Home Tour: Classic, Sophisticated Family Home in Ashwood

Friends, when you see the before and after images for this home remodel, you’re not going to believe it’s the same house. Our clients (let’s call them Josh and Kelly) both work from home and wanted a fresh update for their surroundings. With 2 high school aged kids and a third out of the house, they felt it was the perfect time to create a polished, classic interior that truly reflected their style.

From the crisp color palette and subtle patterns to comfortable furnishings and a dream kitchen designed to meet their every need, this home is now the perfect blend of modern sophistication and practical functionality. Before we step inside, let’s see how it began…

Before: Dark, Dated and Full of Potential

Between the warm brown wood floors, cherry cabinetry, and beige fireplace and countertop, Kelly and Josh told me their house felt dark and dreary. I completely understood – there was sooo much wood in the same tone that I knew creating some contrast would make a world of difference. 

The couple wanted to brighten their home and bring it up to date without demoing everything and starting over from scratch. Fortunately, the layout of the home offered so much potential that gutting the house wasn’t necessary at all.

We worked with the original footprint to make the necessary functional and aesthetic changes, and…wow! The transformation is seriously jaw-dropping. Join me as we walk from room to room in this gorgeous home.

Defined and Welcoming Foyer

Ahhh… what a breath of fresh air. When Josh, Kelly, and their kids walk through their front door, they’re greeted by clean lines, fresh accents, and a light, bright color palette that feels warm and welcoming. In addition to the crisp, white walls and trim, we refinished the existing wood floors with a dark stain to create the perfect contrast. Stunning, right?

This space previously felt a bit awkward. It was almost as though when you opened the door, you were walking directly into the living room. To redefine the entry, we added a lovely round table and styled it to create a distinct welcoming area with its own identity. Just beyond this charming foyer you’ll find…

The Light, Bright, and Comfortable Living Room

What a transformation, right? There’s seriously so much to love about this space now. Thanks to the fresh white wall paint, the abundant natural light from the large window is now amplified, giving this living room an effortlessly bright ambiance. 

The sophisticated blue plaid chairs and deep blue sofa bring just the right amount of color, ensuring the space remains interesting and accommodating. We incorporated some natural textures with a storage basket and console table, creating a sense of livable warmth and cozy comfort. Not only can Kelly and Josh entertain guests with ease, but they can gather with their kids for fun movie nights.

The biggest transformation of this room, without a doubt, is the fireplace. We went back and forth about how to treat it – it was a debate between brick, stone, wood paneling, or shiplap. In the end, we did a combination of elements. We designed a wood surround with a Cambria slab around the fireplace itself, and the family and my team are so thrilled with the result.

We removed the cherry cabinets on either side of the fireplace and replaced them with timeless white shelves and cabinets. Vertical shiplap behind the shelves adds subtle dimension and interest to the cabinetry, while brass light fixtures and hardware bring brightness and warmth. Since this is an open concept space, just beyond the sofa is the family’s kitchen…

Timeless and Highly Functional Kitchen

What was once dreary and outdated now feels fresh and new. The expansive island is definitely a standout feature in this kitchen, and we knew we had to pay careful attention to how we treated it so that it wouldn’t overwhelm the space. We chose an olive green island with a light-colored Cambria countertop and the most gorgeous pendant lights that fit the space perfectly. Dreamy!

Since the kitchen and living area are in close proximity, we knew that the color palette would need to flow seamlessly. Like the living area, we maintained the contrast between light and dark features, chose brass light fixtures and hardware, and echoed the living room chair fabric with gray plaid barstools. Let’s take a closer look at some of the details that make this kitchen so unique…

Like me, Josh is a big coffee lover, so we knew that the coffee bar needed to be special. We drew inspiration from other designs that he loved and landed on a much more functional and beautiful custom beverage area. 

Charcoal cabinetry sets this space apart and makes it a stunning focal point of the kitchen (and one of my personal favorite features in the whole house). Shelves and glass upper cabinet doors allow Kelly and Josh to display their beautiful kitchenware, while ample storage below adds in necessary practicality. 

Another favorite feature of this kitchen is the countertop slab backsplash behind the stove. The contrasting white veining suggests gentle movement for visual interest, and the piece serves as another anchor for the dark elements in the room. And when it’s time for Kelly and Josh to clean up after cooking? A quick wipe is all it takes. So easy!

Adjacent to the kitchen is the dinette area, once occupied by a large, dark rectangular table and heavy wood chairs. We brought a sense of airiness in with a light colored round dining table and chairs that make the room feel open and spacious. Above the table hangs one of my all time favorite light fixtures from Rejuvenation.

This dinette has evolved into the perfect space for Josh, Kelly, and their kids to enjoy casual family meals together.

Playfully Patterned Dining Room

For special occasions or when the couple entertains, their updated dining room is the perfect, accommodating space. While we repurposed their dining table, we had a blank slate to work with in this room. We paneled the walls for a distinct, custom feel, and replaced the carpeted floors with wood to match the rest of the main level. 

I love the pattern play in this room. Between the bold chair fabric, the classic, understated rug and drapery patterns, and the gorgeous, subtle wallpaper, there is plenty to keep the eye moving around the room without feeling overpowering. 

Refreshed and Organized Mudroom

You’ve heard me say it before – there’s nothing like a well-designed mudroom to keep your whole home organized. Kelly and Josh’s mudroom needed a few improvements to reach its full potential for functionality. We repurposed the existing bench and added closed cabinets above the bench on one wall to keep coats and the kids’ backpacks out of sight. 

We added vertical shelves and baskets for odds and ends, and included more hooks for this busy family. To complete the space, we replaced the existing cherry wood finish with a fresh, earthy hue and a cute, patterned Roman shade for the window. Josh, Kelly and their kids are set up for organizational success as soon as they walk into their home, thanks to these beautiful and practical mudroom features.

Classic and Practical Powder Room

The main level’s powder room originally had a pedestal sink, which didn’t offer much versatility. We replaced it with this classic, beautiful sink unit with baskets on shelves for added functional storage. A new mirror and wall sconces bring this powder room up to date, while half-window curtains boost the space’s natural light. Talk about small changes with a big impact!

Serene and Soothing Primary Bathroom

Along with the main-level changes, Kelly and Josh felt that their primary bathroom also needed an update. We painted the original cherry cabinetry in a dark charcoal color and added gorgeous herringbone wall-to-ceiling backsplash tile. New plumbing fixtures, simple mirrors, and brass hardware and light fixtures complete the refresh, leaving the couple with a soothing space to begin and end each day. Ahhh… Gorgeous, isn’t it?

Breathing New Life into Your Home

Although it may look like an entirely new home in the before-and-after images, it’s not. Amazingly, most elements are original – they just got a major facelift. That’s the power of good design, my friends. One of the things I love most about this project is the minimal waste involved. By repurposing flooring and cabinetry, we achieved stunning results, all while avoiding the landfill. Big time win!

Kelly and Josh are thrilled with the stunning results, feeling their home now reflects a modern, sophisticated style that suits their personalities and style perfectly. Isn’t that what it’s all about? Creating timeless spaces that make people feel at home… It's what I love to do most!

Are you dreaming of a more functional home that feels like you? Whether you’re starting from scratch with a new build, ready for a major renovation, or just a simple refresh, I’d love to be part of your team. Reach out to me here, and let’s chat!