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Whole-Home Remodeling Waukesha: Kitchen, Bath, Laundry & Living Spaces
Project Details

Project Year: 2021

Location: Waukesha

Updates Included: Remodel

Rooms: Kitchen, Bath & Living Room

Features: 

  • 13’7” quartz island with seamless surface and walnut butcher block extension
  • Custom glass and metal mesh cabinetry for elegance and practicality
  • Floor-to-ceiling wainscoting and integrated storage
  • French blue herringbone tile backsplash continuing behind open cabinetry
  • Travertine fireplace with warm, modern appeal

A Remodel That Honors History and Embraces Modern Living

This Waukesha home was truly one of a kind, complete with a grand hallway and ballroom once used for dancing. The challenge? To remodel the first floor without disturbing these architectural treasures. The homeowners envisioned a brighter, more open layout that reflected the elegance of the original design while meeting the flow of modern family life.

Preserving Character While Creating Connection

The kitchen and dinette were once separated by dark, paneled walls and a fluorescent tray ceiling that closed off the space. By removing multiple walls between the kitchen, family room, and dining areas, we created an open concept that brings light and life to the heart of the home.

Now, a large central island anchors the main level, offering a perfect space for cooking, entertaining, and gathering. The new design accommodates the homeowners’ love of hosting parties and family events, while maintaining the historical integrity of the ballroom and grand hall that define the home’s character.

Modern kitchen featuring a long marble island, wooden stools, pendant lighting, and large windows. A fruit bowl decorates the countertop.

Blending Elegance With Innovation

Every detail of this remodel was designed to bridge the past and present. Brass accents in lighting, hardware, and the range hood add warmth and grandeur, while black Seville cabinetry brings depth and drama. A soft French blue herringbone backsplash adds color and personality, carried into the breezeway with floor-to-ceiling wainscoting for a cohesive finish.

The travertine fireplace transforms the family room with a lighter, more refined look, contrasting beautifully against the original dark stone. In the powder room, hand-painted wallpaper inspired by the clients’ Florida roots introduces an unexpected touch of whimsy and color.

Craftsmanship and Technical Mastery

This remodel showcases precision and purpose at every turn. Custom glass and metal mesh cabinet doors, full-height wainscoting, and a six-inch-thick walnut butcher block countertop demonstrate both artistry and skill.

The 13-foot island features a single quartz slab without seams, paired with a custom walnut extension that aligns perfectly in edge and finish. Pocket doors in the breezeway and a distinctive white bifold door at the family room improve flow while maintaining privacy. Gold mesh inserts in the built-in cabinetry add a refined, practical touch that keeps family essentials within easy reach yet neatly concealed.

From Start to Finish

Before

  • The original kitchen, stuck in the 1980s, was dark and enclosed by paneled walls and outdated fluorescent lighting.
  • Aged cabinetry, yellowed lenses, and old electrical and plumbing systems made the space feel tired and out of sync with the rest of the home’s grandeur.
  • The layout limited flow between the dinette and family room, creating a compartmentalized feel that didn’t match the open elegance of the ballroom and “grand” hallway.
A modern kitchen with white cabinets, black appliances, and wooden flooring opens into a cozy living room with bookshelves and a rug.
Before

After

  • Walls were removed to create a stunning open-concept kitchen, centered around a 13’7” island with seamless quartz and a walnut butcher block extension.
  • A full-height French blue herringbone backsplash brings color and personality, framed by custom black Seville cabinetry with glass ellipse doors.
  • Brass accents in lighting, hardware, and the custom range hood add warmth and sophistication, while layered lighting, from pendants to sconces, illuminates every detail.
  • Updated electrical and plumbing systems now meet modern standards, supporting both form and function in a kitchen built to entertain.
Modern kitchen with stainless steel appliances, black cabinets, gold accents, and a marble island. Bowl of fruit adds a fresh touch.
After

Before

  • The dining room’s dividing wall and dark wood paneling made the space feel confined and disconnected from the rest of the home.
  • An interior patio door that opened into the “grand” hallway limited usable wall space and disrupted the flow of the design.

After

  • Removing the dining wall created a bright, open concept that connects the kitchen, dining, and living areas for seamless entertaining.
  • Black and gold finishes bring timeless sophistication, echoing the home’s classic grandeur.
  • The expansive layout, anchored by Quartz Liberty Calacatta countertops, provides both style and everyday durability. It’s the perfect foundation for a home built to host.
Wood-paneled dining room with round table, statues, and glass cabinet. Large window reveals garden view with statues outside. Elegant ambiance.
Before
Modern kitchen with black cabinets, brass accents, white countertops, island with seating, pendant lights, and large stove. Contemporary design with wooden flooring.
After

Before

  • The old cobblestone fireplace and dark wood paneling made the space feel heavy and dated.
  • The room’s natural light was lost amid dark finishes and segmented design.

After

  • A modern travertine fireplace mantel becomes the new centerpiece, replacing the rustic stone with understated elegance.
  • 14-foot vaulted ceilings with painted white beams create height, balance, and brightness.
  • The medium brown finished floors, seamlessly woven throughout the first floor, bring warmth and visual continuity.
  • Replacing the dark paneling with smooth drywall opened up the space, giving it a fresh, airy, and inviting look perfect for gathering and relaxation.
Cozy living room with a stone fireplace, wooden beams, leather furniture, stylish decor, large window, elegant rug, and warm lighting.
Before
Bright living room with vaulted ceiling, chandelier, fireplace, cozy seating, and large windows. Wooden floor complements elegant decor and stylish furniture arrangement.
After

Before

  • A steel lintel was installed to reinforce and carry the load of the exterior wall after the original cobblestone fireplace was removed.

After

  • The new travertine stone surround adds a refined focal point, blending modern elegance with classic character.
  • A gas fireplace insert provides warmth and energy efficiency while keeping the space visually clean and inviting.
  • Gold mesh cabinet inserts echo the design language of the kitchen, maintaining cohesion across the first floor and cleverly concealing storage for the family’s everyday living.
Room under renovation with exposed insulation, partially demolished fireplace, broken rock debris, plastic tarp, blue tape, two bins, dolly, and a chandelier.
Before
A tranquil living room features a white fireplace with artwork, plants, and books on the mantel, next to a modern lounger.
After

Before

  • The original kitchen was closed off and mid-renovation, with outdated structure and limited natural light.
  • Window placement and soffits made the space feel confined, while dark finishes absorbed what little light came in.
  • The unfinished space revealed the need for functional upgrades and a design that matched the home’s grand character.

After

  • Two Marvin fixed casement windows were installed flanking the range, drawing in sunlight and providing a view into the Grand Hallway.
  • The new layout highlights the stunning brass range hood, creating symmetry and a focal point that ties the room together.
  • A six-inch walnut butcher block with mitered drop edges brings warmth and craftsmanship, complementing the continuous wood flooring.
  • This reimagined kitchen now blends luxury materials, natural light, and architectural harmony, creating a perfect balance between elegance and everyday function.
A partially renovated room with unfinished walls, construction materials, insulation, and tools scattered around the floor, indicating ongoing work.
Before
Modern kitchen with black cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, wooden island, and pendant lights. Features a stylish hood and plant decoration. Wood flooring.
After

Before

  • Yellowed woodwork and flooring showed the effects of years of wear and sun exposure.
  • Bulky soffits crowded the space, concealing outdated electrical and plumbing that needed to be relocated.
  • The dark appliances and aging finishes lacked the refinement the clients envisioned for their home.

After

  • Custom black Seville cabinetry brings a sophisticated contrast, highlighted by brass hardware and a soft herringbone backsplash.
  • Four illuminated glass ellipse doors create an elegant focal point, showcasing both craftsmanship and character.
  • Paired with modern stainless steel appliances and a walnut butcher block island, the kitchen now blends timeless design with inviting warmth.
Kitchen with wooden floors, black refrigerator with magnets, oven, coffee maker, open shelving with dishes, under-cabinet lighting, and countertop appliances.
Before
After

Before

  • The original powder room featured dated cabinetry, wallpaper, and a pink sink that no longer reflected the home’s updated aesthetic.
  • The tight vanity layout limited movement and made the space feel smaller than it was.

After

  • A Kohler Memoirs pedestal sink replaced the bulky vanity, creating an airy, open feel.
  • Hand-painted tropical wallpaper adds a bold pop of color and a touch of the client’s Florida roots.
  • Adjacent to the powder room, new painted wainscoting and a pocket door tie the hallway to the kitchen, continuing the home’s refined design language.
  • The result is a space that surprises and delights, vibrant, elegant, and perfectly personal.
Before
A bathroom with vibrant tropical wallpaper, pedestal sink, decorative mirror, towel rack, and globe sconces creates a warm, inviting atmosphere.
After

Before

  • The laundry room lacked style and storage, with plain cabinetry and minimal workspace.
  • The adjacent hallway’s red walls and window trim felt dated and disconnected from the home’s new palette.

After

  • The space now features a custom built-in laundry with crisp white cabinetry, printed wallpaper, and a cast iron farmhouse sink, adding charm and character to what was once a dull corner.
  • A cabinet locker system replaced the old hallway window, creating better organization for daily routines.
  • Together, the updated mudroom and laundry now flow seamlessly with the rest of the remodel, blending practicality with personality and warmth.
A mirror reflects a hallway with red walls, wooden floor, and artwork featuring a person. Warm lighting creates a cozy atmosphere.
Before
A modern laundry room features a washing machine, dryer, white cabinets, black sink, patterned wallpaper, and a doorway leading to a vibrant red room.
After

Before

  • The garage hallway had exposed ducts, pipes, and uneven ceiling heights hidden beneath a drop ceiling.
  • The space felt dark and disconnected from the rest of the home’s renewed character.

After

  • During demolition, a complex web of HVAC, gas, and plumbing lines was uncovered. To maintain height and add visual interest.
  • The exposed pipes create a subtle, industrial-inspired look that ties beautifully to the nearby black cabinetry.
  • The kitchen vent was rerouted to achieve a cleaner ceiling profile, and bold new paint colors bring energy and personality to this transitional space.
  • Framed art and warm wood flooring now make this once-forgotten corridor an intentional, stylish part of the home’s design journey.
Narrow hallway with vibrant orange walls and exposed ceiling pipes, leading to an open door. Bright lighting enhances the industrial aesthetic.
Before
A narrow hallway with vibrant red walls features framed black-and-white art and a leopard-patterned rug, under exposed ceiling pipes.
After

Before

  • The “grand” hallway, with its ornate details and chandelier lighting, was the home’s most distinctive architectural feature.
  • Since this space connected directly to the remodeled kitchen and dining areas, maintaining its original integrity was essential.

After

  • The team preserved the hallway’s historic character, carefully replicating its original trim, gold detailing, and decorative elements.
  • When the interior patio door was removed to create a more cohesive flow, new finishes were custom-matched and reinstalled to make the transition seamless.
  • The result is a beautifully unified home where the grandeur of the original design now harmonizes with the fresh, modern updates throughout the first floor.
Elegant interior hallway with ornate columns, gold accents, and chandeliers. White walls are complemented by green wall textures, creating a luxurious atmosphere.
After
Ready to reimagine your home? Let’s create a space that inspires your future.
Outcome & Client Impact

This Waukesha remodel is a true testament to balance, honoring the home’s history while creating spaces that support modern family life. What began as a vision to open up became a celebration of craftsmanship, heritage, and innovation.

The once-compartmentalized layout now flows effortlessly, connecting the heart of the home to its most cherished spaces. Every detail, from brass accents to custom cabinetry, contributes to a design that feels unified, elegant, and unmistakably personal. This remodel honors the past while creating room for new memories

Modern kitchen featuring a gold range hood, marble countertop, dark cabinets, herringbone backsplash, and elegant lighting fixtures, with fruit bowl centerpiece.
M10
Modern kitchen with dark cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and wooden island. Elegant lighting fixtures hang above. Hardwood flooring completes the sleek design.
Decorative bathroom with vibrant tropical wallpaper, a pedestal sink, gold fixtures, and a rectangular mirror. Two lights illuminate the colorful space.
A narrow hallway with vibrant red walls features framed black-and-white art and a leopard-patterned rug, under exposed ceiling pipes.
Elegant interior hallway with ornate columns, gold accents, and chandeliers. White walls are complemented by green wall textures, creating a luxurious atmosphere.
Modern kitchen with black cabinets, gold fixtures, large white island, pendant lights, and wooden floor, featuring a bowl of green apples.
Bright, spacious living room with white walls, wooden floor, elegant fireplace, chandelier, sectional sofa, and a large cabinet. Cozy, modern interior design.
Modern kitchen with black cabinets, brass accents, white countertops, island with seating, pendant lights, and large stove. Contemporary design with wooden flooring.

Dream Big. We’ll Handle the Rest.

S.J. Janis Company stands ready to bring your vision to life with unparalleled expertise and a commitment to excellence. Contact us today to discover how we can turn your dream home into your real home.
Modern kitchen with black cabinets, gold fixtures, large white island, pendant lights, and wooden floor, featuring a bowl of green apples.

Dream Big. We’ll Handle the Rest.