Double the Delight: A Tale of Two Kitchen Remodels

Jun 27

A couple of years ago, our designer Amber met with Liz, a homeowner in St. Louis Park. Liz was looking to update her galley kitchen to better reflect her personal style. Amber set to work on the design, and our draftsman Brad, brought Amber's concepts to life. Liz loved the new kitchen. So, when she decided to move to a larger house a few years later, she knew exactly who to call – Modern Design! Here’s a little Q&A with Liz:

What did you think of MD’s process?
I cannot say enough about how pleasant the process with both Amber and Brad was from start to finish. When I first met Amber, I was excited that she lived nearby and was familiar with the style of home I had. She also shared the same enthusiasm that I had when I started explaining what I wanted the kitchen to look like. She is very familiar with designing functional, small spaces while preserving the character all the while providing updated options that I didn’t even know were possible!

Brad was incredibly responsive and knowledgeable as well. I appreciate his experience and knowledge about putting the space together; how to make everything work within the space. He recognized that two of my air ducts were going to be covered by a built-in bench and solved the problem with a creative solution that did not interrupt the bench design or function of the vents, as a small example of the detail he manages.

Both Amber and Brad made the entire process very approachable.

What did you love about your first kitchen remodel?
The functionality of the kitchen completely changed from what it was before the remodel.

Overall, the design itself was something I had been imagining for eight years. I knew I wanted open shelving, a color on the cabinets, and an eclectic style that would work with a 1950s era home. MD nailed it.

When you decided to relocate, what made you want to call MD again?
I decided to call MD for my second home for a few reasons; I was familiar with the process, trusted the quality of the work MD provides, and had a great experience with the first renovation.

What is your favorite part of your new kitchen?
It is hard to pick a favorite part. I love the dramatic hood over the range, with wood detail. The island itself is massive, it showcases the interesting veining in the countertop, and has completely changed the functionality of the main level of the house. I also love the kitchen bar area that opens to the patio, it looks like a piece of furniture and adds a fun element to the space.

Do you have any advice for other homeowners looking to remodel their kitchen?
I would recommend having an idea of how you want your kitchen to function and what kind of style you prefer. Ask a lot of questions!

Also, look for areas to incorporate something unique, and have fun with it!

We loved working with Liz on both of her projects! We always enjoy seeing the projects go from start to finish. And we especially love it when the homeowners are as delightful to work with and are as happy with the result as Liz!

Cabinet Paint Color Trends

We're seeing a lot of dark and moody cabinets lately; colors like charcoal and blue-black. These are usually paired with minimal upper cabinets with large windows so the space still feels light and not dark and heavy.

Greens in all shades are also popular right now. Light, dark, medium and in between - green is the most requested paint color match we're doing.

Meet Our New Team Members

Rachel recently joined us as an interior designer. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stout with a degree in Interior Design in the spring of 2021. During her studies, she spent three months studying abroad in Greece. Rachel is passionate about creativity and loves making each space unique and different.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends, family, and her two dogs, Remi and Roscoe. Rachel also loves hiking, yoga, reading, cooking, and taking fun road trips.

Joshua joined our drafting team. He has worked in the construction industry for most of his career, spending over 20 years in the cabinet industry. About five years in, he transitioned to the custom cabinet industry, where he discovered his passion for the creativity, high expectations, and challenges that come with working in a custom cabinet shop.
When not at work, Joshua enjoys spending time with his kids and helping them improve their skills in their extracurricular activities, whether it's football, volleyball, or even perfecting the art of napping. He also loves making challenging meals. There's nothing quite like a 15-hour smoked brisket enjoyed with beer, good company, and a fire pit—that's what he calls home.

Marlenne joined our drafting team. She is an architect originally from Venezuela, where she graduated in 2016. Following graduation, Marlenne relocated to Austin, TX, where she discovered a passion for interior design and shop drawings. This shift allowed her to blend her architectural expertise with a creative flair for interiors, crafting spaces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
In addition to her professional pursuits, Marlenne cherishes spending quality time with family, traveling, and exploring new places.
Her purpose is to live with gratitude and a positive attitude, embracing each day with enthusiasm and an open heart.

Kyle Klaustermeier
Delivery/CNC Operator

Our Summer Favorites:

Dave - Gardening, Boating, & Grilling
Amber - Gardening, sand volleyball, and lake time
Mike - Being outside
Brian W - Golf & outdoor concerts
Doug - Dining out on the patio & 4 wheeling
Brian D - Biking & jet skiing
Brian H - Pontooning, camping & grilling
Aaron - Camping & being outside with family & friends
Josh - Belly flops into the pool & relaxing on the water
Nichole - Family vacations, golf and going to the lake
Rachel - Being on the lake, BBQs, walks, dog park!
Joe - Hiking & biking around state parks
Kristi - Golf & Trail Riding
Kyle - Playing Sand Volleyball & running the Tough Mudder

Things to do to Stay Inspired over Summer

1. Upcoming Luxury Home Tour and Pillsbury Castle Project

2. Art Markets & Farmer's Markets - check your local listings!

3. Be Outside! Nature is a great way to relax, and disconnect from technology and reconnect with family and friends.

4. Try something new! There are lots of opportunities around; yoga at a brewery, Pick up a pizza and head out on a family picnic, bike a trail, rent a boat, see live music... the ideas are endless!

5. On a rainy day, stop into a local green house or flower shop. A little bit of colorful flowers can go a long way!

Thank you for being an awesome MD client!! Could you take just a minute and post a review for us? We would greatly appreciate it!!

Google Review

Kristi Dockter

Double the Delight: A Tale of Two Kitchen Remodels

Meet Our New Team Members

We LOVE Our Clients!