Dream Designs
REFINED RENOVATIONS HELPED THIS FAMILY TRANSFORM AN OUTDATED SPACE INTO THEIR FOREVER HOME.
WHEN A COUPLE WITH TWO CHILDREN bought this ’90s-built home in Mequon, they liked the large, open spaces but didn’t feel like the house matched their style. They wanted the design personalized to reflect their taste, the organization and flow between rooms improved, and the space optimized for hosting family gatherings, too. To accomplish all of that, they turned to Refined Renovations, a Wauwatosa-based design-build firm. “The homeowners drew a lot of inspiration from their travels, and they wanted to see that incorporated into the space,” says Morgan Taugher, a designer with Refined Renovations who worked on the project alongside Director of Design Stephanie Piehl.
Taugher sought out design elements inspired by Portugal, one of the homeowners’ favorite destinations. The team used vibrant, saturated jewel tones through the home, and added arched doorways throughout the home. In the family room, they used dry-stacked zellige tile to replicate the natural tile features often seen in Portugal.
The house had expansive spaces and wide-open rooms that Taugher says were underutilized. One example was an unused living room near the front of the house. Refined Renovations transformed the space into a home office, pictured here, which the couple uses every day when working from home. In the office, she sourced enlarged postage stamps to display over the fireplace as a nod to the couple’s travels. Taugher also put a blank wall in the mudroom to work by designing a floor-to-ceiling organizational center and gallery space to showcase messages, artwork and photos.
“When it comes to projects like this, we really want to make sure it’s exactly our client’s personal style,” Taugher says. “We take the time to really get to know them, to listen to them and to ensure their vision becomes a reality. A lot of these projects are forever homes for our clients, and we want to make sure they’ll be happy with the design for years to come.” ◆
DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT
MORGAN TAUGHER earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Mount Mary University in 2022 while interning at Refined Renovations. Upon graduation, she accepted a full-time design role and has really appreciated the team’s creative approach to produce fully custom work for amazing clients. “I love how design can make a positive impact on our clients’ lives through creative, expressive means,” she says.
REFINED RENOVATIONS