St. Paul Kitchen Remodel + Mudroom Addition

Nestled in a vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood near Macalester College in St. Paul, this older home had charm—but needed a refresh to meet the demands of an active, growing family. The project brief included a kitchen remodel and a compact addition housing a mudroom and ¾ bath.

The primary objectives were to introduce a contemporary design while maintaining compatibility with the home’s traditional character and preserving the home’s natural daylight. By offsetting the bathroom addition into the side yard, the new mudroom entry could align with the existing piano windows to preserve the dining room’s natural light. New windows in the bath and kitchen were carefully placed to balance additional light, privacy and function.

Inside, bleached butternut wood custom cabinets ground the space, while an enameled tambour island with soft, rounded corners brings sculptural contrast. Heated large format porcelain tile floors add warmth and provide a material transition out to a new deck—blurring the line between indoor and outdoor living. Outside, vertical cedar siding meets dark cement board panels in a subtle play of tone and texture.

Timeless yet modern, practical yet poetic, this thoughtful design honors the past while embracing how this family lives now.