A First-Floor Transformation — in Piqua, Ohio.

The Stratford home was a special one. Our client was living with the dated 1980s oak that covered nearly every surface — cabinets, doors, trim, and the casings around every window — and she was ready to bring her home into the light. Her goal was simple to say and transformative to do: brighten the space and let the natural light back in. We carried that vision across her entire first floor — through fresh paint, crisp white trim, new flooring and lighting, and a complete reworking of how her kitchen and living spaces flow.

The kitchen was the heart of the project. The original layout fought the space — a narrow, two-tiered island she was awkwardly cooking around, and a small window that closed the room off from the backyard. We reimagined the entire footprint for better flow, replaced that small window with a large one so she can soak in the natural light and watch her kids play outside, and built the room around how she actually cooks and entertains. A custom hood, finished in a stain we matched to the island and tied into the surrounding cabinetry, anchors the space, while the backsplash, grout, and countertop were all selected to blend seamlessly into one cohesive design.

The details are what make this kitchen timeless. A stunning six-panel Thermador refrigerator — a piece so special it took seven to eight months to arrive — became a centerpiece worth the wait. Where a builder-grade desk once sat, we built a custom pantry that finally gives her the storage she was missing, a beautiful place to tuck away everything from food to the everyday family clutter. And a former drop-zone bar area, where cabinets sat underused, became a proper entertaining bar — so whether she's hosting in the kitchen, the dining area, or the living room, she has a dedicated spot to make a cocktail for friends and family.

In the living room, an already-beautiful fireplace simply needed a facelift to become a showstopper. We added a rustic wood beam mantle, brightened the surround, and installed a brand-new insert — turning a tired feature into the room's focal point. To complete the space, we carried the design all the way through to the furniture, so every room feels finished, cohesive, and ready to live in from day one.

The result is a home that finally feels like its best self: bright, open, functional, and timeless — exactly what our client had been dreaming of.

Rooms Designed & Renovated:

Kitchen · Pantry · Living Room · Dining Room · Bar Area · Fireplace · Furniture · Flooring & Lighting · Paint