While fashion finds, fitness tips and beauty products are often the focus of the photos in Katey Haines blog posts, her dated kitchen is not. Katey lives in a 35-year-old Dublin home with her husband and three children. It’s from this space that she creates much of the content for Two Peas in a Blog, an Instagram account with nearly 200,000 followers, she produces with her twin sister Betsy, who lives in North Carolina.
Other rooms in her home have been the backdrop for many of the posted photos, but Katey has carefully avoided using her kitchen—which doesn’t reflect her style—until now. After living in the home for 17 years, Katey is ready to tackle a major kitchen renovation and she is taking Housetrends readers along for the ride.
In this article, the first of a three-part series, Katey and her remodeling team at Dave Fox Design-Build Remodelers take us through the process of a comprehensive kitchen remodel. Construction began in June and is set to wrap up in the fall. We’ll follow along, starting with the planning stage and speak with Katey, along with design consultant/sales director Steve Dempsey and interior design manager Michelle Mixter.
HT: Katey, what didn’t you like about your current kitchen?
KH: The overall layout was functional. I loved the big island space. But the aesthetics— like the floral tile countertops—were dated. Plus, all the wood cabinetry made it feel heavy and dark.
HT: What do you want in your new kitchen?
KH: Basically, we want it bigger and brighter. By opening up one wall, we will gain a lot of extra space and bring in much more light. Plus, I love that we are going to have two islands. We’ve never had an island where friends can sit and gather and our kids can talk with us while we prepare meals.
HT: Steve, how difficult was it to remove the wall?
SD: We were fortunate that the wall was not structural. However, by taking walls down, we can run into other challenges with relocating existing mechanicals.
HT: How has the pandemic and current remodeling environment— with global shortages and logistical issues—affected this project?
SD: Beginning a design process via Zoom meetings is challenging, but we were able to make all material selections in person. In general, lead times for products are extended—especially some appliances— but we’re able to make accommodations and get the products our clients ask for. Being the size firm we are, we have the facilities in place to store materials and products in bulk, which has been key.
HT: Michelle, was there a particular starting point when it came to the overall design of the space?
MM: By embracing the angles of the existing home, we were able to design a new plan that made the angles purposeful.
HT: What drove your decisions regarding material selection?
MM: The countertop selection solidified the final cabinet colors. Using multiple colors in a single space can become overwhelming, but here, multiple colors create a calming environment allowing a few accent pieces to become highlights in the space.
In our next issue of Housetrends, we’ll check in with Katey and her team and let you know what it’s like living through a kitchen renovation while working from home and raising three children. In the meantime, follow along on Instagram @davefoxdesignbuild and @twopeasinablog.
RESOURCES
Dave Fox Design-Build Remodelers,
Interior Design Manager: Michelle Mixter, CKBD, Allied ASID; Design Consultant/Sales Director: Steve Dempsey
Countertops: Midwest Quartz
Cabinets: Omega Cabinets
Appliances: Wolf/Sub-Zero
Faucets and sink: Ferguson
Backsplash tile: Hamilton Parker
Photography: CT Photo Memories
And the winners are…
Take a look at the selections for Katey’s new kitchen!
