Kitchen and Living Space Remodel

A warm, multi-purpose lower level designed for entertaining, relaxation, and long-term value.

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Project Summary

This growing family had moved from a home in Minneapolis in order to obtain more space with less taxes. They bought a 1957 Bloomington rambler home that had a beautiful lot, great bedrooms and sprawling living spaces. The couple met with Rick, our owner, prior to buying in order to talk through remodeling two spaces of the home that needed updating: the kitchen with original cabinets and a bulkhead that came down nearly a foot lower than the rest of the house, and a “sunroom” that was used only during mild weather months – May and September for Minnesotans. The couple had a goal of making the galley kitchen into a functional, bright space and wanted the “sunroom” to become a permanent living space with an addition that would attach directly to the garage. Honey-Doers delivered.

• Date: 2017

• Style: Modern Farmhouse

• Project Type: Contruction, Building

• Location: Bloomington

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Modern Desires for a Bloomington, MN Rambler

Again, this room was completely gutted as insulation was needed. The team built out a small mudroom connected to the living space that had tile floors and a door leading directly to the garage. They replaced windows on that same wall with a sliding glass door in order to give access to the patio and backyard. The clients had hoped to keep some of the very large, existing windows, but since they were not double-paned, they chose to replace them with the same-sized, fixed, double-pane windows that overlooked the woods in their backyard. The team added sliding windows on opposite sides of the room in order to still allow for a breeze when needed. The team then took out the small door leading to the dining room/kitchen and replaced it with a 6-foot opening and 6-foot custom steps that matched the original wood floors throughout the home. The client chose a durable, speckled gray carpet and Benjamin Moore’s Edgecombe Gray for the walls in order to keep the room bright and consistent with the rest of the home. This space is now used as a playroom and sitting area for the family.

• Add livable square footage for growing kids and overnight guests

• Create a media area with built-in storage and surround sound

• Include a half bath for convenience

• Maintain open sightlines while still offering room definition

Galley

Kitchen Remodel

Custom Layout & Framing

• Framed an open living zone with distinct TV lounge and gaming space

• Created a half bathroom with privacy and future shower rough-in

• Added recessed alcoves for shelving and storage to reduce furniture needs

Durable, Stylish Materials

• Installed water-resistant luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout

• Used neutral color palette with warm wood accents for long-term appeal

• Installed sound-insulated ceilings and walls between floors

Built-Ins & Finishing Touches

• Designed and built a media wall with integrated cable/electrical routing

• Added dimmable lighting zones to support different room uses

• Painted and trimmed with premium materials for longevity

Starting with the kitchen, the Honey-Doers team gutted the entire room, opening up the ceiling in order to match the height of the room to the rest of the house, and the exterior wall in order to add insulation. They put in a new subfloor and tile to replace linoleum, and added electrical work to include recess lighting and under cabinet lighting. The custom cabinets were planned and built to make the space as efficient and functional as possible. A walk-through to a bedroom was replaced with a built-in pantry and cabinets were taken up an additional 12 inches, creating more storage throughout the entire kitchen. The clients chose Benjamin Moore’s White Dove for the cabinets in order to match the millwork throughout the rest of the home. They chose a light gray flooring, white subway tile backsplash, and a white with gray marble quartz countertop. All design choices were made with the hopes of brightening and visually enlarging the kitchen. In the end, the family was thrilled with the kitchen and felt that it met their lifestyle of cooking most meals at home.

From the Client

When asked how they felt about working with the Honey-Doers team, the family’s response was overwhelming positive. They were impressed with the unique designs they created to help the space fit their needs and the speed at which they were able to make those designs become a reality. Since these were spaces that are used everyday in their home, they were thankful for the consideration that Honey-Doers showed throughout the entire process – always cleaning up at the end of the day and meeting remodeling timeline goals. Larry was particularly quick when it came to gutting, framing and drywalling the spaces, showing huge amounts of progress each day. Their children often liked to sneak in to watch the team work and got excited whenever “Joe-Joe” came over to work on the spaces – they especially liked his hat. This family plans to use Honey-Doers throughout their time in this Bloomington home and said they recommend them to anyone in the South metro and surrounding areas that are looking for services.

Modern Purpose for a Bloomington, MN Sunroom

Across the dining room from the kitchen, there was a small door and two small steps leading into a sunroom that was only usable during a few months out the year. For this young family, they wanted to create a space that children could play in that would be close to the kitchen and other living spaces in the home. They also wanted to attach the garage directly to the home, instead of having to walk out to a patio and go through multiple doors to get to their cars. This layout is very common for many ramblers in Bloomington and Honey-Doers were excited to take a commonly frustrating space and make it fit to the needs of a modern family.

Project Timeline

Phase Duration

Highlights

Phase Consultation & Estimate

Duration

3 days

Highlights

On-site walkthrough and itemized quote delivered within 72 hours

Phase Design & Planning

Duration

1 week

Highlights

Layout options reviewed; fixtures and finishes selected

Phase Permits & Materials

Duration

1.5 weeks

Highlights

Permit approved and materials ordered to match timeline

Phase Construction

Duration

4 weeks

Highlights

On-time execution with weekly check-ins and walkthroughs

Phase Final Walkthrough

Duration

2 days

Highlights

Minor paint touch-ups and final client approval

• Project completed on schedule and within 2% of original estimate.

Homeowner Feedback

“We couldn’t be happier with our basement. The Honey-Doers team was communicative, professional, and incredibly respectful of our home. The quality of the work shows in every detail—and now we actually spend time downstairs!” Lisa M., Apple Valley Read More Reviews

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