Kitchen Remodeling & Design

The Design-Build Difference

The kitchen is the heart of the home, the room your family uses most, and typically the most expensive one to renovate. We understand that, and we understand how important it is to get it right.

Many homeowners begin by hiring a designer, then searching for a contractor, and hoping the two can work well together. Our approach is different. Valerie and Rick work as one team from day one, so the design reflects what's truly buildable and the construction carries out exactly what was designed.

The result is fewer change orders, clearer communication, and a kitchen in Central Minnesota that turns out just as it was meant to be. With one team guiding you from start to finish, there's no finger-pointing, just a space you'll love for years to come.

Planning Your Kitchen Remodel

A successful kitchen remodel in St. Cloud, Sartell, or anywhere in Central Minnesota starts long before the demo begins. The design and planning phase is where you save money and avoid mistakes, not during construction.

Valerie's design process begins with a conversation about how you actually use your kitchen. How many people cook at once? Do you entertain? Are countertop space and storage your biggest frustrations, or is it the layout that doesn't work? These answers drive the design decisions that follow. From there, she develops a layout plan that improves traffic flow and function, selects materials that hold up to Central Minnesota family life. Consulting with Rick along the way making sure that any structural changes that may be desired can actually happen. Ensuring the kitchen that is being dreamed up by Valerie can be executed by Rick. This eliminates the most expensive phase of any remodel: the mid-project design change.

Thinking about doing some of it yourself? Read our guide: DIY Kitchen & Bathroom Remodel vs. Hiring a Designer.

Kitchen Layout Design

Kitchen layout is the single most impactful design decision you'll make, and it's the hardest to change once walls and cabinets are in. Valerie specializes in kitchen layout planning for the full range of Central Minnesota home types: older farmhouses in St. Joseph, split-level homes in Sartell, modern construction in St. Cloud, and everything in between.

Common layout options we design and build include:

• L-shape layouts: versatile for most home sizes. Creates natural work zones and room for an island.
• U-shape layouts: maximum cabinet and counter space. Works well in medium to large kitchens.
• Galley layouts: efficient for narrower kitchens. Two parallel walls maximize linear storage.
• Open concept: removes walls to connect kitchen with dining or living room. Requires structural coordination with Rick.
• Island additions: one of the most popular additions in Central Minnesota kitchens. Adds prep space, seating, and storage.

Every layout Valerie designs respects the classic kitchen work triangle (the relationship between the sink, stove, and refrigerator), and every detail is thought through, right down to where the cookie sheets will be stored, so the finished kitchen is as functional as it is beautiful.

Cabinet & Countertop Selection

Cabinetry is the largest visual element in any kitchen. Along with countertops they typically represent 40-50% of the total remodel budget. Getting these decisions right matters, both aesthetically and functionally. Valerie guides St. Cloud and Central Minnesota homeowners through cabinet styles, configurations, and countertop materials to find the right fit for their home.

Cabinet styles we work with:

• Partial Overlay (the most popular in Central Minnesota: clean, timeless, works in farmhouse and modern alike)
• Inset (frameless, flush-mount doors: a high-end, furniture-quality look)
• Flat-front / slab (contemporary and minimal)
• Two-tone (mixing stained & painted cabinetry: one of the biggest trends in kitchen design)

Countertop options we specify and install: Quartz, granite, marble, butcher block, laminate (for budget-conscious remodels), and concrete. Valerie helps you choose based on how you cook, your maintenance tolerance, and your design direction.

Backsplash design ties the room together. Subway tile remains classic, but Valerie also designs with large-format slabs, zellige clay tile, and pattern tile for homeowners who want something more distinctive.

Want to dive deeper? See our Kitchen Cabinet Design Guide.

Lighting & Electrical

Kitchen lighting is one of the most underplanned elements in a remodel, and one of the most transformative. A well-lit kitchen uses three types of light working together:

• Ambient Lighting: foundational lighting for the space, recessed cans or flush-mount fixture that provide general illumination.
• Task Lighting: focused light for specific activities, under cabinet LED lighting and island pendants that illuminates the countertop while you prep and cook.
• Accent Lighting: highlights features or adds drama (picture lights, toe-kick lighting, lighting inside glass cabinets)

Certain locations and minimum requirements for electrical outlets are designated by Minnesota state electrical code but kitchens require well thought out switch placement, additional outlets needed and the types of outlets used. After reviewing how your family moved and functions in the space Valerie finalizes lighting & electrical plans before the electrical rough-in. No retrofitting locations after the drywall is in.

What We Handle

• Cabinetry layout, design, and finish selection
• Countertop selection and installation (granite, quartz, butcher block, and more)
• Tile backsplash design and installation
• Lighting plan and fixture selection
• Flooring (tile, hardwood, LVP)
• Appliance specification and coordination
• Plumbing and electrical coordination
• Demo, drywall, and trim
• Hardware and finishing details
• Permit management (MN GC License BC807593)

Kitchen Remodel Cost in Central Minnesota

Remodel pricing in St. Cloud and the surrounding area varies significantly based on scope, materials, and whether structural changes are involved. Here's a general overview:

• Cosmetic refresh: $8,000-$18,000. New paint, hardware, lighting, and countertops. Existing cabinets stay.
• Mid-range remodel: $25,000-$50,000. New cabinets, countertops, tile backsplash, flooring, and appliances. Minor layout changes.
• Full gut-and-rebuild: $50,000-$80,000+. Complete demo, layout changes, structural work, high-end materials, and custom cabinetry.

We provide a detailed, itemized estimate before any work begins. For a deeper breakdown of what drives kitchen remodel costs in Minnesota, read our Kitchen Remodel Cost Guide.

Kitchens we've designed for gathering, built for real life:

A few of our kitchen remodels from around Central Minnesota.

Kitchen: flat-front ebony-stained custom cabinetry with white tiled backsplashKitchen: painted custom cabinetry with square island and drop zoneKitchen: custom-built two-tone cabinetry with stainless steel appliancesKitchen: hand-crafted staggered height and depth cabinetry with an accent green islandKitchen: center wall removed to open the kitchen to the living area, with a new large island with seatingKitchen: Redesigned work triangle to relieve congested areas. Deep blue and sage green painted cabinetry was added to the richly stained perimeter cabinets.

See more kitchen remodel photos