Working with clients on their new construction projects is incredibly satisfying. Seeing dusty lot be transformed into a new home with all the latest and greatest makes us giddy. That said, there’s just nothing like transforming an existing home from dysfunctional and unattractive to shiny and new. There are constraints on our design decisions in a really good and challenging way. We use the existing architecture, millwork, layout, etc. that will remain to guide the design and the process. Even the full on gut remodel will always have parts of the original house that informed the overall layout and aesthetic.
Not all remodels are down the to studs. Some floor plans don’t require walls to come down or starting over from scratch. In one recent project we did, the kitchen got a full renovation while the living and dining rooms were given new life with great paint, new fixtures and fresh furnishings. If you thought you had to make structural changes to reach out about a remodel, let us prove you wrong.
MBI Designer Danielle Bower met with the homeowners and found they felt uninspired by their space. Lots of dark wood, inefficient use of space and an overall aesthetic that didn’t feel true to them. Danielle spent time getting to know their family, their lifestyle and their personal style to develop a unique design concept for their remodel. While the kitchen was a “ground-up” type of project, the living room and dining room had great bones that just needed a stronger identity.
One of the initial design issues Danielle noticed was the asymmetry and impact that the television placed to the side had on the entire room. While our clients hoped that keeping it off the mantel would make it less noticeable, the opposite occurred. It became the focal point of the space and didn’t allow the eye to move around the room easily. By repositioning the television to above the mantel, balance was created throughout the room. The symmetrical feel of the bookshelves now creates interest and intrigue to the special items displayed. Note how replacing the smaller elements from the mantel gives it more grandeur and visual height, even with a TV placed above.
Another distracting element was the floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall orange tone millwork. It was beautifully made and constructed but made the room feel heavy and dark. Danielle chose a creamy white paint for the woodwork and a light French gray for the walls. The room is now filled with light and energy. Note how the existing fireplace tile was utilized in the color selection for the walls and trim color - these choices are not by accident but informed by the original space to make sure everything is cohesive and complementary.
Stay tuned for the dining room and kitchen reveals! They are as spectacular as the living room and will make you consider remodeling your home sooner than later.