Project Feature: Open and Fresh Main Level

Spring is in the air, the birds are singing, and we decided it's time to share another beautiful client project! More specifically, we're spotlighting this bright, open, and elegant Apple Valley kitchen and dining room transformation. 

In partnership with our wonderful friends at The Cabinet Store, we helped create a space where this couple had plenty of room to gather with their growing extended family. The original U-shaped kitchen was cramped and cut off the main level's flow. 

We tore down the wall separating the kitchen and dining room, which then expanded the kitchen into the previous dining area. The living room became the new dining room, and the former sunroom became the living room. 

Our team couldn't be happier with the final look of this project. We enjoy creating spaces that are equally sophisticated and functional. More than anything, though, we love helping people see their homes with new eyes. It's a joy to watch clients fall in love with their spaces again. 

Spa Style: Luxurious Bathroom Upgrades

New Year, new home? Are you daydreaming about remodeling in 2018? One of the most common rooms we update for our clients is the master bath. We all know, a dated bathroom stands out like a sore thumb; it's hard to hide that 60's pink tile or 80's vinyl floor. You begin and end each day in your bathroom, shouldn't it be a place that puts you at ease?

Ready to start creating your own luxurious personal spa? Read through our top bathroom upgrades below!

Soaking Tub
Nothing says relaxation like a warm bath after a long day. A big, beautiful soaking tub isn't just spa style at its best; it's also a design opportunity. A classic clawfoot tub or a modern masterpiece is the perfect statement piece. 

Mood Lighting
Whether you're trying to create a calm bathroom oasis or a refreshing setting for your morning routine, lighting makes all the difference. Strategic accent lights or playful sconces could set a low-key mood, while plenty of bright, natural light will help you greet the morning with glee. 

Walk-in Shower
Another popular spa-inspired bathroom trend is the oversized walk-in shower. From rain showers to double heads to smart technology to steam features to luxury finishes, shower design has come a long way in the past few decades! 

Statement Vanity
Our next recommended bathroom upgrade is an eye-catching statement vanity. His and Hers sinks will never go out of style, and lots of extra storage doesn't hurt either. We especially love vanities that look more like a piece of accent furniture than regular a bathroom sink.

Open Storage
The last piece of the puzzle is lots of simple, elegant, open storage. Think of this as more curated storage, like the uncluttered shelves of towels and products at an upscale salon or spa. It's about creating a peaceful environment that only includes what's practical for daily life and visually appealing. 

Project Feature: Warm Two-Tone Kitchen

We always enjoy collaborating with our friends at The Cabinet Store, and today's kitchen renovation might just be one of our favorites (however, we reserve the right to change our mind). Isn't it warm and inviting? It's the kind of space that makes you want to linger a little longer over an extra cup of coffee or gather with family to bake holiday treats.

These Farmington homeowners wanted their kitchen to feel modern and updated, but still full of arts-and-crafts-style simplicity. Achieving this mix of fresh trends and classic design was all about balance. For example, the white Showplace Pendelton cabinets are very in fashion, but they're accented by very traditional cherry cabinetry as well. The copper farmhouse sink also plays to current trends while reflecting a timeless sense of style. 

Cambria Windermere countertops and a tile backsplash provide a clean backdrop for weeknight dinner prep and hosting elegant meals. Bright undercabinet lighting and the clear glass panes that flank the kitchen sink all add to the feeling of cozy charm. Explore more images and design details from this stunning remodel below! 

Get Organized: Our Top 4 Kitchen Tips

Many of us consider our kitchen the heart of our home, the place where our families gather to make memories, enjoy meals together, and keep tabs on each other's lives. From weekday breakfasts on the go to relaxed weekend pizza nights, kitchens need to built to handle a wide variety of family life. 

Fighting with a poorly designed floor plan is always stressful, but few things are more frustrating than a disorganized kitchen. Do you need some fresh motivation and ideas for your chaotic kitchen? Read below for our four top tips for getting the center of your home in good order! 

1. Cut Out the Clutter
The first step for beginning any kitchen clean out is eliminating the clutter. We all know how our homes collect unnecessary items over the years, and kitchens are often the worst offenders. From unused wedding gifts to once-trendy cooking gadgets, get rid of the unnecessary items taking up precious storage and prep space!

2. Arranges Items in Zones
Phase two of your kitchen overhaul should include some strategy and location shuffling. Think about arranging your cooking space with different purposes and activities in mind. Group food items, prep tools, and small appliances by zones. For example, you might have a zone for baking, chopping, dishes, display, serving, or even coffee making. Try to establish your different kitchen areas where they make the most sense, such as your dishes storage spot should probably be near the sink and dishwasher. 

3. Create a Command Center
Because floor plans have become so open, and kitchens so multi-purpose, many of us are making room for more than just cookware in our cabinets. From cell phones to tablets to laptops to school permission slips - there's an endless stream of stuff that ends up living in the kitchen. We recommend designating specific spots for storing devices, cords, and those stacks of paper. Then they're not only out of sight but also out of the way. Bonus? Everyone will know where to put their phones during technology-free dinners, so you can actually talk to each other; score!

4. Add New Systems
Finally, once you've done some cleaning and thinking, it's time to add any new systems to help maintain your newly found order! There are countless drawer organizers, movable carts, open shelves, hooks, and baskets available at every major home store nowadays; find what works for you. If you get to the end of this process and still find your space lacking, then it's probably time to call in some professional help. Reach out to a trusted contractor or remodeler (ahem: like us!) and get their suggestions for how to improve your kitchen's workiblity and flow. 

Design Trends: Open Concept Living

When it comes to contemporary interior trends, few seem to possess the same staying power as the open-concept floor plan. Found everywhere from TV to blogs to Instagram, open-concept living has ascended rapidly in popularity in recent decades. 

More and more of our clients are gravitating towards this flowing, informal design style. Want the scoop on the advantages and drawbacks of this remodeling trend? Read on below to see why you may want to start knocking down walls in your home! 

Out of the Box. 
Perhaps the greatest strength of open-concept living is the welcoming and casual feel that it conveys. Classic, traditional floor plans separate different rooms by function and formality; whereas open-concept homes reflect a more harmonious, family-centered mindset. Instead of designating rooms for specific purposes, open homes are all about creating spaces that multitask and work with your lifestyle.

Larger Spaces. 
Another major benefit of open floor plans is that they create the illusion of space. Even if you're in the smallest room, fewer walls, high ceilings, natural light, and open sight lines make places feel spacious. No one enjoys being in a crowded environment. While it's certainly not the case for everyone, some people are stifled and even anxious in more formal or closed-off living situations. Open spaces do wonders for the mental well-being of some homeowners!

Time Together. 
We already alluded to this idea, but it bears repeating, open-concept homes offer more opportunities for connection. It's simply easier to miss each other, hideout, or retreat to your separate spaces in traditional layouts. Sure, an open floor plan might require a bit more cooperation and compromise, but it also helps facilitate greater amounts of family time and memorable moments.

Meet Our Partners: The Cabinet Store

At Shaeffer Contracting we pride ourselves in offering our clients top-notch contracting services and the most quality materials. An important piece of this puzzle is collaborating with other established and respected local businesses. Which is why we wanted to introduce one of our favorite partners today on our blog, The Cabinet Store.  

Located in Apple Valley, Minnesota, The Cabinet Store was founded by Luke and Scot Prettyman. With a staff-wide combined 150 years of experience in the cabinet and remodeling industries, Luke, Scot, and their team are consummate pros. Time and again, we gladly take their call when new projects arise. 

Beyond their commitment to creating exemplary spaces, we also appreciate The Cabinet Store's focus on providing a seamless and straightforward experience for their clients. Additionally, The Cabinet Store keeps it simple; they only sell cabinets, countertops, and related hardware or accessories. 

Through countless kitchens, basements, and bathroom remodels, we have grown to deeply appreciate the dedication, high standards, and passionate craftsmanship of The Cabinet Store team. We look forward to continuing our partnership for many years to come!