Our clients purchased their home when they moved back to the Indianapolis area to be closer to their grandkids. The bones of the house were great, but the details were in need of some TLC. Our clients and their contractor, Steve Gray Renovations, brought us in to help them with their remodel, as well as incorporate the items they loved from their previous home into their new space.
Our clients had gone through the interior design process with their last home, so they knew already what they liked and disliked. The wife wanted strong contrast in her new space and she had a lot of pictures that communicated her desires clearly. She found the carpet for the entryway stairs on her own, and that striking element drove the design for the rest of the home. While the couple was decided about the look they wanted, they sought out our help to bring all of the elements together.
Kitchen Remodel
The kitchen needed the most help so we focused most of our work there. The original layout included a strangely shaped island that was too small for the large kitchen. The Thermofoil cabinets lacked the detailed finish work one expects in an executive home. Finally, the current kitchen design left much to be desired in terms of the view from the adjacent hearth room. Our goal for the kitchen remodel was to make it much more functional and beautiful.
Our client wanted to keep the perimeter cabinets; however, painting Thermofoil can be a challenge. Instead, we called in Nathan Alan Design to modify and improve the cabinetry by replacing and painting the doors. We also addressed small details that were missing, such as filling in weird gaps, and adding crown molding and side paneling. The underdone cabinetry over the fridge was reconfigured to include doors which provided hidden storage. Finally, we redesigned the island to better suit the space and the needs of the homeowner. Again, we called in Nathan Alan Design to build, install and finish it. Now our clients have more work space and seating for four in their kitchen.
The view from the hearth room made the range a focal point for the kitchen. To make it more appealing we removed a granite backsplash and the counter tops, and redesigned the cabinets on either side of the range. We updated the glass doors in the cabinets to highlight our client’s pretty dishes and glassware. That same glass, along with painted solid cabinet doors, was added to the butler’s pantry between the kitchen and the dining room to make the pass-through pretty too. A new hood was installed over the range offering heft and shine. Finally, a backsplash of black ceramic tile with a light grout and black quartz counter tops were added to the white kitchen, solidifying the contrast our client was looking to bring into the space.
Hearth Room Remodel
The fireplace wall in the hearth room also lacked the quality and beauty our clients wanted for their home. Since the space is right off the kitchen, we tied the look of the two rooms together by pulling in the black from the countertops. We modified the existing cabinetry to hold a TV and added crown molding. To tie in the fireplace surround, we used black natural stone and built a grander mantle to better suit the scale of the space. Finally, we added lighting above the cabinetry to highlight the contents of the shelves. All of these changes turned an underwhelming space into a showstopper.
Lighting Design
To complete the updated and sophisticated look of the remodel, we created a lighting plan that included many different fixture styles that all flowed well together. Every light fixture in the home was replaced with designer quality lighting. We always prepare our clients for the investment good lighting requires. When the project is finished, the most common remark is how much they love it! While lighting may seem like a secondary aspect in a design scheme, it is actually primary because it illuminates. Lighting, particularly hanging fixtures, also adds a sculptural element and can be like art in a space. Finding well-designed and appropriately scaled fixtures can be one of the most challenging aspects to a design project. Our clients were thrilled with the final look.
Furniture and Furnishings
We have written many articles about how the furniture from one home most likely will not fit into your next. However, for this client, the opposite was true! Her work with a designer in her previous home left her with furniture she loved and wanted to incorporate into her new space. Because the scale and style were appropriate, we were able to design the hearth room around her existing furniture. She also had fabric samples and pictures for us to work from so that although the actual furniture was in storage, we could choose paint colors, wall covering and window treatments that complemented the style. This project was an exception to the rule and we were happy for our clients.
The small details that give a finished, sophisticated look to a space are easily overlooked during the home-buying process. Our clients were surprised by what they found when they began remodeling. We were able to come up with creative solutions to drastically improve what was already there, giving them the functionality and style they envisioned for their new space.
Questions about this remodeling project? Send us an email or give us a call at 317.253.8986.
