2021 Fall Showcase Main Floor Renovation in Minnetonka

What started as a kitchen remodel led to an entire transformation of the main floor in this Minnetonka executive home.

Carpenter John Yoder

Painter Jim LaPointe, Rick Dame

Project Summary

It all started in the kitchen with the removal of a wall, which led to new walnut flooring throughout the entire main level and a custom 11-foot-long kitchen island with shaker-styled cabinets designed to match both the dining room and great room entertainment center cabinets also in Alder.

The design trail led next to the wet bar cabinets, then an updated powder room, and then new appliances including a drawer microwave. Having recently moved from another, warmer state, these homeowners wanted to get maximum use out of the screen porch, so we added a fireplace in for extended seasonal use.

CONCEPT: With wall removed, view of kitchen and dining room from great room perspective.

Before

Last on the list was an upgraded office, mudroom, and more usable pantry. Additional lighting in every room to complete the list of changes.Why all the changes? It’s a well-known fact that most homeowners who change residences will remodel to some degree within two years. It just depends on how many things you need to change to make it functional for your lifestyle. In this case, that list was quite long.

This is the wall, or shall we say mini Arc de Triomphe, we removed that separated the kitchen from the great room. The Arc de Triomphe was designed in 1806 by Jean Chalgrin.

BEFORE: Red is not for everyone. Nor is a tiled countertop. Nor is there a "one size fits all" in remodeling. This is why every remodel is custom, a prototype, an adventure. In this particular case the island was substantially smaller that what this family required and so it was enlarged by several feet. And NOT finished in, ah, red.

After

Every remodel has those moments when the homeowner begins to realize the dramatic and transformational impact of their design decisions. Often this is even before the remodel is complete. It's what we call the "Wow" moment. In larger scope projects there are often many of those moments. In this brief one-minute audio clip, one of the homeowners describes several of those moments where potential becomes reality.

CONCEPT: View from kitchen entry toward great room.

Finished, but not moved in yet. Many furniture items are still on back order and therefore not in and ready for professional photography.

Nearly finished view from mudroom door at the kitchen entry point.

Progress photo of kitchen remodel. Note how clean the area is as a result of our commitment to keep the spaces under construction clean and safe.

Featured Materials

APPLIANCES

Custom metal vent hood — Montrose Steel – Dark Wash

CABINETRY

Custom cabinetry, flat panel doors, Shaker /square inside profile, ¼" overlay in clear alder and white melamine interiors, European hinges, soft close
10 new shaker cabinet doors in clear alder, ½" overlay to fit existing openings
Custom kitchen island — Cambria Skara Brae, Ridgeline profile, polished, 3cm
Cambria countertops — Charlestown, Ridgeline profile, polished finish, 3cm
Office file and storage cabinetry tops — Cambria, Pendle Hill, Ridgeline profile, polished finish, 3cm
White melamine Shelvi™ shelving with shaker door style
L-shaped corner cabinets with no front partition

FIXTURES

Brizo pull-out spray faucet
Brizo pot filler faucet
2 Spice rack pullouts
LED lighting

FLOORING

Black walnut flooring 5”x ¾”, feather into existing kitchen wood floor

TILE

Backsplash — Masia 3" x 12" Blanca ceramic tile, horizontal ½” offset pattern
Zenith Bronze 12" x 24" ceramic tile flooring
Backsplash below upper cabinetry — Expo 3" x 8", Selma Gray Glazed Ceramic

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