A Brighter Kitchen and Smarter Everyday Spaces by Kendal & Co.

October 3, 2026

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Sometimes the biggest difference in a remodel comes from making everyday routines easier. In this recent project, Kendal & Co. brought a brighter feel to the kitchen while rethinking nearby storage, laundry, and workspaces.


The homeowners’ goals were clear: improve lighting, remove the kitchen soffits, create better flow, and make storage more accessible. Preserving and refinishing the existing wood floors was also a priority.


A Kitchen That Feels More Open

Removing the soffits and adding lighting helped open up the kitchen. Blair Maple cabinetry in the Magnolia finish brought a lighter look to the space, while the refinished wood floors added warmth.


The updated kitchen combines attractive finishes with practical details. Full-extension, soft-close drawers make it easier to reach everyday essentials, and the open pass-through to the dining room keeps the spaces connected for serving meals and entertaining.


A Cozy Nook With More Than One Purpose

A welcoming nook offers a comfortable place to start the morning. It also provides somewhere to sit and take off shoes at the end of the day.


This small detail adds personality while giving the homeowners another useful spot within the renovated space.


Turning a Hallway Into Useful Storage

Before the renovation, the long hallway featured a series of separate doors and storage areas. The new design creates a more cohesive wall of cabinetry with accessible storage and added lighting.

A consistent cabinet finish helps connect the hallway to the kitchen, making the spaces feel like parts of one thoughtful design.


Behind the cabinetry are features that make daily life easier. Pocket doors tuck into the cabinet to reveal the microwave, while a rollout shelf allows the coffee station to pull forward for filling and cleaning.


A Workspace That Tucks Away

The remodel also includes a concealed standing workspace. Pocket doors open and recess into the cabinetry, and a rollout work surface extends when needed. A printer stays stored behind the lower doors.


When the workday is finished, everything can close away, keeping the hallway looking tidy.


A Laundry Area Worth Showing Off

The open laundry area pairs Blair Maple cabinetry in Gale Force with Calacatta Sol quartz countertops. The deeper cabinet color complements the Magnolia cabinetry across the hall and gives the laundry space its own character.


A Vienna Finger Night Sky tile backsplash with Fresh Lily grout adds texture to the design.


The layout works hard, too. Upper cabinets provide storage for laundry supplies, the countertop offers room for folding, and lower storage can accommodate baskets. A pullout hanging bar provides a convenient place for clothes coming out of the dryer.


A Furniture-Inspired Powder Room Vanity

In the powder room, the vanity brings the look of a furniture piece together with useful storage. Drawers designed to work around the plumbing make better use of the available space and keep essentials within reach.


Thoughtful Remodeling for the Way You Live

This project shows how connected spaces can work better together. A brighter kitchen, accessible storage, and carefully planned features give the homeowners more use out of the rooms they already have.


Considering a kitchen renovation or updates to your home? Contact Kendal & Co. in Rochester, Michigan, to talk about your ideas and how you want your space to work.

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September 30, 2026
Remodeling can be exciting, but we understand that having work done in your home can also be an adjustment. The following information will help you prepare for the process and know what to expect throughout your project. Preparing for Demo Before demolition begins, please take a few steps to prepare your home: Clear the room: Remove personal belongings and anything that may be in the way of the demolition work. Protect pictures and wall décor: Remove all pictures, artwork, and other items from the hallway and from the opposite side of the wall being worked on. Vibration from demolition can cause items to fall or become damaged. Secure pets: Please keep pets safely secured, as doors may be opened frequently while removing demolition materials. Dumpster: A dumpster will be onsite for approximately two weeks . Please do not block or move the dumpster. Keep the driveway accessible: Please keep the driveway open for contractor access and material deliveries. Plan for alternative cooking: For kitchen remodels, please plan for limited or unavailable kitchen use. Crock pots, grills, Instant Pots, and microwaves can be helpful alternatives during the project. Typical work hours: Our typical workday begins between 8:00–9:00 AM, Monday through Friday . During the Project Dust & Protection Dust is inevitable during the remodeling process. We do our best to minimize it by using plastic barriers, floor protection, and runners. However, some dust may still travel into surrounding areas. Noise & Vibration Demolition and rough plumbing can be noisy. You should expect the use of saws, hammers, and other construction equipment during these phases of the project. Vibration from removing drywall, tile, or other materials can sometimes cause nail pops or minor drywall damage on the opposite side of a wall . We will repair the affected drywall; painting is by others . Water Shut-Offs Water will need to be shut off for short periods during demolition and plumbing work. We will let you know in advance when a water shut-off is needed. During these periods, each toilet will have one flush available . Flooring & Trim If flooring is being changed as part of your project, existing moldings and door casings may need to be modified, replaced, or filled depending on the change in floor height. Bathroom Doors For bathroom remodels, we remove the bathroom doors during construction to help prevent accidental damage while work is being performed. Walls, Floors & Ceilings Please keep in mind that existing homes are rarely perfectly square or level. Walls may not be straight, and ceilings and floors may have variations in height. We will level the cabinets during installation. In some situations, if the ceiling is significantly out of level, the ceiling may need to be floated to create the best finished appearance. Thank You We appreciate your understanding and cooperation throughout the remodeling process. Our goal is to minimize disruption to your home while delivering a quality finished project.