From Kitchen to Baths, This Whole Home Renovation Has It All

When Anthony and Mireia moved into their Belmont home in 2007, they had vague ideas of a renovation sometime “in the future.” But it wasn’t until 2021 that their plans kicked into high gear after a couple of false starts. With a possible design in hand, they got in touch with Scott Blain and the Custom Contracting team and soon they were coming up with more design ideas to create a home they would LOVE for years to come.

The planning started in the kitchen. Originally the kitchen was partially separated from the living room by a wall that awkwardly bisected the space. There was a pass-through to storage cabinets and a countertop in the living room, but which made no sense from a design standpoint.

The wall between the living room and kitchen had a wide opening as well as a pass through, but the kitchen was still too small and closed off.
Before. The original kitchen lacked sufficient counterspace and storage.

Today, the wall has been removed and the new, open-concept kitchen and living room makes it seem as though the homeowners are living in a completely different house. Fresh new Bertch cabinets provide tons of storage and have a striking “ebony” finish. The backsplash is a gorgeous blue porcelain 3” by 12” tile. Plus, there are plenty of features here for the home chef: a Miele warming drawer, steam oven, hood and range that features a built in griddle, as well as a 42” SubZero refrigerator/freezer.


In addition to the dining table, two counter-height stools offer casual seating as well.

After working with our in-house designer and exploring the possibilities, the idea to create combination island with built-in dining came about. The spot is perfect for casual, family dining, but it also provides a great opportunity for the homeowners’ young child to stand on the banquette to reach the counters and help mom and dad make dinner! In the end, this is perhaps one of the most unique islands we’ve ever built. With casual seating, plenty of counter space, storage cabinets, a sink with a pull-down Moen faucet, and a built-in dishwasher, this island really has it all. Oh, and did we mention the pop-up power outlet?

New floors create a cohesive space.
Kitchen islands are required by code to have power outlets built in. This one pops up when needed!

Along one wall of the new kitchen is a new wet bar complete with beverage chiller, wine rack, prep sink and… a doggy watering station! The homeowners’ four-legged family member was not forgotten during the renovation. Mireia reports that their dog is a VERY messy drinker – splashing water all over the kitchen floor. The solution? A built-in “doggy fountain” with its own faucet and drain!

The doggy fountain features a curb and built-in drain (like a mini shower stall) and contains all the water a sloppy dog could slurp.
“Sloppy? Who, me???”

Of course, the renovations naturally included the living room adjacent to the kitchen. The focal point of the room was always the fireplace, but today the fireplace really shines. It has been refaced with stone tile and built-in cabinets added on either side.

The original fireplace.
So. Much. Storage! The new fireplace area now features built-in cabinets that match the kitchen.

Next up on the major project list were the bathrooms. Both the shared family bathroom and primary bathrooms received massive makeovers. Starting with the family bathroom, Anthony and Mireia chose gorgeous patterned tile as the focal point. “We love earth tones, so even though the pattern is a little bold, we love that the colors are soothing,” explains Mireia.

The original family bathroom.
There are two matte black faucets, but one longer, “incline” style sink from MTI Baths for a modern touch.
The combination tub/shower includes a hand-held spray to make bathing kids and dogs easier.

Next up was the Mireia and Anthony’s primary ensuite bathroom. The original bathroom did not have a good layout. Today, the room feels larger with a walk-in, curb-less shower. Hexagonal  8.5” matte tiles in shades of grey provide a beautiful focal point on the back wall of the shower. The raised rectangular sink pairs perfectly with the shower and floor tile.

The original primary bathroom had a “teeny tiny shower cave.”
The Bertch cabinets are cherry wood with a natural finish.
Other upgrades to the home included new stair treads to match the new floors, new French doors off the entryway, and a sleek cable rail system.

This home renovation is a classic example of the idea that “when you love where you live, it’s better to renovate than to move.” Not only will the family love this home for years to come, they’ve added a lot of value to their home. “We love it!” says Mireia. “Functionally it’s amazing and we’re really happy with how our home looks today!”