Design

The Heart of the Home

To some, the heart of the home is right in the kitchen. For this family, it was the right time for a remodel.

A ROSECREEK KITCHEN REMODEL

As I was seeking the Red River Valley for homes to feature, I knew I was looking for a home and kitchen that filled me with a certain nostalgia, like all the fond memories I had as a child learning to make pancakes with my dad for the first time, or making lefse with my mom–a Norwegian tradition. When Interior Designer Melanie Iverson of Mosaic Fargo connected with me regarding this kitchen remodel, I instantly knew it was the perfect fit. Follow along for one of our most beautiful kitchen renovation features yet.

THE MOSERS AND THE ROSECREEK HOME

Kent and Amy Moser moved into their beautiful Rosecreek home with their three children in February of 2012. Both have lived in Fargo-Moorhead since moving to the area for college. The Mosers liked the neighborhood because of the quiet cul-de-sac, mature trees, and proximity to Centennial Elementary and Discovery Middle School. “When we moved in, we were looking for more space, and this house provided that,” said Amy. “We liked the layout of the home, and we knew we wanted to do updating and remodeling when we moved in, and we were excited to make the home our own.”

Although they planned to remodel the kitchen fairly soon after moving in, life became busy and it ended up being nine years before the Mosers started the process. During the early months of Covid, when the family was hanging out at home much more than they were used to, the Mosers finally decided they needed to make some changes.

KITCHEN REMODEL: THE VISION & BEGINNING STAGES

Although the kitchen was a nice size, the Mosers didn’t like the layout. There was plenty of counter space but only a small peninsula with seating for two or three. “When we entertained, there was no space for guests to hang out in the kitchen area,” said Amy. “It was also closed off from the front of our house and was dark and dreary most of the day.”

The goal was to create a bright, open kitchen with an island. The Mosers wanted plenty of space for their kids and friends to hang out. The old kitchen was next to a formal dining room, which was almost never used. They wanted to open up into the dining room to allow for space to allow for a nice sized island, as well as open the kitchen to the windows in the front of the home.

FROM BORING TO BRIGHT

In addition to the concerns about the kitchen space which, the Mosers also had a desk area in their breakfast nook that was just a place where papers and junk tended to gather. The desk was never used and the space always seemed messy and disorganized. “James and Melanie helped us transform that space into a bar area,” said Amy. “We closed off open railing on our staircase to allow for a shiplap wall with shelves–it is now one of my favorite spaces and it looks so much better than the old desk area.” The space also gained storage and a beverage fridge was added below.

“It is now one of my favorite spaces and it looks so much better than the old desk area.”

CHOOSING A DESIGNER

“We had seen some of Mosaic’s remodeling projects in local magazines, and we connected with Melanie to discuss our plans,” said Amy. “She was great–she listened to our wants and helped us work through a few drafts before we created the perfect layout. She was open to input from us and really worked to fulfill our wishes, while being mindful of our budget.” When the Mosers couldn’t decide on flooring finishes, they looked to Melanie’s expertise for a recommended choice. “It turned out to be perfect for our space,” said Amy.

Kent and Amy Moser felt confident using a local designer as they had seen some examples of previous projects. “Working with a designer is so important, as there are many decisions and selections that can be overwhelming,” said Amy. “Even though Melanie was always open to our input, we really appreciated having an expect to give us ideas and advice.”

MOOD BOARD FOR KITCHEN:

  • NEUTRAL COLOR SCHEME
  • WHITE CABINETRY
  • WOOD TONES
  • MORE NATURAL LIGHT
  • OPEN SPACE

INSPIRATIONS & STYLES

The Mosers knew they wanted a bright, neutral color scheme that would hopefully stand the test of time. For cabinetry, they wanted white but also wanted to incorporate wood tones. After debating between different finishes, the stain they ended up using on their island and bar area were the perfect shade. “Another main goal was to make the space brighter and open,” said Amy. “We now have so much more light in our kitchen and we appreciate being able to see out the windows in the front of our home.”

“Another main goal was to make the space brighter and open–we now have so much more light in our kitchen.”

 

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