“It was covered in scratches,” Cheryl and Cody recall the condition of their circa 1915 bungalow in St. Paul, Minnesota, when they first stepped foot in it a few years ago. Still, the couple, who have two kids, a dog and chickens, didn't think it was so bad. They saw it as an upgrade from their existing 900-square-foot condo and the perfect size for their growing family. Convinced it was the right choice, the couple decided to call off all bets and make an offer. “We loved the historic charm of the bungalow. Several large families had lived there before us and it was comfortable and liveable,” Cheryl says. In fact, it was So They found their home to be a mess, with rooms crumbling, an outdated layout and a strange, galley-like kitchen with barely enough space for two cooks to sit at once. But Cheryl and Cody (Cheryl is a nurse and Cody is a land surveyor) saw potential in the house and, with the help of interior designer Julia Miller of Yond Interiors, they were convinced they could make the place livable (and lovable). Their challenge? To expand and modernize the kitchen while still keeping one foot in the past.
As Julia further explains, the first step was to move the entire kitchen. “Luckily, the previous owners had built a sunroom next door, so it seemed like the obvious choice to move the kitchen there and free up space,” says the designer, who connected the space with the main living area to let in natural light. Aesthetically, she gave the interior a sunny, English flair with meticulous detailing. “The clients love traditional cabinetry, so we paid close attention to every detail and measurement,” she adds.
Judging by the final result, it's fair to say the kitchen is bigger and better than ever before, and as Julia says, “it really reflects the homeowners' light, relaxed style.”
position: St. Paul, Minnesota
