Bright Beginning

One step inside Rob and Karen Kessler’s contemporary, colorful kitchen and guests are instantly transported to an eclectic, crisp urban environment. When Karen shares that she and Rob have dreamed of living in an open, industrial loft, it’s no surprise; the renovations they’ve made to their suburban Ballwin home have transformed the look, feel and flow with sleek style. For an active family of four with two spirited pups, it was important that the kitchen be durable, with a lived-in feel.

To modernize her kitchen and dining room, Karen sought the help of interior designer Sheri Finkelstein, owner of design company Redecorize, to create her dream kitchen. “I do the form and function,” says Sheri. “I solve problems, and I make it happen. Karen already knew which finishes she wanted; it’s always a team effort.” Before moving forward, Karen did thorough research, and the team made sure they had worked through every detail ahead of time.

The kitchen remodel required major construction, including removing the wall between the dining room and kitchen, moving and replacing sliding glass doors with French doors, and adding a picture window, as well as reclaimed hardwood floors. New cabinetry was added with a stained trim, as were black-brushed granite countertops. A large island was also added, with half the countertop space covered in black-brushed granite and the other side with a glossed butcher-block countertop. Originally, Karen wanted an unfinished butcher’s block, but after a shipping mix-up delivered the wrong countertop, she decided to go with it.

The focal point of the kitchen is the eye-catching, one-of-a-kind tile, which is also featured in the kitchen’s bar area and around the fireplace. As a self-described “color person,” it was very important to Karen that the tile color and pattern were just right. After reviewing several samples, she found the perfect combination and added splashes of stainless steel to tie in with the appliances and breathtaking stainless steel farmhouse apron-front sink and ultra-industrial faucet. Although the tile installation was one of the project’s biggest challenges, the family couldn’t be happier with the final result.

“Opening up this room has made it such a more usable space for our family,” says Karen. “The fact that we’re no longer sitting at the table in the eat-in kitchen, and are instead together in the dining room, makes our dinner hours last longer. We actually sit down and have conversations.”

RESOURCES:
Interior Design, Sheri Finkelstein, owner, Redecorize, 314-497-8658
Contractor, Rich Stevison, R & K Construction, 314-750-3530; RSI Kitchens and Baths, www.rsikb.com, 314-961-2000
Metro Lighting, www.metrolightingcenters.com
Coyote Plumbing, 314-660-4408
Southwestern Electric Co., www.swep1948co.com, 314-776-5252
Laclede Gas Co., www.lacledegas.com
Mountain Lumber Co., www.mountainlumber.com
Berry Door & Window, www.berrydoor.com, 314-423-3667
Luminous Flooring, LLC, 314-773-6841
McGinnis & Associates Structural Engineers, www.mcginnisstructural.com, 314-835-1224