Project scope

• Update dark, cramped 1970s kitchen, opening up floorplan to create a large, contiguous living space.

Challenges
• Remove 20-ft.-long load-bearing wall between kitchen and family room.

• Make floor area level, addressing multiple surfaces and structural sag.

Introduce Southwestern look and feel.

Solutions
• Design and install custom-engineered beam system to carry load of second story and roof, with minimum projection into new room.

• Rebuild entire subflooring, reinforcing joists to carry weight of new travertine tile.