Creating A Larger Kitchen with Minor Structural Changes
In 2020, Chris and Leah Shroyer relocated to Leesburg, Georgia from Jacksonville to be closer to their family. After navigating a competitive real estate market, the couple found a house that was a great fit for their family. In order to make their new house their own, the Shroyers had a few improvements in mind. The couple’s first project was to transform their kitchen into a more open and inviting space with modern aesthetics and features that would make their kitchen more functional. After shopping around for contractors, the Shroyers found Pool Bothers Cabinets + Flooring + Lighting through social media and reached out to discuss their kitchen ideas.
The Shroyer Home
“The Shroyers' first priority was to open up their kitchen space and have it flow seamlessly into the living room,” said Pool Bothers designer Devin Ragan who worked with the Shroyers throughout the project. “Once we opened up the space, it allowed us to create the inviting and modern look that Chris and Leah were looking for.”
In order to create the Shroyers’ dream kitchen, the Pool Brothers team had to:
Find a creative solution to remove a load-bearing wall that separated the family’s kitchen and living room.
Relocate the refrigerator, sink, and dishwasher to make the space more functional.
Find a kitchen flooring solution that would tie in nicely with the existing aesthetics on the first level of the house.
Add innovative touches to make the larger space warm and inviting.
Incorporate smart storage solutions that would help keep the kitchen organized and tidy.
Let’s Get Structural
They say the best way to open up a room is to remove walls. The problem for the Shroyers? The wall between their kitchen and living room was load-bearing.
“We had to get creative,” said Devin. “The wall separating their kitchen and living area was supporting the entire structure of the house. To give the family the open space they desired, that wall had to come down. So we found a way to do that without compromising the structure and safety of the home.”
The Pool Brothers team removed half of the load-bearing wall and added a structural column in its place. The column was incorporated into a new kitchen island that opens up to the living area. To create symmetry, a second faux column was incorporated into the island’s design.
We removed half of the load-bearing wall in this Leesburg, Georgia home, and we added a structural column in its place. The column was incorporated into a new kitchen island that opens up to the living area. To create symmetry, a second faux column was incorporated into the island’s design.
Creating Contrast Through Cabinetry
The Shroyers selected cabinets from Shiloh Cabinetry that feature a beaded inset and are finished in the color repose gray.
“To create contrast, we added bronze, industrial-style hardware on the cabinets,” said Devin. “To add a modern touch, we alternated between long handles on doors and classic pulls on the drawers.”
To increase functionality and organization in the kitchen, an appliance lift that houses Leah’s mixer was installed inside the island, and a custom pan divider is located above the fridge. Corner cabinets featuring lazy susan organizers and pull-out shelves in the pantry cabinet provide easy access to pots, pans, and ingredients.
Bringing in Texture and Warmth Through Flooring
The Shroyers' home boasts beautiful hardwood flooring throughout. However, Leah’s preference for tile over hardwood floors for her new kitchen worked out wonderfully for this space.
“Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to match your kitchen floors to the flooring in the rest of your home,” said Devin. “When we renovate single rooms like kitchens, we can certainly refinish wood floors on the entire first level so the floors match the rest of a house. However, when we use a totally new kind of flooring in the kitchen–whether it be a different material or color–it often adds a unique personality to the space.”
With Devin’s help, the Shroyers selected 4x8 New York brick pavers in the color Central Park for their new kitchen. The pavers, which were installed by the Pool Brothers team on a brick joint, bring in added texture and make their new kitchen more inviting.
4x8 New York brick pavers in the color Central Park were installed in this Leesburg, GA kitchen by Pool Brothers.
Establishing Dimension Through Countertops
To add dimension to the now larger kitchen, the Shroyers chose a quartz countertop in the color Gray Lagoon and opted for a unique concrete finish. For the backsplash, 3x6 subway tiles were installed and a mosaic was added to tie in all the colors of the kitchen.
Strategic Lighting Can Make a Room
“We had to be extremely strategic with the lighting choices over the island due to the columns,” said Devin. “Choosing the right size lights so two fixtures could fit between the columns and not look overpowering was a top priority. Dana, our Pool Brothers lighting expert, helped us nail the lighting for the Shroyers’ new kitchen. The fixtures they chose really compliment the space. ”
The Shroyers went with designer ceiling fixtures from Pool Brothers. Under-cabinet lights were also installed to help illuminate workspaces and accent lighting was incorporated in glass cabinets to display decorative pieces.
The Shroyers Experience with Pool Brothers
“The Pool Brothers made the entire renovation process run smoothly. They scheduled everything from subcontractors to inspections to cleanup, and the project managers ensured the entire process ran smoothly and that our experience was stress-free. We are so pleased with our new kitchen. Watching the Pool Brother find creative solutions to make the kitchen work for our family was amazing.” - Leah Shroyer