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A Mount Helix kitchen, opened to the view

A closed 1960s galley kitchen became an open kitchen with an island facing the valley.

An open kitchen with an island facing large windows and a view across the valley After
The same kitchen before: a closed galley with dark cabinets, laminate counters and one small window Before
Location
La Mesa
Completed
2025
Duration
10 weeks
Budget
$70,000–$90,000

The original galley kitchen had one small window and its back to the best view in the house. We took out the wall to the dining room, moved the sink to an island facing the windows and added a pantry wall where the old breakfast nook was.

The hillside lot meant planning deliveries carefully, and the old wiring had to be replaced back to the panel. The family kept a temporary kitchen in the garage for the ten weeks of work.

They told us ten weeks and finished in ten weeks. Every Friday we got a short update with photos, and the crew cleaned up every single day. We actually use our kitchen now.

Maria L. La Mesa

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