Project Spotlight
The Evans Kitchen
The Evans’ old kitchen was functional, but despite several windows and a glass patio door, it felt too enclosed and dark. The existing cabinetry and pantry did not provide sufficient, organized storage for them, and their dining space could not easily seat enough guests for the large gatherings they enjoy hosting.
The goal was to create a lighter, more modern, calm, and inviting open kitchen and dining space that comfortably accommodates both small and large gatherings. Removing the pantry and replacing the support it previously provided with a beam and post allows a significant amount of light into the room and creates a spacious floor plan with room for a generously sized island and plenty of easily accessible cabinet storage.
The new layout moved the dining area from a small, separate room into the kitchen, allowing guests to gather in one place without having to split into small groups throughout the home. This also makes serving food to many guests extremely convenient with its broad swaths of quartz countertop and guest-facing range in the island. A convenient bar and relaxing window seat add to a casual, relaxing atmosphere without sacrificing some of the prior “coziness”.
In true LeBlanc fashion we installed beautiful, site-finished white oak flooring, which further improved the overall light within the room along with the light, painted finish on the cabinetry. The center island accent stain anchors the kitchen, forming a solid point at the center of the seating area. White trim, light paint, handcrafted glass tile backsplash, and attractive lighting fixtures put the finishing touches on this full kitchen transformation.
The Evans’ old kitchen was functional, but despite several windows and a glass patio door, it felt too enclosed and dark. The existing cabinetry and pantry did not provide sufficient, organized storage for them, and their dining space could not easily seat enough guests for the large gatherings they enjoy hosting.
The goal was to create a lighter, more modern, calm, and inviting open kitchen and dining space that comfortably accommodates both small and large gatherings. Removing the pantry and replacing the support it previously provided with a beam and post allows a significant amount of light into the room and creates a spacious floor plan with room for a generously sized island and plenty of easily accessible cabinet storage.
The new layout moved the dining area from a small, separate room into the kitchen, allowing guests to gather in one place without having to split into small groups throughout the home. This also makes serving food to many guests extremely convenient with its broad swaths of quartz countertop and guest-facing range in the island. A convenient bar and relaxing window seat add to a casual, relaxing atmosphere without sacrificing some of the prior “coziness”.
In true LeBlanc fashion we installed beautiful, site-finished white oak flooring, which further improved the overall light within the room along with the light, painted finish on the cabinetry. The center island accent stain anchors the kitchen, forming a solid point at the center of the seating area. White trim, light paint, handcrafted glass tile backsplash, and attractive lighting fixtures put the finishing touches on this full kitchen transformation.
The Brown Kitchen
This family of five lacked a kitchen that would serve the needs of two demanding cooks and their frequent dinner guests. It was crucial that the new layout was flexible enough to allow the room to serve many functions without sacrificing the specific cooking needs of each partner. The result is a deceptively clever design that is both inviting and efficient.
Small details quickly add up in this approach to finding a beautiful design solution addressing practical, daily necessities. Choosing floating shelves over wall cabinets serve the subtle purpose of directing attention horizontally, toward the beautiful backyard garden. This space can be used for additional prep space, a serving area, or guests may gather here for conversation while enjoying a bright, enticing view.
The island features storage accessible from the sides, allowing for comfortable seating. It also stores a microwave, clearing the space above the gas grill for a custom tile backsplash and appliance hood. The quartz countertops provide a clean, beautiful, and durable surface that ensures this kitchen will stand up to the test of time.
Kitchen features include:
This family of five lacked a kitchen that would serve the needs of two demanding cooks and their frequent dinner guests. It was crucial that the new layout was flexible enough to allow the room to serve many functions without sacrificing the specific cooking needs of each partner. The result is a deceptively clever design that is both inviting and efficient.
Small details quickly add up in this approach to finding a beautiful design solution addressing practical, daily necessities. Choosing floating shelves over wall cabinets serve the subtle purpose of directing attention horizontally, toward the beautiful backyard garden. This space can be used for additional prep space, a serving area, or guests may gather here for conversation while enjoying a bright, enticing view.
The island features storage accessible from the sides, allowing for comfortable seating. It also stores a microwave, clearing the space above the gas grill for a custom tile backsplash and appliance hood. The quartz countertops provide a clean, beautiful, and durable surface that ensures this kitchen will stand up to the test of time.
Kitchen features include:
- Canyon Creek Millenia Frameless cabinets, featuring “Summer Cloud” painted and maple “Graphite” stain finishes.
- Hanstone “Chantilly” quartz countertop.
- #2 common 4” white oak floors with Bona Traffic finish.
The Johnson Kitchen
With their children off to college, the Johnsons found that their existing kitchen did not suit the next stage of their family’s life. They took the opportunity to reinvent the heart of their home, improving on the past and looking ahead to the future. They wanted their new kitchen to provide a cozy, effortlessly elegant space that would accommodate both their love of cooking as well as frequently hosting their family and friends.
LeBlanc first replaced the floors in the entry, hall, kitchen, and formal dining room with solid red oak flooring, topped with a custom stain. Our designer developed a kitchen solution using the Lynden door style from locally made Canyon Creek Cabinets in classy-yet-rustic java stained maple around the perimeter and hand-burnished, ebony stained maple the island. The countertops are Cambria’s Brittanicca Warm quartz, which blends softer colors with dramatic veins to create a casual, natural impression. These elements reflect the wood ceiling and oak floors splendidly.
To serve their large and still-growing family’s needs, the kitchen was expanded by shifting one of the walls 15” into the generously sized living room, and the large sliding patio door was replaced with a smaller, Dutch-style door. This created room for their new center island as well as a built-in bench with storage drawers and custom upholstered cushions.
The kitchen walls do not extend all the way up to the vaulted ceiling, affording a luxurious view of the lit upper display cabinets from the stairs. A pocket door near the stove was replaced with an attractive wood beam, creating better flow from the kitchen into the dining room.
With their children off to college, the Johnsons found that their existing kitchen did not suit the next stage of their family’s life. They took the opportunity to reinvent the heart of their home, improving on the past and looking ahead to the future. They wanted their new kitchen to provide a cozy, effortlessly elegant space that would accommodate both their love of cooking as well as frequently hosting their family and friends.
LeBlanc first replaced the floors in the entry, hall, kitchen, and formal dining room with solid red oak flooring, topped with a custom stain. Our designer developed a kitchen solution using the Lynden door style from locally made Canyon Creek Cabinets in classy-yet-rustic java stained maple around the perimeter and hand-burnished, ebony stained maple the island. The countertops are Cambria’s Brittanicca Warm quartz, which blends softer colors with dramatic veins to create a casual, natural impression. These elements reflect the wood ceiling and oak floors splendidly.
To serve their large and still-growing family’s needs, the kitchen was expanded by shifting one of the walls 15” into the generously sized living room, and the large sliding patio door was replaced with a smaller, Dutch-style door. This created room for their new center island as well as a built-in bench with storage drawers and custom upholstered cushions.
The kitchen walls do not extend all the way up to the vaulted ceiling, affording a luxurious view of the lit upper display cabinets from the stairs. A pocket door near the stove was replaced with an attractive wood beam, creating better flow from the kitchen into the dining room.
Jay & Donna's
LeBlanc has developed ongoing partnerships with a few select contractors in Seattle who provide top-quality home remodel and renovation services. Jay and Donna’s home was one such project. Recently relocated from NY to be closer to their children and grandchildren in Seattle, Jay and Donna chose to work with Potter Construction—an award-winning design-build firm specializing in full renovation and restoration services, who’s offices are conveniently located just a few minutes from this home. Potter Construction’s scope of work included taking the interior of the home down to studs, updating electrical and plumbing, reconfigured interior walls, added a bathroom in the basement and updated the garage interior to meet the specific needs of the new homeowners.
LeBlanc was selected by Potter to assist in selection, sourcing, and installing all-new floors. Jay & Donna really wanted clean, crisp line, a light, bright interior, and durable, easily maintained floors. After several appointments in our showroom and onsite, we had it!
Upstairs, we installed 5” x 3/4" #1 common solid white oak finished with Osmo Oil Stain and Osmo Polyx Oil Pure. The basement common areas and guest room was finished with LVT by CoreTec, in a color and style to match the upstairs hardwood floor. In Donna’s dye room (she makes the most wonderful hand-dyed, handmade wool socks!) we installed Forbo Marmoleum, Asian Tiger from the Vivace series. Across the hall, we installed Marmoleum Vivace in Green Melody. To complete the transition from upstairs to down, we installed Pandora, a Godfrey Hirst Easy Living carpet, in Autumn Haze. The Kitchen and bathrooms were finished with tile, installed by Potter’s tile pro.
The combination of colors chosen by Jay and Donna worked incredibly well, along with the bright white walls and beautiful tile work. Jay and Donna are thrilled with their newly remodeled spaces and look forward to spending their retirement so close to family and new friends.
LeBlanc has developed ongoing partnerships with a few select contractors in Seattle who provide top-quality home remodel and renovation services. Jay and Donna’s home was one such project. Recently relocated from NY to be closer to their children and grandchildren in Seattle, Jay and Donna chose to work with Potter Construction—an award-winning design-build firm specializing in full renovation and restoration services, who’s offices are conveniently located just a few minutes from this home. Potter Construction’s scope of work included taking the interior of the home down to studs, updating electrical and plumbing, reconfigured interior walls, added a bathroom in the basement and updated the garage interior to meet the specific needs of the new homeowners.
LeBlanc was selected by Potter to assist in selection, sourcing, and installing all-new floors. Jay & Donna really wanted clean, crisp line, a light, bright interior, and durable, easily maintained floors. After several appointments in our showroom and onsite, we had it!
Upstairs, we installed 5” x 3/4" #1 common solid white oak finished with Osmo Oil Stain and Osmo Polyx Oil Pure. The basement common areas and guest room was finished with LVT by CoreTec, in a color and style to match the upstairs hardwood floor. In Donna’s dye room (she makes the most wonderful hand-dyed, handmade wool socks!) we installed Forbo Marmoleum, Asian Tiger from the Vivace series. Across the hall, we installed Marmoleum Vivace in Green Melody. To complete the transition from upstairs to down, we installed Pandora, a Godfrey Hirst Easy Living carpet, in Autumn Haze. The Kitchen and bathrooms were finished with tile, installed by Potter’s tile pro.
The combination of colors chosen by Jay and Donna worked incredibly well, along with the bright white walls and beautiful tile work. Jay and Donna are thrilled with their newly remodeled spaces and look forward to spending their retirement so close to family and new friends.
