At Brentfield in Huntersville, a kitchen remodel brought a larger working island, practical pantry storage and Art Deco details into a more connected living space. MUSE reworked the appliance arrangement, raised the sunken living-room floor to meet the kitchen and designed cabinetry around an existing HVAC return.
Connecting the kitchen and living room
A step down behind the island seating complicated movement between the two rooms. The existing hearth and windowsill heights allowed the living-room floor to be raised to the kitchen level. Planning that transition alongside the larger island made the seating area and the space behind it work together.
Giving the pantry wall a new purpose
The angled pantry and mirrored wine-storage area gave way to a wall of cabinetry with an oven, microwave and warming drawer. Pantry storage includes roll-out trays and a divided cabinet with a full-height space for a broom and other tall cleaning supplies. Moving the wall appliances also allowed the main cabinet run to continue around the existing HVAC return.
Balancing a bold backsplash with quieter surfaces
Charcoal cabinetry, soft white upper cabinets and a marble-and-brass backsplash establish the Art Deco character. MUSE paired a simple white quartz perimeter with a more prominently veined island countertop, giving each surface its own role. The installer dry-laid the backsplash tile to arrange the varying marble tones before setting the pattern.
Resolving the details during installation
The pantry needed to work for tall cleaning supplies as well as groceries. After cabinetry installation, the team adapted a pantry cabinet with a vertical divider: one side remained full height, while the other used narrower roll-out trays. That adjustment connected the storage design to what the homeowner actually needed to put away.
The tall ceiling also affected the lighting. When a chosen star-inspired fixture could not reach the intended position with its supplied suspension, the team found a longer replacement suited to the kitchen’s brass accents and used the original fixture in the foyer. Both details are documented in the project presentation.
Making room to cook and gather
A farmhouse sink sits in the enlarged island, while a custom hood takes the place of the over-the-range microwave. The finished kitchen brings appliance access, pantry organization and seating into one plan. For a similar project, consider the adjoining room, floor levels and everyday storage needs alongside your cabinet and finish choices.
Explore our kitchen remodeling services or learn more about remodeling in Huntersville. Our kitchen layout guide helps frame the decisions; the remodeling investment guide explains how scope and coordinated work shape a budget.
