When you find a home that meets most of your needs in a neighborhood you love, remodeling to make it more suitable for your family’s lifestyle can make that house your dream home. That’s what happened in this remodeling story. Our clients purchased a home built in 1983 with the plan to remodel the kitchen to suit their needs and tastes. The galley style kitchen was positioned at the center and rear of the main level and had an eat-in area at one end and a pantry at the opposite end. A small pass-through allowed view into the adjacent family room, but otherwise the two spaces were closed off from one another. The existing espresso stained cabinetry was attractive, but it darkened and narrowed the kitchen. The homeowners wanted the kitchen to feel more connected to the other main level living spaces. Creating more light and improving organization and storage were must haves for the new design. They also requested relocating the pantry from under the stairs and longed for a ventilation system that would vent the cooking smells outdoors rather than throughout the inside of the house. Our design involved removing a portion of wall between the kitchen and living room. This one change made it feel larger, more open and bright. It also connected the kitchen to the living room and allowed the two spaces to flow freely into one another. This new open area allowed us to extend the granite countertop to create a peninsula/bar that provides additional seating. To improve the existing lighting plan, we added new LED recessed lights, under-cabinet lighting, and pendant lighting over the peninsula. The selections were integral in making the kitchen feel lighter and larger. Our clients chose maple cabinetry with an oak stained tumbleweed finish paired with creamy granite countertops, and a pearl tumbled travertine backsplash. A few standout features include a set of floating shelves, concrete farmhouse sink, and mercury glass pendant lights. Flooring throughout the first floor was updated to an easy to maintain wood-look vinyl plank floor. Several new storage options were added including new cabinetry where the old pantry used to be, which accommodates the microwave in an upper cabinet as well as storage for small cooking appliances so they don’t take up space on the counters. There’s also a unique angled cabinet right next to the refrigerator. When the work was complete on this project we were very pleased that the design delivered exactly what the homeowners had envisioned. In addition, we were able to complete the construction without causing too much disturbance or disruption for the homeowners; one works the night shift, and was actually able to sleep during the day, and the other travels frequently for work and felt confident that the project was in good hands.

When you find a home that meets most of your needs in a neighborhood you love, remodeling to make it more suitable for your family’s lifestyle can make that house your dream home. That’s what happened in this remodeling story. Our clients purchased a home built in 1983 with the plan to remodel the kitchen to suit their needs and tastes. The galley style kitchen was positioned at the center and rear of the main level and had an eat-in area at one end and a pantry at the opposite end. A small pass-through allowed view into the adjacent family room, but otherwise the two spaces were closed off from one another. The existing espresso stained cabinetry was attractive, but it darkened and narrowed the kitchen. The homeowners wanted the kitchen to feel more connected to the other main level living spaces. Creating more light and improving organization and storage were must haves for the new design. They also requested relocating the pantry from under the stairs and longed for a ventilation system that would vent the cooking smells outdoors rather than throughout the inside of the house. Our design involved removing a portion of wall between the kitchen and living room. This one change made it feel larger, more open and bright. It also connected the kitchen to the living room and allowed the two spaces to flow freely into one another. This new open area allowed us to extend the granite countertop to create a peninsula/bar that provides additional seating. To improve the existing lighting plan, we added new LED recessed lights, under-cabinet lighting, and pendant lighting over the peninsula. The selections were integral in making the kitchen feel lighter and larger. Our clients chose maple cabinetry with an oak stained tumbleweed finish paired with creamy granite countertops, and a pearl tumbled travertine backsplash. A few standout features include a set of floating shelves, concrete farmhouse sink, and mercury glass pendant lights. Flooring throughout the first floor was updated to an easy to maintain wood-look vinyl plank floor. Several new storage options were added including new cabinetry where the old pantry used to be, which accommodates the microwave in an upper cabinet as well as storage for small cooking appliances so they don’t take up space on the counters. There’s also a unique angled cabinet right next to the refrigerator. When the work was complete on this project we were very pleased that the design delivered exactly what the homeowners had envisioned. In addition, we were able to complete the construction without causing too much disturbance or disruption for the homeowners; one works the night shift, and was actually able to sleep during the day, and the other travels frequently for work and felt confident that the project was in good hands.

The flooring that was originally envisioned for this house wasn't Wood Floor of the Year-caliber. When Steve Brattin, president at SVB Wood Floors in Grandview, Mo., got involved in the project, the designers were discussing a simple machine-sanded heart pine or reclaimed wood floor. But once Brattin visited the site—an old world traditional estate set on acreage with its own private lake—he knew it deserved more than a typical floor. "I chatted with the designers and said I would love to meet with the homeowners and have them in our showroom," he recalls. "I said I would really like to do something artistic with it." Brattin's mind was already envisioning the possibilities—something he says usually happens for him within a half hour of walking through a space. "I don't know how certain things come to me," he says, adding that often he draws things out and the designs don't end up being in the clients' budget. That wasn't the case here, however, and the final plans for the flooring called for five designs in various areas, including this Bordeaux parquet in the foyer. With the designs finalized, Brattin turned to Distinctive Floors' (Nashville, Tenn.) Dan Antes to create the walnut flooring, which called for hand-beveling with a circle-sawn and wire-brushed surface; in some areas the flooring was 10-inch plank. The width presented a challenge for Antes, as he had planned to contract out the circle-sawing, but the company he had in mind could handle widths only up to 81⁄2 inches. He decided he would have to do it himself. "We spent maybe $1,500 modifying $20,000 worth of equipment to end up with this awesome distressed product," he says. Due to a tight time frame to complete the job, once the flooring was milled, it was shipped to WD Flooring (Laona, Wis.) to be finished with hardwax oil—a choice Antes says he loves for its maintainability. The actual installation of all 3,000 square feet of flooring was uneventful, Brattin says, crediting his crew, experienced with high-end projects, for a great job. "They had a blast," he says. "They had so much fun out there on the project, and they do it quite frequently; it comes naturally for them at this point." Given the complexity of this job, from scribing around stone to large-scale chevron and mixed media, that's high praise. Antes, himself a Wood Floor of the Year winner and supplier to many more winning projects, sums up the scope of this job: "I think he could have entered any room in this house, really, and won."—K.M.W.

The flooring that was originally envisioned for this house wasn't Wood Floor of the Year-caliber. When Steve Brattin, president at SVB Wood Floors in Grandview, Mo., got involved in the project, the designers were discussing a simple machine-sanded heart pine or reclaimed wood floor. But once Brattin visited the site—an old world traditional estate set on acreage with its own private lake—he knew it deserved more than a typical floor. "I chatted with the designers and said I would love to meet with the homeowners and have them in our showroom," he recalls. "I said I would really like to do something artistic with it." Brattin's mind was already envisioning the possibilities—something he says usually happens for him within a half hour of walking through a space. "I don't know how certain things come to me," he says, adding that often he draws things out and the designs don't end up being in the clients' budget. That wasn't the case here, however, and the final plans for the flooring called for five designs in various areas, including this Bordeaux parquet in the foyer. With the designs finalized, Brattin turned to Distinctive Floors' (Nashville, Tenn.) Dan Antes to create the walnut flooring, which called for hand-beveling with a circle-sawn and wire-brushed surface; in some areas the flooring was 10-inch plank. The width presented a challenge for Antes, as he had planned to contract out the circle-sawing, but the company he had in mind could handle widths only up to 81⁄2 inches. He decided he would have to do it himself. "We spent maybe $1,500 modifying $20,000 worth of equipment to end up with this awesome distressed product," he says. Due to a tight time frame to complete the job, once the flooring was milled, it was shipped to WD Flooring (Laona, Wis.) to be finished with hardwax oil—a choice Antes says he loves for its maintainability. The actual installation of all 3,000 square feet of flooring was uneventful, Brattin says, crediting his crew, experienced with high-end projects, for a great job. "They had a blast," he says. "They had so much fun out there on the project, and they do it quite frequently; it comes naturally for them at this point." Given the complexity of this job, from scribing around stone to large-scale chevron and mixed media, that's high praise. Antes, himself a Wood Floor of the Year winner and supplier to many more winning projects, sums up the scope of this job: "I think he could have entered any room in this house, really, and won."—K.M.W.

When you find a home that meets most of your needs in a neighborhood you love, remodeling to make it more suitable for your family’s lifestyle can make that house your dream home. That’s what happened in this remodeling story. Our clients purchased a home built in 1983 with the plan to remodel the kitchen to suit their needs and tastes. The galley style kitchen was positioned at the center and rear of the main level and had an eat-in area at one end and a pantry at the opposite end. A small pass-through allowed view into the adjacent family room, but otherwise the two spaces were closed off from one another. The existing espresso stained cabinetry was attractive, but it darkened and narrowed the kitchen. The homeowners wanted the kitchen to feel more connected to the other main level living spaces. Creating more light and improving organization and storage were must haves for the new design. They also requested relocating the pantry from under the stairs and longed for a ventilation system that would vent the cooking smells outdoors rather than throughout the inside of the house. Our design involved removing a portion of wall between the kitchen and living room. This one change made it feel larger, more open and bright. It also connected the kitchen to the living room and allowed the two spaces to flow freely into one another. This new open area allowed us to extend the granite countertop to create a peninsula/bar that provides additional seating. To improve the existing lighting plan, we added new LED recessed lights, under-cabinet lighting, and pendant lighting over the peninsula. The selections were integral in making the kitchen feel lighter and larger. Our clients chose maple cabinetry with an oak stained tumbleweed finish paired with creamy granite countertops, and a pearl tumbled travertine backsplash. A few standout features include a set of floating shelves, concrete farmhouse sink, and mercury glass pendant lights. Flooring throughout the first floor was updated to an easy to maintain wood-look vinyl plank floor. Several new storage options were added including new cabinetry where the old pantry used to be, which accommodates the microwave in an upper cabinet as well as storage for small cooking appliances so they don’t take up space on the counters. There’s also a unique angled cabinet right next to the refrigerator. When the work was complete on this project we were very pleased that the design delivered exactly what the homeowners had envisioned. In addition, we were able to complete the construction without causing too much disturbance or disruption for the homeowners; one works the night shift, and was actually able to sleep during the day, and the other travels frequently for work and felt confident that the project was in good hands.

When you find a home that meets most of your needs in a neighborhood you love, remodeling to make it more suitable for your family’s lifestyle can make that house your dream home. That’s what happened in this remodeling story. Our clients purchased a home built in 1983 with the plan to remodel the kitchen to suit their needs and tastes. The galley style kitchen was positioned at the center and rear of the main level and had an eat-in area at one end and a pantry at the opposite end. A small pass-through allowed view into the adjacent family room, but otherwise the two spaces were closed off from one another. The existing espresso stained cabinetry was attractive, but it darkened and narrowed the kitchen. The homeowners wanted the kitchen to feel more connected to the other main level living spaces. Creating more light and improving organization and storage were must haves for the new design. They also requested relocating the pantry from under the stairs and longed for a ventilation system that would vent the cooking smells outdoors rather than throughout the inside of the house. Our design involved removing a portion of wall between the kitchen and living room. This one change made it feel larger, more open and bright. It also connected the kitchen to the living room and allowed the two spaces to flow freely into one another. This new open area allowed us to extend the granite countertop to create a peninsula/bar that provides additional seating. To improve the existing lighting plan, we added new LED recessed lights, under-cabinet lighting, and pendant lighting over the peninsula. The selections were integral in making the kitchen feel lighter and larger. Our clients chose maple cabinetry with an oak stained tumbleweed finish paired with creamy granite countertops, and a pearl tumbled travertine backsplash. A few standout features include a set of floating shelves, concrete farmhouse sink, and mercury glass pendant lights. Flooring throughout the first floor was updated to an easy to maintain wood-look vinyl plank floor. Several new storage options were added including new cabinetry where the old pantry used to be, which accommodates the microwave in an upper cabinet as well as storage for small cooking appliances so they don’t take up space on the counters. There’s also a unique angled cabinet right next to the refrigerator. When the work was complete on this project we were very pleased that the design delivered exactly what the homeowners had envisioned. In addition, we were able to complete the construction without causing too much disturbance or disruption for the homeowners; one works the night shift, and was actually able to sleep during the day, and the other travels frequently for work and felt confident that the project was in good hands.

When you find a home that meets most of your needs in a neighborhood you love, remodeling to make it more suitable for your family’s lifestyle can make that house your dream home. That’s what happened in this remodeling story. Our clients purchased a home built in 1983 with the plan to remodel the kitchen to suit their needs and tastes. The galley style kitchen was positioned at the center and rear of the main level and had an eat-in area at one end and a pantry at the opposite end. A small pass-through allowed view into the adjacent family room, but otherwise the two spaces were closed off from one another. The existing espresso stained cabinetry was attractive, but it darkened and narrowed the kitchen. The homeowners wanted the kitchen to feel more connected to the other main level living spaces. Creating more light and improving organization and storage were must haves for the new design. They also requested relocating the pantry from under the stairs and longed for a ventilation system that would vent the cooking smells outdoors rather than throughout the inside of the house. Our design involved removing a portion of wall between the kitchen and living room. This one change made it feel larger, more open and bright. It also connected the kitchen to the living room and allowed the two spaces to flow freely into one another. This new open area allowed us to extend the granite countertop to create a peninsula/bar that provides additional seating. To improve the existing lighting plan, we added new LED recessed lights, under-cabinet lighting, and pendant lighting over the peninsula. The selections were integral in making the kitchen feel lighter and larger. Our clients chose maple cabinetry with an oak stained tumbleweed finish paired with creamy granite countertops, and a pearl tumbled travertine backsplash. A few standout features include a set of floating shelves, concrete farmhouse sink, and mercury glass pendant lights. Flooring throughout the first floor was updated to an easy to maintain wood-look vinyl plank floor. Several new storage options were added including new cabinetry where the old pantry used to be, which accommodates the microwave in an upper cabinet as well as storage for small cooking appliances so they don’t take up space on the counters. There’s also a unique angled cabinet right next to the refrigerator. When the work was complete on this project we were very pleased that the design delivered exactly what the homeowners had envisioned. In addition, we were able to complete the construction without causing too much disturbance or disruption for the homeowners; one works the night shift, and was actually able to sleep during the day, and the other travels frequently for work and felt confident that the project was in good hands.

When you find a home that meets most of your needs in a neighborhood you love, remodeling to make it more suitable for your family’s lifestyle can make that house your dream home. That’s what happened in this remodeling story. Our clients purchased a home built in 1983 with the plan to remodel the kitchen to suit their needs and tastes. The galley style kitchen was positioned at the center and rear of the main level and had an eat-in area at one end and a pantry at the opposite end. A small pass-through allowed view into the adjacent family room, but otherwise the two spaces were closed off from one another. The existing espresso stained cabinetry was attractive, but it darkened and narrowed the kitchen. The homeowners wanted the kitchen to feel more connected to the other main level living spaces. Creating more light and improving organization and storage were must haves for the new design. They also requested relocating the pantry from under the stairs and longed for a ventilation system that would vent the cooking smells outdoors rather than throughout the inside of the house. Our design involved removing a portion of wall between the kitchen and living room. This one change made it feel larger, more open and bright. It also connected the kitchen to the living room and allowed the two spaces to flow freely into one another. This new open area allowed us to extend the granite countertop to create a peninsula/bar that provides additional seating. To improve the existing lighting plan, we added new LED recessed lights, under-cabinet lighting, and pendant lighting over the peninsula. The selections were integral in making the kitchen feel lighter and larger. Our clients chose maple cabinetry with an oak stained tumbleweed finish paired with creamy granite countertops, and a pearl tumbled travertine backsplash. A few standout features include a set of floating shelves, concrete farmhouse sink, and mercury glass pendant lights. Flooring throughout the first floor was updated to an easy to maintain wood-look vinyl plank floor. Several new storage options were added including new cabinetry where the old pantry used to be, which accommodates the microwave in an upper cabinet as well as storage for small cooking appliances so they don’t take up space on the counters. There’s also a unique angled cabinet right next to the refrigerator. When the work was complete on this project we were very pleased that the design delivered exactly what the homeowners had envisioned. In addition, we were able to complete the construction without causing too much disturbance or disruption for the homeowners; one works the night shift, and was actually able to sleep during the day, and the other travels frequently for work and felt confident that the project was in good hands.

When you find a home that meets most of your needs in a neighborhood you love, remodeling to make it more suitable for your family’s lifestyle can make that house your dream home. That’s what happened in this remodeling story. Our clients purchased a home built in 1983 with the plan to remodel the kitchen to suit their needs and tastes. The galley style kitchen was positioned at the center and rear of the main level and had an eat-in area at one end and a pantry at the opposite end. A small pass-through allowed view into the adjacent family room, but otherwise the two spaces were closed off from one another. The existing espresso stained cabinetry was attractive, but it darkened and narrowed the kitchen. The homeowners wanted the kitchen to feel more connected to the other main level living spaces. Creating more light and improving organization and storage were must haves for the new design. They also requested relocating the pantry from under the stairs and longed for a ventilation system that would vent the cooking smells outdoors rather than throughout the inside of the house. Our design involved removing a portion of wall between the kitchen and living room. This one change made it feel larger, more open and bright. It also connected the kitchen to the living room and allowed the two spaces to flow freely into one another. This new open area allowed us to extend the granite countertop to create a peninsula/bar that provides additional seating. To improve the existing lighting plan, we added new LED recessed lights, under-cabinet lighting, and pendant lighting over the peninsula. The selections were integral in making the kitchen feel lighter and larger. Our clients chose maple cabinetry with an oak stained tumbleweed finish paired with creamy granite countertops, and a pearl tumbled travertine backsplash. A few standout features include a set of floating shelves, concrete farmhouse sink, and mercury glass pendant lights. Flooring throughout the first floor was updated to an easy to maintain wood-look vinyl plank floor. Several new storage options were added including new cabinetry where the old pantry used to be, which accommodates the microwave in an upper cabinet as well as storage for small cooking appliances so they don’t take up space on the counters. There’s also a unique angled cabinet right next to the refrigerator. When the work was complete on this project we were very pleased that the design delivered exactly what the homeowners had envisioned. In addition, we were able to complete the construction without causing too much disturbance or disruption for the homeowners; one works the night shift, and was actually able to sleep during the day, and the other travels frequently for work and felt confident that the project was in good hands.

When you find a home that meets most of your needs in a neighborhood you love, remodeling to make it more suitable for your family’s lifestyle can make that house your dream home. That’s what happened in this remodeling story. Our clients purchased a home built in 1983 with the plan to remodel the kitchen to suit their needs and tastes. The galley style kitchen was positioned at the center and rear of the main level and had an eat-in area at one end and a pantry at the opposite end. A small pass-through allowed view into the adjacent family room, but otherwise the two spaces were closed off from one another. The existing espresso stained cabinetry was attractive, but it darkened and narrowed the kitchen. The homeowners wanted the kitchen to feel more connected to the other main level living spaces. Creating more light and improving organization and storage were must haves for the new design. They also requested relocating the pantry from under the stairs and longed for a ventilation system that would vent the cooking smells outdoors rather than throughout the inside of the house. Our design involved removing a portion of wall between the kitchen and living room. This one change made it feel larger, more open and bright. It also connected the kitchen to the living room and allowed the two spaces to flow freely into one another. This new open area allowed us to extend the granite countertop to create a peninsula/bar that provides additional seating. To improve the existing lighting plan, we added new LED recessed lights, under-cabinet lighting, and pendant lighting over the peninsula. The selections were integral in making the kitchen feel lighter and larger. Our clients chose maple cabinetry with an oak stained tumbleweed finish paired with creamy granite countertops, and a pearl tumbled travertine backsplash. A few standout features include a set of floating shelves, concrete farmhouse sink, and mercury glass pendant lights. Flooring throughout the first floor was updated to an easy to maintain wood-look vinyl plank floor. Several new storage options were added including new cabinetry where the old pantry used to be, which accommodates the microwave in an upper cabinet as well as storage for small cooking appliances so they don’t take up space on the counters. There’s also a unique angled cabinet right next to the refrigerator. When the work was complete on this project we were very pleased that the design delivered exactly what the homeowners had envisioned. In addition, we were able to complete the construction without causing too much disturbance or disruption for the homeowners; one works the night shift, and was actually able to sleep during the day, and the other travels frequently for work and felt confident that the project was in good hands.

When you find a home that meets most of your needs in a neighborhood you love, remodeling to make it more suitable for your family’s lifestyle can make that house your dream home. That’s what happened in this remodeling story. Our clients purchased a home built in 1983 with the plan to remodel the kitchen to suit their needs and tastes. The galley style kitchen was positioned at the center and rear of the main level and had an eat-in area at one end and a pantry at the opposite end. A small pass-through allowed view into the adjacent family room, but otherwise the two spaces were closed off from one another. The existing espresso stained cabinetry was attractive, but it darkened and narrowed the kitchen. The homeowners wanted the kitchen to feel more connected to the other main level living spaces. Creating more light and improving organization and storage were must haves for the new design. They also requested relocating the pantry from under the stairs and longed for a ventilation system that would vent the cooking smells outdoors rather than throughout the inside of the house. Our design involved removing a portion of wall between the kitchen and living room. This one change made it feel larger, more open and bright. It also connected the kitchen to the living room and allowed the two spaces to flow freely into one another. This new open area allowed us to extend the granite countertop to create a peninsula/bar that provides additional seating. To improve the existing lighting plan, we added new LED recessed lights, under-cabinet lighting, and pendant lighting over the peninsula. The selections were integral in making the kitchen feel lighter and larger. Our clients chose maple cabinetry with an oak stained tumbleweed finish paired with creamy granite countertops, and a pearl tumbled travertine backsplash. A few standout features include a set of floating shelves, concrete farmhouse sink, and mercury glass pendant lights. Flooring throughout the first floor was updated to an easy to maintain wood-look vinyl plank floor. Several new storage options were added including new cabinetry where the old pantry used to be, which accommodates the microwave in an upper cabinet as well as storage for small cooking appliances so they don’t take up space on the counters. There’s also a unique angled cabinet right next to the refrigerator. When the work was complete on this project we were very pleased that the design delivered exactly what the homeowners had envisioned. In addition, we were able to complete the construction without causing too much disturbance or disruption for the homeowners; one works the night shift, and was actually able to sleep during the day, and the other travels frequently for work and felt confident that the project was in good hands.

When you find a home that meets most of your needs in a neighborhood you love, remodeling to make it more suitable for your family’s lifestyle can make that house your dream home. That’s what happened in this remodeling story. Our clients purchased a home built in 1983 with the plan to remodel the kitchen to suit their needs and tastes. The galley style kitchen was positioned at the center and rear of the main level and had an eat-in area at one end and a pantry at the opposite end. A small pass-through allowed view into the adjacent family room, but otherwise the two spaces were closed off from one another. The existing espresso stained cabinetry was attractive, but it darkened and narrowed the kitchen. The homeowners wanted the kitchen to feel more connected to the other main level living spaces. Creating more light and improving organization and storage were must haves for the new design. They also requested relocating the pantry from under the stairs and longed for a ventilation system that would vent the cooking smells outdoors rather than throughout the inside of the house. Our design involved removing a portion of wall between the kitchen and living room. This one change made it feel larger, more open and bright. It also connected the kitchen to the living room and allowed the two spaces to flow freely into one another. This new open area allowed us to extend the granite countertop to create a peninsula/bar that provides additional seating. To improve the existing lighting plan, we added new LED recessed lights, under-cabinet lighting, and pendant lighting over the peninsula. The selections were integral in making the kitchen feel lighter and larger. Our clients chose maple cabinetry with an oak stained tumbleweed finish paired with creamy granite countertops, and a pearl tumbled travertine backsplash. A few standout features include a set of floating shelves, concrete farmhouse sink, and mercury glass pendant lights. Flooring throughout the first floor was updated to an easy to maintain wood-look vinyl plank floor. Several new storage options were added including new cabinetry where the old pantry used to be, which accommodates the microwave in an upper cabinet as well as storage for small cooking appliances so they don’t take up space on the counters. There’s also a unique angled cabinet right next to the refrigerator. When the work was complete on this project we were very pleased that the design delivered exactly what the homeowners had envisioned. In addition, we were able to complete the construction without causing too much disturbance or disruption for the homeowners; one works the night shift, and was actually able to sleep during the day, and the other travels frequently for work and felt confident that the project was in good hands.

When you find a home that meets most of your needs in a neighborhood you love, remodeling to make it more suitable for your family’s lifestyle can make that house your dream home. That’s what happened in this remodeling story. Our clients purchased a home built in 1983 with the plan to remodel the kitchen to suit their needs and tastes. The galley style kitchen was positioned at the center and rear of the main level and had an eat-in area at one end and a pantry at the opposite end. A small pass-through allowed view into the adjacent family room, but otherwise the two spaces were closed off from one another. The existing espresso stained cabinetry was attractive, but it darkened and narrowed the kitchen. The homeowners wanted the kitchen to feel more connected to the other main level living spaces. Creating more light and improving organization and storage were must haves for the new design. They also requested relocating the pantry from under the stairs and longed for a ventilation system that would vent the cooking smells outdoors rather than throughout the inside of the house. Our design involved removing a portion of wall between the kitchen and living room. This one change made it feel larger, more open and bright. It also connected the kitchen to the living room and allowed the two spaces to flow freely into one another. This new open area allowed us to extend the granite countertop to create a peninsula/bar that provides additional seating. To improve the existing lighting plan, we added new LED recessed lights, under-cabinet lighting, and pendant lighting over the peninsula. The selections were integral in making the kitchen feel lighter and larger. Our clients chose maple cabinetry with an oak stained tumbleweed finish paired with creamy granite countertops, and a pearl tumbled travertine backsplash. A few standout features include a set of floating shelves, concrete farmhouse sink, and mercury glass pendant lights. Flooring throughout the first floor was updated to an easy to maintain wood-look vinyl plank floor. Several new storage options were added including new cabinetry where the old pantry used to be, which accommodates the microwave in an upper cabinet as well as storage for small cooking appliances so they don’t take up space on the counters. There’s also a unique angled cabinet right next to the refrigerator. When the work was complete on this project we were very pleased that the design delivered exactly what the homeowners had envisioned. In addition, we were able to complete the construction without causing too much disturbance or disruption for the homeowners; one works the night shift, and was actually able to sleep during the day, and the other travels frequently for work and felt confident that the project was in good hands.

When you find a home that meets most of your needs in a neighborhood you love, remodeling to make it more suitable for your family’s lifestyle can make that house your dream home. That’s what happened in this remodeling story. Our clients purchased a home built in 1983 with the plan to remodel the kitchen to suit their needs and tastes. The galley style kitchen was positioned at the center and rear of the main level and had an eat-in area at one end and a pantry at the opposite end. A small pass-through allowed view into the adjacent family room, but otherwise the two spaces were closed off from one another. The existing espresso stained cabinetry was attractive, but it darkened and narrowed the kitchen. The homeowners wanted the kitchen to feel more connected to the other main level living spaces. Creating more light and improving organization and storage were must haves for the new design. They also requested relocating the pantry from under the stairs and longed for a ventilation system that would vent the cooking smells outdoors rather than throughout the inside of the house. Our design involved removing a portion of wall between the kitchen and living room. This one change made it feel larger, more open and bright. It also connected the kitchen to the living room and allowed the two spaces to flow freely into one another. This new open area allowed us to extend the granite countertop to create a peninsula/bar that provides additional seating. To improve the existing lighting plan, we added new LED recessed lights, under-cabinet lighting, and pendant lighting over the peninsula. The selections were integral in making the kitchen feel lighter and larger. Our clients chose maple cabinetry with an oak stained tumbleweed finish paired with creamy granite countertops, and a pearl tumbled travertine backsplash. A few standout features include a set of floating shelves, concrete farmhouse sink, and mercury glass pendant lights. Flooring throughout the first floor was updated to an easy to maintain wood-look vinyl plank floor. Several new storage options were added including new cabinetry where the old pantry used to be, which accommodates the microwave in an upper cabinet as well as storage for small cooking appliances so they don’t take up space on the counters. There’s also a unique angled cabinet right next to the refrigerator. When the work was complete on this project we were very pleased that the design delivered exactly what the homeowners had envisioned. In addition, we were able to complete the construction without causing too much disturbance or disruption for the homeowners; one works the night shift, and was actually able to sleep during the day, and the other travels frequently for work and felt confident that the project was in good hands.

When you find a home that meets most of your needs in a neighborhood you love, remodeling to make it more suitable for your family’s lifestyle can make that house your dream home. That’s what happened in this remodeling story. Our clients purchased a home built in 1983 with the plan to remodel the kitchen to suit their needs and tastes. The galley style kitchen was positioned at the center and rear of the main level and had an eat-in area at one end and a pantry at the opposite end. A small pass-through allowed view into the adjacent family room, but otherwise the two spaces were closed off from one another. The existing espresso stained cabinetry was attractive, but it darkened and narrowed the kitchen. The homeowners wanted the kitchen to feel more connected to the other main level living spaces. Creating more light and improving organization and storage were must haves for the new design. They also requested relocating the pantry from under the stairs and longed for a ventilation system that would vent the cooking smells outdoors rather than throughout the inside of the house. Our design involved removing a portion of wall between the kitchen and living room. This one change made it feel larger, more open and bright. It also connected the kitchen to the living room and allowed the two spaces to flow freely into one another. This new open area allowed us to extend the granite countertop to create a peninsula/bar that provides additional seating. To improve the existing lighting plan, we added new LED recessed lights, under-cabinet lighting, and pendant lighting over the peninsula. The selections were integral in making the kitchen feel lighter and larger. Our clients chose maple cabinetry with an oak stained tumbleweed finish paired with creamy granite countertops, and a pearl tumbled travertine backsplash. A few standout features include a set of floating shelves, concrete farmhouse sink, and mercury glass pendant lights. Flooring throughout the first floor was updated to an easy to maintain wood-look vinyl plank floor. Several new storage options were added including new cabinetry where the old pantry used to be, which accommodates the microwave in an upper cabinet as well as storage for small cooking appliances so they don’t take up space on the counters. There’s also a unique angled cabinet right next to the refrigerator. When the work was complete on this project we were very pleased that the design delivered exactly what the homeowners had envisioned. In addition, we were able to complete the construction without causing too much disturbance or disruption for the homeowners; one works the night shift, and was actually able to sleep during the day, and the other travels frequently for work and felt confident that the project was in good hands.

When you find a home that meets most of your needs in a neighborhood you love, remodeling to make it more suitable for your family’s lifestyle can make that house your dream home. That’s what happened in this remodeling story. Our clients purchased a home built in 1983 with the plan to remodel the kitchen to suit their needs and tastes. The galley style kitchen was positioned at the center and rear of the main level and had an eat-in area at one end and a pantry at the opposite end. A small pass-through allowed view into the adjacent family room, but otherwise the two spaces were closed off from one another. The existing espresso stained cabinetry was attractive, but it darkened and narrowed the kitchen. The homeowners wanted the kitchen to feel more connected to the other main level living spaces. Creating more light and improving organization and storage were must haves for the new design. They also requested relocating the pantry from under the stairs and longed for a ventilation system that would vent the cooking smells outdoors rather than throughout the inside of the house. Our design involved removing a portion of wall between the kitchen and living room. This one change made it feel larger, more open and bright. It also connected the kitchen to the living room and allowed the two spaces to flow freely into one another. This new open area allowed us to extend the granite countertop to create a peninsula/bar that provides additional seating. To improve the existing lighting plan, we added new LED recessed lights, under-cabinet lighting, and pendant lighting over the peninsula. The selections were integral in making the kitchen feel lighter and larger. Our clients chose maple cabinetry with an oak stained tumbleweed finish paired with creamy granite countertops, and a pearl tumbled travertine backsplash. A few standout features include a set of floating shelves, concrete farmhouse sink, and mercury glass pendant lights. Flooring throughout the first floor was updated to an easy to maintain wood-look vinyl plank floor. Several new storage options were added including new cabinetry where the old pantry used to be, which accommodates the microwave in an upper cabinet as well as storage for small cooking appliances so they don’t take up space on the counters. There’s also a unique angled cabinet right next to the refrigerator. When the work was complete on this project we were very pleased that the design delivered exactly what the homeowners had envisioned. In addition, we were able to complete the construction without causing too much disturbance or disruption for the homeowners; one works the night shift, and was actually able to sleep during the day, and the other travels frequently for work and felt confident that the project was in good hands.

When you find a home that meets most of your needs in a neighborhood you love, remodeling to make it more suitable for your family’s lifestyle can make that house your dream home. That’s what happened in this remodeling story. Our clients purchased a home built in 1983 with the plan to remodel the kitchen to suit their needs and tastes. The galley style kitchen was positioned at the center and rear of the main level and had an eat-in area at one end and a pantry at the opposite end. A small pass-through allowed view into the adjacent family room, but otherwise the two spaces were closed off from one another. The existing espresso stained cabinetry was attractive, but it darkened and narrowed the kitchen. The homeowners wanted the kitchen to feel more connected to the other main level living spaces. Creating more light and improving organization and storage were must haves for the new design. They also requested relocating the pantry from under the stairs and longed for a ventilation system that would vent the cooking smells outdoors rather than throughout the inside of the house. Our design involved removing a portion of wall between the kitchen and living room. This one change made it feel larger, more open and bright. It also connected the kitchen to the living room and allowed the two spaces to flow freely into one another. This new open area allowed us to extend the granite countertop to create a peninsula/bar that provides additional seating. To improve the existing lighting plan, we added new LED recessed lights, under-cabinet lighting, and pendant lighting over the peninsula. The selections were integral in making the kitchen feel lighter and larger. Our clients chose maple cabinetry with an oak stained tumbleweed finish paired with creamy granite countertops, and a pearl tumbled travertine backsplash. A few standout features include a set of floating shelves, concrete farmhouse sink, and mercury glass pendant lights. Flooring throughout the first floor was updated to an easy to maintain wood-look vinyl plank floor. Several new storage options were added including new cabinetry where the old pantry used to be, which accommodates the microwave in an upper cabinet as well as storage for small cooking appliances so they don’t take up space on the counters. There’s also a unique angled cabinet right next to the refrigerator. When the work was complete on this project we were very pleased that the design delivered exactly what the homeowners had envisioned. In addition, we were able to complete the construction without causing too much disturbance or disruption for the homeowners; one works the night shift, and was actually able to sleep during the day, and the other travels frequently for work and felt confident that the project was in good hands.

Plantique, INC http://www.plantique.com Entry Name: Classic Fireside Getaway 2014 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner Category: Hardscaping-Residential $30,000-$60,000 Award Level: Bronze Photo Description: The initial call from these homeowners was about a drainage issue. After having installed new roofing, siding, and a new porch enclosure, it was discovered that the original piping for the downspouts had failed. A few recent rainstorms had left a large pool of water behind the house. The new gutters and downspouts were now properly channeling water into a sub-surface piping system that no longer functioned. Obviously this had to be fixed, but after some further discussions, it was suggested that if a cost-effective solution could be found, perhaps a patio could be created along with the drainage solution. This would make the space between the porch and the pool more useful. The surfaces would have to be as kid-friendly as possible, as the homeowners foresaw frequent visits by their grandchildren. The flow of the spaces would have to be such that small bikes would be able to easily maneuver around chairs and tables. After a site study was conducted, several issues were discovered. Pertaining to the drainage issue, it was determined that the grade sloped directly toward the porch from the pool. This not only channeled water toward the house and porch, but created a dam in an already shallow drainage swale that trapped water off to the side of the porch. Since the soil in this area is predominantly clay, water could sit in that area for days until it drained away. On the aesthetic side, a good part of the house’s façade was brick, the porch floor was brick, the small patio and walkways were brick, and the seating wall next to the pool was brick; there was a lot of brick. The challenge would be to find a cost-effective material that would contrast will with the brick, while creating a functional patio space that also facilitated water drainage. The solution involved a significant re-grading of the area between the pool and the house, along with the installation of a completely new drain system to channel roof water away from the area. Working with the fixed points of the porch and foundation levels of the home, the slope that pitched toward the house was cut into to create a positive pitch away from the house. This created 20 in. high cut at the furthest point from the porch. To retain this, a segmental retaining wall block was used to form a curved seating wall around a mortared brick fire ring, perfect for evening campfires and marshmallow roasting with the grandchildren. Prior to the patio construction, new subsurface PVC piping was installed to channel water away from the house, under the patio, and to daylight about 100 ft. further into the side yard where it could properly drain. To construct the patio, the existing dry laid brick walks and patio were recycled as a border around a gray colored concrete paver that mimics the look of more expensive PA Bluestone, an often used companion to brick. The smooth surface texture and tight joint provide a barefoot friendly walking surface that stays cooler in the hot summer sun. The patio itself is also pitched so as to drain runoff to the lower end of the yard in case of a failure in the drain piping. Along with providing several clear pathways between the porch, pool, and driveway the new patio includes an open air dining area, a fire pit area, and a seating/lounging area (not yet furnished at the time of the photo) for larger family gatherings or more intimate dinners and fire-side relaxation. Photo Credit: Plantique, Mike Wimmer

Plantique, INC http://www.plantique.com Entry Name: Classic Fireside Getaway 2014 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Winner Category: Hardscaping-Residential $30,000-$60,000 Award Level: Bronze Photo Description: The initial call from these homeowners was about a drainage issue. After having installed new roofing, siding, and a new porch enclosure, it was discovered that the original piping for the downspouts had failed. A few recent rainstorms had left a large pool of water behind the house. The new gutters and downspouts were now properly channeling water into a sub-surface piping system that no longer functioned. Obviously this had to be fixed, but after some further discussions, it was suggested that if a cost-effective solution could be found, perhaps a patio could be created along with the drainage solution. This would make the space between the porch and the pool more useful. The surfaces would have to be as kid-friendly as possible, as the homeowners foresaw frequent visits by their grandchildren. The flow of the spaces would have to be such that small bikes would be able to easily maneuver around chairs and tables. After a site study was conducted, several issues were discovered. Pertaining to the drainage issue, it was determined that the grade sloped directly toward the porch from the pool. This not only channeled water toward the house and porch, but created a dam in an already shallow drainage swale that trapped water off to the side of the porch. Since the soil in this area is predominantly clay, water could sit in that area for days until it drained away. On the aesthetic side, a good part of the house’s façade was brick, the porch floor was brick, the small patio and walkways were brick, and the seating wall next to the pool was brick; there was a lot of brick. The challenge would be to find a cost-effective material that would contrast will with the brick, while creating a functional patio space that also facilitated water drainage. The solution involved a significant re-grading of the area between the pool and the house, along with the installation of a completely new drain system to channel roof water away from the area. Working with the fixed points of the porch and foundation levels of the home, the slope that pitched toward the house was cut into to create a positive pitch away from the house. This created 20 in. high cut at the furthest point from the porch. To retain this, a segmental retaining wall block was used to form a curved seating wall around a mortared brick fire ring, perfect for evening campfires and marshmallow roasting with the grandchildren. Prior to the patio construction, new subsurface PVC piping was installed to channel water away from the house, under the patio, and to daylight about 100 ft. further into the side yard where it could properly drain. To construct the patio, the existing dry laid brick walks and patio were recycled as a border around a gray colored concrete paver that mimics the look of more expensive PA Bluestone, an often used companion to brick. The smooth surface texture and tight joint provide a barefoot friendly walking surface that stays cooler in the hot summer sun. The patio itself is also pitched so as to drain runoff to the lower end of the yard in case of a failure in the drain piping. Along with providing several clear pathways between the porch, pool, and driveway the new patio includes an open air dining area, a fire pit area, and a seating/lounging area (not yet furnished at the time of the photo) for larger family gatherings or more intimate dinners and fire-side relaxation. Photo Credit: Plantique, Mike Wimmer