Thompson Remodeling, Grand Rapids, Mich.
In a nutshell: The cramped 10-by-15-foot kitchen that featured four doorways into other rooms functioned more like a hallway, with a few appliances thrown in for good measure. A peninsula caused major traffic jams between kitchen, basement, and living room. The homeowners sought a greater sense of space, more storage, and an aesthetic that offers pops of color to bring interest to the room.
Challenges: The biggest obstacle in the compact space was working around the four doorways, one of which leads to the basement. The overall kitchen size couldn’t increase, so the designers needed to maximize every square inch.
Solutions: The team knew they wanted to relocate the refrigerator—previously tucked into a corner—to a place where it could be surrounded by cabinetry. That’s when they came up with the ingenious idea of building a pantry on one side of the fridge and concealing the entry to the basement on the other side by making it look like a continuation of the cabinetry.
The peninsula was removed and replaced with a moveable island cart. By using tall cabinets and relocating appliances, the team made room for a dishwasher, which didn’t exist in the old kitchen. Amidst the white and gray cabinets and stainless steel appliances, splashes of indigo blue on the walls and in glass knobs provide pops of color.
The aesthetic of the home was preserved in the remodeled space by installing 2¼-inch hardwood oak flooring and building up the crown molding and baseboard height.
See the full list of winning entries here.
Add new comment
Related Stories
Forty Under 40: Then & Now
Our 13th year of Forty Under 40 pushed us to reflect on the incredible career paths our winners take after their honor
Forty Under 40: Class of 2024
Unveiling our 2024 class of Forty Under 40: the remodeling industry's most standout young professionals
Forty Under 40 2024: Design Professionals
Discover the design honorees of the Forty Under 40 class of 2024
Forty Under 40 2024: Owners, Presidents, CEOs
Get to know the CEOs, owners, and presidents of the Forty Under 40 class of 2024
Forty Under 40 2024: Marketing Professionals
Our standout marketing professionals from the Forty Under 40 class of 2024
Forty Under 40 2024: Project Managers, Lead Carpenters, Production Team Members
Introducing our carpenters of the Forty Under 40 class of 2024
Forty Under 40 2024: General Operations, Production Managers
Learn about the general operations and production managers in our Forty Under 40 class of 2024
Deadline Extended: Nominations for Pro Remodeler's Forty Under 40
NOW EXTENDED: Nominate a standout young professional in remodeling and home improvement for our Forty Under 40 before January 24!
Nominations Open: Pro Remodeler's Forty Under 40
Nominate a standout, deserving young professional in home improvement or remodeling for a coveted spot in our annual Forty Under 40 list
Female-Focused Trade Program Awarded Prestigious US Department of Labor Grant
North Carolina-based Hope Renovations to receive DOL's Women in Apprenticeship & Nontraditional Occupations grant