19 Jul 2015 Remodel offers 'light, airy feel' in kitchen

by RaeLynn Callaway
Mike Kemp photos

In honor of back to school, I wanted to feature a kitchen remodel done in Little Rock this year for Sandra and Dr. John Cone.

Sandra has her master’s in art history and is a part time instructor in art appreciation at the University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton.

“Back to school meant exciting learning opportunities and catching up with friends after a long summer,” Sandra said. “It’s no surprise that I have a passion for education and teaching. I enjoy teaching in all areas — introducing art and art history to college students, humane education for the HSPC and art at my church as it relates to our faith and church history.”

When Sandra called, she was very specific to her wants for a kitchen/laundry remodel. Original to the 80s home, the kitchen had dark cabinets with dated wallpaper and dark floors. The laundry closet was off the rear entrance, which now, due to a steep front entrance, has become their main entrance. “My main goals were to update the kitchen, removing dated wallpaper and cabinets, bring in more light with better overhead lighting and replace the dark flooring,” Sandra said. “For the laundry room I wanted to move that into the walk-in pantry (off the kitchen) and have the back entrance become a place to welcome guests and friends into our home.”

And so I began drawing plans for the remodel. With the help of David Elms, the Cones got everything they wanted. “One of my favorite things (about the remodel) was working with David and RaeLynn,” Sandra said. “Both took the time to discover what I wanted and to understand my tastes from the very beginning of the project. Never was a suggestion made that did not reflect the style and ambiance John and I were seeking. Long after the dust and disturbance of a major remodel ended, detail upon detail in our new kitchen, laundry and entry area continue to delight us.”

In the kitchen, we used cool walls yet a warm stain on the cabinets. The stainless appliances along with the cream porcelain floor tile, with both cool and warm tones, and the glass back splash pull the overall feel together.

“I love the light, airy feel of the kitchen,” Sandra said. “Storage is everywhere in this kitchen and laundry remodel. It is so much easier to keep the kitchen organized and clear of clutter. My laundry room is extremely functional with better storage than the old pantry ever had. I can now greet my friends, family and guests in a welcoming entryway, not a laundry room doing double duty as a foyer.”