Allen Kitchen & Bath's Makeover Minute

From Closed Off To A Lake View That Never Quits

This Waterford lakefront home removed a load bearing wall to finally open the kitchen up to the water.

A kitchen with a water view should not have to share it with a wall. In this home, we removed the load bearing wall between the kitchen and dining room to finally open up that view. What used to feel like two separate rooms now feels like one bright space built around the lake outside.

A View Worth Opening Up For

The kitchen and dining room used to be two separate spaces, divided by a wall that blocked the lake view from the kitchen entirely. Removing it meant the kitchen could finally share in the view the dining room always had.

It also follows a growing trend: More than a third of homeowners now expand their kitchen's footprint during a remodel, often by taking space from a neighboring dining room.

Strong Enough To Disappear

The former wall was not just decorative. It carried the load of the upper floor and the roof across a 13 foot span. To remove it safely, we built a custom flush microlam header and set it right into the ceiling.

The result holds everything up without anyone ever seeing the work it takes to do it.

Making The Open Concept Complete

Over 600 square feet of old flooring came out, replaced with fresh underlayment and new LVT flooring throughout.

One continuous floor runs beneath the new open layout, with nothing to visually break up the space. It is a small detail that makes the whole room feel even larger than it already is.

Cabinetry That Reaches The Ceiling

The old soffits came down, making room for taller Waypoint Living Spaces cabinets that now reach all the way to the ceiling.

Two piece crown molding finishes the look at the top, while raised panel maple doors in Ember Glaze bring warmth to the whole room. Taller cabinets mean more storage and a kitchen that feels as tall as it does open.

The Island That Steals The Show

Main countertops throughout the kitchen are Viatera Everest Quartz, clean and durable for everyday use. The real star is the island.

A rich walnut top brings warmth and texture that immediately draws the eye. It is the kind of detail that turns a kitchen into a gathering place.

An Investment In Everyday Living

A project like this, a structural wall removal, a full kitchen rebuild, and high end materials throughout, comes with a real investment.

The total for this Waterford remodel was $96,000. It reflects a full transformation, not just a few cosmetic updates, which is part of why kitchens continue to command the highest remodeling spend of any room in the home.