1940s Kitchen Opens Up to River Views and Warm Organic Style
Deep green cabinetry and white oak accents define a light-filled transformation featuring a new two-level island
When a design-loving empty-nest couple purchased this 1942 Bloomington, Minnesota, home, they were sold on the spectacular Minnesota River Valley views. The dated, closed-off kitchen was a different story. Marred by worn cabinetry and a cramped layout, the space felt worlds away from the airy, entertaining hub they envisioned.
Designers Amy Jants, Alisa Dragt-Hoffman and Katie Slick of McDonald Remodeling stepped in to orchestrate a total main-level transformation. By knocking down walls and replacing a small addition with a sun-drenched family room, the team gained 15 square feet and a seamless open flow. A bold mix of deep green and white oak cabinetry grounds the space, while a clever two-level island and matte white appliances create a sophisticated, organic modern retreat that finally feels at home in its lush surroundings.
Designers Amy Jants, Alisa Dragt-Hoffman and Katie Slick of McDonald Remodeling stepped in to orchestrate a total main-level transformation. By knocking down walls and replacing a small addition with a sun-drenched family room, the team gained 15 square feet and a seamless open flow. A bold mix of deep green and white oak cabinetry grounds the space, while a clever two-level island and matte white appliances create a sophisticated, organic modern retreat that finally feels at home in its lush surroundings.
Before Photo
After: The team began the renovation by stripping the kitchen to the studs and tearing down the wall that separated it from the living room. From nearly the same spot as the “before” photo, the view is now unrecognizable. The team reimagined the original living room as an open dining area, while a new, larger addition in the foreground serves as the home’s primary living space.
Small structural shifts yielded major functional gains. By closing off the original front doorway and relocating it, the team freed up enough wall space to reposition the refrigerator. “That made a big difference,” Jants says. The vaulted ceiling now marks the threshold where the original home meets the airy new addition.
The aesthetic is anchored by flat-panel custom cabinetry in a striking two-tone mix. Deep green (Dark Olive by Benjamin Moore) provides a moody, sophisticated base, while white oak upper cabinets with a natural horizontal grain add organic warmth. “I like the high contrast of the green and white oak,” Jants says. “We went with colors inspired by nature. Green is also a time-tested comfort color.”
Other paint colors: Nature’s Essentials (walls) and White Dove (trim), Benjamin Moore
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Small structural shifts yielded major functional gains. By closing off the original front doorway and relocating it, the team freed up enough wall space to reposition the refrigerator. “That made a big difference,” Jants says. The vaulted ceiling now marks the threshold where the original home meets the airy new addition.
The aesthetic is anchored by flat-panel custom cabinetry in a striking two-tone mix. Deep green (Dark Olive by Benjamin Moore) provides a moody, sophisticated base, while white oak upper cabinets with a natural horizontal grain add organic warmth. “I like the high contrast of the green and white oak,” Jants says. “We went with colors inspired by nature. Green is also a time-tested comfort color.”
Other paint colors: Nature’s Essentials (walls) and White Dove (trim), Benjamin Moore
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An open niche tucked under the upper cabinetry serves as a dedicated coffee mug display, its interior painted a warm, earthy terra cotta (Cavern Clay by Sherwin-Williams) to echo the brick of the nearby fireplace. This same hue repeats on new built-ins in the dining room, creating a visual thread throughout the main level. For a bit of edge, matte black pulls in varying sizes add a modern, graphic touch to the doors and drawers.
Four upper cabinets house glassware and serving bowls, while a countertop tower conceals the coffee and tea supplies and small appliances. Above the 36-inch smart refrigerator — a sleek white model with brushed brass hardware — integrated tray dividers keep baking sheets organized. “When you’re designing a kitchen, it’s crucial to speak with the person using the space to know what’s important to them,” Jants says.
The material palette continues with a sophisticated mix of quartz. A soft off-white quartz on the perimeter provides a quiet backdrop for the white appliances, while the island takes center stage with a dark gray, white-veined quartz featuring a dramatic waterfall edge. “It’s a visual definition,” Jants says of the island’s distinct look. “It makes it look like you put a piece of furniture there.”
Appliances: Café
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Four upper cabinets house glassware and serving bowls, while a countertop tower conceals the coffee and tea supplies and small appliances. Above the 36-inch smart refrigerator — a sleek white model with brushed brass hardware — integrated tray dividers keep baking sheets organized. “When you’re designing a kitchen, it’s crucial to speak with the person using the space to know what’s important to them,” Jants says.
The material palette continues with a sophisticated mix of quartz. A soft off-white quartz on the perimeter provides a quiet backdrop for the white appliances, while the island takes center stage with a dark gray, white-veined quartz featuring a dramatic waterfall edge. “It’s a visual definition,” Jants says of the island’s distinct look. “It makes it look like you put a piece of furniture there.”
Appliances: Café
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The expansive island is the kitchen’s hardworking social hub. Its countertop extends to accommodate seating on three sides, with swivel stools upholstered in a botanical fabric. A raised tier adds architectural interest, providing an elevated perch for serving drinks and appetizers while effectively screening the primary prep zone. Below, deep drawers offer ample real estate for bulky items. “The drawers are huge so they fit big things that take up lots of room,” Jants says.
Above the island, a trio of 15-inch-wide brass-and-onyx dome pendant lights lends a modern-vintage vibe. To ensure the space is as functional as it is stylish, the team layered in discreet LED ceiling lights and undercabinet strips to illuminate task areas.
Pendant lights: Max, Capital Lighting Fixture
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Above the island, a trio of 15-inch-wide brass-and-onyx dome pendant lights lends a modern-vintage vibe. To ensure the space is as functional as it is stylish, the team layered in discreet LED ceiling lights and undercabinet strips to illuminate task areas.
Pendant lights: Max, Capital Lighting Fixture
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A 30-inch smart slide-in range and matching convection over-the-range microwave continue the sleek matte white appliance theme. To ground the airy appliances, the designers chose a backsplash with subtle personality. Porcelain tiles have creamy tonal variations, set in a contemporary vertical stack with warm beige grout.
To the side of the refrigerator, tall cabinets serve as a hub for small appliances. “It holds anything with a cord — your rice cooker, Crock-Pots, things like that,” Jants says. Unlike traditional side-opening pantries, this forward-facing storage ensures everything is visible and within arm’s reach. “Every inch counts,” Jants says.
Backsplash: Coco collection in Canvas, Ceramic Tileworks
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To the side of the refrigerator, tall cabinets serve as a hub for small appliances. “It holds anything with a cord — your rice cooker, Crock-Pots, things like that,” Jants says. Unlike traditional side-opening pantries, this forward-facing storage ensures everything is visible and within arm’s reach. “Every inch counts,” Jants says.
Backsplash: Coco collection in Canvas, Ceramic Tileworks
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Before Photo
Before: The original breakfast nook was tucked into a cramped, brick-lined addition that felt more like a bottleneck than a dining space. This tiny corner served as the primary spot for meals. “It was small and really the only eating area,” Jants says. “It only allowed two people to eat at the table, maybe three if you smashed them in there.”
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
New to home remodeling? Learn the basics
After: The remodeling team replaced the cramped original addition with a much larger, light-filled living room that includes a modern fire feature and a TV. Wrapped in expansive windows and offering direct access to two new decks, the space finally capitalizes on the home’s scenic setting. “All these spaces connect now,” Jants says. “The kitchen is now centered between two entertaining areas. You can host and have separate conversation areas yet you’re still in the same space.”
At the end of the island, the structural support posts sit atop acrylic globes. “They’re different and an uncommon decorative element,” Jants says. “They’re like salt. They season the design.”
At the end of the island, the structural support posts sit atop acrylic globes. “They’re different and an uncommon decorative element,” Jants says. “They’re like salt. They season the design.”
The interior of the island has a durable 33-inch white double-bowl sink in enameled cast iron. It pairs with a modern pull-down faucet in a rich luxe gold finish. Flanking the sink are a 24-inch white dishwasher and a high-capacity pullout recycling center that goes beyond the standard footprint. “Most recycling centers are only 18 inches wide,” Jants says. “With the luxury of an extra 6 inches you can have trash, recycling and a place for organics with bag storage below.”
To unify the open floor plan, red oak flooring now flows throughout the entire main level. The wood was treated with a water-based sanding sealer, an eco-friendly alternative to traditional whitewash.
This vantage point also highlights the project’s biggest payoff: the sweeping river valley views. “It’s unbelievable the difference,” Jants says. “With all those windows you can enjoy the view no matter the time of day.”
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To unify the open floor plan, red oak flooring now flows throughout the entire main level. The wood was treated with a water-based sanding sealer, an eco-friendly alternative to traditional whitewash.
This vantage point also highlights the project’s biggest payoff: the sweeping river valley views. “It’s unbelievable the difference,” Jants says. “With all those windows you can enjoy the view no matter the time of day.”
More on Houzz
Read more stories
Browse photos for ideas
Find home professionals
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: An empty-nest couple
Location: Bloomington, Minnesota
Size: 170 square feet (16 square meters)
Designers: Amy Jants, Alisa Dragt-Hoffman and Katie Slick of McDonald Remodeling
Before: The original 155-square-foot kitchen was a lesson in layout frustration. A short peninsula with an integrated sink acted as a roadblock, cutting off traffic and isolating the workspace from a cramped breakfast nook in the former addition. The finishes had seen better days: worn white cabinets, wood-look laminate counters and a dated ceramic tile floor. A stubborn wall on the right side of the room completely severed the connection to the living room. “There was no dining room,” Jants says. “The only eating space was the nook in the kitchen.”
Through the doorway at the back right, the home’s front entry suffered from a similarly disjointed feel, signaling that the entire main level was due for a rethink.
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