Sometimes when you are pushed by limitations and break all the “rules”, magical things happen in a space. The space in this adorable (detail-packed) Tudor home started with a small kitchen that had seven doorways, 4 windows, several closets and a poorly functioning powder room crammed under a stairwell. The space was re-imagined to open the kitchen out onto a precious manicured backyard to create an indoor/ outdoor kitchen and also give room to add a full bathroom to service an aging-in-place parent. The first “rule” thrown out the window was in the use of color. You will hear to only use light monochromatic color schemes to make the space look larger. To the contrary, the use of Mouser Ebony black cabinetry and Big Chill black appliances with bold Brushed Brass trims was chosen and creates interest and charm in what could have been a bland and uninteresting room. The space was packed with textures in the white wall tile, wood tones brought in through the hardwood floors, bar stools and insides of glass fronted wall cabinets. Diresco Concrete-look countertops with chunky mitered apron edges add an aged, yet modern look to the space. Contrasting this with brass light fixtures […]
Read MoreThe transformation of this little cottage by the creek was a work of love. The community in which it sits is where this family, a dad and his 2 sons spend their summer. The original structure built in c.1898 consisted of one main room and a porch built on nothing more than an old tent platform. When we set out to reconfigure, remodel and restore this charming space, we quickly figured out that not much had changed in about 100 years. The timeframe was tight, the budget was flexible but small, yet the journey from rotting boards, sagging floors and squishy walls was astounding. This project was about summer living in a cottage snuggled up next the woods. We had to make it functional and easy to live in. The most significant enhancement was the redo and opening up of the kitchen to the original one room cottage. What was previously a small door leading to the kitchen became a giant opening that matches the opening to the porch directly across the room. One huge living space that extends from the front porch to the rear of the kitchen was created. We painted the dark wood walls a welcoming cream and added shiplap to […]
Read MoreThe existing kitchen in this historic home was a dark and crowded 60 sq. ft. kitchen. You could almost wash dishes at the sink, stir a pot on the stove and get milk out of the fridge all at one time! Right off of this kitchen was a fairly large kitchen table area that under-utilized the space. We needed to make the total 185 sq. ft. space work as one large kitchen. In order to take advantage of the total space, we closed off a side window in the eating area (that was a view of the side driveway and neighbor’s house). That created wall space to accommodate appliances and enlarged the work triangle. We moved a radiator to open up the entry into the dining room to allow space for an island and seating there. In opening the ceiling to eliminate the ceiling height changes from one area to the other, major damage to the porch above the old kitchen was found and all new framing had to be built. Since we closed off a side window, we opened the sink window up as much as possible to let light in and to have a view of their beautiful […]
Read MoreDriving up to this home for the first time was exciting. From the outside, it has immeasurable amounts of charm. The step angle of the slate roof “had me at hello.” Walking into the foyer, its vast open space with winding iron railing up the staircase, made me feel like a princess. I wanted to walk down the stairs and pretend like I lived a life of 100 years gone past. When you enter a home that makes your insides ache with respect for the craftsmans and trades of those who created its architecture, doubt creeps in. I know on paper I am more than qualified, but as humans we have that little voice inside that says “can I do this?” Can I make this kitchen worthy of the great home in which it resides? If you scroll to the before pictures below you might understand my relief when I rounded the corner and took my first look at what I might be dealing with. I thought “well I can certainly only make it better!” The kitchen was dated with 1980’s finishes, not living up to the glory of the rest of the house. The layout wasn’t functional, was cramped […]
Read MoreThis dreary, closed-in small kitchen definitely needed some Karr Bick love! After my first meeting with these homeowners I left with a list of dozens of wants and desires. I wondered to myself, “How is that ALL going to fit in such a tiny and closed off small kitchen!?” To the extreme delight of the clients, we landed on a small space design plan that would get us nearly every bullet point on the list in this tiny trick of a room: ample pantry storage, island seating, place for pet things, spice storage, built-in fridge… and the list goes on. There were, of course, a few bumps in the road. Soffits that had to remain in place. Cabinets that had to be altered on site. But, that is all fully expected in remodels of old homes. Trying to squeeze every ounce of storage out of a small kitchen design sometime requires some in process problem solving. We layered in the details with simple, yet classic, materials: chic painted cabinetry, marble backsplash, sleek white quartz… an overall cozy & transitional style. The tiny room accepted the new layout flawlessly. This family is enjoying their new small but mighty kitchen every day! […]
Read MoreMy heart fluttered when I saw this beautiful old Tudor home for the first time! I’m a sucker for the craftsmanship and details of old homes, and this house was packed with them. This busy family was busting at the seams in the existing layout. Mounds of laundry greeted you as you walked in the back door. The kitchen, dark and dreary, did not invite you to sit and stay awhile. The sunporch, piled with toys and athletic equipment with no place to go, needed serious reorganization. We incorporated the sunporch into the kitchen and, wanting to keep the windows streaming light into the space, we added french doors opening to the backyard and raised the windows to sit at counter height. We opened up the wall between the dining room and kitchen so that we could create a giant wood island to seat the whole family. In keeping with the style of the home, a limestone hood became the focal point of the kitchen. Together we chose a soft pewter color for the cabinetry complimented by the sage island. These colors work well within an older, dark Tudor home. The back door entrance was relocated so that you walked […]
Read MoreI fell in love with this client from the day I met them. They explained that while they lived in Oklahoma, they had considered buying a 2nd home in Nantucket. They decided instead to buy the house next to their daughter in St. Louis so they could spend more time watching their grandkids grow up! Love! Our mission was to bring Nantucket charm to a Dardenne Prairie tract house. Not one inch of this house was left unturned! In the kitchen we removed the standard slider doors opening to the backyard, eliminated the breakfast sitting area, and expanded the kitchen through the whole space with one giant island for the family to gather around. What once was the walk-in pantry is now opened up and transformed with charming exposed shelving and a built-in coffee maker. A seasonal collection of dishes are displayed in a former desk area. The laundry room off the kitchen was expanded into the garage. We added a bench seat and coat hooks for visiting grandchildren – a must! The sink is surrounded by granite countertops and accented with metal shelving above. Rustic brick tiles inscribed with names of cities they had lived in and a barn […]
Read More“Oh my goodness how do we make the ceiling work?” I am pretty sure that is the first thought that came to mind when I walked into this space for the first time. Here lives a young active family with a kitchen disconnected from the rest of the house – not going to work! You had zero sight line to the family room. From the other direction you could not see their fantastic outdoor living space from the main part of the house. It didn’t feel young, or bright or comfortable. The solution was simple, actually. We opened up the corner of the kitchen that faced the family room and adjusted a doorway to the back hall. We filled in the ceiling and painted it all a creamy white. We designed a huge wood top island for the family to eat and do homework. The wood makes the vastness of the island so much more warm and inviting. The inset kitchen cabinets and classic, marble waterjet back splash invite you in from the front of the house now. We used a large piece of reclaimed wood for the dining table and hid as many appliances as possible. The effect […]
Read MoreThis beautiful, colonial home has good space in the kitchen. There is also an adjacent breakfast room and sunroom for this busy family of 7. But, it wasn’t laid out to take full advantage of the space. The homeowner’s #1 goal was for the kitchen to feel light and bright and for the adjacent spaces to encourage socializing with her family. This is all to be done while maintaining respect for the original architecture style. We removed a built-in corner pantry and closed off an open stairwell in order to gain more wall space. The island was expanded and a pretty french door added to gain better access to a landscaped back patio. In an adjacent room a window was closed off, making space for mom’s precious planning desk. This area will help keep her life organized. The breakfast room and sun porch had an existing header that had to stay. Rather than try to hide it, we made it a feature! The width was expanded and covered with floor to ceiling panels. We decorated it with wall sconces making it a lovely focal point. We opened up the servants’ doorways into the dining room and turned them into grand, […]
Read MoreThese “before’s” are a perfect representation of bathrooms we LOVE to rip out! The homeowner was bored with the “blah” color palette. The heavy and overly-traditional columns flanking the built-in corner tub HAD to go. The double vanities with center tower were lacking function and the shower was just dark and scary! Our goal was to come in with some cozy love and never look back. The new, creamy color palette is to die for. The soft Calacatta marble shower compliments the smooth travertine floors. Finding the perfect freestanding tub for that corner was no easy find. But, together with the homeowner we landed on one that is sleek, simple, and elegant. Our personal favorite is the weathered oak vanities with crisp white tops, now in a distinctive “his” and “hers” side of the room. They add such rich texture and character. The custom linen storage and stylish mirror lattices demand your attention. This master bathroom suite is nothing shy of luxury comfort!
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