Summer is coming to a close and the changing of seasons means bringing out the sweaters and changing out the home décor. But even as the days get shorter and the temperatures drop, one thing that remains is the family gathering space. The kitchen is often the place where families come together and spend the most time with one another. Stories are shared around the kitchen table or while dinner is in the works. Even when families are apart, the kitchen remains a symbol of those familial bonds. Given the importance of this room, it can make a huge difference to renovate and rejuvenate the space, a truth that Ann Marie and Michael Baxley can attest to.
Ann Marie is the Nurse Manager for Baylor Scott & White clinics and Michael is the Director of Technology at the Methodist Children’s Home. They have three grown children and, in honor of entering a new stage of life, they hired R&R Remodeling and Construction to remodel their home, with a focus on the kitchen.
“I enjoy baking, cooking, and so I really wanted a chef’s kitchen. I wanted all the bells and whistles,” Ann Marie said about her original vision for the space. “I also wanted a very timeless look that could stand the test of time, so I wasn’t 10 years later, 15 years later, wanting to go in and completely gut the whole thing — just something to take us into our next stage of life.”
R&R certainly made that vision a reality. From the stove cutout to the large island to the hidden pantry, this truly is a chef’s kitchen. The neutral color of the cabinets in contrast with the deep color of the hardwood floors ensures a classically beautiful space.
In terms of aesthetic, the subway tiles and soft white paint are clean and balance well with the conventional crowning on all four walls.
“It has some traditional elements, but with a lot of the bells and whistles,” Ann Marie said. “My husband’s a real coffee guru — he loves coffee. And so, we made a special place for him to do his coffee. And then the hidden pantry thing was something that I had envisioned, and we worked with our contractor and our cabinet maker to come up with that whole concept. It’s just a place where I can go and retreat sometimes.”
‘Bells and whistles’ such as the pot filler above the stove, the wine fridge, the coffee bar and hidden pantry are what make the Baxley’s kitchen so unique and tailored specially to this family.
Not only will this kitchen serve the Baxley family, but those that they host.
“I will say that with the renovation, with having more space, we do seem to have more get-togethers here,” Ann Marie said. Her daughter was married recently, and the additional space, for both organizing and seating, has made a huge difference. “Our family’s getting bigger. So just to have the space to comfortably entertain has really been a sweet thing for us.”
For others planning to update or remodel their kitchen, Ann Marie gives this advice: “Make sure you clearly communicate your vision for the overall look that you’re wanting. Invest in the time to make sure that your contractor knows what you’re wanting. Do your research. Know what you want, make sure that your budget can support what you want. And clear and open communication feedback with your contractor to make sure they know your priorities.”
