Project Overview

Wichita Home Works completed this kitchen and outdoor kitchen pavilion project in Wichita, Kansas for homeowners who wanted to improve both the way they entertain outdoors and the way the main level connects inside.

The project included two related areas of work. Outside, the backyard was upgraded with a covered outdoor kitchen pavilion, expanded concrete patio space, new steps, electrical, lighting, a granite bar top, siding, metal roofing, guttering, and exposed wood details. Inside, the kitchen and family room connection was improved by opening a wall, modifying cabinetry, replacing a countertop section, rebuilding the stair railing, and updating trim and finish details.

The finished result gives the homeowners a more complete indoor-outdoor living experience. The kitchen now feels more connected to the family room, while the backyard has a dedicated covered space for grilling, serving, relaxing, and gathering near the pool.

The overall style is transitional outdoor living with rustic Craftsman-inspired details. The exterior pavilion uses warm wood, stone-look countertop material, metal roofing, siding, and black bracket accents, while the interior updates preserve the home’s oak character with a cleaner, more open layout.

The Homeowner’s Vision

The goal was to make the home better for entertaining, both inside and outside.

Inside, the homeowners wanted the kitchen and family room to feel less separated. The existing wall, railing, cabinetry, and bookcase areas limited the visual connection between rooms. By opening the wall, adjusting cabinetry, shortening the header, replacing the stair railing, and refinishing the transition areas, the main level became more open and better connected.

Outside, the homeowners wanted a more useful backyard gathering area near the pool. The design needed to create shade, support grilling and serving, improve the patio layout, add lighting and outlets, and make the outdoor kitchen feel like a permanent part of the backyard rather than a loose collection of outdoor elements.

Wichita Home Works’ in-house design team helped plan the kitchen wall opening, half wall, stair railing, countertop transition, cabinet details, outdoor pavilion layout, concrete areas, post placement, roofline, bar top, electrical layout, lighting, exterior materials, and final finish direction.

The finished design improved the home’s everyday flow while creating a backyard destination for pool days, grilling, and outdoor entertaining.

Scope of Work

Wichita Home Works coordinated the project from design and demolition through framing, electrical, drywall, trim carpentry, concrete, pavilion construction, roofing, countertops, staining, painting, final cleaning, and closeout.

The project included:

Interior Kitchen Wall Opening

The interior portion of the project focused on improving the connection between the kitchen and family room.

Wichita Home Works removed the living room cabinet and bookshelf, removed the stair railing, balusters, and newel posts, removed backsplash and countertop material at the wall separating the kitchen from the living room, removed drywall behind the backsplash, and removed framing and drywall from the wall opening between the kitchen and family room.

The new opening was framed with a shortened header to avoid the ceiling and maintain a cleaner transition. The wall behind the kitchen cabinet was cut down to match cabinet height, and a new half wall was framed where the previous stair railing ended.

This created a more open view between the kitchen, family room, and stair area while preserving the home’s existing layout and character.

Kitchen Electrical and Drywall Updates

The wall opening required electrical relocation and finish work.

Switches were relocated and consolidated to support the new wall layout. An outlet was moved into the side of the cabinet, and junction boxes were added where needed to help manage wiring behind the modified cabinet area.

After framing and electrical work were complete, new drywall was installed at the modified wall areas, half wall, shortened beam, and stair wall. The drywall was finished smooth and prepared for paint so the new opening would blend into the existing home.

The wall sections were painted corner to corner to create a clean finish transition.

Interior Countertop and Cabinet Work

The kitchen received a new Black Pearl granite countertop section with a demi bullnose edge where the wall modification changed the cabinet and counter area.

The existing double oak wall cabinet was reinstalled above the bar area, and oak cabinet skins were installed to finish exposed cabinet sides. New oak crown molding was installed on top of the upper kitchen cabinets, helping the cabinetry feel more complete and consistent after the wall opening.

These details allowed the kitchen to feel updated without replacing the full cabinet package.

Stair Railing and Interior Trim

The stair area received a major finish update as part of the interior remodel.

Wichita Home Works custom built new square oak newel posts, a modified oak railing base, and a square oak top handrail. Satin black square iron balusters were installed to give the stair area a cleaner, more current look.

The new stair railing was stained in Toasted Barrel to coordinate with the existing wood tones. New oak baseboard, base shoe, railing details, and trim were installed around the half wall and stair area.

This update helped the main level feel more open while keeping the warmth of the home’s oak finishes.

Engineered Wood Flooring Repair

Where the living room cabinet was removed, Wichita Home Works repaired the engineered wood flooring using customer-provided flooring.

The flooring was glued down in the affected areas, and a new oak transition strip was installed between the engineered wood floor and kitchen tile. The transition was selected to blend as closely as possible with the existing materials.

This helped the interior changes feel integrated rather than patched together.

Backyard Site Preparation

The outdoor portion of the project began with preparation for the new pavilion, patio, step, and outdoor kitchen structure.

The backyard layout had to work with the existing pool, retaining wall, fence, grade, upper deck area, and existing patio spaces. The grade sloped toward the east side of the property, so concrete layout, drainage, step planning, and structure placement all needed to be coordinated carefully.

The new pavilion and patio were planned to create a more useful poolside gathering area without disrupting the overall backyard flow.

Concrete Patio, Footings and Step

The outdoor kitchen pavilion required new concrete work.

Wichita Home Works coordinated excavation for the new pavilion, adjacent patio areas, continuous footing, post piers, and a continuous contoured step. Steel reinforcement was used in the footings and concrete areas, and the concrete was poured and finished with tooled relief joints and a broom finish.

The concrete scope created the base for the pavilion, bar area, adjacent patio zones, and step transitions. The expanded patio gives the outdoor kitchen a more usable footprint and improves movement around the backyard.

The finished concrete layout helps connect the covered pavilion, pool area, existing patio, and backyard access points.

Outdoor Pavilion Structure

The outdoor kitchen pavilion was framed with exposed rough Douglas Fir posts and a large rough Douglas Fir beam across the front.

The structure included four 6×6 posts, a 6×10 front beam, treated wall framing, a treated front bar wall, roof joists, OSB roof decking, LP SmartSide soffit, LP SmartSide siding, LP trim, fascia, and exposed black metal brackets.

The 42-inch front bar wall helped define the outdoor kitchen area and provided the structure for the granite bar top.

The finished pavilion creates a permanent covered area for grilling, seating, serving, and poolside entertaining.

Standing Seam Metal Roof and Guttering

The pavilion was finished with Charcoal standing seam metal roofing from Yoder Metal.

The roof includes metal fascia and a clean modern profile that works well with the simple pavilion form. The exposed wood structure below adds warmth, while the metal roof gives the outdoor kitchen a durable and refined finish.

Almond seamless guttering was installed on the south side of the roof, with a downspout at the southeast corner of the outdoor area. This helps move water away from the new structure and patio space.

Outdoor Electrical and Lighting

The outdoor kitchen received a dedicated electrical package.

The electrical work included a meter can upgrade with available spaces, two 20-amp circuits, underground trenching, direct burial wire, outdoor outlets, one switch, and four LED puck lights.

The lighting makes the pavilion more useful in the evening and helps the outdoor kitchen feel like a finished entertaining space. The outlets support grilling, small appliances, charging, and other backyard uses.

Outdoor Kitchen Countertop

The outdoor bar area received Golden Duens granite with a demi bullnose edge.

Hidden countertop brackets were installed to support the granite. The countertop gives the pavilion a durable serving and seating surface and creates a finished bar-style edge facing the patio and pool area.

The granite adds movement and richness to the outdoor kitchen while coordinating with the warm wood posts and natural backyard setting.

Exterior Finish Details

The pavilion exterior was finished with LP SmartSide siding and trim on the east and south walls. Exposed Douglas Fir posts and beam details were left visible to give the outdoor kitchen warmth and character.

The final exterior finish work included trim adjustments, soffit completion, bracket installation, staining, painting, guttering, and final cleanup.

Several finish details were refined near the end of the project, including countertop support brackets, trim adjustments, paint and stain touch-ups, gutter completion, and final electrical items. These details helped the outdoor kitchen feel complete and ready for regular use.

Design and Finish Details

This project has a transitional outdoor living style with rustic Craftsman-inspired details.

The outdoor pavilion uses exposed Douglas Fir posts, a heavy front beam, black metal brackets, a standing seam metal roof, LP SmartSide siding, granite countertops, and integrated lighting. The materials feel warm, durable, and appropriate for a poolside entertaining area.

The interior updates have a warm transitional style. The oak railing, Toasted Barrel stain, black iron balusters, Black Pearl granite, existing oak cabinetry, and modified wall opening respect the home’s original wood character while making the main level feel more open and current.

The indoor and outdoor portions of the project work together because both focus on gathering. The kitchen opening improves connection inside the home, while the outdoor kitchen pavilion creates a new place to gather outside.

Construction Story

This project began with the goal of improving how the home works for entertaining.

Inside, the first transformation came from opening the kitchen wall and reworking the stair railing area. Removing the bookcase and railing, shortening the header, adding a new half wall, and reinstalling cabinetry changed the way the kitchen, family room, and stair area relate to each other.

The new oak stair railing with black iron balusters gave the interior a more open and updated feel, while the granite countertop, cabinet skins, crown molding, and flooring repairs helped the modified kitchen area look complete.

Outside, the backyard work began with layout, excavation, concrete footings, patio sections, steps, and post piers. Once the concrete was in place, the pavilion took shape with Douglas Fir posts, a front beam, wall framing, roof framing, siding, soffit, and metal roofing.

As the outdoor kitchen came together, the granite bar top, electrical, LED lights, gutters, exterior finishes, stain, and paint added the final layers of function and style.

The project included normal finish-stage refinements, including countertop adjustments, trim coordination, exterior bracket installation, gutter completion, stain work, and paint touch-ups. These items were handled as part of bringing the finished indoor and outdoor spaces together.

The completed Greenpoint project shows how a focused interior remodel and a backyard pavilion can combine to make a home feel more open, more useful, and better suited for entertaining.

Project Coordination Highlights

Indoor-Outdoor Entertaining Plan

The project improved both the interior gathering flow and the outdoor entertaining area, giving the homeowners better function from the kitchen to the backyard.

Kitchen-to-Family-Room Connection

The wall opening, shortened header, half wall, cabinet modifications, and flooring repairs made the main level feel more connected.

Outdoor Kitchen Pavilion

The new pavilion created a covered poolside area for grilling, serving, seating, and relaxing outdoors.

Concrete and Grade Planning

The patio, step, footing, and post pier work were coordinated around the pool, existing retaining wall, fence, and backyard slope.

Warm Wood and Metal Details

Douglas Fir posts, a large front beam, black brackets, standing seam metal roofing, and granite countertops give the pavilion a durable and finished outdoor-living look.

Finish-Stage Refinement

Final work included countertop refinements, trim completion, electrical finish, guttering, paint and stain touch-ups, and final cleaning so the completed project felt polished.

The Finished Result

The finished Greenpoint project created a more open main level and a more useful backyard.

Inside, the kitchen now connects better to the family room. The new railing, half wall, cabinet work, granite, oak trim, and black balusters give the remodeled area a more current but still warm look.

Outside, the new outdoor kitchen pavilion gives the homeowners a dedicated covered space near the pool. The granite bar top, wood posts, metal roof, siding, lighting, outlets, patio, steps, and guttering make the backyard more comfortable and more complete.

The result is a practical and attractive indoor-outdoor remodel that improves entertaining, backyard use, daily flow, and overall enjoyment of the home.

Why This Project Matters for Future Outdoor Living Clients

This project is a strong example for homeowners who want to improve how their indoor and outdoor spaces work together.

A backyard pavilion can create shade, structure, lighting, countertop space, and a more comfortable place to gather. A kitchen wall opening can improve sightlines and help the main level feel more connected. When those updates are planned together, the home becomes better suited for entertaining and everyday living.

For homeowners near Wichita, Maize, Goddard, Andale, Bel Aire, Derby, Andover, and surrounding communities, this project shows how Wichita Home Works can coordinate interior remodeling, exterior concrete, outdoor structures, electrical, roofing, countertops, and finish details as one organized design-build process.

Thinking About a Similar Outdoor Kitchen or Main-Level Remodel?

If you are planning an outdoor kitchen, poolside pavilion, backyard patio expansion, kitchen wall opening, stair railing update, or indoor-outdoor entertaining upgrade near Wichita, Wichita Home Works can help you think through the full project.

That includes layout, concrete, grade, structure, roofline, electrical, lighting, countertop materials, siding, gutters, railing design, wall openings, trim, stain, paint, timeline expectations, and final finish details.

A project like this has many connected decisions. The right design-build team helps organize those decisions into a clear, manageable process from planning through completion.

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