4 Min Read
The team from @designREMODEL transformed this plain, contemporary-style house in the village of Waquoit into a warm family home that reflected our clients' design and lifestyle choices. It also allowed them to indulge their passion for a good cup of Joe!
An @designREMODEL 360º Transformation of an East Falmouth Contemporary
Client Goals
Our clients, who are planning to move from Illinois to Cape Cod, recently acquired a contemporary home that needed significant updates and improvements. The previous owners had done some renovations that did little to improve or add value to the home. The new homeowners reached out to @designREMODEL, and after our initial meeting, even before finalizing any details, they informed us that we were their top choice for this exciting project!
The Existing Conditions
Kitchen
The kitchen, which was original to the house when it was built in 1988, consisted of an awkward arrangement of white laminate cabinets and poorly fitted appliances. The kitchen window was a replacement double-hung that had a small area of glass due to the larger frame inherent to replacement windows. There was limited lighting because of the vaulted ceilings and poor placement of fixtures. In addition, the white floor tile made the space feel cold and disconnected from the rest of the house.
Primary Bath
The kitchen, which was original to the house when it was built in 1988, consisted of an awkward arrangement of white laminate cabinets and poorly fitted appliances. The kitchen window was a replacement double-hung that had a small area of glass due to the larger frame inherent to replacement windows. There was limited lighting because of the vaulted ceilings and poor placement of fixtures. In addition, the white floor tile made the space feel cold and disconnected from the rest of the house.
Other Spaces
The kitchen, which was original to the house when it was built in 1988, consisted of an awkward arrangement of white laminate cabinets and poorly fitted appliances. The kitchen window was a replacement double-hung that had a small area of glass due to the larger frame inherent to replacement windows. There was limited lighting because of the vaulted ceilings and poor placement of fixtures. In addition, the white floor tile made the space feel cold and disconnected from the rest of the house.
Quick Facts About This Project
The Plan
Based on the client's needs and wants, we devised a plan to improve the kitchen's layout and flow while adding a separate coffee bar to indulge their passion for a great cup of coffee. We also replaced the small double-hung window with a casement window for ease of access to open and a larger glass area. As part of this kitchen remodel, we added a bench seat along with a tall storage cabinet for coats, etc.
In the bathroom, we suggested that a closet entry be flipped into the adjacent hallway, which would allow for the Victoria & Albert soaking tub placement. The second closet was removed to add a second sink, and we regained the closet storage by placing a custom-built tall cabinet between the two sinks placed on floating bamboo countertops. The client also wanted a concrete-look floor, which we accomplished by selecting concrete-look tile panels from the Tile Bar located in Brooklyn, New York, which measured 24" x 48" and were installed with very tight joints. We sourced bamboo trim and shadow gap planking for the wall behind the tub to complete our client's vision for this space.
In the primary bedroom, we planned for a huge picture window to give the homeowner a view of the woods and glimpses of the Childs River in the winter. Finally, we upgraded the lighting with Dim to Warm LED regressed lighting fixtures in all the spaces we remodeled, and we specified mirrors with built-in LED lighting in the bathroom for shadow-free views.
Design Inspiration
Soaking Tub & Custom Woodwork
A luxurious soaking tub was at the top of our clients' must have list. We sourced and installed this Victoria & Albert Volcanic Limestone tub, complemented by an in-wall tub filler. The challenging installation of the wall mounted tub filler required persistent efforts, including numerous phone calls and emails, to find the perfect solution. The satisfaction of overcoming this challenge was well worth it, as it perfectly matched the client's vision.
All the trim, countertops, tall cabinets, and accent walls were meticulously crafted by a local woodworking shop using bamboo and was expertly installed by the talented @designREMODEL carpentry team. The 2'x4' porcelain tiles were laid over the Strata Mat Isolation Membrane, ensuring robust support and longevity.
For lighting, we installed dimmable LOTUS LED regressed lights throughout the space, along with LED backlit mirrors, creating an ambiance of warmth and elegance.
Upon seeing the finished bathroom, our client's reaction was priceless: "It is so much more exquisite than I even imagined!" This feedback was the perfect validation of our dedication and craftsmanship.
Coffee Anyone?
When it came to the kitchen, the preparation and enjoyment of coffee was the focal point. The @designREMODEL team designed and installed a long custom coffee bar with seating at each end, a bank of drawers in the center, and floating shelves above for ample storage of all coffee-related supplies. Our electrician installed multiple receptacles to accommodate various coffee-making appliances. The cabinets, provided by Conestoga Wood Specialties, were assembled and installed by our team, featuring Blum push-to-open internal hardware that eliminates the need for traditional cabinet handles and lots of storage for cooking supplies and cookware. 
The hand-hewn tile from the Tile Bar in Brooklyn, New York, offers a dramatic backdrop to the polished countertops and custom cherry cabinets. We took extra care to ensure the microwave was positioned within the custom tall cabinet at an ideal working height. The tops and bottoms of the cabinets were finished with panels to match the faces and sides, maintaining a cohesive look. Additionally, we made and capped the stair wall on the right with a matching cherry cap.
John Clark, the principal of @designREMODEL, spent numerous hours meticulously laying out the regressed LOTUS LED ceiling lights to ensure optimal placement while avoiding roof framing—a challenging task. We also installed under-cabinet and floating shelf LED lighting, providing excellent shadow-free task lighting. The usability, function, and aesthetics were all carefully considered in creating this fabulous kitchen space that our clients will surely enjoy for years to come.
Transform your kitchen or bath with the @designREMODEL 360° all-inclusive difference! We can turn your dreams into reality with a single point of contact, clear and ongoing communication, and true concierge-level service. Experience five-star, hands-on personal service that saves time, reduces stress, and ensures a seamless, stress-free remodeling journey.
