A Planned Kitchen Remodel Turns into
an Entire First Floor Refresher
Everything from the floor to the ceiling was updated or changed. The entire feel of the home has been lightened and the functionality of the kitchen grown exponentially.
KE Interior Solutions’ original plan was to remodel their own 15-year-old kitchen and master bathroom upstairs. The house, built in 2006, already incorporated an open plan for the kitchen and family room areas. Thus, the defined kitchen area was already reasonable and did not need to change or grow in size. However, the layout and function of the kitchen was not optimal, and the general flow needed to be enhanced for the two-adult/three-dog family living there.
When visitors first walk into the home, the gorgeous Grade 2 Maple floors are immediately noticed. The floors had also received 15 years of foot and paw traffic. They were due for a refinish, to say the least. The floors were sanded and coated with an oil penetrating surface finish. To keep them protected from the resident Weimaraner, Corgi, and Pitbull-mix, modular carpet tiles run through the kitchen and hall, keeping the floors safe and adding a touch of style.
The kitchen is the focal point of not just the first floor, but really the whole house. The original kitchen layout and its cabinet selection were generic solutions from the builder: typical oven range with microwave above, space for refrigerator and dishwasher, a bunch of cabinets surrounding all appliances, and a design/functionality faux pax: 14” of unused space above the cabinets.
One of the greatest design/style accomplishments is the marriage between the Walnut veneer cabinetry (all grain matched) and the lighter Maple floors. The darker Walnut contrasts and ties beautifully with the “chocolate” streaks that are present in the Grade 2 Maple. This was not an accident; knowing the floors would be refinished and not replaced, the Walnut was chosen specifically and, conveniently, it fits well with existing pieces of furniture.
The WorkStation sink makes cooking a complete luxury.
The appliances make cooking fun and luxurious. The WorkStation sink is large and “glorious” (as described by the owner), and a pull-down touch faucet and a separate Insta-Hot and filtered cold water system. Because the sink is a complete station, it comfortably houses two dispensers (soap & lotion), and an air button for the disposal, a full footprint grate, colander, dish drying rack and cutting board – nothing ever has to sit on the counter!
To make the kitchen feel less appliance-overwhelmed, both the French door refrigerator and the dishwasher have been paneled with the beautiful Walnut; the refrigerator now appears more like a pantry and the DW looks like a base cabinet, essentially blending with all other cabinetry. KE Interior Solutions upgraded to two ovens (smaller speed to handle 95% of the cooking and larger convection for the big jobs), and the cooktop is flush mounted to the peninsula counter to keep that huge open feel that can handle cooking and entertaining for any gathering. The peninsula countertop also features a popup outlet for convenience and a “waterfall”-style edge. Finally, the kitchen has a lot of layered lighting that helps create ambiance and many moods in the open living space.
The wall tiling behind the kitchen peninsula is both a design element and a functional choice. Previously painted, this part of the wall was constantly scuffed and dirtied by shoes and feet; tiles have eliminated that problem. The color choice adds a lightness below the countertop, while inviting and bridging the two wood tones. It also fits with the owners’ mountain modern preference.
Throughout the rest of the first floor, simple improvements were made to help the design flow through the house. Lighting was upgraded, and window coverings were updated to fresh white plantation shutters. Paint was also changed to two shades of light gray to provide subtle and soothing neutrality to the warm wood tones that take center stage in the home.
Finally, the master bathroom. By 2018, it was already 12 years old, lacked storage, and was sorely missing the ‘wow’ factor that is fitting of a master bathroom. The goal was to make the modest, smaller space feel much larger with better lighting and increased storage capacity; the changes made met those specific needs and more.
For the storage solution, the original shower space was transformed into a fully functional linen closet with pull out drawers; recessed mirror cabinets offer eye-level storage above the floating vanities that feature customized storage drawers in lieu of cabinet doors. To increase lighting and add that sense of expansiveness, LED lights were mounted beneath the floating vanities, topped by contemporary LED fixtures with tilting capability above the sinks.
The old tub space was transformed into a glorious walk-in, two-person shower with two shower heads, two recessed niches, and a built-in bench. Both the vanity wall and the new shower feature a unique and amazing shark fin-shaped wall tile. Heated tile floors and a Toto lavatory add the final touches of luxury and comfort to the new master bathroom.
The changes made to this home is a classic example of a planned project expanding into much more. The result is one the owners couldn’t imagine living without; artistic uniqueness and total functionality are felt throughout the remodel and design. For the two adults and three pups that live here, having friends and family over in the redesigned space is exciting, but so is just cooking together at the end of any day… then again, so is waking up and getting ready for the day in the new “larger” master bathroom.
KE Interior Solutions
Based in: Denver, CO
Project Neighborhood: Central Park
Photo Credit: Timothy Gormley, TGImage
and KE Interior Solutions
Contractor/Builder: Rob Minogue
Interior Design: Donna McMahon/
KE Interior Solutions
Landscape Architect/Design: Diggable Design
Kitchen and Bath: KE Interior Solutions
Lighting: Don Peterson
Solar Systems: IPS
Masonry: Stone Concepts
Number of Bedrooms: 3
Number of Bathrooms: 3
Approximate Square Footage: 1,800
Original Build: 2006
Renovation: 2020
Cabinets: Avalon Tru Frame Cabinetry
(local Denver manufacturer)
Carpet tiles: FLOR’s Something Concrete
Oven backsplash: Pental Surfaces (Oxidart)
“Patchwork Light” 8×8 (9 patterns mixed)
Sink wall: Pental Surfaces (RawTech)
“Raw White” 16×32
Peninsula: Pental Surfaces (WOW) “Autumn” 6×36
Sink: Julien WorkStation
Main Faucet: Delta Pivotal Pull-Down Faucet
Insta-Hot Faucet: Mountain Plumbing Insta-Hot
with Body Glove filter
Refrigerator: 36” Fully Integrated JennAir
French Door (built in panel ready)
Dishwasher: ASKO (panel ready)
Oven 1: Monogram 30” Advantium Built-In 240
Oven 2: Monogram 30” Built-In Single Oven
Cooktop: 36” Contemporary Wolf
Induction Cooktop
Paint: Sherwin Williams
Light French Gray and Ellie Grey
