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DIVINE DESIGN: Design puts family first

By Candice Olson, Scripps Howard News Service

Published August 29, 2008 at 3 p.m.

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The homeowners wanted this more open design so they could keep an eye on their children in the backyard or the family room from the kitchen.

The homeowners wanted this more open design so they could keep an eye on their children in the backyard or the family room from the kitchen.

The designer knocked down this wall between the kitchen and the family room, enlarged the kitchen window and installed sliding glass doors overlooking the backyard.

Photo by Photos From HGTV

The designer knocked down this wall between the kitchen and the family room, enlarged the kitchen window and installed sliding glass doors overlooking the backyard.

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Chantal and Jeff moved into their 1960s-era house four years ago with two kids, loads of energy and big plans to start renovating. But soon after settling in they found out they were expecting child No. 3.

When little James came into the world with serious heart complications, renovations were put on hold and all energies went into supporting him.

Fast-forward two years and James (nicknamed "Beats" because of his boundless energy) is stronger than ever. Chantal and Jeff decided the time was right for a redesign and chose to start with the busiest room in their home: the kitchen.

The original kitchen was small, cramped and not very practical for a mom who spends a lot of time cooking for three kids who "eat around the clock." So I brought in my crew to get the couple's renovation plans back on track and create a functional, stylish, family-friendly space.

The kitchen was adjacent to a family room, where the kids love to play; it also looked out onto the backyard, where the kids spend summers splashing in the pool. But there wasn't much visibility into the family room or backyard from the kitchen, and Chantal and Jeff wanted to be able to keep an eye on the kids from all angles.

To give Mom and Dad greater "kid visibility," I knocked down the wall between the kitchen and family room and created one large space. I separated the two areas with a long kitchen island with a granite counter, a dark wood base, funky bar stools and two pendant lights. I also enlarged the kitchen window and created sliding doors in the family room so the backyard is in view.

I then painted all the walls in a creamy shade and put down hard-wearing walnut flooring throughout the space.

Although I was working with a big open space, I still wanted to maintain some visual separation between the kitchen and family-room zones. I wanted a light and airy look in the kitchen, so I used cream paint with a strie finish for much of the cabinetry, and cream and mottled quartz for the restaurant-quality countertops.

To add excitement, I put up a backsplash in handcrafted multicolored glass tile that complements the countertops and cabinets. I then installed gorgeous new appliances, including two stoves, a double-door paneled fridge and a cast-iron sink.

In the family room, I created one whole wall of dark walnut cabinetry that contains a family entertainment system and a bar area with a satellite sink and fridge. I then put in a grouping of furniture, including a brown L-shaped sectional, two patterned chairs and a wood coffee table.

At the nearby patio doors, I put down an area of tile for wet little feet and put up beautiful linen draperies with darker brown edges to hide wee fingerprints.

Interior decorator Candice Olson is host of HGTV's Divine Design. Contact her at HGTV.com or divinedesign.tv.