Located just blocks from the Saint Paul Cathedral, this 1981 multilevel townhome was overdue for some renovations. When we were first approached, the homeowner was simply interested in raising the floor level of the living room. In the original design, there were three steps down from the entry followed by five steps up to the main kitchen and dining level. The homeowners also expressed an interest in updating their kitchen in the future. After some initial conversations, we agreed that it only made sense to tackle the living room as part of a full renovation that included a new kitchen, new flooring coverings, new stair railings, and other miscellaneous improvements throughout.
The living room floor was raised by 18” and the kitchen and dining level stairs were relocated to create a more direct connection between the two spaces. The area that previously housed the stairs was converted to a large storage closet near the front entry. Because of the configuration of the windows in the townhome, it was important to get any natural light to reach into the spaces as much as possible. Openings between the two levels and around the staircase to the upper level were enlarged, and sleek stainless steel cable railings were installed to create more open spaces.
The kitchen itself needed a complete renovation too. The big box store cabinets, laminate countertops, poor lighting, and awkward layout were its biggest challenges. The galley layout was the right approach, but storage was difficult, and access to the refrigerator and the range was not ideal. The new layout eliminated some poorly configured storage and moved the storage to the opposite end of the kitchen inside a nicely appointed walk-in pantry. The cooktop and oven were relocated from a tight corner to front and center of the new peninsula, allowing guests and the cook to connect. The custom, enameled cabinetry and display shelving freshened up the space while showcasing the homeowners’ collections of keepsakes. Special attention was given to lighting as the kitchen itself has no direct natural light.
The rest of the main floor was updated with new flooring, fresh paint, new trim, and a pocket door to the powder room. A pop of bold wallpaper in the powder room, new hardware, and new light fixtures finish off the renovation. This residence now stands alone as the freshest and brightest in its row of twelve townhome units.
