Modern Farmhouse Renovation Project Before and After Pictures and Description

We first met Bill and Tiaha after they had purchased their house from Bill's dad, who originally built the home. It was a custom-built 2-story custom home surrounded by lush greenery. A closer look found that the kitchen had many dated features like oak cabinetry, laminate countertops, a drop-in sink, and a ceiling fan, right in the middle of it all! The living room features more 90s oak on the built-in bookshelves, and as you moved upstairs, even more oak in both the kid’s and master bathrooms. The homeowner's primary goal of their remodel; bring this custom-built home into the 2020s and tie it into the home's natural setting with a new Modern Farmhouse interior.

Creating the Perfect Modern Farmhouse Kitchen

When Bill's dad built the house, the kitchen was considered spacious and modern. However, thirty years later, it was time for an update. The layout featured a peninsula that was no longer working for the family. The plastic laminate countertops were scratched and damaged. The orange oak cabinets left the kitchen feeling dark, and right in the center, a ceiling fan with an orange shade.

We started with the layout. Bill and Tiaha were happy with the placement of the appliances. Their main concern was gaining storage space and improving flow within the kitchen space. Our solution was to change the 1990s layout by removing the peninsula to make room for a large island down the middle of the room. The island solved the problem by allowing for better flow throughout the kitchen while adding plenty of new storage and space for the microwave drawer.

Next, we tackled the wall with the refrigerator. The existing cabinetry consisted of a run of base and upper cabinets. At the end was another favorite feature of the 90s kitchen; the kitchen desk. While this wall provided plenty of storage, Bill and Tiaha did not find it functional. We replaced the cabinets with drawers. At the end of the run, we put in a 24-inch deep storage cabinet with 2 large bi-fold doors. This is the perfect place to store small appliances.

Next, we brightened the kitchen. The dated oak cabinets were dark and didn't fit into a bright, Modern Farmhouse design. We painted the existing cabinets in Sherwin Williams Alabaster. The off-white fit perfectly with the new Modern Farmhouse vibe and brightened the kitchen. To create a visual focal point, we painted the island Evergreen Fog. We installed a butcher block countertop on the island and a Blanco Matrix Quartz countertop on the perimeter cabinets. To complete the look, we installed a larger format subway tile in a modern stacked design.

Finally, we addressed the sink issue. The existing sink was a double-bowl drop-in that was not deep enough for dishwashing. We replaced it with a large farmhouse sink with plenty of depth and width for washing dishes - the new sink ties in perfectly with the new Modern Farmhouse interior.

View The Project Page For This Kitchen Remodel

With the kitchen layout fixed, the kitchen flow was much improved, and the additional storage met the needs of the homeowners. Bill and Tiaha then requested a set of floating shelves near the range to add to the Modern Farmhouse style. All these elements were now working together to give Bill and Tiaha a brighter kitchen that lets the feel of nature in!

Next Up, The Living Room and a New Study

After we completed the kitchen, we moved on to the living room. The built-in bookshelves used the same dated oak as the kitchen and desperately needed an update. Our solution was to tie the rooms together using color. We painted the base of the bookshelves with the same Evergreen Fog color we used on the island. The wood tops were stained to match the floating shelves in the kitchen. We then painted the upper bookshelves with the same Sherwin Williams Alabaster we used in the kitchen, and we added frosted glass doors to give the space a more modern look.

Bill and Tiaha wanted the large front room to be converted into a new study with bookshelves and a desk. Bill chose to build the desk himself. We installed a new bookshelf that tied into the Modern Farmhouse interior by again painting the base Evergreen Fog and staining the bookshelves to match the floating shelves in the kitchen.

View The Whole House Remodel Page For This Project

To complete the first floor remodel, we refinished the hardwood floors throughout with a clear coat to accentuate the beauty of the natural color and grain.

Remodeling the Upstairs Bathrooms

Moving upstairs, we started to work updating the kids and master bathrooms. The master bathroom was dark and felt cramped. Again, it featured the same dated oak cabinetry with a lower vanity height. The vanity top was a single molded marble sink and countertop. The room also had a tub module and a linen closet with orange oak bifold doors.

We started with the 2 primary issues in the master bath, the single sink vanity and the tub module. The vanity lacked storage space, and with a single sink, Bill and Tiaha couldn't use it together. With no storage, their toiletries needed to be stored on the countertop. The homeowners told us early in the process that they wanted dual sinks in the master bathroom. We were happy to oblige and added a bank of drawers between the sinks to separate them and a cabinet on top of the vanity for extra storage. Tiaha requested vessel sinks. We added them, keeping with the Modern Farmhouse aesthetic. We chose to use half-vessel sinks. This gave the look of a vessel sink without shortening the vanity, losing storage space.

View The Project Page For This Bathroom

The tub module was old and needed replacing. Bill and Tiaha decided they wanted a tiled walk-in shower to bring the design up to date. We used an acrylic shower base instead of a tile floor to stay on budget, keeping the wall tile and a built-in niche for shower products.

Next, we addressed the linen closet doors. The orange oak doors looked seriously dated. We found the perfect solution in sliding frosted glass doors! The homeowners loved them so much that they had us replace the master closet doors with the same ones.

The last feature in the master bathroom was the flooring. The existing sheet vinyl flooring had become faded and scratched over the years. Bill and Tiaha requested a tile floor early in the design process. Keeping the budget in mind, we chose Armstrong Alterna Vinyl tile flooring. They loved it! It offers the look of actual ceramic tile without the chance of chipping a tile, and no need to ever clean the silicon-based grout!

The last item in the remodel was a refresh of the kid's bathroom. We painted the existing cabinet in Sherwin Williams Foggy Day and replaced the old hardware with new, modern cabinet pulls and knobs. Next, we replaced the dated molded marble countertop with a Blanco Matrix quartz countertop and replaced the dated linoleum floor with more Alterna Vinyl tile.

Our Clients Love Their Modern Farmhouse

With the remodel complete, Bill and Tiaha are ready to enjoy their beautiful Modern Farmhouse designed interior. They can now enjoy spending time in their new kitchen, entertaining guests in the refreshed living room, working from home or reading in their comfortable new study, and getting ready for the day together in their new master bathroom!

If you're considering a home remodeling project, and live in the Greater Madison area, call the experts at Degnan Design-Build-Remodel at (608) 846-5963. We can help you to take your entire home to the next level of comfort, design, and function! Ready to learn more? We're always happy to answer your questions.