Photos by Spacecrafting
A fusion of nostalgic trends and technologies, from low-rise jeans to iPod Nanos, shaped the pop-culture zeitgeist that was the early 2000s. Meanwhile, the realm of kitchen design boasted its own set of statements that were particularly in vogue, such as granite countertops and the ubiquitous rooster statue often perched atop warm-wood cupboards.
For Tami and Kara, homeowners of this stately 2004 Prior Lake abode, these outdated trends were all too familiar after enduring a crowded, dark kitchen dominated by cherry wood and imposing pillars for nearly two decades. Stumbling upon Stockwell Homes through another turn-of-the-century invention—Google—marked a pivotal moment in their kitchen’s aesthetic evolution. “With everything being outdated and dark, we couldn’t bring in our style,” says Tami. “When I saw a picture of a remodel Stockwell did on its website, I fell in love with the work.”
The rest, as Tami puts it, was history. The first order of business was reconfiguring the floor plan, which was “poorly laid out from an efficiency standpoint,” says Jen Stockwell, owner/principal of the Edina-based interior design and remodeling firm. “They had a butler’s pantry, but it was what we called a ‘one-butt’ kitchen situation,” she adds, laughing. “You could only get one human in there at a time!”
Her recipe for renewal involved reorienting walls, replacing and enameling windows, expanding and bumping spaces, and relocating certain rooms. This effort resulted in a much-improved framework that maximized natural light and improved workflow but also introduced a challenge. “When you take a large kitchen and take a wall out, you’re making a big space even bigger,” Stockwell explains. “We were worried about losing the intimacy of the space or having it feel like a void in the middle.”
The solution came in the form of a creative double-island design, strategically devised to combat her spatial concerns and provide a casual eat-in area. “We wanted the natural light to flow under that island, and when we made the decision to put seating around it, too, we wanted it to have the intimacy of a dining space,” says Stockwell, who strategically aligned the furniture-like piece with the adjacent sunroom as an architectural “anchor.” The other 12-foot, porcelain-topped island adds to the main kitchen’s functionality with a sink, steam oven, and crisping drawers with fridge and freezer components—plus an icemaker—to also serve the nearby dry bar. The bar features a wood veneer wall treatment with a geometric brass inlay, floating shelves, navy cabinetry, and modern glass knobs.
Other design details run the gamut from textured wall coverings and beautiful, creamy white oak flooring to high-end faucets, sinks, and hardware—all of which balance Kara’s desire for warmth with Tami’s penchant for glamour. The stunning blend of organic materials, warm tones, and luxe accents, described by the team as “nature glam,” is perhaps best exemplified on the range wall. Here, a 10-foot hood encompasses a statement-making range flanked by Visual Comfort & Co. sconces and backed by textured, vertically installed hand-glazed ceramic tile. Custom cabinetry by Paulson Brothers WoodworkX with inserts for spices and oils provide storage, while the bulk of their refrigerated goods is stored nearby but, uniquely, not in the main kitchen. “We positioned a column refrigeration system on the transition wall with the scullery,” Stockwell says. “We put it there on purpose because it serves both spaces.”
In fact, the scullery is critical to the kitchen’s functionality. Matte-black porcelain and cabinetry with cane detailing complement a large appliance garage that houses a coffee pot, blender, juicer, and other kitchen gadgets. A second sink, an integrated cutting board, and induction cooktop for whipping up Sunday morning breakfasts all sizzle with style.
And as the couple sip their coffee in the nearby sunroom, sitting beneath a Serena &
Lily fixture and solid oak Duchateau ceiling treatment, Tami and Kara find themselves unable to pinpoint their favorite feature. Maybe it’s the fact their cherry wood is gone for good, but either way, Tami says “everything is perfect and beautiful.”
