The kitchen in this Prairie Village home had a dining area that was more an everyday obstacle than it was a homey gathering space. These clients wanted a custom solution to their foot traffic issues so they contacted our Handyman Services team to create a darling built-in banquette and to make some convenient layout changes. Designer, Lindsay Brungardt, teamed up with Thomas Schauffler and Mitchell Talmage to transform this dining area in to a more beautiful and more functional space.
A Dining Area with a Flow Problem
Since purchasing the home in 2019, these clients had struggled with the overall flow of their dining area. The back door was located where accessing the backyard and letting their dog outside was cumbersome. These homeowners wanted a solution that allowed for easier foot (and dog) traffic. As a liminal space between the kitchen and living area, they also wanted a dining table that was integrated in to the space instead of dividing it.
Reformatting the Windows and Rear Entry
In order to create space for the banquette, our team first had to address the headache that was our clients rear entry. To solve this, we removed the door and relocated it to an adjacent wall. With the door relocated, our clients will be able to let their dog out with more ease and the more direct route to the back yard makes more sense with the home’s layout. Next, we constructed a temporary wall to reinforce the dining area while we reformatted and installed all new windows above the banquette.
Next, we constructed a temporary wall to reinforce the dining area while we reformatted and installed all new windows above the banquette.
Windows Before
Windows During
Finishing the Exterior
Around the same time as this Handyman custom project, our clients where making big changes to their backyard. They had the previous deck removed and were in the process of having a new one built with the reformatted dining area in mind. The new deck would a small landing at the door, a right turn, and then stairs would descend below the new windows, expanding the view of the back yard.
Our Handymen installed new windows, including one where the back door was previously located, and began recreating the exterior look of the house with matching trim and paint.
Mitchell and Thomas install siding around the new windows.
A New Custom Built-In Banquette
Three weeks after the start of their remodel, our clients have a beautiful new dining area! All new windows provide a one hundred and eighty degree view of the backyard and allow plenty of natural light for lively dining. The custom built-in banquette features and beadboard backing, storage drawers, and an integrated electrical outlet. The banquette and windows are trimmed and painted to match the rest of the kitchen area. It looks like it was meant to be there all along!
Our clients love their new banquette and the improved flow of their living space! Check out more of our projects in Prairie Village here!
Hoping to make a few dining room edits this summer? Contact our Handyman Services Team!