The transformation of someone's home is a process that represents so much more than paint and wooden boxes. No one gets up one day out of the blue and just decides to delve into a full scale remodel. Remodels of any size are uncomfortable. They're messy. You have strangers in your home for MONTHS, you are spending a lot of money... and at many stages during the project, you don't see ANY results and it's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Remodels are an emotional rollercoaster. In the beginning, you're super pumped and excited and optimistic... and then you'll go through moments of disappointment, frustration and total despair. Questioning WHY you did this to yourself... and those feelings go for the homeowners and all those involved in the project! But hear me when I say this:
EVERYONE invested wants to make this dream come true and EVERYONE feels all the emotions that go along with it.
The question is "Why are remodels so emotionally charged?" Because... a home remodel is someone's dream that is becoming a tangible reality. It is the physical manifestation of a thought and we all know that growth and change of any variety is... uncomfortable. But it is always worth it.
I feel like remodels are a lot like having a baby.
*HEAR ME OUT*
Getting pregnant was the easy and exciting part. Then comes pregnancy; which is full of moments of joy, happiness, disbelief.. morning sickness. Fear of the unknown. But that little life just keeps growing and developing no matter what emotions you're experiencing.
Then, eventually comes childbirth; more pain and fear and those moments where you KNOW you can't possibly survive... but you have your loved ones, nurses, and doctors by your side telling you "you got this! and we've got you!" and remind you that people ALL over the world do this everyday and have done this for centuries... and then, just like that - your perfect, beautiful child is born and the pain of fear you were so overwhelmed with is gone and you're just left with joy and probably some disbelief that you did it. You're here. You made it and the rest is just confetti.
Never had a baby? That's okay. Remodels are just like any other major life change. There are moments were you feel like you were absolutely crazy for making this decision in the first place but you're in too deep to turn back and the only decision left is to move forward. Even if you're shaking with every step you make.
Remodels and even new construction... are a life transformation. They are the physical manifestation of a conscious decision you have made to CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
You have made a decision to transform your life into everything that you see in your mind;
Did you think that it would be easy?
Change and growth are never easy, but they're always worth it.
“Real isn't how you are made. It's a thing that happens to you. Sometimes it hurts, but when you are Real you don't mind being hurt. It doesn't happen all at once. You become. Once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand. Once you are Real you can't become unreal again. It lasts for always.”
― Margery Williams Bianco, The Velveteen Rabbit
THE DESIGN
The Kitchen Design is important.
To "design" a kitchen is to take all the details, the parts and pieces and devise a plan to make it both functional AND beautiful. Each design is a unique plan of action. Then, said plan must be executed and during execution we must take the "opportunities" that happen and change the plan accordingingly to still achieve the end goal: form, function and beauty. And those "opportunities" are where creativity steps in to help bring the plan to completion.
This galley kitchen layout WORKS for this home. Why re-invent the wheel when you can just add some details to improve on what is existing? The biggest change we made was moving the fridge to the end of the sink run and turning the awkward nook in the end to pantry storage and an adorable coffee bar.
Client Story
“The simplest things are overlooked. And yet, it is the simplest things that are the most essential.” – Thomas Lloyd Qualls, Painted Oxen
This couple was so great to work with. They wanted simple, but simple didn't have to be boring. She was another one who LOVED the color blue but just wasn't confident that they could make it work. But we all know, the answer to color is always, "YES". This shade of blue with the white granite countertops and the warm wood floors really just made this space feel welcoming. I literally looked at this kitchen and it reflected who these clients were; warm, fuzzy and welcoming - and creating a space that is a reflection and extension of the client is ALWAYS the ultimate goal.
The Details
This kitchen is the PERFECT example that simple can be magnificent. This space is far more functional than it was before and it just took a couple of creative tweaks. Like everything, there were hiccups along the way... but like childbirth, we forget the pain and the fear in the end and all we see is the finished product and it brings nothing but joy when we see our dreams finally realized.
Get Inspired
Rachel Cardinal | Cardinal Design, LLC
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