Youthful Remodel D E S I G N BY S U SA N V I C TO R , N A N D I N A A I K E N P H OTO G R A P H Y BY
S H E L LY M A R S H A L L S C H M I D T
As a young couple just starting out, our clients, Becca and Shad, found the perfect home in the perfect location. The only thing not perfect was the dark and dated interiors. Everything from the prefinished cherry hardwood floors to the dark, traditional kitchen cabinetry to a massive cherry built-in TV cabinet that took over one entire wall of the great room screamed 1990’s. The architecture of the home was a beautiful canvas on which we all agreed that a new, bright, open concept renovation would be the creative answer to making this home perfectly designed for this stylish young couple. Open ceilings in the great room with windows and doors that look out to beautiful vistas, flood the rooms with light. The first order of business was to replace the dark engineered flooring with pet-friendly luxury vinyl planking that has a light, French Oak finish. Durable enough for two large dogs that are fully welcome in this couple's lives, yet beautiful enough to pass for expensive, imported, wide plank wood floors. The awkward stone fireplace and massive built-in wall unit were refaced with a horizontal tongue and groove that was painted a crisp white. Customdesigned metal doors were fabricated to flank each side of the fireplace and open to bookcases that are creatively curated with a Southwestern pottery collection Becca inherited from her grandparents. Creative design intervention lead to painting stained moldings throughout, which immediately updated the entire house and proved relatively inexpensive. Space under the steps in the great room became the perfect nook for a brass and glass wet bar that displays Shad’s bourbon collection and is ideal for casual entertaining. Removing a large peninsula bar area that separated the kitchen from the great room, and adding a gracious countertop island opened the space and made the kitchen more functional and inviting. The navy and white cabinetry provided an immediate style update and new lighting 62 N Home
2022
