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My Houzz: Olivia Munn Thanks Mom With the Kitchen of Her Dreams

The actor hires a design professional to help update the kitchen, living and dining areas

Mitchell Parker May 9, 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

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If you observe actor Olivia Munn (X-Men: Apocalypse, Iron Man 2) and her mom, 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,” Munn says.

Much of their bond developed over home-cooked meals made by Schmid, a refugee from the Vietnam War. Recently, Munn surprised her 5-foot-1-inch mom with a remodel 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.

My Houzz: Olivia Munn Thanks Mom With a Kitchen of Her Dreams

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
Size: 675 square feet (63 square meters)
Designer-builder: Travis Morelock of MIDMODERNdesign

Watch now: See Olivia Munn surprise her mom with a new remodel

MIDMODERNdesign

Munn found designer Travis Morelock on Houzz and closely collaborated with him on the extensive remodeling project, which included raising the ceiling and adding new cabinets, appliances, flooring, furniture, art and accessories in the kitchen, dining and living areas.

Before Photo

MIDMODERNdesign

Before: The existing kitchen was in good condition, but the standard-height countertops 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.

MIDMODERNdesign

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 toe kick, dropped the countertops a couple of inches 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,” Morelock says.

He incorporated space from wherever he could, even removing a window on the left to extend the kitchen 5 feet 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.

Cranbrooke-style cabinets in Icing: Crestwood, Wilshire Cabinet & Co.; Calacatta Verona quartz countertops: MSI, Metro Granite; wooden tray: A&B Home; Gale pendant lights by Thomas O’Brien: Visual Comfort; Kilgore counter stools: Kathy Kuo Home

Watch now: Check out this new kitchen in action

MIDMODERNdesign

An appliance garage keeps small appliances plugged in and out of the way.

MIDMODERNdesign

A new gas range gives Schmid better control when cooking, while a 1,200 cubic-feet-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.

Victorian traditional wall-mount pot filler in stainless steel: Delta Faucet; Malda 3-by-6-inch ceramic subway tile in glossy white: SomerTile

MIDMODERNdesign

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.”

Pull-down shelf in chrome: Rev-A-Shelf

Before Photo

MIDMODERNdesign

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.

MIDMODERNdesign

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.

Hardwood-look porcelain floor tile in Avant Garde Taupe: Classic Tile

Watch now: See Olivia Munn’s mom react to her dream kitchen

Before Photo

MIDMODERNdesign

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.

MIDMODERNdesign

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.

Moroccan trellis shag rug: RugsUSA.com; Cyrano recycled-wood coffee table: Gabby; Eider White paint on walls, ceiling and trim: Sherwin-Williams

Before Photo

MIDMODERNdesign

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.

MIDMODERNdesign

After: Morelock kept the table but added new chairs and artwork. He ripped out the nonworking fireplace and created recessed display shelves. The Schmids were so pleased with the outcome of the renovation that they hired Morelock to remodel the mudroom.

“I’m ecstatic that it all came together exactly how we talked about it,” Munn says. “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 mom’s home a face-lift

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