Today we’re thrilled to share our last official reveal for 2021, and while we have a lot of spaces and projects in the works, this one wins our final-reveal-before-Christmas-award. If that were a thing. So we thought this one might make for a fun break in between the Christmas stuff, and maybe some inspiration for the new year. The pandemic has really made our business a challenge with all things renovations and product, deadlines and more… so we’re always more than thrilled to wrap up a project. So without further ado, the Brewer Drive kitchen reveal!
These clients have owned their home for decades, and later on, rented out the top level to students while they travel south during the winter months. But they were ready to move back in, and give it a fresh overhaul.
That’s where we {very excitedly} came in!
The before: {Renters were mid-move when photos were taken.}
They wanted to remove the center wall which divided the traditional layout into a long formal living room, with a small kitchen and seating area on the other side. So, we did just that.
Light and bright for the win, they wanted it to feel fresh and new again, while sticking with a classic look. So we went for a simple shape with the cabinets, along with white and light grey finishes for a classic feel.
We loved refinishing their floors for a new lease on life, along with combining out their finishes in bronze and chrome for a timeless look.
Such a change from that initial before!
We especially adore this view, from the kitchen area.
This home was owned by the clients for years, and it didn’t have a dishwasher before now. We were thrilled to include that in the plans, as well for a big change!
She loves to cook with her grandchildren during the holidays, so it was important to choose a sustainable countertop where she could still cut her Christmas cookies, but also embrace that fresh and clean finish. Basically, low maintenance and pretty were both the order of the day. So they opted for these beautiful countertops in Shadow Storm, honed. They make a gorgeous conversation piece which will last for years to come.
Shadow Storm is a grey and white quartzite stone that that features some marble-like movement and veining.
We love all the detail here!
What we love the most about these simple backdrops, is that it’s easy to change out your accents when you’re ready. We loved bringing in a little color with our own art for this particular shoot. Be sure to check out our paintings, available here!
This space was also begging for a desk, to make the room more efficient for the couple. We loved adding an area under this window for something they can use.
The before…
It flows so well now!
The island is super useful as well, for a lot more storage than the owners had before, on each side. We were sure to include that within the depth of the design so that they have a lot to work with now.
Their lovely barstools are from here – we love that they can easily tuck them in and out of the way when not in use.
Such a lovely update from the before… it was time. And it looks so good!
The walls are one of our personal favorites: Sherwin Williams Egret White + Pure White as the trim. We also used accents of SW Silver Strand throughout the rest of the home. It’s a beautiful color if you haven’t seen it before!
We adore this view and how up-to-date it feels, now!
A second glimpse of those countertops…
And another glimpse at that before. We love that we were able to give it a fresh lease on life again.
Taking down that wall brought so much more opportunity for gathering around the island, with plenty of additional seating.
Sometimes with what we do when removing those walls, support beams, and poles still happen for a myriad of reasons. It can be that an LVL beam wasn’t going to work in the right way, or financial preferences with the client, or construction constraints within the home. At the end of the day, the client has the final say. Working alongside clients brings an entirely different element to a project. For the record, both make for a fun experience, which we are happy and honored to work with. Our job is to make the space look amazing in the end, no matter what. Even if that means working with a little bit of the unexpected. We love the way this worked out here in the space…
What’s that quote about the greatest strengths coming from our limitations? I think that this kitchen speaks to that.
I hope that if you are working with a support beam in your walls, you can see this as a little inspiration for charming results, even if the pole needs to stay intact, for whatever reason.
Regardless, we love that it opened up the space for a lovely dining area on the other side of the room.
With the removal of the wall, the door was moved down to make way for the fridge in the new space, and relocated in the dining area instead.
One of my favorite areas in the room, is that the cabinets extend to the dining area, for the perfect storage and buffet space. We love the way that it gives an element to the room, like the perfect little coffee bar spot.
One more glimpse of that desk!
I just want to sit there in the mornings and write with a good cup of coffee. This is also an awesome view of how seamless those beautiful recessed lights from Kichler can be. We love how smoothly they integrate, right into the ceilings.
And that Jeffrey Court backsplash is real eye candy… in the way that it beautifully reflects the light.
But more on that below!
Their dining area is oh so charming now!
And another sneak peek of that fabulous new door in the background, to let in all the light.
Here are some products we love for this beautiful renovation!
Tile:
As mentioned above, this beautiful Jeffrey Court Tile in Taza Grey, brought so much to their backsplash. This design is also a part of our favorites! We love the beautiful handmade feel, and the way that the soft grey really reflects that light in such subtle ways.
Jeffrey Court did it again… it really tied the kitchen together, oh so wonderfully. Be sure to check out all of their gorgeous tile options for your own home. They’re amazing.
Lights:
You know we love Kichler Lighting. Since we did other parts of their space too, {which weren’t ready for photography} we wanted to showcase a few of our favorite finds here for the finished space!
This Morrigan chandelier really anchored the dining space and brought in major character to boot.
Kichler makes ceiling fans all the rage again. We seriously can’t wait to install one of them in our own home. They’re attractive and efficient and offer so much more to the space! We loved adding this one to the client’s living room. We chose the Arvada in Anvil Iron for this space.
A fabulous semi flush option for their entryway keeps the light up and out of the way, while also offering amazing lighting options at night. We love the modern touch their Lacey Light offers here to compliment all the other pieces.
For their island, a classic selection we always love, is the Everly Pendant. Their silhouette allowed us to hang the pendants at an adequate height in multiples, without worrying about obstructing anyone’s view in the kitchen. The perfect selection and solution, for over their island.
Hardware:
Like jewelry to a good outfit, this gorgeous polished nickel rectangular knob offered so much classic interest to their cabinets! We love how well it all came together.
D.Lawless is one of our favorite go-tos for amazing hardware, so be sure to check them out.
One more glimpse of that before with another wall…
And the after. What a difference a total overhaul can make! We love that we were able to bring this space to life with such sweet clients, who were ready for a fresh take on their space.
As always, we hope you enjoyed this little kitchen tour. It made such a big difference!
Have an inspired day!
Kim Hayes says
Beautiful! Thank you for all the detailed pics and before and afters that offer so much inspiration for our home’s renovation when we retire. Everything is bright, fresh, clean, but with a little sparkle. I am concerned for our ability to choose a timeless look that won’t need updating in our 70s and 80s! How do we choose cabinets, counters, tile, and flooring that are timeless yet not sterile? I realize accessories pack the most punch but when I think about our future space making such permanent decisions seems daunting. We have only lived in two houses (which we gutted to the studs with much diy) in thirty years so our third and final home will be it!
Thank you for all your colorful, classy, and funny posts over the years. Remodeling while living in your space with kids is not for the wimpy! You two truly have all the talent, integrity, and grit to do it well. Your honesty and humor is so refreshing and I appreciate your generous offers for free art and ideas. You’re one of my favorite families!
Merry Celebrating and Happy and Healthy 2022!
Kim
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey Kim! You are just the kindest. Thank you so much for your sweet words! They truly mean so much.
I love your question at the beginning of your comment, and I’d really love to address it as a post in the new year, if you would find that helpful? Thank you for handing me an idea to write about! HA! Thank you again for your sweet support – it truly means the world. A happy and healthy 2022 to you as well!
Ofelia Israel says
MAGNIFICO CAMBIO MUY ALEGRE BRAVO
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thank you so very much! You are too kind.
Mary Lou Perlot says
I am in love with the all white, tall back chairs at the kitchen table and also at the desk, but cannot find them in your source list. I looked throughout the site that you linked for chairs, but to no avail. Could you please provide the specific source? Thank you so much! This makeover came out really nice – I can only wish that my tiny little Cape kitchen could be so big.
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey thank you so much for your sweet words, Mary Lou! These chairs are originally from Birch Lane but I am not sure that they sell them anymore? I hope a search here yields some pretty ones!