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On Fixer to Fabulous, Dave and Jenny Marrs redesigned the kitchen in Jenny’s parents’ home after a load-bearing post prevented them from following their original plan. Jenny said the revised layout placed the refrigerator, a coffee bar and a pantry in a new enclosed wall; the idea may suit kitchens where structural limits make an open plan impractical.
Dave and Jenny Marrs redesigned the kitchen in Jenny’s parents’ home on Fixer to Fabulous after a load-bearing post ruled out their original renovation plan, putting a coffee bar, refrigerator and pantry into a new enclosed wall instead. Jenny described the change as a revised plan that worked better than her initial vision, and the layout offers one way to use a boxed-in kitchen area without removing a structural support.
The project appeared in Season 2, Episode 8 of the HGTV renovation series. The source report says the couple had hoped to change the kitchen’s layout, but the post they encountered could not be removed because it was structurally necessary. Rather than proceed with the original design, they planned around it.
In a blog post about the renovation, Jenny Marrs said the resulting enclosed wall accommodates three functions: the refrigerator, a coffee bar and a pantry. The coffee station makes a designated nook within the kitchen and adds a use to a portion of the layout that could not be opened up as intended. The report presents the design as an idea for homeowners facing similar constraints, not as a universal solution for every kitchen.
The article also notes practical considerations before creating a coffee or tea station. Homeowners should check for nearby outlets, make sure new cabinetry will not restrict walkways or cooking work areas, and consider whether the station is close enough to a sink for filling coffee makers or kettles. Appliances that generate heat or steam need adequate clearance from shelving above. The report does not provide measurements or a cost for the Marrs project.
Making a Structural Nook Useful
The project matters to homeowners because a renovation plan can change once walls, posts or other structural elements are examined. A load-bearing support cannot simply be treated as a removable partition: designing around it may be a more practical alternative to pursuing an open-plan kitchen. In this example, the Marrs’ revised wall combines food storage and appliance space rather than leaving the constrained area without a clear purpose.
A coffee station can also keep frequently used equipment and cups together, but its usefulness depends on the kitchen’s layout. If cabinetry narrows a walkway or interrupts food-preparation areas, the added storage may come at the expense of everyday function. The report’s suggestions—checking outlets, sink access, ventilation and work zones—are considerations for planning, not proof that the same arrangement will fit every home.
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The Marrs’ Revised Kitchen Plan
The renovation took place in Jenny Marrs’ parents’ home and was featured in the second season of Fixer to Fabulous. The source report describes several surprises that can emerge during kitchen work, including uneven floors, hidden water damage and structural supports that constrain a design. In this case, the load-bearing post was the obstacle that prompted a different plan.
Jenny’s blog account explains the change in her own words. The design moved away from her “perfect vision” after the post could not be removed, but the replacement plan turned the enclosed wall into a place for the refrigerator, coffee bar and pantry. The report focuses on that coffee bar as a possible way to make a partially enclosed kitchen more functional while retaining the structure.
“A small load-bearing post we couldn’t remove meant I had to modify plans for my perfect vision, but plan B ended up working out better than my original plan!”
— Jenny Marrs, in a blog post about the renovation
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Details the Report Does Not Provide
The source material does not give the renovation’s budget, dimensions or construction timeline, nor does it specify the coffee bar’s exact cabinet configuration or appliance clearances. It also does not establish whether the layout has been adapted elsewhere or how it performs over time. Homeowners would need to assess their own floor plan, electrical access, plumbing needs and structural requirements before applying the idea.
The report says the post was load-bearing, but it does not describe how that determination was made or identify the construction professionals involved. It offers general design considerations rather than project-specific technical instructions.
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Assess the Kitchen Before Building
For anyone considering a similar station, the next step is to measure the proposed nook and check how it relates to the sink, outlets, walkways and food-preparation areas. Appliance makers’ clearance guidance should inform shelf placement where a coffee machine or kettle may release heat or steam.
If a proposed change involves a wall or support post, homeowners should have a qualified structural professional determine what can safely be altered; the source does not suggest removing the Marrs’ post. Electrical or plumbing additions should be reviewed by licensed professionals and handled in line with applicable local permits and codes. No further project update or planned follow-up is identified in the source report.
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Key Questions
What did Dave and Jenny Marrs change in the kitchen?
After a load-bearing post prevented their original plan, they designed an enclosed wall to house the refrigerator, coffee bar and pantry, according to Jenny Marrs’ blog post.
Where was the renovation shown?
The kitchen in Jenny Marrs’ parents’ home was featured in Season 2, Episode 8 of Fixer to Fabulous, according to the source report.
What should homeowners check before adding a coffee bar?
Check outlet locations, sink access, ventilation and appliance clearance, and confirm cabinetry will not obstruct walkways or cooking work areas.
Can a load-bearing post be removed to open a kitchen?
The post in the Marrs’ project could not be removed, according to Jenny. Whether a support can be altered depends on the home; consult a qualified structural professional before changing a wall or post.
Source: rss
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