Rhode Island Remodel Teaches Valuable Lesson in Troubleshooting and Customer Service

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Clean white cabinets above complement the stained black, quarter… Read More Clean white cabinets above complement the stained black, quarter-sawn horizontal grain oak that lines the kitchen at its base, providing the Tuxedo Kitchen theme. In place of the original bay window, sliding patio doors were used to allow more room for a secondary, double-tier seating/work island topped with 3-inch quartz. The doors provide an added touch of natural light to a room the clients requested to include real outdoor lights controlled by dimmers.

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The same material can be found below the wrap-around quartz coun… Read More The same material can be found below the wrap-around quartz countertops; and on a custom seating bench with built-in storage. Stylish and functional, the kitchen features double the amenities, with full and mini refrigerators, standard and drawer dishwashers, dual microwaves, and two sinks, allowing for multiple activities in a kitchen that serves as a cooking, eating, and gathering space for a festive family.

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The new bathroom features a wall-mounted vanity with highly poli… Read More The new bathroom features a wall-mounted vanity with highly polished laminate bronze finish, a glass counter top, a motion activated wall-mounted sink, and a primary wall covered with mixed linear glass mosaic tile.

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A traditional fireplace mantel was replaced with a floor-to-ceil… Read More A traditional fireplace mantel was replaced with a floor-to-ceiling carrara marble surround and a gas fireplace. The installation was a learning experience for Rdone Island Kitchen and Bath when the material failed once the flames were turned on. Twice. Ultimately, the design team found a way around the problem. Listen as the firm's director of design explains.

On the outside, this Queen Anne style home built in the 1990s may fit into the fabric of the coastal town of Westerly, Rhode Island. However, its inside sets the house apart from the neighbors. Inspired by the bright and creative personalities of the clients, Rhode Island Kitchen & Bath freshened up the interior with a modern approach.

Previously, a 12-foot-long aquarium that ran the length of a whole wall in the kitchen gave the room its character. But the clients felt it was time for a change, explains Prudence Stoddard, director of design. Now, bold color and clean lines are the hallmarks of the makeover, particularly in the kitchen where bright mosaic artwork and large, bold red tile provide its “wow” factor.

The innovative “tuxedo kitchen” design concept further enhances the room and puts the spin on the ever-dominating white kitchen trend. Noting a growing gravitation away from all white, Stoddard said the plan was not only preferred by her clients, but it was necessary to achieve the modern and vivid look they desired.

While the powder room on the first floor is reflective of the neighboring kitchen, it has less color and more texture to offer the modern vibe. From a floating vanity to large format glass tile, the bathroom is distinctive and edgy. The fireplace is a continuation of the themes in the kitchen and bath but in a much more subdued way, says Stoddard.

But what may have been considered a standard remodel turned into much more when the firm hit a major hiccup. The experience offered a valuable lesson in how to adjust properly in the field when something is failing, notes Stoddard, and it also provided an opportunity to go the extra mile to please the clients. Listen as she explains how the team selected the material to use around the fireplace as well as what happened once the clients finally used the fireplace months after the project had concluded.