If you have a home with a functional layout but the look needs updating, then modest improvements can make a dramatic difference. Dana King Design Build Remodeling enjoys working with existing architecture and features to create an entirely new space, just as they did for one St. Louis family.
When Megan and Dan purchased his parents’ home in Webster Groves, the couple struggled to find a way to make it their own. “The house always felt familiar and comfortable to us,” Megan says, “but it felt like his parents’ house, not ours.”
“The original portion of the house is 173 years old, making it one of the oldest homes in Webster Groves, and it has been added on to several times over the years,” Dan says. “The footprint of the rooms work well for us functionally, but the design didn’t reflect our personal style. The ornate iron hardware and lighting fixtures, combined with the heavy drapery, made it feel dark and dated. We wanted to make it lighter, brighter, and more modern.”
More than a decade earlier, Megan and Dan had worked with Dana King and her team on a full kitchen remodel in their first home. They again turned to King’s team to capture the ideal aesthetic.
Because the layout was functional and the cabinets remained in good quality, Dana King and designer Rachel Pereira were able to reface the existing kitchen to completely transform it.
Megan and Dan wanted a modern aesthetic with timeless finishes, which was achieved by replacing the existing cabinet doors and drawer faces with skinny shaker-style cabinets. Strategically removing a few cabinets also opened up the space, giving it a more modern feel and creating a breakfast bar for the family to enjoy.
King’s team also tested different color configurations to see what worked best with the clients’ preferences. “The more predictable two-tone color scheme is to bring in a contrasting color in the island,” Pereira says. “Because Megan wanted to play up the green more, we made a feature wall of green cabinetry and carried that onto the island, creating a visually impactful use of color.”
The biggest challenge was a segment of the kitchen’s back wall, which falls lower than the vaulted ceiling. Knowing that the lower part of the ceiling couldn’t change, King’s team opted not to hide it or work around it but instead make it an integral part of the design by bringing in eye-catching features.
The design team added a full-height quartz backsplash with a ledge, a brass rail, and a statement range hood to create a focal point to the space. The introduction of midcentury modern–inspired light fixtures and brass elements aligned seamlessly with the homeowners’ style, casting a warm glow over the revamped space. Dark, modern wallpaper was used as an unexpected element in the back of the glass cabinets to tie into the dark beams, enhancing the design’s overall cohesion.
“Not only do we incorporate an existing layout if it functions well, but we can also embrace imperfections in older homes or architectural features that some people might want to rip out,” King says. “We embrace a home’s character, working with that to make it feel very updated and intentional. Where clients see imperfections, we see design opportunities.”
And the clients are excited about the results. “It’s so nice to have it reflect our aesthetic now,” Megan says. “It finally feels like our home.”
This post was created by SLM Partner Studio on behalf of Dana King Design Build Remodeling. Learn more by visiting danaking.com, where you can schedule a complimentary consultation.
