We are thrilled to announce that ReCraft has won the 2026 Remodeler of the Year Regional Award in the Residential Interior $100-$250K category, and we couldn’t be prouder of this innovative project!
See this incredible remodel up close and personal during the 2026 NARI Pacific NW Portland Remodeled Homes Tour! ReCraft is once again participating by showcasing our award-winning residential interior remodel featured in this post.
Mark your calendar for Saturday, March 14th and join us between 9am – 6pm PT to tour this home for yourself. Meet the skilled team who brought our clients’ vision to life, ask us questions, and get inspiration for your own dream home remodel!
And if you CLICK THIS LINK, you’ll get a $10 discount off your tickets for the Homes Tour!
The Story
The owners of this 1922 bungalow were frustrated with a kitchen that seemed to be falling apart at the seams. The layout was disjointed, lacking functional storage and counter space, while the finishes were failing, and only half of the lights were operational.
The back mudroom felt cold and dingy, and the back entry nook had become a makeshift greenhouse due to its awkward dimensions. Avid cooks and enthusiastic entertainers, the owners dreamed of a space that could seamlessly support both busy weeknight family meals and summer gatherings with guests. Incorporating a main-floor laundry room was also high on their wish list.
The Before
The Vision
We went to work bringing their vision to life, building a dream kitchen and laundry for this family of four. By removing the wall between the mudroom and back entry, the team expanded the kitchen while converting the mudroom into a bright, organized laundry room.
A new exposed beam, wrapped in cherry veneer, carries the load while adding warmth and visual interest. Natural light was paramount, addressed with full-lite glass doors at both the laundry and back entry, complemented by a tapered skylight that draws light from above.
A large, family-friendly island provides abundant storage, a generous quartz countertop, wrap-around seating, and elegant corbels. Top-of-the-line appliances, including a beverage center, line the perimeter, while extensive countertop space provides a thoughtful and functional workspace for the most ambitious chef.
The Details
Lower cabinets painted in a rich PNW evergreen contrast the warmth of new oak hardwood floors, while white upper cabinets and a custom wood hood blend seamlessly with the walls, ceiling, and trim, keeping the kitchen bright even on the cloudiest days. Aesthetically, this kitchen is a sight for sore eyes and is sure to invoke kitchen envy amongst all guests.
This remodel layers light and texture for a bright, cohesive space. Natural light from new windows and a skylight blends with recessed cans and pendants to create warmth and depth.
A Servery window at the sink hinges open in summer, becoming a pass-through to the outdoors, while new French doors extend the connection to the backyard.
Repetition and continuity define the design. 2×10 white gloss ceramic tile provides a clean, rhythmic backdrop, and Benjamin Moore’s White Dove unifies the walls, trim, upper cabinets, and ceiling. The result is a kitchen that feels fresh and inviting year-round.
Walls between the mudroom, back entry, and kitchen were removed to create an open, connected layout. With varying ceiling heights, careful adjustments were made to achieve a consistent, level plane.
A new structural beam, wrapped in cherry veneer plywood with precise grain matching, showcases craftsmanship and attention to detail, appearing as one seamless element that anchors the space.
Function was a key priority in this remodel. The sink, previously positioned in the entry and blocking traffic, was relocated to the back wall to keep the workspace clear.
Floor-to-ceiling custom cabinetry offers ample storage, while the island organizes movement for effortless circulation.
The refrigerator and beverage center sit at the back, surrounded by pantry storage so kids can grab snacks and drinks without disrupting meal prep. The island provides generous space for cooking, baking, and homework.
Thoughtful storage solutions make everyday use more efficient. Wooden pantry pull-outs keep dry goods organized, while a spice pull-out keeps essentials within easy reach.
A double trash and recycling pull-out streamlines cleanup, and a built-in charging drawer keeps devices tucked away and powered up. An appliance garage conceals small appliances, maintaining clean, uncluttered counters.
A custom wood hood finally offers adequate ventilation for all the home cooking this family enjoys. Vented straight to the outdoors, it’s as efficient as one could hope.
The laundry, just a step away, makes quick work of disposing of soiled kitchen towels.
The kitchen island includes a recessed space for the microwave, freeing up room for other high-end appliances. The island quartz countertop coordinates with the perimeter of the kitchen, creating endless landing space and a cohesive look while providing easy-to-clean durability. Kudos to the countertop fabricators for the stellar vein matching around the perimeter.
The back entry French doors intentionally align with a frosted glass door into the laundry and full-lite exterior door, allowing natural light to filter entirely through the space. The layout improves accessibility, and the frosted glass keeps laundry out of view when entertaining.
Earthy green hex floor tile reflects the home’s age and character, and the cabinets provide mudroom storage for cleaning supplies and essentials. Wall hooks keep dog leashes and coats easily accessible.
The mud room, once nonconditioned, cold, and dingy with a dramatically sloping floor, is now a warm, inviting, and functional laundry space. The homeowners are over the moon to no longer be doing laundry in a dark, unfinished basement.
The Obstacles
- During demolition, we discovered that the back exterior wall was missing a bottom plate & was only adhered with spray foam. We took the necessary time to rebuild and reframe the wall, ensuring the home was safe and structurally sound. Naturally, this unexpected issue affected both our schedule and budget, but the client was kept fully informed and understood that such contingencies can arise during renovation work.
- We were determined to add a skylight at the back of the house. This goal proved challenging due to the existing roofline, hip roof configuration, and placement of the beams. To push us even further, we also wanted the skylight to be tapered for maximum natural light. Achieving this required numerous mock-ups to determine how it could be built and to help the client visualize the final result. The effort was absolutely worthwhile; everyone was thrilled with how it turned out.
- As with many homes, the ceiling and walls were both out of square. This required extra preparation and precise measuring to ensure that the cabinetry fit perfectly and that all the rooms felt cohesive once completed.
- Midway through construction, the client chose to leave the main structural beam exposed. Since the existing beam wasn’t of an aesthetic grade, we decided to wrap it in cherry veneer for a more refined look, which delighted the client. Because the veneer was only available in 12-foot lengths while the beam spanned a much greater distance, our craftsmen took special care to grain-match and fill the joints to conceal the break in the plywood. The result was beautiful, but not without effort.
- Finally, setting the massive island countertop slab required tremendous coordination and manpower to maneuver it safely into place without damaging anything in its path.
The Result
We were super pumped to work on this project, with its innovative and thoughtful design elements incorporated throughout. And the homeowners are forever grateful for the way in which their stunning new kitchen and laundry remodel will improve their lives.
Did this inspire some home dreams of your own? Let’s get started – reach out to us here at ReCraft today!