How do you design for a family of seven?  Very Carefully.   This family of two parents, five kids and two large dogs loved their traditional Congdon home and the fact that the kids could walk to their schools.  But a tight kitchen, no main level bathroom and zero storage created more obstacles than the charm of the house could overcome.  We went to work with a list from them to make cooking, organizing, and dog wrangling more convenient for everyone.  

We took the traditional dining room and made it an elegant mudroom by keeping the original glass chandelier and dropping a bright kelly green island underneath it.  White wood lockers line one side of their picture window with a cozy window seat below.  Large closed storage holds coats, shoes, scarves and everything necessary to get out the door in all four seasons.  

A main level bathroom and dog shower was created where the previous kitchen was.  A mail center was installed across the hall and magnetic wallcovering creates a spot for all the kids’ artwork.  

The kitchen was moved to the back of the house into a sunny space overlooking Lake Superior.  Lots of pantry storage was added for bulk shopping and easy access. Windows and floating shelves create an airy and modern look.  The teal green island is topped with the deeply veined Skara Brea Cambria quartz stone.  Now there is space to cook, create, converse, entertain and make memories. 

Our design build team at Knutson looks at a space and reinvents it in ways no one else does.  We took an outdated floor plan and using the wish list from our clients created a modern layout that serves a family of seven perfectly every day.