It’s hard to believe that we first laid eyes and began the original set of drawings for this home back in 2019, about 5 years ago! We went through several renditions of the layout in some parts of the home, but seeing it all together as it is today, it’s hard to imagine it any other way! But because it’s a bit of a tradition around here to take a walk down memory lane, let’s at least show you the before pictures and some of the milestones from the construction process! You can find it all at this link. Be ready to put on your night vision goggles, because those before pictures accurately portray just how dark this house was in the beginning!
a kitchen expansion
How do you increase the size of a kitchen, while not changing the square footage at all? Two tricks – remove useless walls that divide a space and rework the layout so it’s more functional! While these don’t actually change the literal size of the kitchen, it can sure feel like it. By widening our viewpoints and making a space flow properly for its function, a room can feel like it has doubled or tripled in size! Add the power of natural light that is allowed to come through from adjacent rooms where walls have been removed, and you’re exponentially improving the feel of a space.
Despite darker wood floors and medium wood cabinets, this space feels light and bright yet cozy and warm. It’s all in that balance of organic color tones and textural variety. Balancing light and dark is a lovely way to add depth to a space while preventing the feeling of being in a cave. I absolutely love the paint colors and stains we used for the cabinetry – it’s a major “win” on this project! Pairing it with just the right amount of brass gave us a little sparkle that makes our hearts sing!
With this kitchen, we removed a wall that separated the kitchen from a pretty useless hallway. We also opened up the dining room, so it felt connected to the kitchen and integral to gatherings with family and friends. The kitchen truly feels like a central hub – with easy access to the garage, mudroom/laundry, powder room, dining room, and family room.
the dining room
It’s often hard for me to pick a favorite room in a project, but the dining room in the Pines Residence is definitely in my top three of this home. Thinking on this more, it’s probably because we’ve never done a dining room THIS inclusive of a project! Cabinetry, fixtures, and finishes play a big role in elevating this space and making it feel part of the home. Not to mention our client’s exceptional taste and style for furnishings and decor. (Fun fact: a few of their items were purchased from our decor shop when that was a thing a few years ago!).
supportive spaces
As I previously mentioned, the kitchen is a central location for the home, with easy access to the mudroom/back entry and powder room. I love the flow of this layout! Imagine coming home, pulling into the garage, stepping inside and your mudroom is right there to drop off jackets and bags, then you walk into the kitchen to set down the groceries, and turn to the side and there is the bathroom for quick access! Hah – feels pretty functional to me! Laundry rooms and extra bathrooms are often overlooked in basic house plans, but they are some of our favorite spaces to make extra special. Here’s a little peek of each space!
With the laundry room so close to the kitchen, it was important for us to carry the same finishes through the cabinetry. AND bring in the warmth of the rest of the home through wood paneling. A moody, dark slate floor in a herringbone pattern brings pattern while also hiding dirt for this workhorse space.
It felt right to bring some of these same elements into the powder room. Moody, pattern, global and eclectic, with pops of brass to add some elevated luxe to the space. It’s another gorgeous space that looks so amazing as it peeks into your field of view from the kitchen.
double the space
The entry, stairs, and family room were a particularly challenging spot for the clients when they moved into the home. There was sooo much space in the extra-long family room! They struggled to arrange furniture in a way that didn’t feel redundant. We explored plenty of furniture layouts before settling on one. The final choice was a primary living area off the kitchen, and a secondary sitting area near the front of the house. This was perfect for their family to keep an eye on their young child but also be part of tv time even when cooking or having gatherings. We refaced the fireplace after some trials of painting the original brick. It’s now a modern style that feels right for the space!
The original entry and stairs were dated but they felt like such a huge first impression of the home. Double doors lead to a large L-shaped staircase. Originally flanked by drywall columns, we saw an opportunity to make them a feature that felt more intentional. We wrapped the columns and original beam with wood. We then added a few additional faux beams that made the whole configuration more realistic.
The staircase has the same “mass” to it with its custom wood newel posts. We added a wood handrail and black metal spindles to tie the indoor components to the interior finishes as well as outdoor railings. The end result was a major upgrade from the original space!
primary suite in the pines
I think I say this every project, but this might be my favorite bathroom. The tile combination, but especially that wall/shower tile just has me swooning! Overlooking the treetops, it felt so necessary to bring in this earthy color as a focal point. I’m not one for color on walls, but color brought in through tile is pretty alright with me! 😉 Again, this is a space with major depth to it, but still manages to maintain its light and airy feel. Wood and brass accents throughout the space also continue to bring in the natural warmth of an organic space.
a KID’S bath for growth
The last space we’re sharing today is the cute (or should I say gorgeous!) bathroom for this family’s kiddo. We wanted it to feel cohesive to the rest of the space but bring in some play. A patterned tile layout seemed like a perfect way to do it! Pairing a small square floor tile with a rectangular shower wall tile and oversized grout to break up rows was the name of the game here, and I love the combination! We mixed wood and painted cabinets which brought in a variety of colors and softness vs. keeping it all the same tone. Carrying in the brass details made this space feel fit for a princess! This room can easily be a foundation for decor for all ages — from child to teenager and even shared with guests!
That’s all for the Pines Residence reveal! There is so much more to this home, including major improvements done to the basement. But it’s pretty easy to capture the essence of this home and family from what we’ve shared here today! I’m so happy they are settled in – it’s been a long ride! But patience has certainly paid off and it’s a beautiful end result.
