Expansive Kitchen Remodel Brings in Natural Light

A kitchen renovation in a Colonial-style home doubles the space and adds abundant windows.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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When designer Karen Swanson walked into the kitchen of her clients' home, she knew it needed more natural light. By taking down a wall to the dining room, Swanson was able to expand the kitchen and add multiple large windows, including a nearly 10-foot-long bank of three windows that reach down to the countertop. The kitchen renovation also involved reconfiguring the floor plan, choosing a warm color palette, and selecting durable materials like honed Vermont Danby marble countertops.

Why it matters

This kitchen remodel highlights how strategic design choices can transform a dark, cramped space into a bright, airy hub for a young family. The project also showcases how blending traditional and modern elements can create a timeless aesthetic that suits the home's Colonial-style architecture.

The details

Swanson expanded the kitchen by absorbing the adjacent dining room, which more than doubled the kitchen's size and provided an opportunity for abundant windows. She specified shallower cabinetry, a smaller trim, and reeded glass for the beverage area. The kitchen also absorbed part of the den, creating a more dimensional layout with a wraparound counter and drinks area. The unfashionable bay window was squared off, allowing for a nearly 10-foot-long bank of three windows that reach down to the countertop.

  • The kitchen renovation was completed in early 2026.

The players

Karen Swanson

The founder of the kitchen and bath design firm New England Design Works who led the kitchen renovation project.

Meghan Shadrick

An interior designer who collaborated with Swanson and worked with the homeowners on the spaces surrounding the kitchen.

New England Design Works

The kitchen and bath design firm founded by Karen Swanson that oversaw the renovation.

Dunleavy Construction

The construction company that executed the kitchen remodel.

CBS Stones

The stone yard where the homeowners and designers selected the Imperial Danby marble countertops.

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What they’re saying

“If the wall to the dining room came down, I imagined how much light could spill in.”

— Karen Swanson, Founder, New England Design Works (nshoremag.com)

“The proportions of the kitchen and the dining room feel better now.”

— Karen Swanson, Founder, New England Design Works (nshoremag.com)

“The angles of a bay window are very limiting in a kitchen setup. Squaring it off makes the space feel expansive and lets sunlight pour in.”

— Karen Swanson, Founder, New England Design Works (nshoremag.com)

“This rich, warm pairing sings in the space.”

— Meghan Shadrick, Interior Designer (nshoremag.com)

What’s next

The homeowners plan to host a housewarming party in the newly renovated kitchen and dining room in the coming months.

The takeaway

This kitchen remodel demonstrates how thoughtful design choices, like expanding the footprint and maximizing natural light, can transform a dark, cramped space into a bright, airy hub for a growing family. The blend of traditional and modern elements also shows how to create a timeless aesthetic that complements a home's architectural style.