OUR WORK
Historic Condo Kitchen and Bath Remodel in Kerrytown, Ann Arbor
A cramped, chilly kitchen and narrow baths became warm, workable rooms that still honor a historic home.
THE STORY
What the homeowners wanted, and what we found.
WHAT THEY WANTED
The homeowner of this historic Kerrytown condo loved its character and wanted to keep it. The goals were to open up the older kitchen, keep the windows where they were, update finishes and lighting and give the kitchen better feng shui. The kitchen was small, cramped and cold underfoot in winter, and the bathrooms were narrow and closed off.
WHAT WE FOUND
The kitchen was small and dated, with a floor that got very cold in winter. A staircase ran under one wall, which made the remodel trickier. The stove and sink were pushed into a corner, and the bathrooms were small, narrow and closed off. Because the home is historic, the plans also needed historical society approval.
HOW WE DESIGNED IT
We fit custom cabinets into every usable section of the small kitchen, so it gained storage without feeling crowded.
THE INSPIRATION
Historic bones were worth protecting. The homeowner loved the home's character and charm and wanted modern comfort without losing it. Warm wood, white quartz and gold finishes tie the kitchen and baths together.
THE PLAN
Custom two-tone cabinets fill every usable section of the kitchen, with open cubbies and shelves to keep it light. The kitchen windows stayed in place, as the homeowner wanted. A petite vanity makes the most of the small primary bath. We updated the bathroom plumbing and properly vented the basement bath fan.
THE OUTCOME
How it turned out
The homeowner cooks in a kitchen with room to work and a warm floor on cold mornings. Everything has a place, and the counters stay clear. The bathrooms feel brighter and more open, and the home still feels historic.
FINAL PHOTOS
The finished space.
AT A GLANCE
Preserving History, Adding Modern Comfort in Kerrytown
A kitchen and bathroom remodel.
Kerrytown, Ann Arbor.
Custom two-tone cabinets, heated kitchen floor, open cubbies and shelves, petite vanity, light and dark tile theme.
THE FLOOR PLANS
What changed, and why.
We fit custom cabinets into every usable section of the small kitchen, so it gained storage without feeling crowded.
BEFORE
AFTER
WHAT MAKES IT WORK
Three details that carry the design.
FEATURE 01
Cabinets built for small rooms fill every section of the kitchen, with open cubbies and shelves to keep it airy. The color palette opens the room up, so it feels efficient instead of cramped.
FEATURE 02
The new porcelain tile floor has a soft concrete look, with heating and insulation underneath. Cold winter mornings in the kitchen are now cozy.
FEATURE 03
Warm wood and bright white quartz carry through both bathrooms, and the white helps the small rooms feel bigger. The primary bath picks up the kitchen's gold finishes, while the basement bath goes a little darker, with a light-and-dark tile theme tying them together.
THE PROJECT
Preserving History, Adding Modern Comfort in Kerrytown
AT A GLANCE
A kitchen and bathroom remodel.
Kerrytown, Ann Arbor.
Custom two-tone cabinets, heated kitchen floor, open cubbies and shelves, petite vanity, light and dark tile theme.
THE STORY
The homeowner of this historic Kerrytown condo loved its character and wanted to keep it. The goals were to open up the older kitchen, keep the windows where they were, update finishes and lighting and give the kitchen better feng shui. The kitchen was small, cramped and cold underfoot in winter, and the bathrooms were narrow and closed off.
HOW WE DESIGNED IT
Custom two-tone cabinets fill every usable section of the kitchen, with open cubbies and shelves to keep it light. The kitchen windows stayed in place, as the homeowner wanted. A petite vanity makes the most of the small primary bath. We updated the bathroom plumbing and properly vented the basement bath fan.
