Concordia Renovation

Location
Portland, OR

Size
708 SF

Time to turn the plan on its head

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Kitchen remodel with warm wood cabinetry, white countertops, and a large island, featuring a farmhouse sink under a window and a stainless steel range and hood.

This 1940s split level, located in Portland’s Concordia neighborhood, was a unique contemporary design for its time but was missing the mark on memorable details. To make matters worse, the kitchen was isolated from the dining area and suffered from an unworkable layout. A kitchen remodel changed everything–all the right design moves to add the missing pieces. Now the home makes perfect sense.

Aerial site plan of a residential neighborhood with surrounding homes, tree canopy, and the project site highlighted in orange near a park.
Kitchen remodel with warm wood cabinetry, a large island, and an adjacent dining area featuring a white table, spindle-back chairs, and pendant lighting above.
Dated kitchen before renovation with white cabinets, dark ceiling, freestanding range, and a small central worktable.

For this kitchen remodel, we flip-flopped the location of kitchen and dining room and tore down the wall between them. Then, we added a 22-sq.ft. addition to square up the space. These two small moves made a world of difference—a totally revamped first-floor living experience.

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Before floor plan showing the original layout with enclosed kitchen, separate dining room, and compartmentalized living spaces.
Before
After floor plan showing an open kitchen, dining, and living layout with improved circulation and a strong connection to the outdoor patio and yard.
After

A striking bank of clear vertical grain fir cabinets ties the kitchen and dining area together. The millwork maximizes storage and supports entertaining while providing the perfect space for an artistic touch. Rich fir floors compliment the warmth of the cabinets. White accents and chrome finishes add to the mix, making this space a modern masterpiece.

A large window and sliding glass doors flood the space with natural light. Additionally, they provide enticing views and easy access to the renovated back yard.

Built-in bookshelves bookend the millwork wall—nice nooks for cookbooks, keys and charging stations. 

Kitchen remodel with warm wood cabinetry, white countertops, and a central island with seating, viewed past a built-in bookshelf and farmhouse sink beneath a large window.
Kitchen remodel with custom wood cabinetry and a built-in display niche featuring artwork, integrated lighting, and concealed storage.

A recessed alcove built into the cabinetry in the dining room serves the dual function of both buffet counter and art display nook.

Kitchen remodel with warm wood cabinetry, white countertops, and a large island, featuring a farmhouse sink centered under a wide window and a stainless steel range with hood.

We didn’t stop with the kitchen remodel—the existing living room also needed help. To begin, we added picture rail below the existing cove moulding, transforming the space. Then, we gave the fireplace a modern facelift which included a custom blackened steel surround and green brick cladding from Fireclay.

Dated living room before renovation with dark walls, a traditional fireplace, and mismatched furnishings.
Living room remodel featuring a green-tiled fireplace, flanked by two windows and furnished with a pair of gray armchairs on a patterned rug.
Before renovation entry hall with a simple stair, painted railing, and cluttered floor area.

We then tackled the entry hall. A flimsy iron guardrail on the stair lacked substance. By bulking it up with a traditional newel post, wood pickets and a white oak handrail, the stair now has a better presence at the entry.

Finally, we replicated the original cove moulding found in the living room and added it to the entry. This not only added visual interest to the space, but also created cohesiveness throughout the home.

Entry hall remodel with updated stair featuring wood treads, white balusters, and improved detailing within a clean, bright space.
Detail of living room remodel featuring a green-tiled fireplace surround with a black mantel and small vases of pink flowers above.

“Working with the Christie’s on our kitchen remodel was enjoyable and easy. The renovations feel like they have always been this way and always should have been this way. This is our forever home, in large part because no other kitchen on the market is as perfect for us as this one.”

Tim C. & Laura J.

Homeowners