If homework, after-school snacks and the dog all end up at the kitchen island, the layout of this 1,188-square-foot, two-bedroom home on Sarah in Chico can still leave the family competing for space and sightlines. Here, the kitchen sits at the center of the house, opening directly to the dining area and living room, while the bonus room is set apart with its own entrance and direct access to the backyard. The main traffic routes, kids, parents, and the dog, all converge at the kitchen, which shapes how the open plan works for this household. My project for this house is to make the existing open plan serve the family’s daily life, using the specific rooms, surfaces and connections already present.
The island, the fireplace, and the family’s routes
The kitchen’s large island is a natural hub, but it needs to support both homework and meal prep without letting one activity overrun the other. In this house, I would dedicate one end of the island, closest to the dining area and away from the range, for stools and after-school work. The cooking side would stay clear for meal prep, letting a parent at the stove keep an eye on children at the island. The dog’s bed can be tucked beyond the main walkway between kitchen and living room, away from the stools and out of the cooking traffic.
The living room’s warm laminate flooring and real brick fireplace are original character points from the 1950 construction, and both are visible from the kitchen. The brick fireplace, in particular, anchors the open space and deserves to remain a focal point. I prefer to keep the palette around it simple: the existing warm white walls and the muted blue accents that echo the modern blue front door already work with the mid-century modern influence of the house. The large windows in the living room maximize natural light, a feature worth keeping as is.
Chico’s historic resource documentation emphasizes preserving character-defining elements in older homes, but does not list this house as a documented historic resource. The framing and original features here are not protected by local historic rules, so my design decisions focus on the actual materials and layout of this house, not on borrowing details from Craftsman or Queen Anne styles found elsewhere in ZIP code 95926. City of Chico historic-resource documentation
Open plan: ceiling, floor, and family flow
The open floor plan already connects the entry, living room, and kitchen, and the kitchen’s central location supports both supervision and circulation. The house is a single story with a composition roof, and the main living areas feature laminate wood flooring. The kitchen’s floor finish matches or coordinates with the living area, so the transition between rooms is smooth and easy to clean after snacks, play, or muddy paws. The ceiling line is continuous, and I would avoid introducing a dropped beam unless a structural change is required for a specific reason. Any wall removal or widening in this house would require identifying whether the wall carries roof framing, a step that, under Chico’s building code, triggers the need for a permit and possibly engineered plans. Building Division FAQs
The kitchen is equipped with energy-efficient appliances, an electric range with a 220V connection, and a custom tile backsplash. The electrical service in this house includes 220V in both kitchen and laundry, and the water heater is electric. The home is served by a septic tank, and the water source is district/public. Because of these existing connections, I would keep the range and sink near their current locations to avoid major rerouting of electrical or plumbing. Moving either would require additional permits and could complicate the remodel, given the unknowns about the foundation and drain path.
The bonus room: separation and storage
The bonus room, with its own fireplace, separate entrance, and direct access to the covered patio, is a flexible space for this household. Rather than opening it up to the main living area, I would use it as a zone for louder play, a second workspace, or a quiet retreat away from the television. Built-in storage in the bonus room would give games, school supplies, and dog gear a home, freeing the kitchen island for its intended uses. The bonus room’s separation from the main living space is an asset, letting the kitchen maintain a clear view toward the living room and the backyard route children use.
The house has two main-level bathrooms, each with contemporary cabinetry, custom tile flooring, and tiled tub surrounds. Both can be retained without sacrificing common space. If the family wants to change the size or location of a bathroom, or move kitchen or bath plumbing, Chico’s building rules require permits for both structural and plumbing changes. cityrulelookup.com
On this flat, well-drained lot with Vina fine sandy loam soils and automatic sprinklers in both yards, the outdoor spaces are already set up for play and pets. The fenced yard and deck off the primary bedroom give the family private, secure outdoor access, while the detached, finished garage and RV parking area add flexibility for storage or hobbies.
If you imagine one child finishing homework at the island while dinner is underway, another using the bonus room for play, and the dog resting outside the main traffic, this house on Sarah can be shaped to fit that balance. If that’s the everyday life you want in your Chico home, I’d love to talk through the plan with you.
