A Dream Home, Indoors and Out
By Jill Cousins
One of the luxuries of Florida living is having almost year-round sunshine and beautiful weather, particularly in the wintertime when most people elsewhere are hunkering inside to stay out of the cold. For Florida homeowners who want to take advantage of that fortunate situation, S&W Kitchens can help you utilize your outdoor space in the best possible ways.
One couple, the Karrs, did just that with their lovely lakefront home in Windermere. S&W Kitchens had already renovated the kitchen inside the Karrs’ home, and they were so pleased with the results, they decided to let them transform their screened-in back porch into a spectacular outdoor kitchen.
“In Florida, people typically gravitate toward the outdoors, and having an outdoor kitchen gives you the opportunity to entertain outside,” said S&W Kitchens designer Sarah Kraus Bartelson. “The Karrs have a great piece of property with a beautiful view of the water, and now they can enjoy more time outside on that back porch.”
The challenge was to make the new kitchen and addition blend seamlessly with the existing exterior of the traditional-style home. And S&W Kitchens was up to the challenge.
“We wanted it to look like it has always been there, not like it was an addition,” Sarah said. “We wanted the new kitchen to complement the existing integrity and style of the home.”
That was, indeed, a challenge. Many of the materials used for the home’s exterior, particularly the brick floor and exterior siding, were no longer in production. S&W Kitchens put in the time to find similar materials and create the cohesive look that the Karrs desired.
The result was a spacious outdoor kitchen with a huge grill, tons of amenities, and additional room for entertaining.
“There’s so much more space for eating and entertaining now,” Sarah added, “and they can also cook on the grill and use the sink for an easy clean-up.”
The renovation gave the Karrs their dream outdoor kitchen, complete with grill and stainless steel features including a pull-out trash can, under-cabinet refrigerator, and an ice machine. A brick backsplash neatly matches the brick herringbone flooring, and large format porcelain tiles create a stunning accent for the spacious countertops.
“We are general building contractors, so we can do as much or as little as you want,” Sarah said. “We can do a simple little bathroom remodel or whole exterior or interior additions.”
So, what’s your next project? S&W Kitchens is ready to help make it happen. Just give them a call.
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