Homeowners Theresa Schneider and Mark Simpson had to give up two closets — but they gained so much more.
The couple recently completed a makeover of the kitchen and a bathroom in their 1950s rambler in St. Louis Park. Stonehearth Remodeling used the closet space to expand the size of the two rooms for better flow and function. Storage and countertop space was nearly doubled in the new kitchen, and now there's room for a traditional vanity in the bigger bathroom.
Simpson described their bright, smartly equipped kitchen as "a blessing." "It's cool and functional — and aesthetically awesome," he said. "It makes me happy when I come home."
The house: Simpson and Schneider bought the rambler with its tuck-under garage in 2005. They were drawn to the home's vintage vibe, hardwood floors, big yard and location near their jobs.
The mission: The kitchen and main bathroom had been updated, but back in the 1980s. The kitchen's polished brass hardware, golden oak cabinets and checkerboard linoleum were three decades old and looked it. The emerald-green Formica countertop was so low that they got backaches from chopping vegetables. And the tight spaces made it challenging for both of them to cook at the same time. "We always had to hop over the dishwasher door when it was down," said Schneider. "My favorite thing to make was reservations."
The home's main bathroom was all blue hues — an eye-jolting ocean blue on the walls and deep navy on the floors. "I'll be happy if I never see a pedestal sink again," said Schneider. "There's no storage or counters — and you can't hide anything underneath it."
The couple wanted to revamp and update the rooms to add functional and timeless features that still blended with the home's '50s interiors. "We were looking for a transitional, comfortable look — not too modern or traditional — that fits with the warmth of the house," said Schneider.
The design team: Greg Oothoudt and Cathy Wereley of Stonehearth Remodeling, Coon Rapids, stonehearthremodeling.com, 763-427-7330.