OUR WORK
Mid-Century Modern First-Floor Remodel in Stonebridge, Ann Arbor
A worn-out first floor became a bright, playful home with Palm Springs style and a view of the pond.
THE STORY
What the homeowners wanted, and what we found.
WHAT THEY WANTED
After more than 20 good years in their Stonebridge home, these homeowners were ready for a first floor that matched their colorful, Palm Springs-inspired style. They wanted the kitchen, mudroom, pantry, dining room, living room, stairway and powder room to work better every day. As one of them put it, the old kitchen had simply become old.
WHAT WE FOUND
The appliances were breaking down, and pets had worn the floors. The cabinets lacked storage, and there was no pantry that suited the homeowners. A wall between the kitchen and dining room blocked the natural light from the back of the house and hid the views of a pond and golf course.
HOW WE DESIGNED IT
We removed the wall between the kitchen and dining room, letting in light and opening the view to the pond.
THE INSPIRATION
A little Palm Springs, right here in Ann Arbor. The homeowners love bold mid-century style and wanted their first floor to show it. Custom-painted cabinet panels and a soapstone island bring an asymmetrical burst of color.
THE PLAN
We removed the wall between the kitchen and dining room. A new center island extends and lowers into an eat-in area. Laundry moved to the basement, making room for a mudroom and pantry. New flooring runs through the first floor, with a new fireplace, a new staircase railing and an art niche in the living room.
THE OUTCOME
How it turned out
The homeowners cook and eat at an island that looks out to the pond. Light pours in from the back of the house. From the art niche to the bold powder room wallpaper, the first floor feels bright, playful and unmistakably theirs.
FINAL PHOTOS
The finished space.
AT A GLANCE
Palm Springs Style for an Ann Arbor First Floor
A kitchen and first-floor remodel.
Stonebridge, Ann Arbor.
Wall removed for pond views, island with lowered eat-in area, new mudroom and pantry, new fireplace, statement powder room.
THE FLOOR PLANS
What changed, and why.
We removed the wall between the kitchen and dining room, letting in light and opening the view to the pond.
BEFORE
AFTER
WHAT MAKES IT WORK
Three details that carry the design.
FEATURE 01
Custom-painted cabinet panels and a soapstone island add an asymmetrical burst of color. The rest of the kitchen stays crisp, so the color feels fun, not busy.
FEATURE 02
Taking out the dividing wall made it easier to move around and let in natural light. It also opened the view toward the pond, so the outdoors is part of every meal.
FEATURE 03
The island pairs plenty of workspace with a lowered eat-in area. A warm recessed wood soffit and pendant lights make it a cozy spot to sit.
THE PROJECT
Palm Springs Style for an Ann Arbor First Floor
AT A GLANCE
A kitchen and first-floor remodel.
Stonebridge, Ann Arbor.
Wall removed for pond views, island with lowered eat-in area, new mudroom and pantry, new fireplace, statement powder room.
THE STORY
After more than 20 good years in their Stonebridge home, these homeowners were ready for a first floor that matched their colorful, Palm Springs-inspired style. They wanted the kitchen, mudroom, pantry, dining room, living room, stairway and powder room to work better every day. As one of them put it, the old kitchen had simply become old.
HOW WE DESIGNED IT
We removed the wall between the kitchen and dining room. A new center island extends and lowers into an eat-in area. Laundry moved to the basement, making room for a mudroom and pantry. New flooring runs through the first floor, with a new fireplace, a new staircase railing and an art niche in the living room.
