September 18, 2026

Lake Wisconsin Before and After Transitional Design Kitchen Remodel

September 18, 2026/ Abe Degnan

A Comparative Look At The Results of a Lodi, Wis. Kitchen Remodel

View of the recently remodeled kitchen showing blue cabinetry, white quartz perimeter countertops with a kitchen island with butcher block countertops.

A Comparative Look At The Results of a Lodi, Wis. Kitchen Remodel

Over 15 years ago, we first met Gail and remodeled her primary bathroom. When it came time for a kitchen remodel, she once again trusted us with her project.

Over the years, we had come back to help with small projects. But this time, Gail wanted a major kitchen refresh and called us. Her initial vision was for a simple refresh. She wanted to keep her original cabinet boxes, replace and refit the door and drawer faces, and paint them to update her kitchen’s style.

To continue Gail’s style refresh as part of her kitchen remodel, we installed new countertops, a new tile backsplash, and taller crown molding to help modernize the kitchen. In addition, we gave Gail a modern mudroom, an improved laundry space, and an updated dining room.

Before The Kitchen Remodel

After The Kitchen Remodel

Functional But Dated

Gail was happy with the functionality of her existing kitchen, but it was dark and stylistically dated. Her original vision for the kitchen was a simple refresh: keep the existing cabinet boxes, which were still in good shape, and replace the door and drawer fronts. Paint all the cabinets, change the countertops, and add a tile backsplash.

The existing kitchen had a stunning, warm, pine ceiling that gave the space a cozy, intimate feel. But the dark wood cabinetry made the space feel closed and confining. From the beginning, we recommended completely replacing the existing cabinetry.

As we entered the design process, we confirmed for Gail the complexity of painting the existing cabinets and getting new door and drawer faces. On closer review, it became clear we could replace the existing cabinetry with brand-new custom Amish cabinetry for only a modest budget increase. It was a value proposition she couldn’t refuse.

Before The Kitchen Remodel

After The Kitchen Remodel

Updating the Kitchen

Because Gail was happy with her old kitchen's functionality, our design stayed largely the same. Gail basically just wanted an updated style. We removed the old cabinetry and replaced it with custom Amish cabinets painted Sherwin-Williams Still Water. Our color choice played off the beautiful lakefront view from the kitchen. We continued bringing in natural elements to complement the beautiful pine ceiling and warm décor, including tall, stained alder crown molding and under-cabinet light valances for a subtle, warm vibe.

Gail chose Envi Quartz Elegance countertops for the perimeter of her kitchen but switched it up on the island with a functional butcher block top, once again complementing the existing wood elements and warmth of her home. The Ceramic Tileworks Argile Ice backsplash was designed to subtly catch the eye, with its herringbone pattern and color-matched grout.

Our kitchen design kept the flow and functionality Gail liked and upped the style factor while bringing the outside colors and warmth into the new space.

Before The Kitchen Remodel

After The Kitchen Remodel

A Big Change, Steps Away

While the updated kitchen was stunning, the biggest change wasn’t in the kitchen; it was a few steps away in the mudroom and laundry area. The original laundry was placed just to the left of the pantry cabinet, just outside the kitchen. Gail wanted a complete rethink of the space. She wanted us to add a bench and locker area as well as a dedicated space for her laundry.

Our solution was to remove an existing sink cabinet next to the garage entry door. This gave us the space to install a custom bench and locker. We recessed the washer and dryer into the existing, unused box window bay. This left plenty of space in front of the machines to set baskets and switch laundry loads.

These small changes created better flow and freed up the walkway into the kitchen. To tie our design together, we kept the style of this area consistent with the updated kitchen.

A Dining Room Refresh

The last area we updated was the dining room. Gail wanted a dedicated space for a dry bar. Our design called for custom cabinets along the east wall of the dining room. We added an under-cabinet refrigerator, plenty of counter space for mixing drinks, and floating shelf storage. We included space at either end under the tall cabinets for wine bottle storage, adding functionality to this eye-catching feature.

Before The Kitchen Remodel

After The Kitchen Remodel

In the end, Gail kept the kitchen functionality she loved and got a new kitchen complete with high-quality, custom Amish cabinetry, a more functional laundry/mudroom, and a visually stunning dry bar in the dining area. All this, plus the updated aesthetic she wanted, made it the perfect kitchen ready for the future!

Are you considering a home improvement project on a limited budget? Let us help you design the perfect space to meet your needs! If you live in the Greater Madison area, call the experts at Degnan Design-Build-Remodel at (608) 846-5963. We can take your home to the next level of comfort, design, and function! Are you ready to learn more? We are always available and happy to answer your questions.

Degnan Design-Build-Remodel

We provide home improvement services including kitchen and bath remodeling, basement refinishing, additions and custom homes.

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