Marie Ivey, a nurse at Erlanger East, says her kitchen’s old decor made her feel like she was in an operating room.
“Everything was white,” she said. “It had white Corian counters. The cabinets were painted white. The walls were white. The backsplash had white 4×4-inch square tiles. The miniblinds on the window were white.”
After a total renovation and infusion of color, she and husband Gary now have a warm, inviting kitchen/great room combo in which to entertain. The update has transformed a sterile, 1990s decor to fit 21st-century lifestyles.
The Iveys purchased the 7,500-square-foot home, which was built in 1996, in Brow Estates in 2006. Mrs. Ivey said they spent the next year and a half renovating the home, pool and pool house and landscaping, all at a cost that more than doubled the purchase price of the Signal Mountain home.
With the help of designers Melanie Nation and Sean Thompson, a warm palette of earth tones was chosen for the home. Mathews Construction handled the remodeling.
Juliet Bauer of Classic Cabinetry helped the Iveys redesign their kitchen to maximize the 17- by 23-foot space.
The focal point of the kitchen is a 5-foot-high, U-shaped island/counter of buttercream wood topped with jonquil granite countertops. It’s a visually intriguing U-within-a-U design.
“Previously, the proportions of everything in the kitchen were too small for this grand of a space,” Ms. Bauer said. “There was one center island that was long and skinny.”
The new counter serves as a divider between the living and dining spaces. One side of the counter doubles as seating with room for barstools. The other side is the kitchen workspace.
“It’s awesome,” Mrs. Ivey said of the U-shaped workspace. “It’s large enough for me, Mother and Gary to all work in. It’s great for parties because we have these serving spaces,” she said, pointing to the counter space along the arms of the U.
A second prep sink is installed in one of the side counters. Mrs. Ivey said it comes in handy filled with ice to chill beverages for parties.
The walls were given a faux treatment by Meg Lemons, tying kitchen and adjoining great room together. A taupe knockdown was applied then glazed in a darker shade that highlights the textured finish. Natural lighting from eight windows around the family room adds warmth to the color.
The oak floors were refinished and stained a deeper brown. Deep crown moldings were added.
Warm cherry cabinets are contrasted by synthetic stonework around the oven. The look of stone perfectly matches the real stacked stone that covers the fireplace from hearth to cathedral ceiling.
“I love seeing the before and after,” Mrs. Ivey said. “Seeing things go from stark white to something with color and character. It’s open and welcoming and where everyone wants to hang out.”
