Cozy & Coastal

This kitchen renovation brings together thoughtful details from European-inspired design, warm elements and an open concept brimming with practical considerations for a relaxed yet refined look and feel.

- BY LAURA SHIMKO

Whether from pouring through endless home décor magazines, or from finding the perfect thrifted or flea market find, inspiration can come from any source. This Seattle home, built in the 1940s, was in desperate need of a new vision. The homeowners reached out to designer Jessica Dorling of Dorling Design Studio to create the kitchen of their dreams. Dazzled by design and architecture in childhood after constructing a dollhouse with her father, Jessica's passion for home design led her to study interior design in college, and then eventually to open up her own design studio.

As is the case with many mid-century homes, the original footprint of this home was small and segmented, making it feel cramped and closed off. The exterior of the home was a patchwork of different materials. "Inside, the kitchen bore the marks of a tired 1980s remodel: dated cabinetry on the verge of collapse and layers of vinyl flooring stacked on each other, a reminder of decades of quick fixes rather than thoughtful design," says Jessica.

EXPANDED DREAMS. While this project began as a kitchen renovation, it soon extended to other parts of the home for a more total makeover. "Since expanding the kitchen out back wasn't an option due to major utilities, we strategically pushed the footprint forward, reconfiguring both the main and upper floors," Jessica says. This included moving the primary suite upstairs and reimagining it to suit the homeowners' needs and wants. "This transformation completely reshaped the home's layout and functionality," she says.