Spicing Up the Kitchen
Two award-winning renovations reflect these lakefront homeowners’ different desires and lifestyles.
Open for Family Business
The kitchen of Scott and Kim Richbourg’s 1980s home in Bay Hill was too small, offered limited views of Lake Tibet and wasn’t functional enough to accommodate a family of five known to congregate in the social centerpiece. Designed by Lisa Saathoff, owner of IAS Kitchen & Bath Design, and Kim Richbourg, the distinctively renovated kitchen is now an open, airy space with workstations that complement its modern-transitional appeal. The kitchen was part of a $1.2-million home remodeling project that garnered general contractor Richard Nursery of R. Nursey Construction the Parade of Homes Grand Award for a redo of more than $800,000.
• With the window and wall removed, the former dinette area was opened up to anchor a new wash/storage station and provide a seamless transition to a new outdoor lanai that’s easily enclosed by retractable screens hidden in the header. Saathoff cut down a new 9-foot slider to create a pass-through window out to a fully equipped summer kitchen.
• Removing walls opened access to the staircase and allowed Saathoff to bring the original dining room into the kitchen area as a family workspace equipped with a Quartz-topped worktable, computer and a flat-screen TV.
Before
Retiring in Eco-Smart Style
The 1970s home on a secluded cove on Big Lake Conway was in desperate need of updating when Kimberly Sterling and Brian Stehli bought it in 2010. Having found their ideal retirement home in a down market, the married couple used the opportunity to make the home conform to their lifestyle and eco-minded sensibilities. IAS Kitchen & Bath designer Maggie Burns helped bring the couple’s dream of a modern, eco-friendly, artistic showcase to fruition. Overseen by general contractor Nathan Cross of NWC Construction and interior designer Rocky Santomassino of RJS Interiors, the home makeover won the spring Parade of Homes Merit Award for an interior renovation under $500,000.
• The green remodel brought in natural light and included energy-efficient lights, appliances, windows and eco-friendly Wellborn cabinetry. Burns used two shades of wood for balance and contrast: a transparent dark-gray shadow stain and a light washed maple. Black-gray granite countertop remnants were recycled in the house. The backsplash is natural stone and glass-tiles, and the floor is an easy-care porcelain-like stone in a brick pattern.
• Burns added specialty spice cabinets, dividers for rollout storage and pullout recycle centers. The shaker-style cabinets were updated with a wide rail design and a light pewter wash for a soft, elegant glow.
• The dining space was brought into the kitchen, and Burns anchored it with a custom built-in hutch/buffet with roll-out trays and a center section with a thin LED task light to spotlight rotating artwork from the home-owners’ extensive collection. Pendant lamps and clean lines give it a modern touch.
Before
