Two Years In: What I'd Absolutely Do Again in Our Remodel (and What I'd Do Differently)

My day job is primarily new construction, but I thought it might be fun to share a few reflections from our own remodel now that we’ve lived with it for two years.

I’ve worked on a lot of remodels throughout my career, and I tend to approach them a little differently than new construction. Remodels usually involve balancing wish lists with existing conditions, budgets, and the reality that one change can quickly snowball into five more if you’re not careful.

In our case, a few of the biggest challenges were ceiling height, available natural lighting, and simply the amount of space we had to work with. But I’ve always believed a well-planned small kitchen can function far better than a poorly planned large one. Challenge accepted.

Opening the Kitchen to the Living Room

This may be my biggest win.

We still have defined spaces, but opening the kitchen to the living room completely changed our day-to-day family life and the way we entertain. Our home instantly felt larger, brighter, and more inviting without adding a single square foot.

We gather differently now. The spaces feel more connected. It simply works better for how our family lives.

Baked-On Cabinet Finish

I would choose this again in a heartbeat.

We used a baked-on painted finish on our kitchen cabinetry from Kitchen Distributors in Fayetteville, and the durability has been incredible. It resists chips, cleans easily with warm water, and has held up beautifully to real life.

The tradeoff? It comes at a significantly higher price point than a traditional painted finish, and you do have to commit to a color. For us, that was completely worth it. I chose a warm white tone that feels classic and keeps our smaller space open and airy.

The Countertop Appliance Cabinet

One of my favorite solutions in the entire remodel.

I didn’t have room for a large butler’s pantry, so I designed a countertop appliance cabinet with retractable doors to house our coffee maker, blender, toaster, air fryer, and microwave.

When we’re cooking, it stays open and hardworking. When we’re entertaining or simply trying to reduce visual clutter, it closes up neatly.

This one solved a lot of problems in a relatively small footprint.

No Built-In Microwave

Like many people designing kitchens, I initially started planning a convection microwave / double oven setup with a separate cooktop.

And then I stopped myself.

I realized I didn’t actually want to see my microwave, and I liked the efficiency and look of a range setup better for our space.

We landed on a GE Café 30" gas range with a smaller upper oven that I use almost daily and a larger lower oven below for holidays, entertaining, and bigger cooking days.

I saved money by not buying a new microwave, gained additional countertop space, and ended up with a setup that functions beautifully for us.

Drawers. Drawers. More Drawers.

Another decision I would absolutely make again.

Large drawer stacks with cutlery dividers, spice storage, and even a built-in knife block have made this kitchen incredibly functional. They keep everything organized, easy to access, and use every inch of available space while reducing clutter on the countertops.

If you’re team drawers, you know.

The Bar Under the Stairs

The bar under our stairs has been another favorite.

Functionally, having an extra beverage fridge along with a place to store wine and cocktail ingredients has been incredibly useful. It also doubles nicely as a hutch for our dining space when needed.

Design-wise, it gave me a chance to bring in a little warmth and drama. I chose a natural white oak stain for the cabinetry and a Serpentine countertop to create contrast against the lighter kitchen finishes. I still love the mix of materials and the way it adds personality to the space.

Adding a Mudroom to the Laundry Room

This has been a sanity saver.

Adding a mudroom element into our laundry room created a true landing place for our family. Everyone has a designated spot along with outlets and USB-C charging access for devices.

Those little everyday details matter more than people realize.

I built the bench seat in white oak rather than paint-grade material to help avoid chipping and scratching. Since I didn’t use a baked finish in the laundry room to help manage costs, that ended up being absolutely the right call.

Taj Mahal Quartzite… and I Don’t Care If It’s “Overused”

I’ve seen designers lately declaring Taj Mahal “overdone.”

I simply don’t care.

I’ve loved this stone since my countertop industry days, and two years later I still do. It has held up beautifully, resists scratching and staining, and remains the perfect natural neutral for our home.

If you genuinely love something, I’m a big believer that trends matter a lot less than people think.

Opening Up the Staircase

This simple change transformed our downstairs.

By pulling back the wall just a few feet, we created more of a foyer feeling in a home that didn’t really have one. It brought in more light and made the entire main level feel more elevated and spacious.

Sometimes small architectural changes make the biggest difference.

Adding a Fireplace and White Oak Bookcases

This is another change I would absolutely make again.

Originally, the only fireplace in our home was in the dining room, which simply isn’t a space we use every day. Adding a fireplace to our living area completely changed the feeling of the room. It made the space feel grounded, cozy, and much more connected to how our family actually lives.

The white oak bookcases surrounding it ended up serving double duty. They house our AV equipment while also giving us a place to display books, collected pieces, and items that are meaningful to our family.

Functional storage disguised as something warm and personal is always a win.

Things I’d Reconsider

Not regrets, just a few lived-in reflections after two years.

Adding a Sink and Ice Maker to the Bar

If I had room, this is one thing I would reconsider.

At the time, I simply didn’t have the space to make it happen easily, so I let it go. Two years later, I definitely notice the extra trips back and forth to the kitchen sink and refrigerator when making cocktails or entertaining.

Not a dealbreaker, but one of those small functional upgrades I would prioritize if I were doing it again.

The Laundry Room Paint Lesson

One of those details most people would never notice, but I do.

Our painters used oil-based paint on the cabinetry and trim and water-based paint on the walls. In lighter colors, this difference rarely shows up. In darker tones? You notice.

Since then, on MPC projects, we’ve adjusted wall formulas to better match the oil-based finish, and problem solved.

Lesson learned. I’m planning to wallpaper the room at some stage, so I can live with it for now.

The Carpet Runner

I would also have selected a slightly different carpet runner.

I don’t necessarily believe every runner needs to be dark, but I do think it should help disguise everyday life a little better than mine does.

I chose a light blue-gray and cream runner because I loved the softness it brought to the space and how it balanced some of the warmer elements in the remodel.

Two years later, I still love the look. But it definitely shows muddy dog paws, kids getting careless, and the occasional coffee spill more than I would prefer.

Thankfully, I’ve managed to remove stains so far, but if I were choosing again, I’d likely select something with a little more pattern or variation to better hide everyday wear while keeping the same overall feel.

The Panel-Ready Fridge Debate

I went back and forth endlessly on whether to panel my built-in refrigerator.

I chose the exposed version because I wanted ice and water in the door and thought it would be easier for the kids.

Perfect example of overthinking.

If I were doing it again, I would absolutely select the panel-ready version and integrate it into the cabinetry.

Vented vs. Vent-Free Fireplace

Because of our existing conditions, a vent-free gas fireplace was really our only practical option during the remodel.

It functions well and we’ve enjoyed having it tremendously, but I occasionally notice the faintest gas smell while it’s running.

Nothing alarming, but enough that I would seriously consider a vented gas fireplace if I were building new or had more flexibility during a remodel.

Closing Thoughts

Two years later, I’m reminded that the decisions that matter most usually aren’t the flashiest ones.

They’re the choices that make everyday life easier, cozier, more organized, and more connected to how your family actually lives.

Some things I’d tweak. Most things I’d happily choose all over again.

And if there’s one lesson remodels continue to teach me, both professionally and personally, it’s this: thoughtful planning will almost always beat square footage, perfection, or chasing whatever happens to be trending at the moment.