My Houzz: Olivia Munn Lifts Her Mum's Spirits With a New Kitchen
Using Houzz, the actor hires a professional and buys products to update the kitchen, living and dining areas
Mitchell Parker
12 May 2018
Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative trends, breaking news, industry analysis and humor.
Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative... More
If you observe actor Olivia Munn (X-Men: Apocalypse, Iron Man 2) and her mum, Kim Schmid, for even a moment, you’ll see that they have a special bond. They joke often and laugh easily. “My mother and all of her uniqueness has definitely shaped who I am today,” says Munn.
Much of their bond developed over home-cooked meals made by Schmid, a refugee from the Vietnam War. Recently, Munn surprised her 155-centimetre-tall mum with an overhaul of her Oklahoma City kitchen to make it easier for her to use. Now she can cook large family meals without the need for a step stool.
Much of their bond developed over home-cooked meals made by Schmid, a refugee from the Vietnam War. Recently, Munn surprised her 155-centimetre-tall mum with an overhaul of her Oklahoma City kitchen to make it easier for her to use. Now she can cook large family meals without the need for a step stool.
Actor Olivia Munn. Photos by Kelli Kroneberger
Project at a Glance
Who lives here: Kim and Sam Schmid, actor Olivia Munn’s mother and stepfather
Location: Oklahoma City, USA
Size: 63 square metres
Designer-builder: Travis Morelock of MIDMODERNdesign
Watch now: See Olivia Munn surprise her mum with a new kitchen
Project at a Glance
Who lives here: Kim and Sam Schmid, actor Olivia Munn’s mother and stepfather
Location: Oklahoma City, USA
Size: 63 square metres
Designer-builder: Travis Morelock of MIDMODERNdesign
Watch now: See Olivia Munn surprise her mum with a new kitchen
Munn found designer Travis Morelock on Houzz and closely collaborated with him on the extensive renovation project, which included raising the ceiling and adding new cabinets, appliances, flooring, furniture, art and accessories in the kitchen, dining and living areas.
Before
The existing kitchen was in good condition, but the standard-height benchtops and cabinets weren’t comfortable for Schmid. The step stool seen here in front of the dishwasher became her closest companion when cooking.
And while there was adequate cabinet storage, there wasn’t sufficient space for tucking away the small appliances, such as the rice cooker shown on the left.
The existing kitchen was in good condition, but the standard-height benchtops and cabinets weren’t comfortable for Schmid. The step stool seen here in front of the dishwasher became her closest companion when cooking.
And while there was adequate cabinet storage, there wasn’t sufficient space for tucking away the small appliances, such as the rice cooker shown on the left.
After
Morelock ripped out the old flooring to take the new lower cabinets down to the slab foundation. This, coupled with a slight modification to the kickboard, dropped the benchtops a couple of centimetres for Schmid without doing anything too custom to the cabinets themselves. “The goal was to keep her off the step stool as much as possible,” says Morelock.
He incorporated space from wherever he could, even removing a window on the left to extend the kitchen 1.5 metres to gain more cabinet space. He stole space from the living room and a mechanical closet to create a walk-in pantry on the right, behind the new location of the refrigerator.
Dark-stained faux beams accentuate the new ceiling height. Morelock took space from an unused attic to achieve the vaulted ceiling.
Watch now: Check out this new kitchen in action
Morelock ripped out the old flooring to take the new lower cabinets down to the slab foundation. This, coupled with a slight modification to the kickboard, dropped the benchtops a couple of centimetres for Schmid without doing anything too custom to the cabinets themselves. “The goal was to keep her off the step stool as much as possible,” says Morelock.
He incorporated space from wherever he could, even removing a window on the left to extend the kitchen 1.5 metres to gain more cabinet space. He stole space from the living room and a mechanical closet to create a walk-in pantry on the right, behind the new location of the refrigerator.
Dark-stained faux beams accentuate the new ceiling height. Morelock took space from an unused attic to achieve the vaulted ceiling.
Watch now: Check out this new kitchen in action
An appliance garage keeps small appliances plugged in and out of the way.
A new gas stovetop gives Schmid better control when cooking, while a 34 cubic-metres-per-minute range hood takes care of cooking smells from boiling pots and wok-fried dishes. The hood can be controlled with a remote so that Schmid doesn’t have to strain to reach the buttons overhead.
Similarly, cabinet rack systems allow Schmid to pull down items for easy reach. “I love it,” she says. “Now I don’t have to look for the step stool anymore.”
Before
This angle, shot from the corner of the original kitchen, shows the low, flat ceiling and heavy decor that had begun to wear on Schmid.
This angle, shot from the corner of the original kitchen, shows the low, flat ceiling and heavy decor that had begun to wear on Schmid.
After
The raised ceiling, lighter palette and new lighting design that includes multiple LED ceiling lights create a bright new space.
An integrated rice cooker in the island allows guests to load up their plates without getting in Schmid’s way in the kitchen. “That’s my happy spot,” she says.
Watch now: See Olivia Munn’s mum react to her dream kitchen
The raised ceiling, lighter palette and new lighting design that includes multiple LED ceiling lights create a bright new space.
An integrated rice cooker in the island allows guests to load up their plates without getting in Schmid’s way in the kitchen. “That’s my happy spot,” she says.
Watch now: See Olivia Munn’s mum react to her dream kitchen
Before
The original living room was laid out in a way that made conversation difficult. If you were sitting on the sofa at right, you were basically “watching people watch TV,” says Sam Schmid, Kim’s husband. A bulky massage chair took up one side of the room.
The original living room was laid out in a way that made conversation difficult. If you were sitting on the sofa at right, you were basically “watching people watch TV,” says Sam Schmid, Kim’s husband. A bulky massage chair took up one side of the room.
After
The family donated the massage chair to a relative, and many of Kim Schmid’s knickknacks went into storage boxes or were given to her sister, who lives next door. “I like fewer things around now,” she says.
The family donated the massage chair to a relative, and many of Kim Schmid’s knickknacks went into storage boxes or were given to her sister, who lives next door. “I like fewer things around now,” she says.
Before
The existing dining table was an heirloom from Sam Schmid’s family, so he and Munn decided to work it into the new design.
The fireplace had been capped off and wasn’t functioning. Its awkward location created an unnecessary and uninviting focal point.
The existing dining table was an heirloom from Sam Schmid’s family, so he and Munn decided to work it into the new design.
The fireplace had been capped off and wasn’t functioning. Its awkward location created an unnecessary and uninviting focal point.
After
Morelock kept the table but added new chairs and artwork. He ripped out the non-working fireplace and created recessed display shelves. The Schmids were so pleased with the outcome of the renovation that they hired Morelock to renovate their mudroom.
“I’m ecstatic that it all came together exactly how we talked about it,” says Munn. “Everything is at her height. She’s not going to have to get on her step stool. Everything has its place. It’s obviously going to make her life so much better. And I’m really excited that she loves it so much.”
Artwork: Brooke Rowlands Art
Watch now: Olivia Munn gives her mum’s home a face-lift
Tell us
What do you love about this home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to like the story, save your favourite images and join in the conversation.
More
Find a professional and get started on your own project
Morelock kept the table but added new chairs and artwork. He ripped out the non-working fireplace and created recessed display shelves. The Schmids were so pleased with the outcome of the renovation that they hired Morelock to renovate their mudroom.
“I’m ecstatic that it all came together exactly how we talked about it,” says Munn. “Everything is at her height. She’s not going to have to get on her step stool. Everything has its place. It’s obviously going to make her life so much better. And I’m really excited that she loves it so much.”
Artwork: Brooke Rowlands Art
Watch now: Olivia Munn gives her mum’s home a face-lift
Tell us
What do you love about this home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to like the story, save your favourite images and join in the conversation.
More
Find a professional and get started on your own project
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love it,,,, so beautiful.
God bless you all.