Project Monhegan: A Modern Kitchen Built for Gathering

Oakland, NJ

THE STARTING POINT

Kitchen design wasn’t an area that I ever felt fully confident in because I didn’t have a lot of experience with these types of projects, but Project Monhegan quickly became a favorite and my best kitchen yet. My amazing clients lived in a home with a decent amount of square footage, yet the layout made the kitchen—situated in the very center of the house—feel dark, closed off, and incredibly difficult to use. Walls divided the space in awkward ways, the layout didn’t serve the family’s daily rhythm, and the lack of natural light made the entire area feel heavy the moment you walked in.

On top of that, the floors had been patched and replaced in sections over the years, leaving them uneven and visually disjointed. It wasn’t just a kitchen refresh this home needed—it required a true reimagining. After creating the initial design concepts, and knowing the scope of the project, I brought in my trusted friend and contractor, Brian of Groenewal Construction. We began scheming and planning for a space that would finally match the family’s needs and lifestyle.

View of a kitchen with wooden cabinets and granite countertop island, two hanging pendant lights, and a doorway leading to a living room with white couches, a fireplace, and a flat-screen TV.
Clean kitchen with wooden cabinets, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and a kitchen island with pendant lighting. There's a high chair at the island, and small decorative items and flowers on the counter. The floor is wooden, and there

THE TRANSFORMATION

Working alongside Brian, this project unfolded with true teamwork. With my design concepts and product selections finalized up front, Brian and his team were able to move quickly and efficiently, bringing the vision to life on a tight and well-managed timeline.

We fully gutted the kitchen and surrounding areas, including removing the old, mismatched flooring. New white oak floors were installed throughout, instantly giving the home a cohesive foundation. The biggest game-changer was taking down the large, awkward wall that separated the kitchen from the family room. Opening that space completely transformed the flow of the main level and finally allowed the kitchen to feel bright, spacious, and welcoming.

From there, everything was rebuilt with intention: fresh paint, new cabinetry, beautiful counters (especially on that massive new island filled with storage and seating), new lighting, and carefully selected finishes to create a clean, modern, family-friendly environment. We added dream features like a huge double pantry and a built-in bar area—perfect for hosting the friends and family they love to gather with.

A modern kitchen with white cabinets, a white marble island, wooden barstools, and a large window door leading outside. Decor includes a large vase with greenery, a chandelier, and minimal accessories.
Modern kitchen with white cabinets, marble countertops, and stainless steel stove, decorated with wooden accents and small decorative items.
Modern kitchen with white cabinets, wooden flooring, and a central island with a vase of greenery. There are two beige chairs at the island and a brass chandelier overhead.
Coffee station with a kettle, coffee filter holder, and glass carafe on a white stovetop, with two blue and white patterned mugs nearby, in a white kitchen.
Kitchen with white cabinets, light wood lower cabinets, open shelves, and a wine fridge, with a patterned tile backsplash and a wooden floor.
Modern kitchen with light wood cabinets, a white island with a marble countertop, a gold faucet, a large greenery arrangement, and a chandelier with white shades.
Kitchen with wooden cabinets, open shelves, a small wine cooler, and a patterned tile backsplash.
Open-concept kitchen and living room with hardwood floors, white cabinetry, modern appliances, a large island with bar stools, a living area with sofas, a wall-mounted TV, and a fireplace.

THE REVEAL

This reveal was slightly different than my typical reveals because the clients were able to watch the transformation unfold in real time. With each new milestone, their excitement and joy grew, which made the entire process with Brian and I incredibly life-giving. Once the final checklist items were complete, I came in to style the space with finishing touches that brought the whole design together.

Seeing their reaction to the fully completed kitchen was such a reward. It finally felt like the bright, functional, elevated space they had always hoped for—a kitchen they could be proud to host in, cook in, and enjoy with their family for years to come.

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