The Morgans’ Kitchen
Project overview
Alex and Jamie Morgan want their Arlington kitchen to feel easier to use every day: two people should be able to cook together, find what they need in the pantry, and prepare food with good light and clear counters. The existing room has warm oak cabinetry, a wood floor and a central worktable. Their starting point is to keep the character and useful parts of the kitchen, then make deliberate improvements to storage, lighting and circulation.
The core project brings together better pantry access, task lighting, counters and backsplash, a sink and faucet review, and the cabinet changes needed to make the room work. The Morgans want to compare retaining and refinishing the cabinet boxes with selective replacement, and a smaller movable work surface with the current table. A fixed island and new appliances remain options. The current photos show the room as it stands; the inspiration images describe the warm, light finishes and accessible storage they are drawn to.
Their working budget is $65,000, with a firm ceiling of $75,000 including appliances, design and permit fees, and a $10,000 contingency. They would like a site meeting in October, scope and key finishes settled by November 20, and work to begin between February 1 and March 15, 2027. A working kitchen by April 30 is the goal, subject to the agreed scope, contractor availability and product lead times. They plan to stay in the house, so dust separation, a protected route through the dining room and a temporary cooking arrangement need to be part of the plan.
The first contractor visit should turn these priorities into clear choices: measure the room and walkways, inspect the cabinets and floor, review services and lighting, and establish what can be retained. The Morgans want core work and optional upgrades priced separately so they can make the tradeoffs together. Alex will coordinate appointments and messages; Jamie will lead finish selections. Both will approve the scope and budget.
Goals and priorities
- Make the existing kitchen work better for two people cooking while understanding what warm oak cabinetry can be retained before replacing everything.
Priorities, in order: pantry storage; lighting over preparation counters; more comfortable circulation around the central wood worktable.
Project scope
- Core work includes better pantry access, useful task lighting, counters and backsplash, review of the sink and faucet, and cabinet work needed for storage and circulation.
- Compare keeping/refinishing cabinet boxes with selective replacement, and keeping the worktable with a smaller movable surface. A fixed island and new appliances are optional and undecided. Work stays within the kitchen; no extension or structural wall removal is planned.
Layout options: keep the worktable, choose a smaller movable surface, or selectively adapt cabinets. Consider a fixed island only if measured clearances and budget allow.
Budget and timing
Working budget: $65,000. Firm maximum: $75,000, including appliances, design and permit fees, and a $10,000 contingency. This is the owners’ spending envelope. Contractor costs should separate core work from optional upgrades.
Desired site meeting: October 12–23, 2026. Choose scope and key finishes by November 20, 2026. Desired start: February 1–March 15, 2027. Desired working kitchen by April 30, 2027. Six to eight weeks of disruption is acceptable if realistic; dates depend on final scope, availability and product lead times.
Existing conditions
The current photos show wood cabinetry and flooring, a central worktable, open pantry storage, perimeter counters, a refrigerator, a dishwasher, a sink beneath the window and a range.
- Keep the window and external openings.
- Retain the wood floor and refrigerator if their condition and the agreed layout allow.
- Keep the sink and range in their present locations unless there is a clear practical reason to move them.
Use the current-kitchen photos and Kitchen layout.pdf for the first visit. The homeowner sketch is dated October 2, 2026 and shows room relationships; it is not to scale or a construction drawing. Dimensions, hidden conditions and feasibility require on-site verification.
Design preferences
- Make dry goods visible without moving several items. Compare pantry pull-outs with a rebuilt pantry interior; provide deep drawers for pots and pans, tray and board storage, and a home for toaster and coffee equipment.
- Keep useful existing under-cabinet lighting. Review dark preparation areas, switching and dimming; aim for warm, comfortable light with separate task and general-light control. Confirm fixtures and electrical work on site.
- Use a warm, light palette with natural wood and uncluttered counters. Compare durable, easy-care counters and a simple backsplash.
References: Finish and storage plan.pdf and the three inspiration photos in Photos and plans. The images show a separate reference room; adapt their storage, lighting and finish ideas to this kitchen. The exact pictured layout and result are not requirements.
Access and occupancy
- The owners plan to remain in the house. Required provisions are dust separation, floor protection through the dining room, daily cleanup and a temporary cooking arrangement. Work hours, access and service interruptions must be agreed before starting.
People and decisions
- Alex Morgan and Jamie Morgan both approve scope and budget. Alex will coordinate appointments and messages; Jamie will lead finish selections.
- Alex Morgan and Jamie Morgan are the owners in Arlington, Massachusetts.
Site review
Use the first visit to establish the information needed for a detailed proposal.
- Measure the room, openings and worktable clearances; check circulation for two people cooking.
- Inspect cabinet boxes before recommending refinishing, new fronts or selective replacement; assess whether the wood floor can be retained.
- Verify service locations, electrical capacity, existing lighting and the work needed for proposed changes.
- Confirm permit requirements and the practical feasibility of the layout options.
- Check contractor availability, product lead times and the decisions needed to agree scope and schedule.
Open decisions
Cabinets: Retain and refinish, change fronts or selectively replace, following the cabinet inspection.
Work surface: Keep the existing table or choose a smaller movable surface. Consider a fixed island only if measured clearances and budget allow.
Appliances: Decide whether to replace appliances and which models to use; retain the refrigerator if its condition and the final layout allow.
Finishes: Choose counters, backsplash, hardware and lighting products after the site review and lead-time check.
Scope and schedule: Compare core work with separately priced optional upgrades, then confirm the contractor’s scope and dates within the owners’ spending envelope.