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As the years pass by, needs sometimes change. Remodeling gives you a chance to adapt your living spaces to better fit your evolving lifestyle.

When Beth and Chris Glass asked Orren Pickell Design to remodel their house, their wish list included a complete makeover of the existing galley kitchen. It was too small to be functional and it didn't have the right look.

To resolve these issues, the size of the kitchen was doubled and the style upgraded to fit with the rest of the house, says project manager Jason DeBaker.

"The kitchen is now more formal, and it blends better with the character of the house. The crown molding in the kitchen, for example, appears throughout the residence for a sense of continuity and a classic look," he says.

A matte white finish was specified for the cabinets because it has a more traditional tone, says kitchen designer Elizabeth Tranberg. The simple palette results in a light, crisp ambiance that won't date.

"Using recessed panels for the cabinet doors, rather than raised, kept the room from becoming too formal," she says. "The dark wood floor provides contrast and creates a sense of warmth, balancing the cool white."

Silver-gray veins in the white marble backsplash pick up the stainless steel farm sink and the appliances. Marble used for the countertops has a gold tone, which brings warmth to the room.

Instead of a single work triangle, the kitchen has multiple work areas, making it convenient for more than one person to use the space at a time. For example, the refrigerator/freezer was set away from the island so children can help themselves to cold drinks, while keeping them clear of the cooking area.

The central island serves as a casual dining area and work space. Turned legs on the sides facing into the room give the piece the appearance of furniture. Stools set at a diagonal angle to each other under the green granite countertop encourage conversation to flow, say the owners.

The sides of the island that face the sink and range are more functional, containing an integrated dishwasher and drawers. A second dishwasher is opposite in the lower bank of cabinets.

"It's a highly practical kitchen. Each drawer and cabinet has a purpose there is a place for everything," Tranberg says.

An unexpected benefit of the project was the discovery that the roomy kitchen appeals to guests, too. Linked to the formal dining room by a passage lined with display cabinets, the kitchen has become a popular place for mingling.

"Now it's not just a place to prepare meals," the owners say. "It's a place to entertain, or to gather informally and enjoy each other's company."

Story by: Lori Nims