A 1980s Contemporary Home Gets A Kitchen Remodel

Recognized as a National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), Contractor of the Year (CotY) award-winner.

Our clients Adam and Britney are doctors who were completing their residency on the West Coast. They recently purchased a 1980s Contemporary in the Arboretum neighborhood in Madison in preparation for returning home and settling into their careers. As a part of a complete home renovation, we undertook an extensive remodel of the kitchen space. Being the heart of the home, Adam and Britney wanted to update the kitchen’s design to improve the functionality and flow. The kitchen remodel and upgrade was a major component of this intricate whole-house remodeling project.

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A Kitchen Remodel For the 21st-Century

Our client's goal was to improve the kitchen's functionality while also aesthetically incorporating the clean lines of the original design. The original kitchen space was disjointed and isolated from the other main living areas of the home. While originally stylish and functional, it was dated by today's standards and needed an update to bring it into the 21st century.

To achieve the look and functionality Adam and Britney wanted, we started by opening up the original space. We removed the half walls in the loft and stairway creating a more modern and open floorplan. By connecting the once disjointed and dark kitchen to the adjacent dining, media, and living rooms, the space became at once more open and light-filled!

A Highly Functional Open Concept Kitchen Remodel

Our design began by replacing the original, dated 1980s cabinetry with Northern Classics cabinetry from Wisconsin Building Supply. For the base cabinets, we chose maple cabinets stained a dark Java with modern slab doors. The countertops are a stunning walnut butcher block with an edge grain in a natural finish from The Southside Workshop. 

For the upper cabinetry, we selected Northern Classic maple cabinets. The glass front doors extend the room's open feeling. To complete the functionality the homeowners chose all high-end appliances by Thermador. The appliance package includes a French door bottom freezer refrigerator, 30-inch Pro Harmony Dual Fuel Range, Emerald dishwasher, and a built-in microwave drawer.

Rounding Out This Kitchen's Aesthetic

The cabinet hardware adds a subtle elegance and is by Rochdale - from the Amerock Collection in graphite and satin nickel. To complete a stunning and luxurious look, we chose a 3x6-inch glazed ceramic subway tile by Color Wheel Classic in Arctic White. Set in a classic offset brick pattern with Bostik charcoal black grout, the backsplash creates a stunning contrast. The design comes together perfectly with the dark-stained cabinetry and natural walnut countertop.

Click here to see before-and-after photos of this project side by side.