Jay + Elyssia's Kitchen Remodel
Jay + Elyssia's Kitchen Remodel
Kitchen Renovation in Portland, OR
Landscape designer Jay is always getting his hands dirty outside. He brought those skills inside for his kitchen remodel, and together with his partner, Elyssia, and their extended family of woodworkers, took a hands-on role. They handled demolition themselves and installed and finished the kitchen's beautiful reclaimed wood tongue-and-groove ceiling.
A new kitchen was a long-held dream for this client couple. In addition to a great space to dine and cook in, they sought to improve the flow between dining and living room and tie the house together overall. In the new layout, the dining table is at the center of the kitchen, completely open to the living room. Generous circulation around the dining table also allows for easy access to the mud room and back yard.
This project made the Spring 2025 cover of Oregon Home.
From our first meeting with Michael we knew we wanted to work with him on a much-needed kitchen remodel of our beloved 1920's bungalow. It was apparent that his attention to detail and involvement in the construction process aligned with the outcomes we wanted to see.
One of our biggest concerns going into this project was finding a general contractor who would be responsive and deliver a high level of quality. We didn't want to manage the contractor or feel like we had to compromise on timelines or the look of the end product if issues came up. When it came time to bid the project, Michael suggested contractors whom he knew could deliver to our expectations, which gave us much-needed reassurance with our final choice. In construction, Michael was our advocate at every step. The end result is a kitchen that is unique, beautiful, highly functional and completely changes the way we live. It's so amazing that it is hard to remember the space prior to the remodel.
Before + After
The removal of a defunct chimney (which the owners wisely did not take on themselves) allowed us to open up the kitchen to the living room—radically improving the flow in and between both spaces.
Well matched
We took care to ensure the finish and stain colors in the beams, ceiling, and trim harmonize with the existing credenza in the adjacent living room.
Best of both
Natural wood keeps the space warm and cozy. Painted cabinets in a bright English green enliven the room, and give a nod to the plant expert who cooks here.
Room for all
Pinecones and plants. Cookbooks and ceramics. Ample floating shelves are put to good use.