To create a more open and expansive dining and kitchen area that's better connected to the rear yard, we removed the walls shown to the left and straight ahead in the "Before" photo (bottom). New patio doors, straight ahead and to the right in the "After" photo, fill the arched openings that had led from the former upper-level screen porch to the lower-level screen porch and the exterior (respectively). Daylight from four formerly failing casement windows, to the right in the "Before" photo, is now captured through three new casement windows in the same overall opening, to the right in the "After" photo. A custom built-in banquette, and custom table (from Ares Iron) comfortably allow for more diners than the small table in the "Before" photo. Reclaimed chestnut flooring and a new color palette round out the improvements. More "Before & After" photo pairings to come.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast