There’s a saying: “Don’t mix business with pleasure.” But I disagree. As long as you stay professional and set expectations in advance, it can be a very positive experience. Case in point: These clients are good friends of mine. Because of this, I’ve gotten to see them REALLY use and enjoy their kitchen, and I’ve experienced first-hand the impact it has on their family and their everyday life. Also, since we are friends and have some similar tastes, it was extra fun to work with them!
We removed a wall, shifted the layout, and upgraded everything. What a difference!
And to really truly show the transformation, here are some before photos:
]]>
We love a good remodeling project, especially when the Before photos really show the dramatic change. This is the perfect Before & After project to showcase! We’re grateful that we have projects like this to add to our portfolio. On top of that, the clients are wonderful and fun people, so we really lucked out with this one!
We do a lot of full-service design work, where we handle the project from the very initial conceptual design phase through the completion of construction. However, sometimes the most critical (and difficult) part is developing the most functional plan for the space and the budget, and clients find that hiring a certified designer for this step is worth every penny.
The existing kitchen was small; the cabinet layout was inefficient and it made the space feel even smaller. Though there was no room for expansion, this growing family needed a more open space. They had gotten a free design for the cabinet layout, which essentially just plugged cabinets into every available space. (I understand – I was much less inclined to take the time to be creative when I was designing for free.)
We spent a good amount of time talking to the client, discussing their needs, and measuring the space. We came up with a few options and chose the best plan to maximize function and open up the space. We provided the floor plan and elevations, and the client took it from there.
They recently sent me some after photos and I love the outcome. Kandise has a good eye for decorating, and it shows.
I’m excited to share this recent kitchen remodel!
Starting with the floor plans… the clients initially were interested in a “pull & replace” scenario (pulling existing items out and putting new back in the same spot). But because walk-in pantries are often not the best use of space, we convinced them to consider an alternative layout that reduced the pantry closet size. The outcome: a larger kitchen with more organized pantry storage and a bigger island.
Here’s the Before:
And the final finishing touch was the new upholstery fabric for their dining set. We found the perfect fabric from Robert Allen that coordinated with the colors and perfectly accentuated the lines of the dining chairs.
I finally had the opportunity to take some photos of a basement bathroom project.
We started with a VERY small, cramped bathroom. Look how little leg room there was between the toilet & tub!
I am thrilled to announce that one of my master suite remodel projects is featured in the Spring issue of Utah Style & Design!
This was such a fun project to work on, and getting it published is just the icing on the cake. The clients were wonderful, and I got to work with architect Hans Hoffman and contractor Bruce Anderson, 2 people I really respect. I also got to coordinate with Cora Stjernholm from elume distinctive lighting, Janice Israel from Closet Factory, Jodi Nelson from Mountainland, and other industry pros who make up a great team.
My client Danielle has incredible taste, which is really what made this project possible in the first place.
So please, check out the spring remodeling issue of Utah Style & Design (I believe it officially hits the newstands April 1st) to see the whole article!
]]>
Kitchen designers can work in non-traditional ways.
Last summer I was referred to a family who had recently purchased a new home. They loved the home but despised the kitchen. They consulted with me to come up with a new design and help with finishes. From there, the client took over and managed the rest of the job themselves. While this isn’t the standard way of working, and playing your own general contractor can end up in disaster for many homeowners, they pulled it off. I stopped by to see the kitchen last week, and it turned out great.
Here’s what the kitchen looked like before (they had just moved into the home the day before these photos were taking – nothing was unpacked yet):
My year in review:
I was invited to Brizo Fashion Week:
I enjoyed the custom design & execution of millwork, doors, cabinetry, and trim in a contemporary office space.
I did a beautiful bathroom project using this seamless tub (more photos to follow):