In their hometown of Moulton, Texas, Diana and Harvey Kloesel bought a 1903 Queen Anne Victorian house. Like most old-house owners, they made necessary upgrades and improvements over time. One big project was the renovation of the kitchen.
“The old kitchen was divided up, so there was very little space,” Diana says. “At holiday meals, we couldn’t all fit around the table.” At 15 by 20 feet, the room was big enough, but an awkwardly placed pantry (which gobbled up one window) made the layout choppy. A brick chimney, vestige of days when the house was heated by a wood stove, took up valuable real estate. A two-level island was too big, yet lacked storage. Appliances and countertops were outdated and unsightly, and the floor was covered with uninspiring sheet vinyl.
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