A kitchen rebirth: Here’s how Guhde Flooring America curated modern finds to create dazzle at every turn

By Patricia Nugent

When it comes to trends in kitchen renovation in Cleveland this spring, blue is the new gray and matte is having a moment.

I caught up with the folks at Guhde Flooring America to get a pulse on what homeowners are opting for in innovative kitchen design.

Within their new flooring and home design studio at The Platinum Center in Mentor, the creative team showed me samples of products they put together in a smashing recent renovation. They were able to collaborate on the homeowners’ vision of a modern update.

“In most of the renovations we have been doing this year, homeowners are taking chances and making daring decisions,” says Sales Manager Shawn Rosa. “Everyone wants to reimagine their space instead of just replacing the flooring, counters and cabinetry. They enjoy thinking outside the box.”

Stuck in the ‘90s
Built in 1998, the original kitchen, seen here, was definitely stuck in the ‘90s, with hunter green wallpaper, dark green countertops, white cabinets and oak-look laminate floors.

“Although the family did not change the footprint of the space, installing beautiful new white Wolf Designer cabinets on the top going all the way to the ceiling and capping them with crown molding made the space seem much larger and more open while also adding storage,” says Office Manager Monica Guhde-Rosa. “On the bottom cabinets, we color-matched the perfect shade of deep navy blue they wanted. Barely-there baby blue walls complemented them nicely.”

To further open up the room visually, when they replaced the cabinets, instead of a raised breakfast bar, Guhde kept it all one level and extended the counter.

They built cabinetry around the dishwasher, which is next to the sink, for a streamlined and cohesive look. A unique mix of knobs and pulls adds the finishing touch.

When it comes to flooring, Shawn points out that they’ve been seeing wider and longer wood-look planks, as you see in this renovation, with Shaw luxury vinyl plank.

“Matte surfaces are in style, and what you see here is matte counters, a matte sink and matte flooring,” says Monica.

Making a Statement
Lighting was where this family really took things outside the box. They opted for wavy glass orb chandeliers in a complementary shade of teal over the breakfast bar, and for the main overhead fixture, chose a thoroughly modern LED style that lends the appearance of flattened disks of light in different scattered sizes. It plays off the roundness in the Palladian windows while adding a focal point to anchor the room. Over the kitchen table, they replaced an old-fashioned nickel fixture with a ceiling fan and light with sculptured stainless blades.

The family also went all out on the new sink, deciding on a lively cobalt blue Elkay quartz composite for a luxurious look and indestructibility. A sleek single gooseneck faucet adds minimalist, contemporary flair.

Cambria countertops provide a modern look, with subtle, marble-like veining.

A Bespoke Design Experience
Earlier this year, the Guhde family moved to fabulous new digs on the terrace level of the Platinum Center in Mentor, while their main location in Painesville Township undergoes its own transformation.

“Our clients love the one-on-one, by-appointment shopping experience,” says Monica. “With all the new displays and innovative design tables, we’ve curated our selections to represent the best of the best-selling styles. It seems larger and less cluttered.”

Guhde Flooring America is temporarily located on the terrace level of the Platinum Center, at 7200 Center Street in Mentor. Call 440-639-1990 for an appointment or visit GuhdeFlooringAmerica.com for more information.