For a family with six growing children, the kitchen isn't just a place to prepare meals. It's also the beating heart of their home; a place where in addition to meal prep and family dinners, homework is finished, stories are shared, and memories are made. But for one household in Long Lake, Minnesota, daily routines felt like a constant obstacle course.
An awkwardly angled wall severely pinched the cooking triangle, trapping the chef in a cramped corner and completely cutting off the kitchen from the rest of the main level. To make matters worse, an exterior green window canopy filtered incoming light, casting an uninviting pinkish hue over the interior walls.
With eight people needing space for morning breakfasts, evening homework, and family dinners, the homeowners needed a complete structural redesign. They partnered with the team at Higgins Construction to open up their main level and craft a spacious, chef-grade kitchen built to handle the energy of a busy household.
Key Takeaways
- THE CHALLENGE: An angled wall blocked natural traffic flow and created a cramped cooking area.
- THE APPROACH: We removed the structural wall, installed white oak floors, and added a large custom island with dual sinks and two dishwashers.
- THE RESULT: The spacious kitchen now serves as a comfortable gathering spot for daily meals, homework, and family hosting.
To address the tight layout, the homeowners chose a complete structural redesign inspired by classic English cabinetry styles. Removing the dividing wall allowed seamless transitions between the kitchen and dining room while dramatically improving everyday usability.
Project Summary
| Client Profile: |
Long Lake Homeowner |
| Project Location: |
Long Lake, MN |
| Primary Objective: |
Eliminate an angled wall to open up the kitchen and create a family-friendly layout through kitchen remodeling. |
| Core Approach: |
Install 1,800 square feet of white oak flooring, custom soft white cabinetry, Taj Mahal quartzite countertops, and a double-dishwasher island. |
| Key Outcome: |
An open-concept kitchen and dining area tailored for a family of eight, finished in four months. |
Breaking Down Barriers: Overcoming an Awkward Layout
When our crew stepped into the home, the main floor felt fragmented and dark. The angled partition wall created a severe bottleneck right where traffic was heaviest, leaving zero room for multiple people to cook or help out.
At Higgins Construction, we draw on over 30 years of general contracting experience to solve complex structural and design challenges. We developed a clear, transparent plan to completely rethink the main level:
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Structural Wall Removal: We safely demoed the load-bearing angled partition, seamlessly opening sightlines between the kitchen and dining room.
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Cohesive Flooring: Our team tore out 1,800 square feet of old, mismatched flooring across the main floor and laid continuous, solid white oak hardwood, rebuilding matching stairs to unify the space.
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Correcting Color Balance: To counteract the warm pink color cast caused by the exterior window canopy, we curated a refined color palette featuring soft white perimeter cabinets paired with rich, dark green tile accents.
Engineered for Eight: Custom Carpentry & High-Capacity Design
With six kids at home, a standard kitchen layout simply wouldn't cut it. So we moved forward with designing a new footprint centered around classic English cabinetry aesthetics, prioritizing massive storage and heavy-duty utility.
"They expressed immense satisfaction, stating they felt happy every time they entered the kitchen." - (Andy, Higgins Construction)
At the center of the transformation stands a custom oversized island topped with durable Taj Mahal quartzite. We outfitted the island specifically for high-capacity hosting and cleanup:
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Dual Workstations: Built with both a primary sink and a dedicated prep sink so multiple family members can chop, wash, and prep meals at the same time.
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Double Dishwashers: Installed two dishwashers side-by-side inside the island to make post-dinner cleanup effortless for a family of eight.
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Chef-Grade Cooking: Anchored the cooking wall with custom Grand Teton soft white cabinetry and a professional 48-inch Wolf cooktop and oven.
Custom white oak flooring and central island with Taj Mahal quartzite surfaces.
The Result: A Bright, Family-Centered Gathering Space
Delivered right on schedule in under four months, the renovation completely transformed how the family lives and interacts every day. Removing the angled wall allowed natural daylight to flood the entire main floor, creating an inviting, airy atmosphere that helped breathe new life into their home.
These clients were also happy to note that the central island instantly became the favorite gathering hub for the children, serving as a spacious spot for morning breakfasts, afternoon homework sessions, and quality evening family time.
Ready to Remodel Your Kitchen in Orono, MN? Reach Out to Higgins Construction!
For over three decades, Higgins Construction has been helping Twin Cities families transform cramped, outdated houses into forever homes. Whether you're planning a full kitchen remodel, a main-level addition, or an ADU build, our family-owned team brings honest communication, precision craftsmanship, and a personal touch to every project.
Planning a kitchen remodeling project in Orono, MN? Contact Higgins Construction today for a free estimate!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a full kitchen remodeling project take in Long Lake?
A comprehensive kitchen remodel involving structural wall removal, new flooring, and custom cabinetry typically takes three to four months to complete. Timeline specifics depend on material lead times and scope of work.
Can an angled structural wall be removed during a kitchen remodel?
Yes, angled walls can be removed if proper structural support is engineered and installed. Removing these walls expands floor space and connects tight kitchens to adjacent living or dining areas.
Why install two dishwashers in a residential kitchen island?
Dual dishwashers are ideal for larger households or frequent entertaining. Placing them in a central island near prep and primary sinks keeps dishwashing efficient and counters clear.