Opens in a new tab
Menu
Get Started
Portfolio

A Brighter Kitchen, A More Organized Home: Phase Two for Repeat Clients in Pelham, AL

Location:

Pelham, AL

Project Category:

Bright modern kitchen with white cabinets and island in Pelham, AL.

The Why Behind the Work

When the Sims family came back for Phase Two, they knew exactly what they needed. Their kitchen was ready for more light and a fresher feel, and their pantry style was not working for the way they actually cook and store. In the laundry room, storage was tight with nowhere to hang clothes straight out of the dryer, and the guest bath and fireplace just needed a refresh to feel as pulled together as the rest of the home.

Elegant guest nook featuring a black dresser, mirror, and floral decor for a welcoming 2024 Birmingh.

How We Brought It to Life

Since this was Phase Two, we already had a great foundation to build on. I brought back the same vendor team from their original project because they know this home and they know how to deliver. We sat down and talked through what was working in the kitchen and what needed to change, and top of the list was the pantry. They never loved the existing closet-style pantry, so we tore it out and replaced it with custom cabinetry and pull-outs for real, functional storage. In the laundry room, we made the most of a tight footprint by adding a shelf above the washer and dryer and a small workspace to the side. After so many updates on the main level, it felt like the right time to show a little love to a secondary guest bath and their fireplace too, rounding out the whole main floor.

Intentional Design Choices

  • Taj Mahal quartzite countertops with a full height slab backsplash, adding movement and a soft, organic pattern throughout the kitchen
  • A picture light mounted over the window, one of my favorite unexpected touches for adding warmth and a custom, collected feel
  • All new appliances, including a speed oven that I am a little jealous of. It is such a smart addition and I would love one in my own kitchen
  • Custom pantry cabinetry with pull outs, replacing the old closet style pantry with real, functional storage
  • A new shelf above the washer and dryer plus a built in workspace, making the laundry room work harder in a tight footprint
  • A brand new brick fireplace, bringing fresh texture and a cozy focal point to the space
  • New tile, cabinetry, and countertops in the guest bath, bringing it in line with the primary bath and boys' bath from Phase One so the whole home finally feels cohesive
Modern guest nook shower with textured tiles and teal curtains for a stylish 2024 Birmingham home.

Client Reflections

"Kristen McGee is the best designer! We had so much fun!"

Randee S.

The Finished Space

There is nothing quite like a repeat client, and this project was a perfect reminder why. The Sims family trusted us to come back into their home for a second phase, and getting to build on the work we already loved from Phase One made this project feel like picking up right where we left off. We were hired in early summer with a hard stop deadline: everything needed to be ready for her to host her family for Christmas. It was a tight timeline, but we had the right team in place and we made it happen. Projects like this are proof that if you want a home ready for the holidays, planning has to start early. The kitchen is brighter and more functional, the pantry finally works for how they actually live, the laundry room pulls double duty as a workspace, and the guest bath and fireplace now feel as pulled together as the rest of the home. And this year, she will be settled in enough to enjoy Halloween and Thanksgiving there too, not just Christmas.

  • Bright, organized kitchen with white cabinets and stainless steel appliances.
  • Modern white kitchen with open shelving and marble countertops.
  • Bright modern kitchen with white cabinets and a large island.
  • Bright, modern kitchen with island, stainless steel appliances, and natural light.
  • Bathroom vanity with gold hardware and marble countertop in a modern home.
  • Bright modern kitchen with white cabinets and a central island with seating.
  • Bright, organized kitchen with white cabinets and a central island.
  • Contemporary kitchen island with beige bar stools and gas cooktop.
  • Bright kitchen with white cabinets, beige countertops, and a large window.
  • Stylish laundry room with green cabinets and black washer and dryer.
  • Bright kitchen with white cabinets, marble countertops, and stainless steel appliances.
  • Bright white kitchen with stainless steel appliances and organized countertops.

Considering What’s Next for Your Home?

Whether you're renovating, building, reworking what you already have, or exploring what makes the most sense long-term, the right guidance makes all the difference. Thoughtful design is not about doing more. It is about doing what makes sense for your life, your investment, and your future.

If you're ready to move forward with clarity and confidence, let’s start with a conversation.

Start the Conversation