I recently sat down with Jennifer Myers of J. Myers + Associates to chat about kitchen design (Image above by J. Myers). Like most people, we started with the fun stuff—colors, finishes, and trends. But before long, our conversation shifted to what really makes or breaks a kitchen: function. Because at the end of the day, a kitchen isn’t just about looking beautiful—it has to work beautifully too. This blog grew out of that conversation and the insights Jennifer shared about creating kitchens that are as practical as they are inviting.
Let’s take a look at why function matters just as much as style—and how thoughtful design can completely change the way you experience your kitchen.
If you’ve ever tried cooking dinner while someone else is reaching over you for a cutting board—or hosting friends while elbow-deep in a cluttered countertop mess—you understand the daily friction of a cramped, clunky kitchen. For many homeowners in older homes around Salem and Portland, the kitchen was never designed to accommodate modern life: multiple cooks, casual gatherings, or all the stuff we accumulate over time. And while the kitchen is where everyone naturally gathers, it’s often the most dysfunctional space in the home.
A smarter kitchen isn’t just a luxury—it’s a shift in how your home supports your lifestyle. Thoughtful design can transform daily routines and bring joy back to cooking, hosting, and living. But there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Your kitchen should reflect your needs, your family, and the way you live.
A poorly functioning kitchen affects more than just your cooking—it shapes your whole household dynamic. In many older homes, the kitchen is the main point of entry. It’s where backpacks, shoes, groceries, pets, and people all collide. The kitchen is meant to be the heart of the home, but if the layout isn’t designed for that reality, the result is chaos. And chaos breeds stress.
We often see clients juggling too much in a space that was never meant for it: crowded countertops covered in appliances, no dedicated zones for meal prep or baking, and not enough storage. Without proper cabinetry and layout planning, things get pushed to the dining table, into closets, or left on the counter. The result? You avoid being in the space. You stop entertaining. You start feeling frustrated and overwhelmed by your own home.
Every kitchen design should begin with a conversation. How do you live? Who cooks—and how? What frustrates you about your current layout? What do you dream your kitchen could feel like?
Most homeowners don’t know what they don’t know. That’s why it’s our job to uncover not only what you think of the space—but also what you need from it. We look at the architecture of your home, your personal style, and the way you want your kitchen to feel and function. We consider multi-generational use, accessibility, and long-term comfort. We take cues from your lifestyle and surroundings to create a kitchen that feels authentic to your home and to you.
And yes, we talk about investment. Understanding your budget helps us align solutions that are both realistic and impactful. When you remodel your kitchen, you’re not just upgrading finishes—you’re investing in how your home supports your life.
Great design isn’t just about having more space—it’s about using the space you have more effectively. Whether you’re working within existing walls or considering an addition, the layout of your kitchen defines how it functions day to day.
A smarter layout might include:
Design also extends to aesthetics: lighting choices, material textures, and finishes that reflect your personality while making the space easier to use and maintain.
Most people realize that everyone ends up in the kitchen—it's the heart of the home. That’s why so many older homes are reimagined to open up walls or reconfigure adjacent spaces—to make room not just for cooking, but for connecting.
Whether it’s kids doing homework at the island, guests sipping wine while you prepare dinner, or a partner baking next to you, your kitchen is the backdrop for daily moments and lasting memories. The best kitchens make room for all of it.
Sometimes that means a double island. Sometimes it’s a designated drink station that keeps guests nearby but out of the cooking zone. Sometimes it’s ensuring the space is beautiful and presentable, even when in use. A well-designed kitchen honors the way you gather, entertain, and share time with the people you love
A thoughtful kitchen remodeling process begins with listening. A clear understanding of how you live now, and how you want to live better. Then, with the help of an experienced designer, tailored solutions are offered that align with how you cook, gather, and move through the space.
From there, craftspeople and project managers bring the design to life with care, precision, and a deep respect for your home. Thoughtful care is given to minimize disruption and maximize quality. Because when you remodel a kitchen, you’re upgrading the most used—and most lived-in—space in your home. It should be built to last.
Your kitchen is more than a kitchen. It’s the family hub, the homework station, the Sunday morning coffee shop, and the weeknight dinner table. It’s where the dog bowls go, where the party starts, and where the day ends. And when it doesn’t work well, everything can feel harder.
But with the right design and remodeling partner, everything changes. You get a kitchen that fits your home, your lifestyle, and your goals—not someone else’s idea of what a kitchen should be. And that’s where the transformation really begins.
About Jennifer Myers of J. Myers + Associates
Jennifer Myers, NWSID Professional Member and owner and principal designer of J. Myers & Associates, is passionate about honoring her clients’ styles and making their homes the very best they can be. Interior Design with our clients’ dreams in mind… Her knowledge of design doesn’t begin and end with picking beautiful fabrics and furnishings. Since studying interior design in college, Jennifer has spent over three decades working on not only the interior design side of the business but also on the builder and architecture sides.
From ensuring that what’s behind the walls will support the client’s vision for the design to expertly sourcing unique surfaces and finishes, bespoke and crafted products, curations of furnishings, art, and décor, Jennifer’s 360-degree perspective equips her to bring valuable insights to her client’s projects.
In her downtime, Jennifer loves cooking and entertaining friends, traveling and checking off bucket list trips, and exploring everything the PNW has to offer outdoors with her dog, Piper.
Please download our Home Remodeling Guide to learn how smart design and expert craftsmanship can transform your kitchen—and your daily life—for the better.
Ready to turn your kitchen into a space that supports the way you live and love? Contact us today to turn your vision into reality with the quality, care, and reliability you deserve.