“We thought we were limited in what we could do. We were delighted with what Bryhn and the team came up with.”
— The Conways, High Bridge, NJ
How do you turn a cramped kitchen space into something you love?
When two working artists—Tim, a fine artist, and his wife, Kathy, a graphic designer—reached out to us about their Flemington kitchen remodel, they were considering more of a facelift to their kitchen. However, being artists, they wanted a space that was tastefully designed, more functional for every day use, and gave inspiration.
The kitchen was:
- Small
- Poorly lit
- Tucked in the middle of the home
- Tough to access and awkwardly laid out
“It was a difficult space, to say the least… we really thought we were stuck with what we had.”
But after reviewing the space, our design team was able to see beyond the limitations and designed a few options for them to review.
Working through structural barriers
The home was originally a hunting cabin which the homeowners had remodeled over the years. Before updating the kitchen, there were a few structural issues to consider to open up the space.
A large load bearing beam went went through the kitchen which lowered the ceiling and created an inconvenient bump-out behind the original stove position.
Through some creative repositioning, we were able to raise the ceiling to be in line with the living room and dining room. The load is still supported, but it the beam is now hidden.
We had to leave the load bearing post which you see at the corner of the kitchen, but with the same casing as the overhead beams, this fits the aesthetic of the room.
When making changes to your home’s layout, it’s important to understand the structural engineering of the home to properly support the rest of the home. We take careful consideration to ensuring load is managed properly.
Remodeling during personal hardship
Just days before demolition began, the Conways received unexpected news—Tim’s cancer had returned after years in remission.
“We weren’t sure what to do. Should we even go through with it?”
But we were there every step of the way—with compassion, flexibility, and a clear plan that allowed the project to move forward without adding stress.
- All permitting? ✅ Handled
- All selections? ✅ Guided by our in-house designer
- Project scheduling? ✅ Smooth and continuous
- Our team? ✅ “Reliable, kind, and always on time”
“We never had to chase anyone down. They were on it. It just rolled forward.”
A Fresh Layout & A Creative Eye
By reworking the floor plan and rethinking the flow, we:
✅ Opened up the kitchen to the living-room
✅ Repositioned appliances for accessibility
✅ Added a skylight to bring in natural light
✅ Improved access to storage and work zones
✅ Installed wide, deep drawers instead of difficult base cabinets
✅ Increased counter-space for cooking prep
Now the kitchen feels bigger, brighter, and smarter. A space that supports aging-in-place.
“Even though we both have artistic backgrounds, we never would’ve thought of these design choices. They just made everything work.”
Design That Supports Your Lifestyle
When you’re remodeling your kitchen, it is important to understand your goals, short and long-term plans. for the Conways, they were looking ahead to aging comfortably in place, the layout, storage and accessibility details mattered even more.
The new design includes:
- Pull-out drawers for easier access
- A refrigerator and sink positioned for minimal bending
- Improved lighting with dimmers for ambiance or brightness
- Flow between the kitchen and living space
“I love sitting in the living room and watching Tim cook now. It’s open, inviting—it just makes sense.”
🔍 Their Favorite Features
✔️ The ample cabinet & countertop space
✔️ Seamless coordination between design and function
✔️ The skylight that brightens the entire kitchen
✔️ Quality craftsmanship that shows in every corner
“Every tradesperson who came in—from plumbing to painting—was a joy to work with. You could tell they cared. The craftsmanship was excellent.”
🎬 Final Thoughts from the Conways
“It’s beautiful. It works. And we look at it every day and think—can you believe this is ours?”
We can. Because great design, thoughtful planning, and trusted execution always add up to spaces that feel like home.
Thinking About a Kitchen Remodel of Your Own?
Whether your space is small, dark, or just not working anymore—Bryhn Design/Build brings 30 years of design-forward, client-centered remodeling to homes across central New Jersey.
📞 Call us today at (908) 806-2961
📍 Serving Hunterdon, Mercer, Morris, Somerset, and Union Counties
🌐 Schedule a consultation and start dreaming big.
Interested in expanding your kitchen? Check out our guide on expanding your kitchen.
Check out our 2025 Kitchen Remodeling Trends guide, here.
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