Open kitchen with a large island after a remodel in Melrose, MA

Melrose, MA · East Side

Melrose Open Kitchen and Whole-House Update

14 weeks

of construction

1 steel beam

opens the kitchen to the dining room

2 systems

new heating and cooling, one per floor

The project

This family wanted a bigger kitchen that worked better for them. The old kitchen was walled off from the dining room, a post stood in the way, and the house was heated by old radiators. They also asked us to add heating and cooling: two systems, one for each floor.

Our designer worked through several layout options with them. They asked for the cooktop to be centered between two windows, with the sink nearby and a tall cabinet for wall ovens. To make that work, we moved a plumbing stack into the wall. The old chimney had vented the boiler. The new systems replaced the boiler, so the chimney came out. To run the air conditioning, we opened the dropped ceiling under the rear addition and put new recessed lights back in the same spots.

The hardest part was the steel beam that opens the kitchen to the dining room. Upstairs, we also did some bedroom work and reframed a bigger closet where the chimney had been.

What's included

KitchenWhole house

Add-ons

Steel beam opening to the dining roomInterior chimney removedTwo new heating and cooling systems (one per floor)New and replacement windowsDining room bay windowDouble wall ovens and wine fridge

Before and after

Before: Kitchen toward the family room: the oak peninsula and ceiling fan gave way to a large painted island under glass pendants, with the stone fireplace still in view. — Kitchen toward the family room: the oak peninsula and ceiling fan gave way to a large painted island under glass pendants, with the stone fireplace still in view.

After: Kitchen toward the family room: the oak peninsula and ceiling fan gave way to a large painted island under glass pendants, with the stone fireplace still in view. — Kitchen toward the family room: the oak peninsula and ceiling fan gave way to a large painted island under glass pendants, with the stone fireplace still in view.

Before: The old sink window wall became a cooktop wall with two windows, a custom wood hood and a patterned marble backsplash. — The old sink window wall became a cooktop wall with two windows, a custom wood hood and a patterned marble backsplash.

After: The old sink window wall became a cooktop wall with two windows, a custom wood hood and a patterned marble backsplash. — The old sink window wall became a cooktop wall with two windows, a custom wood hood and a patterned marble backsplash.

Before: Toward the front hall: the range and freestanding fridge corner became double wall ovens and a full run of white cabinets, with the pantry door and hall doorway kept in place. — Toward the front hall: the range and freestanding fridge corner became double wall ovens and a full run of white cabinets, with the pantry door and hall doorway kept in place.

After: Toward the front hall: the range and freestanding fridge corner became double wall ovens and a full run of white cabinets, with the pantry door and hall doorway kept in place. — Toward the front hall: the range and freestanding fridge corner became double wall ovens and a full run of white cabinets, with the pantry door and hall doorway kept in place.

The floor plan, before and after

Existing first-floor plan — Existing first floor

New first-floor plan — New first floor with the kitchen opened to the dining room

Large island with seating and wall ovens in the Melrose kitchen

Island sink and glass pendants looking toward the refrigerator wall

Finishes we used

Cabinets

Schrock Pleasant Hill maple, square doors. Kitchen perimeter in White with glass-front upper cabinets and a wood arched hood; island in Moonstone.

Counters

Rainier, 3 cm, with a 3/8-inch radius edge, undermount sink and cooktop cutout.

Backsplash

Frazier Blanc de Ville patterned tile.

Sink and faucet

Granite composite double-bowl sink in metallic grey with a stainless pull-down faucet.

Appliances

Miele 36-inch gas cooktop; KitchenAid French door refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave drawer, double wall oven and wine cooler.

Projects like this

Kitchen opened to adjoining rooms, 16 projects we built 2020–2025

$130k–$225k

Typical range (middle half of jobs), change orders included. Your price is set in a fixed-price agreement before work starts and changes only if you change the job.

Get a range for your house

“Our project manager, Mike, was a superhero, visiting every day to supervise the work.”

Homeowner, Houzz review

Questions about this project

What did this Melrose kitchen remodel include?

A larger kitchen opened to the dining room with a steel beam, a large island, a cooktop centered between two windows, double wall ovens, new oak floors and windows, and two new heating and cooling systems, one for each floor.

Why was the chimney removed?

The old chimney vented the boiler. The new heating and cooling systems replaced the boiler, so the chimney came out, which also made room for a bigger closet upstairs.

How long did construction take?

About 14 weeks from the start of construction to completion.

What do projects like this cost?

Kitchens opened to adjoining rooms that we built from 2020 to 2025 typically ran $130k to $225k. Your price is set in a fixed-price agreement before work starts.

Planning something similar in Melrose?

Start with a design meeting. We design it, price it and build it with our own team.

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