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This post is a part of a series that gives an inside look behind the creative process of homes featured on the upcoming ASID MN Kitchen Tour on April 16-17, 2016. You’ll get to see each designer’s challenges and joys behind creating the perfect kitchen for their client.
Today, we’re featuring the work of Emily Welna and Jayme Meyer of Martha O’Hara Interiors
What was your design dilemma?
For a young, active family, Emily and Jayme were tasked with turning this home’s small galley kitchen into additional family room space and create a new kitchen with ample room for cooking, entertaining, and everyday living. They also needed to expand the kitchen to feel part of the home’s original design, while including copious storage solutions and meeting Mom’s standards for how she lives and works.
Tell us about your source(s) of inspiration for this project.
Our source of inspiration was, in itself, the home’s own charm. As a 1930s tudor home, we were able to blend original, unique features with inspirational, new trends. This produced an uniquely new charismatic home for today’s young family.
What were your top three go-to tools to get the job done?
Our top three go-to tools were of utmost importance in getting this project done. In the beginning stages, we used Houzz.com as inspiration to help illustrate the specific style the client wanted. Next, in the selections process, we have a well-stocked and updated materials library at the Martha O’Hara Interiors Studio; this was where we were able to hand-pick the quintessential wallpaper for the kitchen. And lastly, we always use CAD for designing any details such as the beautiful custom cabinetry featured in this home.
Tell us about the biggest challenge you encountered while executing the project and how did you overcome it?
Our biggest challenge was making sure the new kitchen addition didn’t look like an add-on to this 1930s tudor home. In order to keep the traditional style of separated rooms combined with today’s open and spacious living, we used cased openings, windows from one room to the next, and simple details, like the original floor stain color throughout the home, to bring the spaces together.
What part of this project are you most proud of?
Because we spent so much of our time with the client in understanding their needs, we feel that the cabinetry in this kitchen provides for the most stunning statement. We added many distinctive features such as: continuous ceiling to floor cabinet space, appliance garage storage, large drawers and open bins, and easily accessible larger appliances for children.
See this kitchen and others on the ASID MN Kitchen Tour on April 16-17.
Presented by ASID MN
Martha O’Hara Interiors, Interior Design & Photo Styling | Corey Gaffer, Photography | Fred Nordahl Construction
- This kitchen’s number on the tour: #4
- Home’s location: 3922 Beard Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55410
- Designer on project: Emily Welna and Jayme Meyer
- Company Name: Martha O’Hara Interiors
- Website: oharainteriors.com
