’s goal was to open up several smaller spaces to create an open, wholly functional space,” says designer Stacey Neely of NeelyHome, who partnered with Gibler Constrxuction on the remodel of what would become a highly functional, family-centered kitchen.

Placing a high value on increasing space to host their growing extended family, the homeowners asked the team to create a transitional, modern—and much larger—kitchen and dining space for them to enjoy in the years to come. That meant rebuilding the entire space.

“They enjoy cooking together and wanted room for everyone to be involved,” says Amy Gibler. “So, we enlarged the space by adding 200 square feet to the size of the kitchen with an addition to the back of the house. We then created a kitchen layout with plenty of countertop space and a large island.”

One very specific item was necessary.

“One of [the client’s] top priorities was having room for a large dining table, so this was a factor in the kitchen layout,” Gibler notes. “Our designer was able to select materials to reflect the style and vision of our client, and we were able to bring that vision to reality through the construction process.”

With clients who value traditions and heirlooms, choosing the more natural surface materials, including marble, Kansas limestone and reeded glass, felt stable, homey and traditional.

“They have beautiful art and a family antiques collection,” Neely says, “and the design was created with their love for all these things in mind.”

Incorporating family heirlooms into the home’s decor means the space looks new, but it’s crafted around natural textures and a color palette that doesn’t forget the past. The team chose complementary, natural wood stain and a traditional paint palette that further brightens and enlarges the space visually.

“These homeowners were willing to invest what was needed for this space because they valued what they would get out of it,” Gibler says. “They were incredible to work with.”