Cordeiro Custom Remodeling & Repair

PROJECT OVERVIEW

This Gustine kitchen remodel was built around one homeowner's passion — cooking at a professional level. The project transformed a standard home kitchen into a semi-commercial cooking space, complete with structural wall removal, custom cabinetry, professional-grade appliances, a waterfall island, floating shelves, a wet bar, and refinished hardwood floors throughout.

CCR handled every phase from structural engineering through final finish. Coordinating the engineer, managing custom cabinet and countertop fabricators, and solving the kind of challenges that only show up once the walls come down.

QUICK PROJECT FACTS

Location: Gustine, California
Project Type: Kitchen Remodel & Dining Room Expansion
Primary Goals: Semi-Commercial Home Kitchen, Open Floor Plan, Custom Design Built for a Professional Chef
Key Features: Load-Bearing Wall Removal, Structural Engineering, Custom Cabinetry, Waterfall Island, Commercial Hood Vent, Floating Shelves, Wet Bar, Refinished Hardwood Floors
Design Focus: High-Performance Cooking Space with Custom Rustic Finishes
Client: Professional Chef — New CCR Customer via Referral
Completed By: Cordeiro Custom Remodeling & Repair

WHAT THE HOMEOWNERS WANTED

The homeowner came to CCR through a referral — and she knew exactly what she wanted. As a professional chef, her existing kitchen wasn't built for the way she cooked. She needed more space, better workflow, professional-grade appliances, and a layout that could keep up with serious cooking.

Before remodel interior hallway and dining area with exposed wood beam ceilings, tile floors, and a

The wall dividing the kitchen from the dining room had to go. She wanted an open plan that connected the cooking and dining spaces, room for a large island, a commercial hood vent, an oversized refrigerator and range, a wet bar in the dining area, and custom cabinetry designed around her workflow — not a standard builder layout.

Homeowner Priorities

Open floor plan connecting kitchen and dining room
Semi-commercial home kitchen setup
Professional-grade appliances — oversized fridge and commercial range
Custom cabinetry built for a working chef
Waterfall island in the dining area
Wet bar addition
Floating shelves
Hardwood floors refinished to match throughout

BEFORE THE REMODEL

Before kitchen remodel with original oak cabinetry, hardwood floors, peninsula countertop seating, a

The existing kitchen was a standard home layout — functional but not designed for the demands of professional-level cooking. The wall separating the kitchen from the dining room made the space feel smaller and cut off the workflow the homeowner needed.

Before any work could begin Mario needed to understand what was inside that wall. The structural investigation that followed shaped the entire project.

Existing Conditions

Standard home kitchen layout — not designed for professional cooking
Load-bearing wall dividing kitchen and dining room — required engineering before removal
Original hardwood flooring throughout — no longer available to purchase for patching
Existing ceiling structure required investigation before vaulted ceiling could be exposed
Kitchen window needed relocation to accommodate new layout
Electrical and plumbing required full replacement to support commercial appliances

The Remodeling Process

This project required more planning and structural work than a typical kitchen remodel. Before a single cabinet went in, CCR had to solve an engineering problem, pour new footings, and install a beam. The sequence mattered and getting it right set the foundation for everything that followed.

Structural remodeling work in progress showing a wall opening cut between living spaces, exposed fra

STRUCTURAL INVESTIGATION

Before finalizing the scope Mario crawled under the house, accessed the attic, and cut inspection holes in the walls to verify exactly how the roof rafters connected to the load bearing wall. An engineer was brought in to calculate loads and spans and provide drawings for the beam needed to carry the vaulted ceiling. Nothing was assumed — everything was verified.

SITE PREP & DUST CONTAINMENT

CCR built temporary support walls that doubled as dust containment barriers. Protecting the rest of the home while the structural work was underway. Confined space fans were installed in three locations. An information board was posted on site to keep the homeowner informed throughout the project.

Crawlspace construction and structural support system featuring foundation pier, wood beam framing,

STRUCTURAL WORK & BEAM INSTALLATION

New footings were dug and poured to transfer the roof load to the ground. Simpson Strong-Tie hardware, 6x6 rough sawn posts, and a 4x12x16 glue laminate beam were installed to carry the vaulted ceiling after the load bearing wall was removed. Sub-framing was added under the oven and refrigerator locations to support the weight of commercial appliances.

Remodeling project planning board featuring kitchen design drawings, appliance selections, cabinet s

PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL & HVAC

All water supply lines were replaced with new PEX piping. Gas line rough-in for the new commercial range, kitchen sink, wet bar sink, and refrigerator water line were completed. A full dimmable LED lighting system was installed across six zones — kitchen main lighting, island pendants, sink light, dining room, wet bar, and shelving accent lighting. HVAC ducting was repositioned and secured as needed.

Interior renovation in progress with dust containment walls, protected flooring, temporary construct

SHEETROCK, TEXTURE & PAINT

New sheetrock was installed in all areas where walls were cut back and on the newly exposed ceiling. A hand half-swirl texture was applied throughout. A custom technique that gives the surface a distinctive handcrafted look. PVA primer and a two-tone paint scheme, one color on walls, a separate color on ceilings, doors, and trim was applied throughout.

HARDWOOD FLOOR RESTORATION

The original hardwood floors presented a unique challenge. The flooring was no longer manufactured, so CCR had to fabricate custom matching pieces to fill the areas where walls had been removed and cabinets repositioned. The entire floor was then sanded, stained for a rustic look, and sealed with two coats — tying old and new together seamlessly.

Custom kitchen island featuring a quartz waterfall countertop, rich walnut cabinetry, integrated sto

CUSTOM CABINETRY & COUNTERTOPS

Custom cabinetry was designed and built specifically for a working chef. Storage, workflow, and access were all factored into the layout. A waterfall island in the dining area serves as both a prep surface and a gathering point. Two-mitered countertops, floating shelves, and a wet bar with its own sink complete the custom millwork throughout the space.

The Finished Result

The finished space is unrecognizable from what CCR started with. The wall is gone. The ceiling is open. A commercial hood anchors the cooking zone. Custom cabinets line every wall. The waterfall island connects the kitchen to the dining area. Floating shelves and a wet bar complete a space that was designed from the ground up around the way this homeowner actually cooks.

Every finish, every detail, and every decision in this kitchen was made with a professional chef in mind. The result is a home kitchen that performs like a commercial one.

A Chef's Kitchen Built for Serious Cooking | Gustine, CA

PROJECT OVERVIEW

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