A Light-Filled and Detail-Rich Colonial Remodel

With dad and daughter working on the correct proportions for the trim and husband Bryan assigned to floors and finding a spot for his requested wet bar, the team looked for ways to open up the first floor. "We wanted the living spaces to read as one and flow seamlessly, for ease of use and entertaining," says Woods.

Barring the way between the kitchen and family room were bulky cabinets functioning as half walls separated by a 4-foot opening with a step down—just the thing to send an unsuspecting guest flying. The laundry room occupied a prime bit of first-floor real estate that cried out for conversion to a mudroom.

Shown: The butler's pantry, between the kitchen and dining room, catches and releases tableware. Pendant lights: Circa Lighting. Automated lighting system: Lutron Electronics