By Muller Design in Fredericksburg, Virginia

Assignment:

A 30 year old home requires a serious makeover, and newly empty nest homeowners aren't sure where to begin. The design team sorts though all of the reusable items, creates priorities, budgets, and begins with most definitely a kitchen and master bath overhaul.

Style:

Homeowners aren’t sure of their style. After some digging by the team, several high quality pieces emerge in their collection and the style pivots from there. The style becomes transitional to update the home, and incorporate some of the still loved antiques that were lost in the disarray.

Wishlist:

New master bath, maybe cabinets and counters, but will consider a kitchen remodel, replace flooring, and update and lighten everything where possible.

Scope:

This did turn into major kitchen and bath remodels. Very little was usable. And updating everything else lightened and freshened things up. Each space got a makeover, some spaces got more resources than others.

Timeframe:

3.5 months for whole house

Cost:

$150,000+ for major kitchen & master bath remodel, new flooring, paint, lighting throughout, some new furniture, some recovered and repurposed.

Before & After

Our interior design team got an amazing opportunity to create a bright and vibrant family home for this amazing group of loving people. We just love being able to work with a family who is so deserving of a refreshing whole home remodel.

Before and After of the main foyer area. The tile floor was removed to give a continuous and more open look. Carpet as removed and wood treads added, and a new view to the remodeled kitchen.

Before Dining Room

After Dining Room

The oversized kitchen table is just the right size for the dining room! So the room was re-painted, fresh drapery, new lighting and a few second hand furniture pieces were added to complete the room.

The Details

A family home would not be complete without some sentimental and intricate details.

Behind the Scenes

A whole house renovation is definitely a process, but the end results are worth it! We tell all of our clients that if it is THIS extensive, lets look at some dirty pictures together so you can be sure you want to go through with it!!!

Testimonials

“Thank you! I must say that I am STILL so crazy about my house and have to pinch myself that I get to live in such a beautiful space. Quarantining and working from home have never been an issue here. In fact, it has all been quite peaceful during a time that is supposed to be tumultuous. I am truly a grateful beneficiary of your talents.”

- Lisa Spiller

“After 21 years and raising three kids, we were way overdue for a home renovation. We had tried a few times to find contractors on our own, but our ideas weren't always the best. As a result, our floors, furnishings, curtains and decorating were all dated. Paint colors were too dark and didn't "flow." When combined with our original lighting, our house was choppy and dimly-lit. We agreed this was a renovation project that needed a professional.

We were very impressed with the decorating in the Grounds Coffeehouse in Stafford, and got a great recommendation for professional designer and general contractor, Kerrin Muller. Kerrin provided us a "turn-key" option that included her vision of our space, design drawings, and coaching before construction began. We would have never imagined the prep required for major construction let alone gotten there on our own - Kerrin's coaching was the difference.

When construction started, Kerrin was the General Contractor. With her leverage, she got multiple quotes from subs and negotiated the best prices for us. Had we tried this on our own, we would have paid much more and gotten much less, and who has time to coordinate the electrician, the plumber and the subs? Kerrin was on-site every day, and it was like choreography! More significantly, Kerrin was completely committed and even emotionally attached to our project so she demanded perfection from the sub-contractors, and she got it! Her attention to detail was amazing. More examples of Kerrin's value-added include:
- Best sub-contractors. Kerrin picked experienced subs that delivered top quality work with minimal schedule slips or cost overruns. Master bath, kitchen, flooring, electrical...no disappointments.
- Decorating. Kerrin recommended every paint color, and even to an untrained eye like mine, it pops! Modern, light-gray walls downstairs with white doors, black hardware and black stair rail. Paint and furnishings flow perfectly now!
- Designer lighting. Kerrin said, "let there be light" and the lighting is spectacular. We went from a dimly-lit house with 20-year-old builder-special fixtures to modern designer lighting that is bright and warm.
- Shopping. Our design included a furniture budget that was challenging. Kerrin intensely, constantly shopped for furnishings and accessories, to include auction antiques/rugs that are stunningly beautiful, yet cost a quarter of what new items would have cost. She negotiated on a beautiful new leather chair over a two-week period, and saved $1,100 on that one piece. There is no question that with her leverage and experience she consistently got a great values for us.
- First impression. Our front door was shot. We now have a beautiful front door that Kerrin got for a great price and had installed for a great price.
- Confidence. We were amazed at how effective Kerrin was on every aspect of the project. Kerrin always kept us informed; she is an excellent communicator.

In conclusion, we stepped back and let Kerrin create. There is no doubt that we got our money's worth - and much more. Quality is first-class - exceeded our expectations. This review does not do justice to her hard work and the results she delivered. The closest we can come to summarizing is to tell you that Kerrin is a pro. If you're like us, if you need help with your renovation project, if you realize you can't do it on your own, then you should seriously consider hiring Kerrin Muller Design to see your dreams become your reality.”

- John Spiller

Final Notes or Sources

Handling a whole house remodel and refresh is an extreme undertaking. Both for the design team and the homeowners. Our homeowners were so excited and gracious! Thank you to the Spiller family for allowing us in your home, and in your life!

We had so many people help make this project possible. We really could not have done it without Diamond Cabinetry, Daltile, Generations Lighting, The Floor Center, DreamMaker Kitchen and Bath, Gat Creek Furniture, Benjamin Moore Paint, Southern Accents for some special auction pieces, and Steve Agatone for recovering some of these special pieces.

About the author

Kerrin Muller is an interior designer in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Kerrin is a business owner, a nature lover, and a Rottweiler mom. She lives with her husband and her many petting zoo friends. Kerrin Muller, lead designer of Muller Design Co, has been designing interiors and exteriors for over 20 years. She has designed and project managed hundreds of projects in her career, including cafes, restaurants, bars, commercial build outs, custom built homes, refurbished and remodeled residences, kitchens, baths, landscapes, exteriors, outbuildings and high end custom barns.

You can see her work, her team and case studies of their designs at mullerdesignco.com or connect with her on instagram @mullerdesignco and @kerrin.muller

All images ©2015-2020 Muller Design Company LLC. All rights reserved.