It takes a talented team of experts like Acclaim Renovations & Design to take on transformations like this one

By Patricia Nugent

In 1836, famous architect Louis Sullivan coined the phrase “form should follow function.”

The busy Travers family of four reached out to Acclaim Renovations & Design to reimagine the form and function of the kitchen in their 2003 Colonial. Though the room was large, it suffered from a serious lack of storage space and dining space. An awkwardly positioned peninsula didn’t offer much seating room.

“Our main goal was really to max out the functionality of their kitchen,” says Acclaim designer Leigha Secue, who collaborated with designer Colleen Primm on this job. “We pulled out the short, builder-grade cabinets and installed beautiful white Shaker-style ones that run all the way to the ceiling. And we replaced the peninsula with a large pantry cabinet.”

The massive 4-by-8-foot island is its own stroke of masterful space reconfiguration. Open on one end, it provides a perfect square overhang seating area for the family of four to enjoy meals and play games together facing each other as they would at a kitchen table. It also provides ample storage accessible on both sides.

“We replaced their old pantry closet with a built-in cabinet with rollout trays to further maximize the possibilities,” she adds. “In the end, we were able to accomplish a transformation of living space without taking any walls down or changing the footprint.”

Pulling it all Together
Since the kitchen opens onto a spacious family room, Leigha and Colleen picked up design elements to tie everything together through a new fireplace surround.

“We used the same classic white subway tile, along with an accent of distressed wood for the mantle,” she says. “The same material for the countertops—a warm white Calacatta Valentin quartz—looked perfect on the fireplace hearth.

And to create a unified flow, we installed beautiful hardwood flooring throughout the first floor.”

To modernize the feel in this renovation, they got rid of dated oak trim, stair rail and baseboards with painted white pine.

Everywhere your eye lands in this new kitchen, there’s something amazing. For instance, tucked away under the open end of the island, the designers chose to install hand-scraped distressed wood shiplap.

And on-trend large industrial bronze drum lights over the island tie the modern farmhouse feeling together.

In addition to the kitchen transformation, new fireplace hearth and new flooring throughout the first floor, the family opted to do a staircase makeover, too.

“We took out their dated oak wood spindles and replaced them with wrought iron ones for a more upscale look,” says VP Chris Michalekes. “Then we custom-stained the new pieces to match their new flooring.”

The stainless-steel sculptural range hood provides a nice focal point and matches the 33-inch stainless farm sink and matte black Delta faucet beautifully. And running the shimmery white 3-by-6-inch subway tile backsplash all the way to the ceiling behind the hood visually expands the space.

Treating the Medallion cabinetry in the island to a darker shade of earthy brown called Lancaster-French Roast makes it pop against the white perimeter cabinets in White Icing and makes it feel more like a kitchen table.

Once the family became enmeshed in the kitchen renovation, it became clear there were other pain points to address, such as a dated laundry room and powder room.

“The family had been battling the tile flooring in their laundry room since moving into the house,” says Leigha. “Due to poor installation, the floor broke in multiple areas from everyday use. We replaced it with a fun and modern hexagon-shaped Virginia Tile floor tile complemented by charcoal gray grout throughout their laundry room and powder room.”

Meet the Team
Bringing home renovation to new heights, the team at Acclaim is always growing, adding talented designers, managers and installers.

Led by COO Bob Potocar, who has 20-plus years in the home remodeling industry, the day-to-day jobs are overseen by President Mike Pirc, who brings 31 years of experience in the local remodeling industry to the firm, and Chris Michalekes, who has over 20 years in the industry.

Heading up the administrative and client relations side of the business is Mari Stone, who has nearly 30 years in the construction industry.

Bill Lydic is the field supervisor, whose sharp eye for detail misses nothing. As bookkeeper, Renee Dawson makes sure the financial side of Acclaim is running smoothly.

And interior designers Leigha Secue and Lisa Eldridge possess the expertise to conjure beautiful and functional spaces that homeowners adore.

The staff shares a set of values centered on always treating the client’s home like it is their own.

Acclaim Renovations & Design is located at 8550 East Avenue in Mentor. The design-build firm has won numerous industry awards. Call 440-974-8082 or visit AcclaimReno.com.