Form, Function & Feast

When our clients relocated from out of state, they purchased their Minnetonka home sight unseen. What they discovered after moving in was that the house had recently been “flipped” with shockingly low-quality finishes and fixtures. It looked as if the entire home had been furnished from an online bargain warehouse; down to plumbing brands we didn’t even recognize. Considering the value of the home, the construction quality simply didn’t match expectations.

Our homeowners wanted a kitchen that reflected the mid-century style of the home, but with high-quality, easy-to-maintain materials that would last for years to come. They requested real wood cabinetry, functional storage, black accents, and a backsplash tile in a fun color or shape. They also needed better flow and storage; especially since the original layout had no standard-size top drawers and awkwardly placed cabinetry. Their wish list included adding an island to fill the vast open floor space and re-centering the sink with the windows for a more balanced and functional layout.

Since we were also remodeling several adjacent rooms, we had the freedom to create without worrying about matching existing finishes. This gave us the rare opportunity to design with color—a welcome change in the Midwest, where white kitchens often dominate. Our clients love color, so they selected a matte green-blue backsplash tile with random glossy accents. It adds depth and texture without overpowering the space.

We introduced a small but highly functional island, which now provides landing space for the refrigerator and a central prep area. The layout was reimagined for efficiency, and every inch of cabinetry was designed for storage and accessibility. The peninsula column had to remain to house second-floor electrical, and routing the range hood ventilation through finished spaces was a challenge. We solved this by boxing out the upper cabinets to discreetly hide the ductwork.