After purchasing their first home, our clients were excited to receive the keys, but not long after moving in, they faced the all-too-familiar question of how to make the house their own. They decided to embark on a kitchen remodel, which became the topic of debate for the husband and wife. The husband wasn’t keen on taking on such a big project so soon, but the wife insisted that the kitchen was the most important room in the house since they both loved cooking, and a remodel would increase their property value.
The Challenge: A Dark, Outdated Kitchen
The biggest challenge was the kitchen itself. It was dark, outdated, and didn’t have adequate lighting, counter space, or storage. The kitchen layout was poor, and the heavy brick backsplash coupled with the oversized range hood made the space feel smaller than it was. The walls and ceiling were sunflower yellow, which created an “oppressed feeling that was not conducive to the creative process of cooking.” In brief, the kitchen was not a place they liked to be in, which led them to eat out more frequently.
Homeowners’ Requests: A Bright, Spacious Kitchen
The homeowners wanted a bright kitchen with more storage and counter space that fit the chalet-style of their home, with clean lines, and a merging of past and present elements. They also wanted to incorporate walnut wood elements to add warmth, including a peninsula, dishwasher, built-in microwave cabinet, trash pull-out, spice rack pull-out, and floating shelves.
The Remodel Process: Setbacks and Custom Features
The biggest challenge during the remodel was acquiring materials during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused shipping and manufacturing disruptions. However, they eventually sourced the required materials, such as cabinetry, countertops, tiles, flooring, appliances, and fixtures. They chose an Italian hand-glazed tile for the backsplash that fit within their budget, and decided to wrap the peninsula base cabinet in walnut to complement their home’s style. They also added custom-made walnut floating shelves on either side of the sink area and above the peninsula, and walnut casing framed the pantry door.
Helpful Tips for Your Kitchen Remodel
When remodeling a kitchen, it’s essential to ask about availability and lead times to avoid unnecessary disruptions to the flow of your project. Order roughly 10% more tile than the calculated square footage to allow for cuts and breakage, and always check for the same dye lot to avoid potential color discrepancies.
Despite setbacks and frustrations, our clients were happy with the end result: a bright, spacious, and updated kitchen with modern amenities, while the carefully appointed details gave a nod to the past of their 1950s chalet-style home.
If you’re considering a kitchen remodel, Goldenstar Development can help! We offer kitchen remodeling services of any size and can help you create a kitchen design that meets your tastes and budget. Contact us today!