Even for the pros, tackling projects in their own homes can present challenges. In this story written exclusively for NKBA, home-improvement TV personality, author, builder and designer John Colaneri, one of the “Kitchen Cousins” and host of the new show “Design Duo,” on EllenTube, recounts his family’s journey through the remodeling process.

 

So, we have finally come to the end of the Colaneri Home Project! Wow ­— it was a fun ride, and to think we got it done through one of the largest pandemics the world has ever seen. Thank you, 2020, for keeping us on our toes LOL!

I knew from the moment I walked through the house there was so much potential to make this a home. The basement is what sold me when I saw the condition it was in. It is always my first stop when looking to renovate a home. I knew we could open up all the walls and make so much more out of the footprint.

The family room, dining area, kitchen and sunroom are the main components of the home, so let’s take a look back on how these four rooms became one.

The one thing I loved about the home was the mid-century style and the. Set on one acre, my house is secluded, and my kids have so much room to play and enjoy themselves.

The centerpiece, of course, is the kitchen. We all know that most of life’s memories and special moments happen in the kitchen. My goal with the kitchen design was to make my wife happy (the most important goal) and to have a design that followed great form and function. We all want a beautifully designed space, but at the end of the day, it needs to function properly for your family. This space does exactly that, and I would not change a thing about the layout.

The cool part about the kitchen area is that it is open-concept, but it is also by itself, since it is behind the family room with access to the rear yard. Putting in Renewal by Andersen sliding doors and windows throughout the entire home was a game-changer. The black-frame  windows have made the home more energy-efficient and stylish.

My goal was to have all the rooms easily accessible, but also to make sure they were individualized with furniture and lighting.


The design is all in the details of this space, and I wanted to make sure that it was as unique as possible. An 11-foot island in the kitchen gives our family enough seating for four, as well as a large prep space that allows us to cook and entertain with ease.

We started with the island sink by Elkay. It’s just about 48-inches, and allows me to place cutting boards, drying racks and colanders inside of it. There is so much we can do at this sink, and its two faucets —  also by Elkay — allow my wife and me to use the sink at the same time, making cleanup very fast!

The counters are SapienStone — Fior Di Bosco on the island and Basalt Black on the back counters. I love the half-inch thickness, because it affords a more streamlined design, along with the two different colors that individualize the space. The veining of the island is perfect, and the monochromatic look of the back counters allows the backsplash to stand out.

On top of this, they are porcelain — which means no stains and no maintenance over the years! Monogram appliances are perfectly on-point and make cooking a breeze. We went with the 36-inch range, a 5-in-1 oven, a 30-inch wall oven, 36-inch custom-panel fridge and custom-panel dishwasher. This nice mix of stainless steel and custom panels hides some of the appliances. The 5-in-1 oven has been a game-changer for me, and is the most convenient kitchen appliance I have ever used. I literally can cook anything, and it is done in the blink of an eye. Not to mention the food comes out perfect!

The backsplash, by Walker Zanger, is one of those tiles you just fall in love with when you first lay eyes on it. The hexagon pattern plays along with the mid-century modern style and the different textures make the tile appear to be moving, to create a lot of depth in the space. The lighting and hardware from Buster and Punch are unique items that really set the kitchen apart. I have two different style hardware options with the black and brass, along with pendant lights and wall fixtures above the open shelves. I wanted the space to have proper lighting, but also the ability to set the mood when entertaining.

The kitchen cabinets by Medallion, installed by Certified Kitchens, are just gorgeous and give us plenty of storage. The back section is light gray cherry wood with black undertones. The island is painted in the same color as all the trim and doors throughout the home. I wanted this color to be the theme carried throughout the home. The color is Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron, which is a mix of black, brown and gray. All the doors are inlay, giving it a much more custom and refined look.

The last area of the home is the sunroom, which brings in incredible light, but also functions in several ways for our family. We use it as a play area for the kids, a place to put on shoes and jackets, and just a relaxing environment in which to have our morning coffee.

I am so excited to finally be moved into the home, along with having and making great memories with my family. The question now is, when we are going to be starting our next family project! If I were a betting man, I would say sooner rather than later LOL 🙂