Mark and Debbie came to us seeking a team that could manage every aspect of a major home renovation, from design and estimating to problem-solving and execution. Their custom-built 1990 home had served their family well for over 35 years, but retirement and growing family needs made updates necessary. The home featured a cramped kitchen, dark and segmented living spaces, outdated bathrooms, and air-sealing issues throughout. While the house had strong bones and lasting character, it was ready for a major update to improve comfort, functionality, and modern living.

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Updating the Main Living Area

We started our redesign with the area where most of the work would take place: the main living area, which included the kitchen, dinette, living room, dining room, and laundry room.

Construction began by removing a large wall that split the vaulted living and dining rooms and the disconnected, cramped kitchen and dinette space. Despite thorough research and planning ahead of time, we were surprised to discover that the wall was load-bearing, which required us to install a 22-foot beam across the open area, flush with the ceiling, to take the load. Mark and Debbie’s original goal was to enlarge the kitchen, absorbing the dinette space they no longer needed. We carefully worked around the original swirled plaster ceiling of the living room, so the shape of the flat kitchen ceiling did not change when walls were removed, and the plaster swirls were carefully recreated in the kitchen during remodeling.

Spreading Out the Kitchen Space

After several designs, Mark and Debbie chose their optimal plan. We moved the range further along the wall into the former dinette space. This expanded the area around the sink and refrigerator to gain countertop area. A custom 9-foot island serves as a visual focal point for the new kitchen. Next to the range, we added a window seat designed around an existing window, which serves as an additional gathering spot for guests. Cabinetry was also a concern. To reduce visual clutter and maximize storage, we minimized upper cabinets and added countertop-to-ceiling cabinetry with up to four extra shelves per cabinet. Specialty features—including a stand mixer lift, spice and utensil pullouts, custom pots-and-pans storage, and tray dividers—create a fully customized, highly efficient remodeled kitchen with abundant, organized storage. View The Detailed Kitchen Page For This Home

Redesigned Living and Dining Rooms

Beyond the kitchen, the living and dining areas were updated to feel brighter and more connected. A new Heat N Glo Scion electric fireplace with Trends Angelico stone-look tile and a white-stained maple wood mantel serves as a focal point, while a sleek, minimalist chandelier provides ample dining room lighting without overwhelming the design.

A Laundry and Mudroom Upgrade

In the laundry and mudroom, the focus remained on improving openness and functionality with minimal structural changes. By relocating the kitchen entry closer to the center of the mudroom, we created a clear sightline from the garage entrance through to the back of the home, replacing a previously cramped hallway. An additional wall surrounding the laundry area was removed to further open the space. The result is a custom-built-in laundry station featuring side-by-side front-load machines, folding Linnstone quartz countertops, a laundry sink, and generous upper cabinet storage that blends practicality with clean, modern design.

Moving to the Bedroom and Bathroom Wing

The bedrooms received a much more subtle redesign. We replaced the carpet, installed all-new trim and casing throughout the home, applied a fresh coat of paint, and installed new ceiling lights. The existing guest bathroom was dark and cramped. While the original vanity was properly sized at the time, it was too wide for the new building code. We redesigned the vanity into a freestanding style, making it narrower while adding drawer storage. We flipped the plumbing wall to keep it on the same wall as the rest of the plumbing fixtures, making entry to the tub through the glass partition easier. Mark and Debbie wanted the primary bathroom taken up a notch with a focus on the couple’s Scandinavian inspiration. The Bee Hive medley hexagon tile floor provides a stone look, while the natural Alder finish of the vanity offers a darker, richer wood with a more prominent grain pattern. The Silestone quartz Versailles Ivory countertop complements the rich wood. View The Detailed Bathroom Remodeling Page For This Project

A Successful Reimaging

Working closely with the homeowners, we extensively redesigned, renovated, and reimagined their home, hitting all the right notes with Mark and Debbie. We met their needs, enhanced the functionality of their space, and delivered the Scandinavian-inspired home design they were seeking. It’s no wonder Mark and Debbie are in love with the outcome of this extensive project!


Project Design

Zach Degnan
CRD, UDCP

Interior Design Morgan McMahon CRD, UDCP

Interior Design

Morgan McMahon
CRD, UDCP

Lead Carpenter

PJ Ender
CLC, CRPM

 
We appreciate the oversight and communication by PJ and your team. The subcontractors- Joe & Shawn , Dave & Gideon and plumbers- have been very pleasant to work with. They have shown commitment to good production and our satisfaction.
— Mark & Debbie, Madison WI