A Green Kitchen Remodel and Addition in Portland

The owners of this 1941 home in Portland's Garden Home-Whiteford neighborhood had grown tired of their dark, narrow galley kitchen. They came to us with a clear vision: a bright, open cooking space that looked out over their backyard garden and the tall trees beyond. The original layout felt tight and closed off, with little natural light and not enough counter space to work or gather. The galley footprint left no room to move comfortably while cooking, and its separation from the rest of the home turned meal prep into a solitary task. They wanted more room to move and host, larger windows to pull in daylight, and a direct connection to the view they loved.

This Garden Home Neighborhood Home

Portland, OR

Neighborhood	Garden Home - Whitford
Square Footage	2041 sqft
Year Built	1941
Estimated Home Value	$737,500
Bedrooms	3 bd
Baths	2 ba
Lot Size	.50 Acres
Architectural Style	Mid-Century Ranch
Stories	2
Garage	1 car garage
Estimated Home Value After Remodel	$965,231

This Portland kitchen remodel addressed a kitchen that felt tight and isolated, with minimal natural light and limited counter space. The galley layout didn’t offer enough room to move around while cooking. Furthermore, its separation from the rest of the living space made preparing meals a lonely chore.

The homeowners wanted a more spacious kitchen with room to maneuver and host gatherings. They also wanted to add large windows to bring in light and incorporate views of their picturesque backyard.

Project Goals

We expanded the home by 400 square feet by converting an existing covered deck into living space. Reusing the deck's roof structure let us build a bright kitchen beneath it without starting over from the ground up. Partway through the project, the homeowners decided to enlarge the addition another two feet to the north, which gave the finished kitchen even more breathing room.

At the center sits a generous four-by-six-foot island with seating for nine. A Whitehaus fireclay farmhouse sink rests beneath a window that looks out over the backyard garden, so everyday tasks come with a view. A forest-inspired color palette governs the look of the room, with deep green cabinetry and a custom tile backsplash adding texture and color. Walnut floating shelves take the place of upper cabinets on most walls, which keeps the space open and draws the eye toward the backyard views and full-wall tile.

The layout is built for easy movement, with plenty of counter space and a balance of work zones and seating that supports both daily cooking and regular hosting.

Unique Features

Knight Cabinetry custom cabinets carry the forest theme, finished in Juniper green on the tall and base cabinets and Flax on the uppers, with frameless construction and five-piece Shaker doors and drawers.
PentalQuartz countertops in the Volakano color bring a soft, light pattern along with the durability and low maintenance that quartz is known for.
A Daltile Miramo backsplash in Reef, a glossy green picket tile, runs the full height of the wall and gives the space its standout feature.
A Lark Rumi seven-light linear chandelier in lacquered brass lights the island and warms the cooler green tones.
Walnut floating shelves in a Jacobean finish provide open storage and keep sightlines clear to the backyard.