Mendota Heights Project Progress

Hi all!  It seems like sooo very long since I've written a blog post, which it has been about a week and a half I guess.  Thinking about Steve Jobs today, and all of the many quotes and images of him everywhere.  My son Max sent me this website, www.appleofwisdom.com yesterday with oodles of Steve Jobs quotes.  He was a very realistic visionary.  I have fallen in love with this statement of his, as it rings true to my heart.

“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” – Steve Jobs

I am constantly telling this to my clients -- it doesn't matter how fabulous it looks, if it doesn't work for your needs, whatever they may be, it is not a successful design.

OK, on to the project at hand.  I have new updated photos of the progress in the kitchen and mud/living/dining/family rooms.  I can't do this project by my lonesome, so let me remind you, I have been working with Dean Sorem of Dean Sorem Tile, Scott Santanni of Santanni Custom Homes, and Steve Draeger of Imperial Custom Woodworking, and it has been rolling along smoothly!  Enjoy the new additions!

 New maple cabinetry with mosaic tile backsplash made up of stone and polished & honed glass with the new Black Storm granite countertops.  LOVE the granite and backsplash together!

 Peninsula, or buffet (its been given many names within this project!) with new granite and newly painted Sherwin Williams wall color Truly Taupe.

 Peninsula again, with floor opening for Milo's food dishes (family dog) and cabinet above for storage of and easy access of dog food.

Adorable Milo!

 Larger view of kitchen showing maple cabinetry, new tile mosaic backsplash being installed, blue/charcoal glazed island with new sleek cooktop hood.

 Another angle of the kitchen showing the pantry in the far back left corner and the oven (eventually) wall.

 Close up of the gorgeous granite called Black Storm.

 Fireplace tile front being installed.  The hearth on the fireplace sticks out some and curves in front.  We used the same granite as in the kitchen but with a honed finish for a softer, more inviting appearance.

 Fireplace wall showing new bookcase/shelves flanking it on either side.

 Family room window seat wall showing more of Sherwin Williams Truly Taupe.

 Showing the oven wall again.  The doors at the top will have "wave" glass installed, and the long horizontal cubby will have 3 or 4 baskets to hold whatever life throws at you!

 Can't wait to pull away all of that tan paper and reveal ALL of the granite with the backsplash!  Like unwrapping a present!

What do you think?  Any comments?  Does anyone read this?  Hello, hello, hello (echo, echo, echo...)

Toodles!  Susan

Mendota Hgts Project Progress

All right--progress is being made!  At least, visual progress!  So I can now show you some change from the "before" pics I showed you previously here for my Kitchen/Family/Living/Dining/Laundry Room(s) project.  As you remember from an earlier post here introducing this project, I am working with builder Scott Santanni of Santanni Custom Homes.  The place is now gutted and ready for install prep, the "popcorn" ceilings have been removed and replaced with "orange peel" ceilings.  The fun stuff has taken place too--selecting the finishes and 'the look' for this main floor living area!  It is going to be splendid -- and I am super excited to share it with you, so read on and look ahead!

Foyer looking into Living Room

 

 Living Room

 Dining Room

 Laundry/Mud Room -- as I write this, the new tile has already been installed -- a wonderful slate look porcelain 12x24 size, laid in a brick pattern.  Keep reading to view a picture of the tile.

 The Kitchen

 The Kitchen

 The Family Room

 Milo, one of the wonderful homeowners, who has to go to Doggie Day Care when loud tools are being used otherwise attack mode sets in, and the poor defenseless power tools are his victims.  Poor Milo -- he's being such a good sport!

 Cryptic builder notes written on the subfloor so we can remember "Yes, we did talk about that and we did all agree!"

Our fabulous selections:  Granite for the island, peninsula, and perimeter countertops.  The granite is super cool!  Keep reading for better granite pics.  The backsplash is made up of shiny glass, matte glass, and stone.  It will be installed horizontally.  The maple door is for the cabinetry except for the island which is a painted/glazed finish shown below.  It is all laying on the bamboo flooring.

This is the paint color for the island, Sherwin-Williams 7604; however, it is even more gorgeous with a light charcoal glaze over it!  I've seen the sample (sorry forgot to get a pic), and it is stunning, a truly stunning combo!

 Here is a much better pic of the granite called Black Storm.  Black Storm comes in a wide range of patterns ranging from very subtle to super busy.  This piece we are using on the island and peninsula.  The subtle golden tones tie in nicely with the maple and bamboo.

This piece is more subtle but still has the coloring of Black Storm.  We will use the white stripes part for the fireplace hearth, and the more subtle plain black for the perimeter of the kitchen counters.  This way it all relates through the same colorway without taking emphasis off the island and peninsula focal points.  It also doesn't become overwhelming with pattern.

Here, to the left, is the slate look porcelain for the back laundry/mud/powder rooms.  Next to it is the linear stripe tile, a large rectangular.  The tile and stripes will be placed vertically going up the fireplace, so tilt your head a bit...  It is all laid up on the beautiful bamboo flooring.

Well, what do you think?  Looking pretty awesome, huh?  I'm very excited about the outcome, and know it is going to look stupendous!

~~~ Susan ~~~

New Kitchen/Family Room Project - BEFORE PICS

Hi!  I'm excited to introduce my newest project ~~ a kitchen/family rm/living rm/dining rm remodel.  This client was my very first client when I started my business.  How exciting is that!  Throughout the years, we have redecorated her son's and daughter's bedrooms, the master bedroom, the guest bedroom, and the powder room.  In this go round, the kitchen is getting completely gutted (or already is!) and redone.  In the family room, we are revamping the focal point wall which contains the fireplace, bookshelves and TV.  We are also putting in new bamboo floors in the kitchen, family room, living room, and dining room.  I am doing this project in conjunction with the builder Scott Santanni of Santanni Custom Homes and Steve Draeger of Imperial Custom Woodworking.  Below are some BEFORE pics:

 Here is the BEFORE kitchen.  After much deliberation and exploration, we've decided the existing layout really works the best with traffic flow throughout the kitchen.  We will be changing orientation of the island and including countertop eating space with stools at the peninsula.  We will also be putting new floor tile and wall finish in the laundry room at the back of the kitchen.

 In addition to new bamboo floors, we will be doing maple, shaker style cabinetry with stainless steel applicances with grey blue accents in paint and backsplash tile.  As for countertops, we will be doing a combination of granite and quartz product.

In the family room, we again will have new bamboo floors, new maple bookcases that flank the fireplace to tie the kitchen and family room together.  The fireplace hearth will be lowered somewhat and get a new top of granite.  The fireplace will "possibly" get retiled with a large greyish tile over the brick.

BEFORE family room

In the BEFORE dining room, we are again getting new bamboo floors.  The existing wallpaper, which is a gorgeous handmade paper, will stay as well as the fabulous, somewhat retro, yet super cool and elegant, chandelier.  I personally love it!  My client just recently inherited a gorgeous Drexel Heritage dining table, chairs, and buffet which will replace the above set.  We will be reupholstering the chairs with a punch of color and adding new window treatments!

The BEFORE living room will also get bamboo floors, we will keep the blue handmade wallpaper, but will get new furniture, a rug, and window treatments as well.

Stay tuned for updates as we proceed!!!

✂✂✂ Susan ✂✂✂