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Home Remodeling Pewaukee - Kitchen – Bar – Laundry
Project Details

Project Year: 2015

Location: Pewaukee

Updates Included: Remodel

Rooms:

Kitchen, bar, laundry, living room

Features: 

  • Expanded kitchen with a larger island, peninsula seating, and a dedicated coffee station

     

  • Dedicated pub space designed for entertaining and watching sporting events

     

  • Laundry and crafts room with added counter space and wall storage

     

  • Diamond white cabinetry paired with a stained alder island for contrast and warmth

     

  • Custom built-in cabinetry and stained glass details that add character to the bar

A First Floor Designed to Bring People Together

The homeowners loved hosting, but the first floor no longer supported the way they lived. The kitchen felt dated and cramped. Storage was underused, and the laundry room lacked function and flow. Disconnected spaces added unnecessary stress to everyday routines.

They envisioned a home that felt open, comfortable, and inviting, especially on weekends with guests. This remodel restored connection and ease, creating a first floor that supports daily life and effortless entertaining.

Reworking the First Floor Around How Life Actually Happens

Function was central to this transformation. The former laundry room was reimagined as a dedicated pub space, inspired by the homeowners’ lake home and designed for casual entertaining and game-day gatherings. Removing an adjacent eight foot closet opened the pub to the living room, improving circulation and creating a shared gathering zone.

The kitchen was extended eighteen inches into the family room, allowing for a larger island, a peninsula with seating for four, and additional storage. An underutilized area was converted into a spacious laundry and crafts room, complete with generous counter space and wall storage for projects, organization, and gift wrapping.

Spacious modern kitchen with granite countertops, bar stools, stainless steel appliances, and a central island. Opens into a cozy living room.

A Layout That Supports Both the Crowd and the Everyday

Years of past remodels had left the home without a cohesive identity. This project restored balance through thoughtful craftsmanship and material selection. Diamond white cabinetry is paired with a stained alder island, creating contrast while maintaining a timeless, traditional feel.

In the living room, oversized columns were replaced with smaller square columns detailed with refined trim, bringing architectural consistency throughout the space. The bar features stained glass window panes that add character, while built-in cabinetry set within stud cavities maximizes storage without disrupting the open layout.

Details That Gave the Home Its Identity Back

Thoughtful planning and innovation helped reconnect the home. LED lighting was carefully integrated to highlight tilework, countertops, and cabinetry, adding warmth and visibility without overwhelming the design. Reconfiguring the laundry, closet, and living areas into an open, connected layout required precision and coordination.

Addressing inconsistencies from earlier remodels meant removing compromised elements and rebuilding with intention. New paint colors, cabinetry finishes, and refined details now create a seamless flow that feels natural, cohesive, and built to last.

From Start to Finish

Before

  • The original kitchen featured a mix of dated tile finishes and dark granite countertops that absorbed light and weighed down the space.
  • The island felt awkwardly placed and undersized, offering limited seating and little room for gathering or food preparation.
  • Storage and work surfaces were insufficient for a large family, making both everyday use and entertaining more challenging than necessary.
Modern kitchen with wooden cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and a kitchen island. Three chairs at a bar counter, tiled and wooden floors.
Before
Spacious modern kitchen with granite countertops, bar stools, stainless steel appliances, and a central island. Opens into a cozy living room.
After

After

  • The remodeled kitchen introduces a balanced mix of materials, pairing White Dove perimeter cabinetry with a stained alder island finished in Mocha Lite.
  • The island and peninsula were expanded to provide generous prep space and seating, creating a natural gathering area that connects seamlessly to the surrounding rooms.
  • Integrated LED under cabinet and in cabinet lighting enhances visibility while highlighting the cabinetry and tilework throughout the kitchen.
  • Serenity granite perimeter countertops bring natural movement and texture, while the HanStone engineered quartz island top offers durability for everyday use.

Before

  • The nook along the hallway functioned as an in-between space with no clear purpose or visual identity.
  • Dated tile finishes and exposed transitions disrupted the clean, cohesive look the homeowners wanted for the first floor.
  • The area offered no meaningful storage or display opportunities, leaving children’s artwork and travel mementos without a dedicated place in the home.

After

  • The hallway nook was reimagined as a built-in display and storage feature that adds both architectural detail and function to the circulation space.
  • Custom cabinetry provides concealed storage below, while open glass shelving creates a dedicated place to showcase the family’s artwork and collected memories.
  • Integrated LED recessed lighting highlights each shelf, allowing the display to remain visible and warm in the evening hours without overpowering the surrounding spaces.
  • The finished nook now feels intentional and refined, transforming what was once a pass-through into a quiet moment of personality within the home.
A cozy interior features wooden flooring, modern decor, and a small dog walking down the hallway, with light filtering through.
Before
A cozy living space features a decorative shelf with colorful pottery, art pieces, and sculptures, alongside a wooden table and lamp.
After

Before

  • The living room was visually closed off, limiting connection to adjacent spaces and reducing overall flow.
  • A solid wall separated the living area from what would later become a gathering space, making entertaining feel segmented.
  • Circulation between rooms felt indirect, with no clear relationship between seating areas and secondary spaces.
  • The room lacked architectural features that tied it meaningfully to the rest of the first floor.
Cozy living room with orange accent wall, beige sofa, decorative pillows, ceiling fan, and window. Coffee table displays decor items and tissues.
Before
A cozy home bar features stained glass windows, brown cabinetry, wine fridge, and Green Bay Packers helmets, viewed from a living room with plush seating.
After
Cozy home bar with wooden stools, a stocked fridge, and wall art. Television and plants visible in adjacent room.
After

After

  • The living room wall was opened to create a stronger connection between the pub area and the main living space, improving flow for entertaining.
  • Custom stained glass windows introduce an old world pub character, reflecting the homeowners’ vision for the space.
  • The stud cavities were utilized for glass storage while proper refrigeration units kept all beer and wine organized and easily accessible.
  • New columns and beam matched the existing family room for continuity.
  • The bar design was inspired by a pub table the homeowners already owned, grounding the space in familiarity and personal meaning.

Before

  • The original laundry space was compact, with limited clearance around the appliances and minimal room to work comfortably.
  • Storage was confined to a small upper cabinet, leaving no dedicated surface for folding, sorting, or organizing.
  • The space felt isolated and purely utilitarian, disconnected from the design language of the remodeled first floor.
Laundry room with a washer, dryer, stacked towels, beige cabinets above, and floral-patterned rug. Ceiling light provides soft illumination.
Before
Laundry room with white cabinets, washer, dryer, shelves holding baskets and detergent. Marble countertops and wood-look flooring create a clean, organized space.
After

After

  • The laundry room was expanded into a generous, well-organized workspace that supports both daily use and occasional projects.
  • Long quartz countertops provide ample surface area for folding, crafts, and gift wrapping, while deep drawers offer accessible storage below.
  • A new utility sink and open shelving improve functionality while keeping frequently used items within easy reach.
When your home supports how you gather and live, everything feels easier. Let’s start designing that space together.
Outcome & Client Impact

This first-floor remodel transformed how the homeowners experience their home every day. What once felt fragmented and inefficient is now open, connected, and inviting, with spaces that support both lively gatherings and quiet moments at home.

The new kitchen, pub space, and laundry work together seamlessly, making hosting easier and daily routines more enjoyable. By restoring flow, character, and functionality, this remodel gave the home a renewed sense of purpose and a layout that truly reflects how the homeowners live and entertain today.

Spacious modern kitchen with granite countertops, wooden bar stools, pendant lighting, large fridge, and greenery outside window. Bright, organized, and inviting space.
Spacious modern kitchen with large island, pendant lights, and view of dining area and lake. Bright, airy design with white cabinetry.
A cozy home bar with wooden furniture, stained glass windows, and a well-stocked shelf, featuring a Green Bay Packers helmet for decoration.
Cozy home bar features wooden furnishings, a small fridge, sports decor, and plants. Adjacent living area with a television and natural lighting.
A cozy interior features a white built-in bookshelf displaying colorful vases and art pieces, near a wooden table with a decorative lamp.
A modern laundry room with a washer, dryer, white cabinets, and countertops. Shelves above hold cleaning supplies and baskets.

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.
Spacious, modern kitchen with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, wooden stools, and island. Open layout leads to the cozy living room area.

Dream Big. We’ll Handle the Rest.