From Blah to Bellissimo

After thirty years, Rod and Linda had found the home they’d been searching for. The couple dreamed that one day they would find a Swanson & Dean rambler that wrapped around an outdoor courtyard viewable from every room in the house – a layout they had seen nearly 30 years earlier. They found the home – complete with its original kitchen – and decided to take on the challenge of bringing the home up to its fullest potential.

“It is a layout that you just don’t see anymore,” said Rod.

“The home was affordable because almost everything needed to be updated, especially the kitchen,” Linda added.

Before

Realizing a dream

A few months after they moved into the home, the couple got down to the business of remodeling two bathrooms and perhaps the biggest challenge, the kitchen. A close family friend was also a kitchen designer and helped develop the vision the couple had cultivated: a commercial, stainless steel masterpiece.

“A lot of people don’t think commercial-grade appliances are worth it, but I sure do,” said Linda. “We did everything Viking (http://www.vikingrange.com/consumer/index.jsp?gclid=COmN__zX94sCFRe-YAod1W1eWg) and I love it. The oven looks like a sculpture and I absolutely love the dishwasher.”
But the commercial upgrades didn't stop there. The couple installed stainless steel counter tops with a Franke sink welded in, to complete the commercial elegance. The modern, self-closing Downsview (http://www.downsviewkitchens.com/) drawers and cabinets lighten up the space, the ungaged, black slate floor bring drama into the room while the reed-glass doors bring new dimension into the modern space.

“It took six weeks to complete; whereas at the beginning of the project it was supposed to take four…” began Rod.

“…and we did run into some countertop problems, but they were quickly resolved,” said Linda.

Lessons learned

Though they’re thrilled with the kitchen now – and have been featured in numerous publications in the Seattle area – there were valuable lessons learned along the way.
“On one hand, I wouldn’t recommend living in the house during such an extensive remodel,” says Linda. “But at the same time, I was glad that we were here to keep an eye on the progress and make sure everything was correct.”