Whole house renovations require a fully thought through plan. We recently had the opportunity to work on a 2-story townhouse in the Redmond area of Washington. The house was built in the 1970’s and had gone through minimal changes since then. Seeing and identifying the house’s huge potential, we knew that with some careful space-planning, a full understanding of how the homeowners wanted to live in the space and some amazing, intentional finishes we could create an elevated, beautiful home that would be enjoyed for years to come. We will start with the center of the home – the kitchen.

The homeowners were recent empty-nesters and were ready to create the perfect support system for this new stage of life. The design scope for the kitchen was simple, open-up the space, create an intuitive, modern layout, and use beautiful yet highly functional finishes to support these desires – all whilst keeping with their minimalist lifestyle.

The original kitchen was small and sandwiched between an office space to the back and a dining space to the front, separated by walls with cut-outs. In order to achieve the initial goals, the team needed to completely demolish the interior. The plan was to open the kitchen and office space as one, knock down the wall to the dining space and allow for a large kitchen island. Ultimately, this kitchen was going to be used extensively for cooking, baking, and entertaining so the overall flow was of the upmost importance.

It was crucial for the team to carefully plan the use of the space to allow for free-flowing movement and comfortability. The minimalist design focuses around intuitive planning for storage, with easy clean-up as a top priority.

To complete the envisioned minimalist design, the team used a variety of warm and tactile materials to add texture and luxury to the room. When using a monochromatic color scheme, it is extremely important to add different textures to bring the space to life. The matte flat cabinet doors are complemented by textured wood doors and leathered quartzite countertops, plus stunning, high-end finishes throughout.

By utilizing ultra-modern cabinetry and a custom design, the team was able to increase storage space and introduce smart storage solutions for a minimal no clutter look. The kitchen now meshes with the overall color scheme and concept for the home’s design: neutral, natural, and calm. This home is a place to wind down and relax or host a dinner party for friends and family. The owners can move freely and comfortably throughout the space, while also embracing their new quiet and tranquil aesthetic.