Project: Family-friendly updates to an entire home in Woburn, MA
When a young, growing family found their new home in the suburbs, they had a vision to make it their dream home, and that vision required a lot of elbow grease. They turned to Fresh Start Contracting to make the updates, including remodeling the kitchen and bathrooms, relocating the first floor powder room, updating flooring, fixtures and finishes throughout the home, and more.
Partnering with Fresh Start, our designer, Jenni Jacobs, worked with the homeowners to design the kitchen and bathroom spaces top-to-bottom, considering cabinetry, countertops, tile, plumbing fixtures and lighting, with beauty and durability in mind for the couple’s growing family.
The kitchen layout was updated to accommodate hard-working and state-of-the-art Thermador appliances including an induction cooktop, supporting ventilation, and double ovens. With the homeowner’s vision of a fresh and neutral aesthetic, we mixed creamy painted cabinetry on the kitchen’s perimeter with a lighter stained white oak island and oven wall cabinetry, making the kitchen feel warm and refined, but not overpowering.
The variation of the backsplash tile and cloudy pattern of the quartz countertop add the perfect layers to make the space even cozier, while brass-toned cabinet hardware, a brushed nickel faucet and the stainless steel finish of the appliances top off the palette.
The addition of a kitchen island maximizes the storage, work surface and functionality of the space, and provides informal seating with plenty of room for the family of four.
The powder room in the home was relocated to an oversized utility closet, making way for more space and better flow between the kitchen and family room. The new framing provided the perfect wall space for an ancillary entertaining area, which we outfitted with a bar sink and faucet and under-counter beverage refrigerator.
Within the inset cabinetry installation, we designed a mix of open shelving and wall cabinets with glass fronts, so the homeowners can decorate and display mementos while keeping glassware and bar tools within easy reach. Here we layered a black granite countertop and matte black cabinet hardware, for a subtle difference from the adjacent kitchen. The backsplash tile features a shimmery iridescent finish, which reflects so beautifully into the space.
The aforementioned relocated powder room! This cute little space took over an oversized utility closet between the kitchen and garage, and made more sense in this location.
Small space doesn’t mean small style, however: we layered V-groove wall paneling in a beautiful khaki-green color on top of a gold-flecked basketweave floor tile, and the white oak vanity and oversized mirror bring in warm natural textures. The polished nickel wall sconces add a beautiful layer of light at eye level, rather than relying on harsh overhead lighting. A delightful experience for the homeowners and guests alike!
On the second floor of the home, the kids’ bath was beautifully updated with a materials palette that is sophisticated enough to grow up with the homeowners’ two young sons. The playful-yet-timeless hexagon floor tile is a medium-gray stone-look porcelain that provides a calming foundation for the white oak vanity that has the softest touch of blue in the stain color. A bright white countertop and mix of chrome and matte black fixtures and accessories tops off the space.
Finally, the ultimate retreat for Mom and Dad at the end of a long day chasing toddlers (or maybe celebrating a Celtics win?!). The primary bathroom did not change in its footprint, but was significantly reconfigured to allow for a large walk-in shower, ample linen storage and a double sink vanity. The windows and door stayed in the same location, but relocating the toilet to the other side of the room was key to unlocking a much more functional layout.
Soft and serene was the goal for the design palette, with subtle variation in the floor and wall tiles complementing the highs and lows of the gorgeous white oak cabinetry. Polished nickel plumbing fixtures are a warm, luxurious alternative to chrome, and we punctuated the space with gold tones in the light fixtures, cabinet hardware, and the mesh panels of the linen cabinet.
It was a privilege to work with these easygoing and trusting homeowners to help them create their dream home for raising their family and making new memories. The entire team at Fresh Start Contracting did a fantastic job, as always, bringing the designs to life through the construction phase and managing the entire project with great communication and craftsmanship. Another wonderful collaboration!
Take a virtual tour of these beautifully finished spaces including the new kitchen, wet bar, powder room, and family bathroom. Then join designer Jenni Jacobs for a walkthrough of the serene primary bathroom as she highlights the details firsthand.
See the amazing transformation in our Before and After Gallery!
