A Whole Home Renovation for a 1990s 2-Story

Eric and Katy are a millennial professional couple with a young family. After searching for a home, they found their dream home out in the country, located in a beautiful rural valley between Mt. Horeb and Verona, Wisconsin. It's a sizeable home offering plenty of space for a growing family and a beautiful wooded yard the family loves.

They found us via a Facebook referral and asked for a design proposal to remodel their new home. The interior was very 1990s and included oak cabinetry and an awkward railing dividing the family room from the dinette area. Unsure of their budget, we began planning using budget-friendly options that excluded the basement remodeling and involved painting and using the original cabinetry. However, a favorable housing market allowed Eric and Katy to increase their budget and accomplish all of their dreams in one efficient whole home renovation.

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Upgrading the Dated Kitchen

Once we determined the couple's budget, we addressed the issue of modernizing the kitchen. One problem that needed to be addressed was the size of the refrigerator. After adding an island in the middle of the space, the new Marvel refrigerator stuck out farther than the original 90s model would have. Because we were also remodeling the laundry room, we carefully recessed the refrigerator into the wall between the two spaces allowing proper walking room around the new kitchen island.

View The Project Page And All Images Of This Kitchen Remodel

To improve the functionality of the space, the homeowners chose a set of updated appliances. The appliance suite includes a 30-inch Samsung Smart Gas Cooktop and dual Kitchen Aid wall ovens with Even-Heat convection. The set is complete with a Marvel stainless steel refrigerator and a Bosch ADA 300 series dishwasher with a recessed handle. We chose Aspect Cabinetry in Bayou-colored poplar for the cabinetry and a mixed metal design for the cabinetry hardware.

Adding An Improved Laundry And Mudroom

The original laundry/mudroom was not well planned. In addition, a small home office was facing the front of the home. The solution was a bit retro! Did your grandmother have an amazing sewing room, or have you been in a farmhouse having a fantastic entryway between the garage and kitchen? Our solution was to create a multi-use space, tipping our hat to these decades-old concepts! Our solution was to create a spacious multi-use room to serve as a mudroom/entry. The laundry area is comfortable, with plenty of space. The garage is a bit tight, so the front door serves as the primary entry and exit for the family. Whether the family wishes to go in and out via the garage or the front door, this multi-purpose room connected to both is functional and provides life-changing efficiency!

Completing the Home Renovation for Main Level Design

To complete the main level, we updated the family room by installing a patio door to connect the indoors to the beautiful outdoor space. The perfect opening for the future deck. We created an asymmetrical design for the family room, inserted a new window, and added a new gas fireplace with a TV above. Light and views abound!

We also gave a design tweak to the front living room, adding a built-in window seat and bookshelves with all-new LVP flooring. This space is used for a home office, homework, or room for homeschooling the kids. It doubles as a playroom and eventually will be turned into a beautiful home office for Katy.

Finishing the Lower Level for the Family and Guests to Enjoy!

Thanks to the increased budget, we could include the lower level as part of the project. The lower level had a strange design with a large open space at the bottom of the stairs that served no purpose. The homeowners wanted to redesign the space to include a guest bedroom, home theater, and office for Eric. We converted a 1/2 bath into a ¾ bathroom and added a bar to the family room for entertaining, which doubles as a guest space. The bar has the perfect amount of seating for fun by the fireplace, like watching a football game, while the family can retreat to the home theatre for a Star Wars marathon!

The Result of this Home Renovation?

After this extensive home renovation, Eric, Katy, and their family now have an updated home that distinctly comes into the 2020s. The home offers plenty of connection to its fabulous backyard and flows like the old floorplan never could! It's the perfect home where the family can live comfortably for decades to come!

Guild Quality Review

★★★★★

Mount Horeb, Wis. January 9, 2022