SPONSORED CONTENT
R E S I D E N T I A L P ro s
Farmhouse Fresh HERE’S HOW DESIGN TECH REMODELING TRANSFORMED A NEARLY 90-YEAR-OLD HOME WHILE HONORING ITS ORIGINAL CHARACTER.
WHEN THE OWNERS OF a 1939 Mequon farmhouse decided it was time for a refresh, they turned to Design Tech Remodeling to reimagine their home’s footprint while keeping its original character intact. Originally split into a formal dining room and two separate kitchens – one of which served as a traditional service kitchen – the main floor felt unnecessarily cramped and compartmentalized. The homeowners envisioned an openconcept layout tailored for modern cooking, dining, and entertaining. “This is a young family,” says Nicole Raffensperger, lead designer and co-owner of Design Tech Remodeling. “They wanted to preserve the home’s authentic period detail, but make the space feel tailored to their lifestyle.” The Design Tech team gutted the area and coordinated asbestos remediation, removing structural walls between the two kitchens and the dining room to create a natural flow without losing the home’s vintage charm. To extend the new range wall, the team removed two exterior entrances. Window resizing was crucial to create symmetry in the pantry area, and required custom masonry on the exterior to seamlessly blend the new fieldstone with the original stone. To strike a balance between classic character and a lighter feel, the design pairs crisp white cabinetry with accent cabinets painted in a soft fern green. “The fern green adds that classic farmhouse warmth, while the crisp white surrounding it keeps the entire space feeling bright and airy,” notes Raffensperger. The former service kitchen was converted into a pantry and secondary prep zone, adding valuable counter space and storage. A simple subway tile backsplash behind the stove adds clean lines, while warm gold light fixtures and brass-accented seating bring in a refined personalized touch. “It’s a fine line when you’re keeping the original farmhouse feel while modernizing a home,” Raffensperger says. “We wanted to respect the home's history while creating something fresh and comfortable for the family.” ◆ 10620 N. Port Washington Rd., Suite 201, Mequon 262-240-9999 designtechremodeling.com
86 | milwaukeemag.com
DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT NICOLE RAFFENSPERGER earned her degree in interior design from Mount Mary College. While her background was in commercial design and project management, she joined the family-owned business as a co-owner in 2014 to pursue the creative side of design. Raffensperger says that her passion lies in helping people find joy in their spaces.