We’re back on the blog with a new project to share! Inspired by our Out with the Old, In with the New project, these homeowners reached out to our team, hoping we could create a similar, modern feel in their home. They initially bought their house because they loved the view, so we wanted to design and build a new space that looked just as beautiful inside as the breathtaking scenery outside, with a few touches reminiscent of the project they initially admired.
The Client’s Wishlist
This home began as a classic, petite ranch, but it had seen better days. The foundation had sunk six inches, and the house needed re-leveling. In addition to addressing those structural issues, our clients wanted to improve functionality by expanding the kitchen and dining room areas, adding a coffee bar and pantry, and creating a mudroom at the front of the home. They also wanted to spruce up the primary suite by adding a walk-in shower and a closet. Last on their wishlist was a first-floor laundry room.
Tackling the Task at Hand
First, we needed to address the structural issues with this home. So, starting from scratch, we poured a new foundation and leveled the entire space as we went along—we owe a massive thanks to our subs and trim crew for making all this happen!
Considering the client’s love for the view outside, we added as many windows to the front facade as possible, including French doors off the dining room to the patio overlooking the scenery. This also helped open the space and make it feel big and bright. You’d never guess how small this home actually is! We also updated the front facade, which now has a clean, modern farmhouse look, precisely as the client wished.
Complete Kitchen and Coffee Bar Reimagination
Aesthetically, the original kitchen was a relic of the past, with dark cherry cabinetry and trim. It didn’t function well either, so we completely redesigned the space to improve functionality and flow.
Many modern homes these days are designed with hard, sharp right angles. While we love that look, we preferred something softer and more contemporary for this space, which we achieved by utilizing a curved motif throughout the home, especially in the kitchen. The coffee bar features symmetrical arches and a pill-shaped island, complete with rounded storage on the ends, which artfully softens the space. Within the coffee bar, we installed dark oak counters and cabinet backs with subtly curved edges. We added glass shelves and integrated lighting throughout the entire coffee bar setup, then finished the area with our very own S. Flynn Home products.
Mudroom and Pantry Innovations
We kept the pantry design neat and clean, with white paint on the walls and a pretty limestone clay tile on the floors. Repeating the arch motif from the main living space, we curved the doorway and added sweet little cutout details to the cabinetry.
The homeowner had a unique request for their floor plan: they wanted to add a sightline from the kitchen to the driveway, allowing them to view guests pulling into their home from afar. However, their driveway was located on the opposite side of the home. So, to make this request a reality, we designed open cut-outs on both sides of the range hood, granting the homeowners a view through to the pantry and mudroom areas that overlook the entrance.
Gathering in the Living Room
Ultimately, our client wanted their home to be a gathering place with plenty of light and room for their grandkids to sit and play, so we dropped the windows and expanded them to increase light. We installed new flooring throughout the home and painted the walls a soft white to complement them. The brick fireplace was also painted to match, divided by a sleek oak mantle for warmth and contrast. Keeping with the home’s rounded design elements, we added curved drawers with brass pulls flanking the fireplace.
Laundry Made Easy (on the Eyes)
Previously, there was no laundry room on the first floor, so we created a multipurpose guest bath and laundry room combination. The upper cabinetry features flush, wood slat fronts painted a neutral, soft brown, while the lower cabinetry is a soft, pale green that reminds us of the Out with the Old, In with the New project our clients originally fell in love with. Now, the laundry is accessible and super cute!
A Primary Suite Upgrade
Along with their preference for the color green and penny tile floors, the clients also requested that we design a tower separating each half of the vanity. We brought all their wishes to life and also built a custom walk-in shower with a half wall, mixing metal fixtures in brass and brushed nickel to finish the space.
This was a highly involved project that we were determined to make right for our clients. In fact, we were the second professional brought in to try and achieve a better space plan. That’s a testament to our design and build abilities—we were able to squeeze in everything the client wanted while working within their small footprint.
Have you also fallen in love with one of our previous projects? Let us know by keeping up with our social media or by reaching out to S. Flynn Design + Build today.