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In a Season 2 episode of Fixer to Fabulous, Dave and Jenny Marrs redesigned the kitchen in Jenny’s parents’ home after discovering a load-bearing post could not be removed. Jenny said the revised plan added an enclosed wall with a refrigerator, coffee bar and pantry; the idea offers one way to make a constrained kitchen more functional without opening its layout.
Dave and Jenny Marrs redesigned the kitchen in Jenny’s parents’ home around a load-bearing post they could not remove, turning the constraint into an enclosed wall that housed a refrigerator, coffee bar and pantry. The project, featured in Season 2, Episode 8 of HGTV’s Fixer to Fabulous, shows how a dedicated beverage nook can make a boxed-in kitchen area more useful without removing structural support.
Jenny Marrs described the change in a blog post about the renovation on the couple’s website. She wrote that the small load-bearing post forced her to alter her original design, but that the revised plan worked better than her first idea. The resulting wall accommodated several kitchen functions in one area rather than leaving the structural feature as an obstacle to the room’s design.
The coffee bar is the most adaptable part of the approach for homeowners facing a similar layout. A built-in or designated station can give coffee and tea equipment a home, while nearby cupboards or shelves can store mugs and supplies. The source report characterizes the arrangement as a way to add function and storage while maintaining a dedicated, visually defined nook; it does not provide measurements, project costs or a detailed construction plan.
Before copying the idea, homeowners need to assess practical constraints in their own kitchens. The report advises checking outlet locations for a coffee maker or electric kettle, making sure added cabinets will not obstruct walkways or cooking work zones, and considering access to the sink. It also cautions that coffee machines can produce heat and steam, so appliances need suitable clearance from shelves above them.
A Useful Plan for Boxed-In Kitchens
The renovation matters to homeowners whose kitchens cannot be opened up as planned. A structural post or wall may limit a remodel, but the Marrs’ example reframes that limitation as a place to group storage and everyday appliances. A coffee station can make use of space that might otherwise feel awkward, while the adjoining pantry and refrigerator help organize the kitchen’s functions.
The idea is not a universal fix. Whether a coffee nook improves a room depends on its layout: extra cabinetry could narrow a walkway, interrupt a cooking area or place appliances far from water and power. Treating the design as a starting point—not a ready-made blueprint—can help homeowners balance appearance with safe, practical use.
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The Post That Changed the Plan
The project took place in the kitchen of Jenny Marrs’ parents’ house and was shown in Season 2, Episode 8 of Fixer to Fabulous. The couple’s initial design called for removing the post, but they found it was load-bearing and could not be taken out. Jenny’s account says the discovery prompted her to revise her plan.
Renovations can reveal constraints that are not apparent before work begins, including structural supports and hidden damage. In this case, the confirmed issue was the post’s structural role; the reported solution was to build around it with an enclosed wall that incorporated the refrigerator, coffee bar and pantry. The source does not describe other construction discoveries at the property.
“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 on the couple’s website
Details the Report Does Not Give
The source report does not provide the coffee bar’s dimensions, materials, budget or construction timeline, nor does it specify the clearances used around the appliances. It also does not establish that the design will suit other kitchens or disclose whether the family needed additional electrical or plumbing work.
Each home’s structural conditions and local building requirements differ. The report does not give technical guidance for changing or enclosing a load-bearing feature, so homeowners should not treat the television renovation as a substitute for an assessment of their own property.
Checks Before Adding a Coffee Nook
Homeowners considering a similar station should first map the room’s outlets, sink, walkways and main cooking zones, then decide whether cabinetry can fit without restricting movement. They should allow appropriate space for appliances that release heat or steam and plan storage around the items they use. If a proposed change affects a structural wall or post, a qualified professional should assess the structure before work begins.
The Marrs’ renovation is a completed television project; the source reports no new announcement or further milestone. For anyone planning a remodel, the next step is a site-specific design review that accounts for structural needs, electrical access, ventilation and applicable permits.
Key Questions
What did Dave and Jenny Marrs add to the kitchen?
The revised design used an enclosed wall to house a refrigerator, coffee bar and pantry after the couple found they could not remove a load-bearing post.
Why did the original kitchen plan change?
Jenny Marrs said a small load-bearing post could not be removed, so she modified the design to work around it.
What should homeowners check before installing a coffee station?
Check for suitable electrical outlets, access to a sink, enough room for walkways and cooking work zones, and clearance above appliances that generate heat or steam.
Does the coffee bar work in every kitchen?
No. Its practicality depends on the kitchen’s layout and available space. Added cabinetry could restrict movement or work areas, so the design needs to be adapted to the home.
Can homeowners remove a load-bearing post to open a kitchen?
The Marrs’ project does not provide instructions for removing structural supports. A qualified professional should assess any proposed structural change, and homeowners should follow applicable building codes and permit requirements.
Source: rss
