Seattle Sand Point Country Club Fresh Start Kitchen Remodel

Built in 1950, this Sand Point home already had generous gathering spaces, original skylights, and distinctive architectural details. The kitchen, however, no longer supported the way the homeowners wanted to cook, entertain, and move between the surrounding rooms. A constricted hallway entrance created a choke point at one end, while the kitchen’s relationship with the living room at the opposite end felt less cohesive than the homeowners envisioned.

The clients’ primary goal was to make the kitchen and living room feel like one large, connected space. They wanted to improve circulation into and through the kitchen, create a layout that was both functional and beautiful, and replace the cabinetry, countertops, backsplash, fixtures, and appliances, including adding an induction cooktop. Preserving the existing heated tile floor was also important. Just as significantly, they wanted a remodeling partner who would communicate clearly and bring creative ideas and thoughtful solutions to the project.

IHR accomplished these goals by reworking the kitchen layout and addressing the constricted entrance near the hallway. The new plan creates a more natural path into the kitchen and continues that sense of openness toward the living room at the far end. Two purposeful preparation and cleanup zones improve how the kitchen functions, while specialized cabinetry gives ingredients, cookware, appliances, and everyday essentials a designated place.

At the kitchen entrance, a custom bar transforms what could have been a pass-through area into a welcoming and useful destination. A glass display shelf, warm brass gallery rail, jewel-toned sconces, and generous storage give the entrance its own sense of purpose and character.

One of the kitchen’s original leaded-glass panels was carefully preserved and incorporated into the new entrance wall. The panel allows more light to pass into the kitchen while honoring the history of the home and preserving a meaningful detail from the previous space. Its smoky glass and geometric pattern give the reworked entrance a sense of character that feels naturally connected to the home’s past.

The redesigned kitchen centers on two purposeful preparation and cleanup zones. A soft-white apron-front sink anchors the peninsula near the living room, while a second undermount sink at the island supports meal preparation. Warm brass fixtures add character, and an instant hot-water dispenser places an everyday convenience exactly where it is needed.

The island provides a generous surface for cooking and preparation while keeping the homeowners connected to family and guests. Pop-up power offers convenient access without interrupting the cabinetry, making the island a practical workspace and a natural gathering place.

At the opposite end of the kitchen, near the living room, a concealed beverage refrigerator was incorporated into the peninsula. Its placement keeps drinks convenient for entertaining while allowing family and guests to access the beverage area without interrupting activity in the kitchen’s primary cooking and preparation zones.

Glossy chevron tile brings movement and subtle variation to the backsplash. A contrasting garnet border adds definition around the range and connects the tilework to the deeper wine and plum tones found elsewhere in the room. Light quartzite countertops keep the perimeter bright, while the island introduces richer veining and natural color.

Lighting was planned in layers so the room could adapt throughout the day. Recessed fixtures provide clear general illumination, undercabinet lighting supports detailed tasks, and handcrafted brass pendants define the peninsula. Near the entrance bar, brass sconces with garnet-colored shades create a softer and more intimate glow.

An appliance garage provides a dedicated home for the coffee maker and other small appliances. A pull-out shelf allows everything to be used conveniently, then tucked away when the kitchen needs to feel calm and ready for company. Full-height cabinetry surrounding the refrigerator and ovens creates a unified elevation while adding valuable pantry storage.

The existing heated tile floor was retained wherever possible. Because the revised cabinetry affected a small portion of the floor, saved matching tiles were used to patch only the areas that needed to change. This careful approach allowed the homeowners to retain a feature they valued while still benefiting from a more functional kitchen plan.

Achieving the finished result required careful coordination of the floor plan, cabinetry, stone, plumbing, electrical capacity, ventilation, insulation, lighting, flooring transitions, appliances, and preserved architectural details. These decisions were resolved during IHR’s Design and Planning Stages so the Build team could work from a complete and coordinated plan.

Behind the finished surfaces, updated electrical service supports the new induction cooktop and appliances, while updated plumbing, recirculation equipment, and a leak-detection system add protection and reliability. These less-visible improvements help the kitchen perform as beautifully as it looks.

“Working with IHR was one of the best experiences we have ever had with a contractor. A total kitchen and family room remodel is one of the more disruptive experiences in a homeowner’s life, and the IHR team anticipated our concerns and listened carefully to our goals.

The team was always professional and offered creative suggestions and solutions to issues that arose during the remodel. The result was as smooth a transition into our new space as possible. We are extremely happy with the transformation of our kitchen, which encompasses our vision and lifestyle. It is truly beautiful.”

The completed Sand Point kitchen balances character with precision. By improving circulation, creating two highly functional work zones, introducing storage tailored to the homeowners’ routines, and preserving meaningful details from the original space, IHR created a kitchen that feels established rather than newly assembled. From the welcoming entrance to the living room at the opposite end, the kitchen now feels open, organized, and deeply connected to the way the homeowners live and gather.

Seattle Sand Point Country Club Fresh Start Kitchen Remodel

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