There is a unique kind of magic in taking a home built in the 1990s—characterized by golden oak, segmented rooms, and “boxed-in” kitchens—and breathing fresh, modern life into it. Our project in Shakopee, MN, was the perfect example of how strategic structural changes and smart design choices can completely redefine how a family experiences their 90s split-entry home, typical of South Metro homes.
The original space was small, cramped, and disconnected from the rest of the main level. By the time we finished, the walls were gone, the light was pouring in, and the home felt twice its original size.
The Vision: Breaking Down Barriers
The primary goal for these Shakopee homeowners was flow. The kitchen was isolated from the dining room and the sunken living room, making it difficult to entertain or even participate the family while cooking. If there were more than 2 people in the kitchen at one time it felt cramped, which doesn’t work for a social family of 6!
To achieve an open-concept feel, we:
- Removed two partition walls to merge the kitchen, dining area, and living room into one cohesive space. Due to the vaulted ceiling in the living room, extra care was required to determine the structure of the roof in this home and whether the walls we removed were load-bearing or not.
- Rerouted complex systems, including plumbing, electrical, and HVAC ductwork, to accommodate the entirely new layout.
- Installed new counter-height windows in the bay area, we installed new windows in place of the existing ones. The owners had their windows replaced a few years earlier and we discovered the existing windows hadn’t been installed correctly- a common problem with large window-replacement companies who offer deep discounts for winter projects.
High-Impact Design on a Real-World Budget
At Simply Beautiful Homes, we believe luxury isn’t just about how much you spend—it’s about where you spend it. This project is a masterclass in “Smart Luxury.” We worked closely with the homeowners to identify “hero” elements that would elevate the entire aesthetic while remaining conservative on other selections to ensure we stayed strictly within their budget.
The Showstoppers:
- Custom Cabinetry: High-quality, tailored cabinets provided the foundational “furniture” look the kitchen needed.
- Quartz Countertops: We selected stunning quartz for the island that offers the veining of natural stone with the extreme durability required for a busy Minnesota household, as well as a beautiful dark granite on the perimeter to add weight and natural beauty.
- LED Undercabinet Lighting: A relatively small investment that provides massive functional value and a high-end “glow” in the evenings.
The Practical Foundations: To balance the budget, we utilized Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) flooring throughout the kitchen, dining room, and hallway. LVP is the perfect choice for our climate—it’s waterproof, scratch-resistant, and provides the warmth of wood without the maintenance or high price tag.
The Details that Make a Difference
Beyond the main workstations, we added custom features that turned this kitchen into a true entertaining hub:
- A Built-in Beverage Refrigerator: Keeping drinks out of the main fridge to free up space for meal prep.
- Large Island Drawers: Providing ease of access and built-in organization for the kitchen essentials
- Dedicated Pantry Cabinets: Maximizing vertical storage to keep the quartz counters clutter-free.
- Custom Dining Room Buffet: We extended the cabinetry into the dining area to create a seamless transition and extra serving space for holiday gatherings.
- Finished Touches: We didn’t stop at the kitchen; we installed new doors, trim, and a modern railing system across the entire main level to ensure the renovation felt integrated, not like an “add-on.”
Experience the Simply Beautiful Difference
The “After” effect of this Shakopee remodel is more than just a beautiful photo—it’s a functional upgrade that improves the homeowners’ quality of life every single day. By making intentional choices on materials, we delivered a result that is both extremely durable and visually stunning, all while honoring the financial goals of our clients.
Ready to transform your tired 90s kitchen? Contact Simply Beautiful Homes today to schedule your consultation and get started! We make the process easy.