Historic Cottage Renewed as Grandmother’s Home
It was a 100-year old house near the shores of Lake Minnetonka, owned by a family in the lumber business and marked by beautiful raised panel walls and millwork. But after decades of decay, the house and adjoining guest cottage were marked for destruction.
The 100-year old guest cottage presented challenges with sloping ceilings and odd windows. Modern new windows add natural light while the sloping ceiling is managed well with careful placement of the cabinets.
Had the heirs of that lumber family not saved the house from oblivion in the 1990s, Florence Gropel would not have stood in the great room of the guest cottage in 2015 and wondered how to turn an ancient catering galley into a modern kitchen. A few years earlier, her daughter’s family had purchased the property but had never fully used the guest house. Although the main residence had been updated, the guest house remained much as it did in 1940 when it was built.
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Wishing to be closer to her children and grandchildren, Florence accepted an invitation to move into the guesthouse in the spring. It had all the amenities she needed but only had a very tiny kitchenette that would not work with her love of cooking and entertaining. So in partnership with CliqStudios, Florence set out to create a gleaming modern kitchen in place of the old one.
Homeowner Florence and designer Jayelynn in Florence’s modern kitchen. Featuring CliqStudios Dayton cabinet style in Painted Urban Stone.
CliqStudios designer Jayelynn Carlson worked with Florence throughout the transformation, grappling with architectural issues such as sloping ceilings, odd windows and an open stairwell to the basement. “Jayelynn was very warm and responsive,” says Florence. “She helped organize each elevation so the balance of cabinets and appliances was perfect.”
Lifting the height of the range hood and adding glass fronts to the upper cabinets gives the room architectural interest along with practical storage.
This kitchen features Cambria “Torquay” natural quartz countertops
Jayelynn proved helpful in such requests from Florence as incorporating a Wolf cooktop brought from a previous home and adding storage space. “The Super Susan sits on a shelf on the bottom of the corner cabinet,” says Jayelynn, “so you get full access without having to work around a pole.” Also, since microwaves hinge on the left, Jayelynn switched walls with the TV, placing the appliance on the wall opposite from the one Florence suggested for easier access.
“I was amazed how quickly Jayelynn responded with the changes I gave to her plans,” says Florence. “Though there weren’t all that many changes!” Florence was also happy to hear corroboration from her contractors that the quality of the CliqStudios cabinets was as good or even better than the quality of custom cabinets from a nearby kitchen center.
The restored and renovated cottage is attached with a breezeway to the main house where Florence’s daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren live.
Now the sloped ceiling is handled neatly with perfectly installed cove moldings, the stairwell is hidden cleverly behind the wall of the refrigerator, and Florence can entertain both friends and any of the grandchildren who live thirty feet away in the main house in a kitchen she describes with a single word: “Wow.”
A dream kitchen for the future in a guesthouse recaptured from history.
Browse more kitchen photos for design ideas.
The wine storage bar in the adjacent living room is shown in CliqStudios Dayton cabinet style in painted Carbon. The living room’s raised panel woodwork, crown molding and dentil molding are preserved just as they were when the guest cottage was built in the 1940s. The hardwood floor in the new kitchen was selected to match the original hardwood floors in the adjacent spaces.
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Before & After Photos
Showing 10 comments
Evelyn Grueninger
I love the kitchen…all of it. Belongs in my dream house… one day.
Mrs. Brown
Are the cabinets wood or plywood?
Tom Majewski
Yes and yes! Check out our full construction specs here: https://www.cliqstudios.com/construction-specifications/
Cesar Aguero
I really love this kitchen!
Leslie
I really like this style are they built or need assembling?
Tom Majewski
Hello Leslie, and thanks for the great question. All of our cabinets arrive fully assembled and ready to go! 😀
LRachel
This might be a stretch- but do you know what color/brand counter top was used? I’ve just ordered my urban stone cabinets, and I’m having a heck of a time finding a counter to match! This one looks amazing, and is exactly what I’m hoping for. Thank you!
Tom Majewski
Hello Loren! Thanks for the great question. Since we only supply cabinets for the renovation projects you see on our site, we usually do not have any information regarding any other materials or fittings used. However, you’re in luck! This kitchen was done by a member of the CliqStudios staff.
The countertops featured in this kitchen are “Torquay” by Cambria: https://www.cliqstudios.com/product/torquay
Best of luck with your kitchen. We can’t wait to see the pictures!!
Reni
Love this kitchen – but where are the ovens?
Tom Majewski
Great question! This kitchen has wall ovens. They are on the opposite wall from the sink and windows.