Elko New Market Main-Level Remodel – Kitchen, Laundry & Dining

For this Elko New Market homeowner, the choice was not just whether to remodel. It was whether to stay.

The home, built in 2005, had reached the point where the finishes, storage, and daily flow no longer matched the way she wanted to live. She had seriously considered downsizing, but her young adult children did not want the family home sold. She also loved her location and neighborhood.

Instead of moving, she chose to invest in a significant renovation that would make the home feel fresh, brighter, more functional, and more personal.

Honey-Doers completed a multi-level renovation that included the kitchen, dining area, laundry room, powder bath vanity, flooring, millwork, and additional second-level updates. This case study focuses on the main level, where the biggest priorities were storage, flow, updated finishes, and a lighter, more open feel.

"I never considered any other contractor. Honey-Doers have been coming to my home since 2013/2014. I have never had an issue, and being a single female, that trust is very important."

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Project Snapshot

Detail	Information
Location	Elko New Market, MN
Home Year Built	2005
Project Type	Main-level remodel as part of a larger multi-level renovation
Main-Level Spaces	Kitchen, dining area, laundry room, garage entry, powder bath vanity, flooring, trim, and millwork
Project Size	Large
Planned Timeline	20–24 weeks
Actual Timeline	21 weeks
Key Goal	Create a light, open, airy main level with better storage, improved flow, and updated finishes

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The Homeowner's Goals

The homeowner wanted an updated home without giving up the place she loved.

The main-level goals were practical and visual:

• Improve kitchen storage
• Replace the peninsula with an island
• Make the main level feel more open
• Increase pantry space
• Update lighting throughout
• Refresh the laundry room with finishes that connected to the kitchen
• Improve flooring durability near the garage entry and laundry area
• Add cleaner, more finished millwork details
• Create a brighter, more timeless main-level design

The homeowner had considered moving to get more modern finishes, but chose renovation instead because she loved her location and wanted a level of storage, lighting, heated floors, and craftsmanship she was not finding in newer homes.

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Reworking the Kitchen for Better Storage and Flow

Storage was one of the most important parts of the kitchen remodel.

Before the renovation, the kitchen had a peninsula that did not support the open feel the homeowner wanted for the main level. The pantry was also very small, limiting everyday storage.

Honey-Doers replaced the peninsula with a large island, which changed how the kitchen connected to the dining and living areas. The island added storage, improved prep space, and helped the main level feel more open.

The new cabinetry was extended to the ceiling, giving the kitchen a cleaner, more finished look while adding useful storage. The final design blends warm wood base cabinets, white upper cabinets, quartz countertops, stainless appliances, brass-toned lighting, and a blue-green tile backsplash that gives the space personality without making it feel dark.

Main Kitchen Features

• Large island in place of the former peninsula
• Expanded pantry storage
• Cabinetry extended to the ceiling
• White upper cabinets with warm stained wood base cabinets
• Quartz countertops
• Blue-green geometric tile backsplash
• Stainless farmhouse-style sink
• Updated pendant, wall sconce, recessed, and dining lighting
• Red oak hardwood flooring with a custom stain blend

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A Dining Area That Feels Connected, Not Separate

The dining area now feels like part of the remodeled kitchen rather than an unrelated room next to it.

The large dining room light fixture became one of the homeowner's favorite design details. Its brass and glass finish connects visually to the kitchen pendants and hardware, while the large windows bring natural light across the main level.

The result is a space that feels open, bright, and comfortable for daily life.

"The light fixture in the dining room and over the soaking tub are divine. I absolutely would not change anything."

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A Laundry Room That Carries the Kitchen Finishes Forward

The laundry room was designed with finishes that connect back to the kitchen, while still serving a more practical daily-use role.

The space includes lower base cabinetry, quartz countertop space, open shelving, a utility sink, and the same blue-green tile used in the kitchen. The warm wood shelves help tie the laundry room back to the wood cabinetry and hardwood tones used throughout the main level.

Because this area connects to the garage entry, Honey-Doers used LVP flooring in the laundry room, garage entrance, and powder bath area to better handle Minnesota weather, moisture, snow, and everyday foot traffic.

Laundry Room Features

• Lower base cabinetry for storage
• Utility sink
• Quartz countertop
• Open wood shelving
• Blue-green tile backsplash
• LVP flooring for durability near the garage entry
• Clean, bright finishes that connect to the kitchen

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Flooring and Millwork That Pulled the Main Level Together

One of the most important finishing decisions was the flooring and millwork.

The main living areas received red oak hardwood flooring with a custom stain blend. In the laundry, garage entry, and powder bath area, LVP was used for durability.

The entry also received board and batten with a picture rail, adding a finished architectural detail without making the space feel heavy.

During the project, the homeowner realized that updating the millwork would help complete the look. Honey-Doers installed new baseboards and shoe moulding, then painted existing window casings and jambs to match. The employee response described this as the "cherry on top" that gave the home the finishing touch the client was looking for.

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A Powder Bath Vanity Refresh

The powder bath received a clean vanity update that fits the rest of the main-level design.

The white vanity, gray countertop, wood-framed mirror, and simple wall color create a quieter moment compared to the kitchen and laundry. It still feels connected through the flooring, trim, and overall lighter finish palette.

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Communication and Trust Were Just as Important as Craftsmanship

For this homeowner, the final result mattered. But so did the experience of getting there.

This was her third complete home remodel, so she understood what it meant to live through construction. Her biggest concern was not whether remodeling would be disruptive. It was whether the contractor would communicate well and handle issues with care.

That trust had already been built over many years.

"All of these are very important, but it is equal between communication and trustworthiness."

One moment stood out to her in particular. When unexpected issues came up, including a smoke detector concern and the house not being closed up properly at night, Adam responded quickly, even on a Sunday, and made sure the issue was corrected.

"Adam heard my concerns and it was not an issue again. I cannot emphasize enough what this says about Honey-Doers as a company and as people. Integrity is everything."

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The Result

The finished main level is brighter, more open, and better suited to daily life.

The kitchen now has the storage and flow the homeowner wanted. The laundry room is more useful and visually connected to the kitchen. The dining area feels elevated by lighting and natural light. The flooring and millwork help the spaces feel cohesive instead of patched together.

Most importantly, the remodel helped the homeowner feel happy in her home again.

"It has made me a nicer person, seriously. I love working from home and being at home."

When asked what she would tell another homeowner considering Honey-Doers, her answer was direct:

"Do not choose a contractor strictly on price. You get what you pay for, and the trust, communication, integrity, and overall end result is well worth the price tag."