At the heart of this Brittany Drive home in Highlands, Dublin, I picture a holiday meal where two cooks move easily between the kitchen’s island and the main counter, while a child helps at the breakfast bar, all without blocking the way to the dining area. Right now, the kitchen’s island and eat-in nook do not fully support that scene: the space needs a true second prep area and a stronger connection to the family and dining rooms. This project is about shaping the whole home for that household’s daily and festive gatherings.
Opening the Kitchen to the Family and Dining Rooms
This 1991 house stands out for its 1.5-story form, stucco exterior, pitched tile roof, and brick accent columns. The kitchen already features a stone or tile counter, a gas range, a double oven, and an island, with the eat-in area set by the windows. To create a second cooking station, I would rework the island as a true prep and cook zone, keeping the main sink near its existing plumbing. The kitchen, dining area, and family room are separated by a wall that likely supports part of the split-level roof structure. Any new opening between these rooms must be engineered to preserve the ceiling’s height and continuity, especially since the house’s multi-gabled roof and 1.5-story layout mean the ceiling depths vary. I would plan for a flush engineered header at this wall if it is load-bearing, so the new open plan feels seamless.
The kitchen’s current gas range sits at the wall, but adding an induction cooktop to the island would let two cooks work independently. This requires a new 240-volt circuit, and while the laundry room has a 220-volt outlet, the electrical panel’s capacity and routing need to be checked for this upgrade. The house’s electrical service is already set up for cable, internet, and natural gas, and it uses third-party-owned photovoltaics, but the kitchen’s needs must be confirmed at the panel. For the island range, I would route a dedicated exhaust duct to the exterior, since a recirculating hood would not manage cooking odors in the now-open space. The exact path for that duct must be found before the island’s position is finalized.
Plumbing, Flooring, and Drainage on Brittany Drive
The kitchen sink’s location is best kept close to its current drain. This house is connected to public sewer, but the drain’s path, whether under a slab or through a crawlspace, must be identified before considering moving the sink to the island. The lot’s soil, mapped as Clear Lake clay with 3 to 7 percent slopes, is moderately well drained but has up to 50% clay content and a shrink-swell potential of 7.5%. These ground conditions make it wise to avoid major new plumbing runs under the slab. Instead, the island can serve as a prep counter with water access only if the drain path is practical.
The house’s floors include tile, vinyl, and carpet. When opening the kitchen to the dining and family rooms, I would check the finished floor heights at each threshold. The goal is to replace any mismatched transitions with a single, durable surface, likely tile or engineered wood, across the connected rooms. This avoids lips or uneven spots where food is carried or chairs are moved. Bedrooms can keep their carpet, but the main living areas should read as one continuous space.
Comfort, Light, and Daily Use in the Main Rooms
The home’s zoned heating and central air system must be balanced for the new open plan. Once the kitchen, dining area, and family room are joined, the HVAC contractor should review the supply and return locations to ensure even comfort, especially since the kitchen’s three fireplaces and large appliances can affect temperature. The family room, dining area, and kitchen each have their own ceiling heights due to the split-level roof, so airflow and light distribution need to be mapped for each zone.
Lighting must be layered: bright task lighting at the island and sink, under-cabinet lights on the counters, and dimmable fixtures in the dining and family rooms. The view from the kitchen sink should face into the family space, so whoever is cooking or cleaning up remains part of the gathering. For sound, a washable rug in the family room, soft-close cabinet hardware, and a homework counter away from the TV will help keep the space functional for simultaneous cooking, conversation, and relaxation. The three-car garage, with its two separate doors, provides ample storage for seasonal kitchen equipment or outdoor dining setups.
Fixtures and Local Code
For all new kitchen and bath fixtures, the City of Dublin uses the 2025 California Plumbing Code, which sets water conservation standards (City of Dublin Building & Safety Division). Every faucet, dishwasher, and sink must meet these requirements, making fixture selection a key part of the design process for this house.
If your family in this Brittany Drive home wants a kitchen and living space that truly work for two cooks, kids at the counter, and everyday life, I invite you to get in touch. Together, we can make this house fit your gatherings and routines, starting from the ground up.