Anne & John live in a 1941, 1½-story Cape Cod-style Tudor home in St. Paul. The couple began the search for a remodeling contractor shortly after moving from California and closing on the home. The home was beautiful except for the kitchen, which was closed off from the rest of the home and lacked some of the modern amenities to which the couple had grown accustomed. Anne & John also knew that remodeling the kitchen would help make selling the home easier when Anne finishes grad school and they move back to California.

One of the primary goals of the remodel was to open the kitchen up to the dining room while still maintaining two distinct spaces. Another top priority was to create a kitchen with a statelier classic feel, but with the modern amenities of a new kitchen.

To help keep costs down, the project started with John doing some of the demolition. The remainder of the kitchen was gutted to the studs and the wall dividing the kitchen and dining room was carefully removed so as to not damage the plaster cove in the dining room. A new arch to match the existing arches in the home was framed between the spaces. Multiple work/prep areas for John to use while he prepares meals were incorporated into the design. The microwave was placed below the counter to allow for a larger hood and to keep the counter space free of clutter. Ample lighting was provided by placing a centrally-located fixture as well as installing task lighting over the sink, range and peninsula and under the cabinets. The kitchen lighting fixtures were chosen to compliment the leaded stained-glass fixture in the dining room, which John acquired from his father's home.

Anne & John wanted to stay with warm and rich colors throughout the space, selecting quarter-sawn oak Craftsman-style cabinets with complimentary smooth quartz Cambria countertops. The Cambria quartz countertop is non-porous and provides a very durable work surface. It is also easily maintained and cleaned. The tile floor and backsplash colors were chosen to compliment the countertops and cabinets by incorporating a contrasting yet complimentary rich color. A recessed niche was added over the range to hold cooking accessories. The niche and surrounding tile were tied together with a linear tile accent strip running through the backsplash. Stainless steel appliances were selected as well as a stainless steel undermount sink and faucet.

Anne & John let us know that they are very happy with Castle's work and agreed to let Castle showcase their project on the upcoming Parade of Homes - Remodeler's Showcase. If you would like to see this project you can take a virtual tour or visit the home in person at 1364 North Grotto, St. Paul, MN, 55117, on Friday, October 13th, from 1 - 7 pm, Saturday, October 14th, from 12 -6 pm or Sunday, October 15th, from 12 -6 pm. We hope to see you there!