When Denise and I first stepped into this home, we could feel that it was filled with love and laughter. Between after-day care chaos and dinner around the table, this house was built for memories. But like so many busy family homes, it was ready for major upgrades, one that could balance functionality with beauty, tradition with total comfort. Let’s dive in!
Our goal was to create a timeless, inviting home that worked with this family’s lifestyle, not against it. With help from an incredible team of brand partners, we transformed every inch from the new front doors to the finishing details that make each space shine.
Exterior/A Grand Entrance
The transformation began right at the front door with Grand Entry Doors, and it was seriously a game changer. The new doors instantly elevated the home’s exterior, adding architectural presence, natural light, and a “welcome home” feeling that sets the tone before you even step inside.
We paired that statement entry with all-new windows from Energy Pro Windows and Siding, giving the house a crisp, refreshed look and improved energy efficiency. The exterior color, Sherwin Williams Urbane Bronze, adds richness and depth, grounding the façade with a modern yet timeless feel that complements the home’s traditional charm.
Inside, Solar Shield window treatments let in soft, filtered light while keeping the home comfortable and private, perfect for a family always on the move. Solar Shield also provided the beautiful custom bench seat that ties the whole entry together with warmth and functionality.
Sometimes, split-level homes can present a landscaping challenge, but we tackled it head-on by creating tiered flower beds that add dimension, color, and balance to the curb appeal. The result is a front elevation that feels polished, welcoming, and full of life.
The Foundation of Home
Inside, we started from the ground up with RW Supply + Design flooring. The new floors bring warmth and timeless character to the entire space, creating a seamless flow throughout. Durable enough for everyday family life, they became the foundation for the entire design. We chose European White Oak in Kingfisher , a stunning choice that balances natural texture with soft, sophisticated tones, tying every room together beautifully.
The Heart of Family Life
Every family needs a cozy gathering place, and for this home, that meant a stunning update from Ambiance Fireplaces. The new fireplace became the visual anchor of the living room, a perfect balance of classical charm and modern comfort. Instead of ripping out the old brick fireplace, we covered it with drywall and added a beautiful new Dracme mantel. Pro tip: make sure to include electrical behind the drywall so you’re ready to hang a TV or art with lighting later. It’s now the heart of their evenings, where everyone naturally gathers to unwind, connect, and recharge. And if you know how cold I always am, it would definitely keep me warm!!!
Craftsmanship and Character in Every Detail
From the moment you walk in, craftsmanship carries through every corner, especially the kitchen. The first thing you may notice is the stunning Taj Mahal Quartzite from Daltile that runs from the countertop all the way up the backsplash. SCI Surfaces did an incredible job with fabrication and install; giving our clients the ogee edge they dreamed of. Pride Hardware put the finishing touch on the kitchen by adding rose gold hardware in 4 different styles.
Osborne Wood completely transformed the space with architectural trim and molding that draws the eye upward, adding height and sophistication. It’s one of those details that changes the entire feel of the room- subtle, but incredibly powerful.
We also partnered with Banner Cabinets to build the kitchen cabinet boxes, range hood, and built-ins for the living room and dining room. To make it even more personal, the cabinetry features Front and Center doors from my Hometown Collection: the Wright style (soon to launch) in the kitchen, inspired by clean lines and refined craftsmanship, and the Manhattan style in the dining room (you’ll see soon in the dining room), which adds a polished, tailored touch. These designs completely elevate the cabinetry, reflecting both the classic roots and the homeowners’ fresh taste.
Organization & Maximization
Behind those gorgeous cabinet fronts, Art of Drawers KC created organization systems that make everyday life run smoother. Every pot, pan, and utensil has a home (even the trash cans), making the kitchen so practical and functional. One of my favorite features they designed is the appliance garage. It’s a total game changer. It keeps all the everyday essentials like the coffee maker, toaster, and blender tucked neatly out of sight, but still right where you need them. Their attention to detail takes storage to the next level, turning what used to be cluttered counter space into a sleek, streamlined setup that feels custom and intentional in every way.
A Kitchen Made to Gather
The kitchen is truly the heart of this home, and it’s where design and function come together perfectly. Café Appliances blend performance with personality, offering timeless finishes that tie seamlessly into the overall palette. The matte black finish is everything for this kitchen making the soft color palette pop.
At the center of it all, The Galley workstation sink has become a family favorite. Its 3 foot basis offers so much functionality and makes prep, cleanup, and entertaining easier than ever before.
Texture,Warmth, and Pattern
To add softness and depth, let’s dive into the dining room. We turned to York Wallcoverings and Designs of Distinction. These subtle textures and patterns bring personality to the space, creating that layered, lived-in feel. The color palette ties it all together: Sherwin-Williams Alabaster on the walls for a fresh, timeless backdrop, SW Shiitake on the trim to add warmth, and SW Carnelian in the dining room for a rich, inviting pop of color. The built-ins finished in Keystone Gray complete the look with an elegant, grounded touch that complements every design detail.
Lighting is the jewelry of the home, and Quorum provided it all, from statement chandeliers and pendants to sconces and picture lights that add just the right amount of glow. The finishing touch? My very own Farra Mirror with Varaluz in the entryway, catching the light and setting a tone of elegance right as you walk in. In the dining room, the Gabby dining table and chairs bring it all together, blending beautifully with the warm lighting and layered textures to create a space that feels both inviting and elevated. Throughout the home, StyleCraft art and Tamara Day lamps add those final curated touches, a mix of personality, warmth, and sophistication that make every corner feel complete.
Furnishings, Finishes, and Those Final Touches
Lighting is the jewelry of the home, and Quorum provided it all, from statement chandeliers and pendants to sconces and picture lights that add just the right amount of glow. The finishing touch? My very own Farra Mirror with Varaluz in the entryway, catching the light and setting a tone of elegance right as you walk in. In the dining room, the Gabby dining table and chairs bring it all together, blending beautifully with the warm lighting and layered textures to create a space that feels both inviting and elevated. Beneath it all, a Lavin rug (Eclectic Luxe Brown Rug & Laid Back Luxe Ivory Rug) ground the room, soft underfoot, durable for family life, and rich in texture to tie every detail together.Throughout the home, StyleCraft art and Tamara Day lamps add those final curated touches, a mix of personality, warmth, and sophistication that make every corner feel complete.
A Home That Feels Like Family
By the end of this transformation, this home told a new story. Every space feels super intentional, every detail has purpose, and every corner reflects the love that they fill it with.
For me and Denise, this project was about more than just updating a house. That’s what great design is all about, right? Turning everyday living into something so beautiful! So, who wants some homemade lasagna?
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