I’ve got a project that’s in the thick of it with construction (it’s going to be a dusty Christmas for them….sad but worth it in the end) and I’m sharing a few pics today. This is a kitchen and guest bath project primarily, but we’re also doing all new flooring, fireplace remodel, painting everything, redoing the powder room, adding some finishing touches like shiplap paneling, etc.
This is a household where one person likes traditional interiors and the other loves a more contemporary look. The house was definitely a suburban traditional style, but we’re trying to clean up the details and make it all work with a cleaner, more modern appeal that doesn’t seem out of place. We’re also keeping some of the more trad details, because you just have to know when to stop and work with what’s there. You know?
I’ve got a few sneak peeks of this remodel below.
New cabinetry in the kitchen is going in. We have a simple, Shaker style front with little detailing at the crown. These are high ceilings, so taking these cabinets all the way up gives so much height and importance. It capitalizes on the advantages of the space, and I'm all over that. I’m delighted to see this space feel grander, more open and impressive, already.
Before Pics
Before - The fluorescent ceiling light box, short cabinetry and polished black granite had to go. This client wanted a sleeker style with a more grayed down and sophisticated look.
Progress pics during construction
Kitchen Design Inspiration
The whole kitchen and color scheme throughout really started with this tile. The homeowner found this mosaic and loved it. It became the must-have piece of the project, so we created a very special place for it to be featured.
Mosaic tile sample with countertop materials
Laying out the tile pattern for client and designer approval prior to the install. Looks amazing! It'll make a great feature wall for the kitchen.
It’s a pricey element, so we didn’t want to overdo it’s use, but wanted it to be seen and appreciated. The way the cabinetry frames this space that is visible from the living area, really makes the tile a focal point. We will have stainless steel floating shelves mounted in that niche too, with some cool picture lights that will be attached at the upper cabinet apron.
That mosaic tile will be featured in the niche with cabinetry surrounding it.
Eeeek! I was so excited when my contractor held the picture lights up this week for placement. :-) That brushed metal finish on the linear picture lights will be repeated on the stainless floating shelves below.
Yes, sometimes I draw on the walls. :-)
Picture lights will illuminate the beautiful mosaic tile niche.
The homeowner also wanted a designated coffee bar area, and we’ve got one all fixed up. We did the splash in the countertop material and have outlets and an open shelf going in. It’ll look super cool when all finished out.
We’ve got some cool products, like the Blanco Ikon farmhouse sink, made of their Silgranit material and the Blanco Artona faucet will go in as well. Love it in the white!
We’ve paneled the front of the bar and the column, it was sheetrock before. With children in the house, that flat painted sheetrock is bound to get messed up, so this paneling will be a much more durable surface.
Kitchen remodel in progress - paneling the bar front and column will render a much more durable finish in these highly abused areas. The oak bar top will be stained to match the floor. Paneling will be painted. :-)
We’ve got a new pantry door coming, louvered, for a sleeker style. I love a unique pantry door and louvers too, so this was a great marriage. For the style mix we want, a louvered door goes a long way to blend the two styles.
While I LOVE a wood floor, if you really need a tough surface and still want the look of wood, you can go with a quality wood-look tile floor. For this home, we’re using Arizona Tile’s Misingi, and it is really gorgeous. You MUST go with high quality if you’re doing wood-look tile, otherwise it just really reads imitation.
We’ve added in some paneling details in a contemporary style (no rough wood look here). It will be painted out white and just be a simple, linear style. We also changed out details like the mouldings and sill at the niche, for a cleaner look.
Shiplap ceiling in modern style
New modern look shiplap installed in niche
We’ve got this great wallpaper going into the guest bath and so, when it came to tile selection, I didn’t want it to overpower the paper. I wanted the tile to be a simple backdrop and we wanted a lot of it, for durability and protection of the paper. We did a wainscot of standard 6 x 6 tile and will paper above that. I soooo didn’t want subway here, I wanted this boxy and simple look. And yes, I’ve been espousing that it’s coming back in style.
Our design storyboard for the guest bath.
Before - Guest Bath
Before - Guest Bath
Custom vanity is made and ready to paint
Tiled wainscot of guest bath
Custom vanity in the guest bathroom. Can't wait to see it painted navy blue!
Quick tour is complete for now. There’s lots more to do, but all the guts are almost in. Painting is next. Once that’s done, it’ll be downhill from there.
Need some advice for your own upcoming remodel? We can do a consultation via email or, if you're local, in person before the holiday break, so you can get your plans in order for the new year. :-)