Kevin & Doreen’s Shoreview, MN Kitchen Renovation
Home shows are a fantastic way for our team to meet new clients, reconnect with past customers, and showcase our favorite home improvement products. It was at the Minneapolis Home & Garden Show that we first met Kevin & Doreen, the owners of a 1980’s era Shoreview, MN home. This couple was on a mission to locate a custom home remodeling company that could assist them with a kitchen renovation.
In order to get the custom home renovation underway, we suggested they schedule a free estimate with our Design/Build specialist so that we could learn more about the couple’s vision and discuss steps for their Minnesota remodeling project. Our initial consultation identified the room’s biggest issues as outdated finishes, inadequate storage space, and a set-up that made the room feel separated from the rest of their home.
Here’s How Our Team Was Able to Address Kevin & Doreen’s Concerns and Create Their Dream Kitchen:
Compartmentalized Feel: When Kevin & Doreen’s home was built, the trend was to have distinct and separate rooms. This set-up made the space feel closed off from the rest of the home, making it difficult for guests to congregate within the kitchen to socialize during meal preparation. Removing the wall that separated the kitchen from the living room, allowed the space to feel more open. A sun tunnel and a SeasonGuard awning window were installed to introduce additional natural light within the space, giving it a more open ambiance.
Outdated Finishes: Components such as white appliances, laminate countertops, olive green paint, and worn flooring, left the home’s kitchen looking a bit like a time capsule. However, this afforded Kevin and Doreen the ability to treat the space like a blank canvas. Quartz countertops replaced the previous laminate countertops. This material continues to gain traction with the homeowners we work with because they do not need to be resealed, offer a consistent look, and are durable. To add beauty and warmth to the space, luxury vinyl tile in antique walnut was installed. The white appliances were replaced with modern energy efficient stainless steel devices. A new beige and white backsplash in a basket weave pattern provided the perfect accent to the room’s freshly painted walls.
Inadequate Storage: One of the biggest contributors to the look of a kitchen are the cabinets selected by the homeowners. The new, taller, maple cabinets utilized an oatmeal stain that softened the original hue of the wood. The hardware selected was an oil rubbed bronze, which added visual interest. Under cabinet lighting added warmth and created a custom feel to the space. The removal of the wall between the kitchen and the living room allowed for the installation of a two tier island with a ‘raised maple bar’ that acted as the focal point within the room. Pull out shelves and lazy Susan’s in the corners have provided much more useful storage space. The couple embraced the new and upcoming trend of the inclusion of a microwave drawer in their kitchen renovation. According to a Warners’ Stellian sales representative, “Microwave drawers and built-ins allow homeowners to showcase their design savvy and create kitchens that flow with their lifestyles.” 
Reflecting on their project, the couple had this to say, ““Everyone we interacted with at Lindus was professional, personable, and responsive. They were very conscientious about keeping the disruption to a minimum, as much as possible, and cleaned up EVERY day when they were done! It may sound cliché, but we really felt cared for by the whole team. We have recommended Lindus to several people and will look to Lindus if/when we tackle the next project.”
