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The 2005 Readers Choice Award
Residential Interior Under $100,000
 
Wisconsin Remodeler of the Year Award “Readers Choice Award” – Residential Kitchen $60,000 – $100,000
For the fourth consecutive year, Milwaukee/NARI and M Magazine allowed consumers to select their favorite renovation in a particular category. In 2006, consumers were able to select from 10 entries in the Residential Kitchen $60,000 - $100,000” category on www.milwaukeenari.com.
The M Magazine’s “Reader’s Choice” Award was presented to Brillo Home Improvements, Inc.
We hope you enjoy reviewing the 10 projects that were part of the Reader's Choice program, and we extend congratulations to the Brillo Home Improvement staff on this award.
Click on thumb nails for larger photo!
Affordable Bath & Kitchen
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This 1920s home recently underwent a complete remodel. Since entertaining is a main function of the owners, the goals of the new kitchen included utilizing the floor space to its fullest potential. Along with more space, the couple wanted a welcoming kitchen stocked with an array of appliances, as well as two defined seating areas.
Eliminating two built-in closets and an awkwardly positioned island, which was small and narrow, created new space. This resulted in an unobstructed wall for placement of double wall ovens, a built-in microwave, and a peninsula to provide a large work surface and extra seating. A built-in china hutch was replaced with a custom bench seat for the dining table. The main focal point of the kitchen is the preparation area, featuring a built-in warming drawer and a custom maple hood. A bar area, separate from the main work area of the kitchen, is equipped with a built-in wine cooler, wine glass storage, and ample cabinet space.
The color scheme used throughout suggests a welcoming atmosphere. Selections included brown-glazed maple cabinetry, multi-colored ceramic tile floor, and Amarillo gold granite countertops. Windows in the preparation area were accented with a contrasting paint color. The kitchen lighting assists in creating an inviting feel with its oil-rubbed bronze finish and amber glass shades.
Brillo Home Improvements
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The owners of this newly purchased home immediately began a complete kitchen remodel before moving in. Work began by gutting the entire kitchen, and cutting down the east wall in half, opening the kitchen to the dining room.
To tie the dining room and kitchen together, a custom-made china cabinet was constructed of Marsh Kitchen Cabinetry in white, which complemented the white kitchen cabinetry. Glass was installed in the cabinet doors to keep an open feel and allow the puck lights to illuminate favorite pieces, as well as add light into the dining room. A hardwood top was used to match the hardwood floors. Glass inlays were also repeated in some of the kitchen units.
The ranch style base and casing were painted white to match the existing cabinetry. Crown molding was installed around the cabinets to complete the look. Color was added through the Zodiaq Borealis blue countertops. Brazilian cherry flooring in the kitchen was extended to the dining room and living room.
Lighting features included under-cabinet lighting and 11 can lights. Two copper pendent lights, which matched the pulls and knobs of the cabinetry, were placed over the peninsula for added illumination.
A washer and dryer unit blend seamlessly through a custom-built matching cabinet with concealed European hinges to allow the doors to slide back beside the washer and dryer while in use. Cabinets in the desk/planning area incorporate glass inlays to keep within the continuity of the room.
In the adjacent dining room, a wall opening was created to eliminate a closet and create a hallway, which produces a continuous flow through the house to the breezeway and garage.
Callen Construction
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A kitchen that was separated from the rest of the home and limited in function and capability prompted this remodel. Because of door and wall constraints, the kitchen was relocated and partially moved to an outside wall. A closet was framed in and closed off from the kitchen side, and new access from the garage was created. A second patio door in the adjacent sunroom was replaced with a six-foot sliding window overlooking the sunroom and backyard, and providing an abundance of natural light to the new kitchen.
An L-shaped prep and clean-up area was created for the sink, dishwasher, refrigerator, microwave, and pantry cabinet, keeping all the food storage components together. A spacious 93-inch by 52-inch island with seating is the kitchen's focal point. The slide-in Jenn-Air range/oven has a downdraft vent system with no hood to interfere with the visual openness.
Imperial Gold granite countertops complement the honey stained/chocolate glazed cabinets. The large crown on top of the 96-inch cabinets gives the “furniture look” this open design required. A custom-designed leaded glass door panel on a wall cabinet with lighted interior provides a display area, plus provides a dividing line between the kitchen and family room.
Tigerwood mixed grain flooring flows from the kitchen into the family room. Special slanted recessed lights in the vaulted ceiling are spread throughout the area to evenly light the total space. Under-cabinet lights provide the task lighting specific for the prep areas. Pendant lights identify the snack bar area and provide ambiance.
Carmel Builders
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The owners of this country home were tired of their dated and cramped kitchen. They were looking for a more functional space with greater cabinet and counter space, and an open concept for entertaining. The home’s layout made expanding the kitchen into surrounding areas unfeasible, so it was redesigned within the existing floor space.
The kitchen was gutted to the studs and ceiling joints, and the doorway into the dining room was expanded, providing more natural light. A functional work triangle creates ample space for two cooks. The raised snack bar separates the work area from the dinette, and provides a great place for visiting. A customized work station now holds the computer, cookbooks, and a catchall for organizing items like keys, cell phones, and mail. A wine cooler was added to the selection of all new appliances.
Hickory cabinets convey an elegant, yet country ambience. Staggered cabinet heights and crown molding on top open the space and give the kitchen a much larger feel. Costa Esmeralda granite countertops complement the cabinets and are a kitchen focal point. Stunning copper colored paint completes the transformation from dark and cold into bright and open.
Updated lighting includes task lighting in recessed canister lights, decorative fixtures, and under-cabinet halogen lights. Accent lighting above the cabinets and inside their glass doors creates an easy, warm atmosphere. New maple hardwood flooring connecting the kitchen to the dining room emphasize the comfortable, country elegance the homeowners desired.
Cream City Construction
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This Tudor home underwent a complete kitchen makeover. The old kitchen had been remodeled 35 years ago and was outdated, insensitive to the style of the home, and lacked modern conveniences.
The new kitchen includes custom inset cabinetry and marble countertops with a decorative tile splash and stainless steel appliances. New plumbing fixtures include a farm sink and overhead faucet. An oak plank floor was installed with in-floor heat. The large custom wood hood and oversized corbels over the range add to the English Tudor flavor of the home.
The central island, which is used as a casual eating area, is accentuated with a two-and-half-inch thick iroko wood top. The built-in table and bench seats adjacent to the kitchen were removed to recreate the original butler’s pantry. The addition of the pantry allows for more cabinetry, small sink, under-cabinet refrigerator, second oven, microwave, and warming drawer. A new elliptical arch separates the butler’s pantry from the kitchen, giving more definition to the space while still allowing for an open feeling between rooms.
The pantry cabinets include openings at countertop height that allows the homeowner, an avid cook, to place serving dishes close to the range. This adds another decorative touch to the kitchen. The homeowners also can display their artwork in the cabinetry’s open corner shelves. Other details that went into the kitchen design include handmade English tiles, an exotic hand-oiled wood island top with edging detail, and two arched openings that replicate the existing arches throughout the home’s interior.
E. Miller & Associates
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The owners of this 1920s Tudor wanted a modern, eat-in kitchen, but also wanted to retain the modest nature and charm of the home.
Space was adequate in the existing kitchen and eating area for a remodel, but overall circulation was poor. To accomplish a flow of space, it was necessary to open up the kitchen and eating area. Both spaces were two small to work independently, but combined they could function together. The kitchen was reoriented along the exterior wall, moving the circulation pattern outside of the cooking area. By removing the load-bearing wall separating the rear entry hall from the new kitchen, the area was transformed from a pass through space to a vital living area.
A large island that serves as a prep space as well as an additional eating area is an integral part of the new kitchen. New cabinets with beaded face frames and leaded glass inserts match the existing cabinets. Fully integrated appliances blend in with the cabinetry.
Replacing the existing breakfast room window with leaded French doors continues the open plan concept. This improves the connection to the yard and allows more light to fill the new kitchen space. The primary entry door was also replaced with a leaded glass door, allowing even more light to penetrate the space.
For safety, the basement staircase was given a door and locket type cabinet was installed where the old shallow closet was.
The OAR Group
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For more than 25 years, this couple had wanted to remodel their small kitchen. Removing the walls between the existing kitchen, adjacent dining room, and the never-used sunroom, resulted in the large eat-in kitchen they desired.
Structural modifications were necessary to integrate all three rooms, primarily the removal of an 18-foot long load-bearing wall into the sunroom. Other structural changes included framing the sunroom floor six inches higher, replacement of the existing bay window with a six-foot patio door, and removal of the masonry fireplace.
In addition to the electrical service upgrade, lighting modifications included recessed lights, under-cabinet task lighting, above/in cabinet low voltage ambiance lighting, track lighting for the vaulted ceiling, and exterior lighting outside of the patio door.
Unfinished oak flooring was installed throughout. Although the existing oak floors in the adjacent living room were over 50 years old, refinishing all of the flooring simultaneously resulted in a seamless blend.
Custom designed Hickory cabinets with a Shaker door style and a light colored stain complement the hand-mixed stain color selected for the floor.
The most prominent feature of this project was the granite countertops throughout the entire space. Accenting the countertops is a stone tile backsplash behind the oven wall and the full ceramic tile finishing of the island wall.
Renovators Ltd.
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These homeowners wanted to take their austere kitchen, dining room and powder room and transform them into inviting, functional, and aesthetically pleasing rooms.
The kitchen was given a complete remodel using maple cabinetry with five-panel drawer fronts. The custom finish included a distressed cream base color with hand-rubbed coffee glaze topcoat. The oak island unit was designed as a freestanding piece of furniture and finished with butternut stain so that it would contrast the painted cabinetry.
The island features storage on both the front and backsides, turned corner posts at all four corners, books storage on each end, and a cantilevered Silestone countertop along the back side that accommodates comfortable seating. A curio style wall cabinetry with glass shelving and interior lighting showcases the homeowners’ heirloom china, and creates a visual centerpiece within the kitchen. A peninsula-style seating area is oriented toward a large plasma television located above the fireplace in the adjoining family room.
The peninsula cabinetry offers additional storage from the family room side and creates a visual transition between rooms. Oak hardwood flooring was added to match the existing flooring in adjoining rooms. A combination of under-cabinet lighting and recessed lighting was used throughout the kitchen.
The new dining room remodel included relocating the entry from the kitchen toward the end of the dining space, thereby eliminating dining room access problems when guests are seated at the table. The ceiling was given architectural interest by creating a dropped perimeter with uplighting along the interior face of the drop.
The existing powder room was converted into a full bath by adding a custom shower with slate wall and floor tile. The vanity matches the kitchen island and features a cast integral sink with granite finish.
S.J. Janis
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The owners of this mid-1980s traditional home wanted to improve their kitchen’s disjointed work areas and overall style. Outdated cabinets, laminate countertops, an insufficient work triangle, and an overall dark space made it an uninviting kitchen.
Cherry cabinets in a toffee stain serve as the base of the kitchen, which complements the owners’ other furniture pieces. A maple floor in a light stain, which continues into the foyer and dining room, allows the cabinets to pop. Stainless steel appliances complement the warm tone of the new kitchen. Covering all the base cabinets is granite, including the island, which is one continuous piece. An undermount stainless steel sink and classic satin nickel faucet and accessories balance the island.
Specialty cabinets, such as wine storage and a message center, provide customized uses. The entire backside of the island was designed for additional storage that can accommodate items used occasionally. Recessed lights as well as pendant lights over the island provide illumination. Under-cabinet lighting was also placed under the upper cabinets on each side of the cook top to light specific work areas.
In order to open up the kitchen and bring light into the adjoining family room, a wall between them was removed. It was kept at half wall height to allow for delineation between the two rooms and also for furniture placement in the family room.
Wooden Thumb
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A clean and warm, Prairie-style design that complemented stairway woodwork was what these homeowners desired in a remodel to replace their existing galley-style kitchen. To make the kitchen larger and more functional, the cabinets and countertops were extended along the exterior wall, and the sink shifted to the center of the bowed walls where the table was located. Because of this change, the windows were replaced with shorter ones that remained above the countertops.
A cooktop and microwave exhaust hood are now located at the sink’s old location, surrounded by custom cherry cabinetry with a tile backsplash. On the opposite wall, the refrigerator, double ovens, and pantry space are located together.
An attached table stems off the continuous quartz countertops from the opposite end of the kitchen. The table is large enough to seat four adults comfortably and has a soft arch on the end for added comfort. Walls were removed from both ends of the kitchen to create an open concept the client asked for and red birch hardwood floors were installed throughout the entire main level of the home.
Recessed lighting fixtures were strategically placed in the ceiling for general lighting of the space. Task lighting was created with recessed fixtures over the sink area, under cabinet halogens fixtures under the wall cabinets, and decorative pendant lighting over the table.
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