Kicked-back Kitchen  |  Bringing family together

A beloved 1880s Peaks Island house was in need of updating. For its owners, a family that loves to cook and socialize, the kitchen was the natural thing to focus on. Old stairs were removed and a porch enclosed to bring in abundant natural light and add space to hang out, which neatly doubles as a mudroom. A professional stove and expanded food prep areas make the kitchen really functional—and with added counter bar stools and comfy seating, it serves as the cozy social hub of the family.

On the exterior, the comfortable character of the house was protected by making updates look like they'd been there all along. We kept the roofline of the original porch, while invisibly adding upgraded structural support, a new floor system, top-notch air sealing and insulation, and high-efficiency heating.