Airy, Warm & Timeless: A Kitchen, Laundry Room & Living Space Remodel in Norfolk
April 23rd, 2025Andrea Picardi, Marketing Director
At McDrake Remodeling, we specialize in transforming homes throughout Hampton Roads with craftsmanship, creativity, and intention. In this stunning home remodeling project, our design-build team delivered a fresh and functional new layout featuring a show-stopping kitchen remodel, a beautifully efficient laundry room renovation, and a sophisticated fireplace and custom entertainment center—all inspired by the 2023 Southern Living Idea House by Laura Hodges and perfectly executed by our inhouse design team.
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A Kitchen Remodel That Opens Up Possibilites
Our client came to us with a clear design vision: create a light-filled, elevated kitchen that combines classic finishes with a contemporary edge. We began by removing two interior walls—one between the kitchen and hallway, the other between the kitchen and dining room—to open up the space and dramatically improve flow.
The Concept
At McDrake Remodeling, our expert design team is dedicated to bringing each client’s unique vision to life. From the first consultation to final walkthrough, we guide homeowners through a personalized, full-service remodeling experience. For this project, we used detailed 3D renderings to help the client visualize the layout and finishes before construction began. Our team conducted on-site visits to ensure every detail aligned with the design goals, and welcomed the client to our showroom to explore and select materials firsthand. This hands-on, collaborative approach allows us to deliver spaces that are not only beautiful, but truly tailored to each homeowner’s lifestyle and inspiration.
Reimagining the Layout & Construction Phase
Transforming this home meant more than just new finishes—it required reimagining the entire layout to create better flow, functionality, and natural light. We removed walls, restructured spaces, and thoughtfully planned every detail to support the homeowners’ vision. During the construction phase, our team worked meticulously to ensure structural integrity while making room for modern updates like built-in appliances, clever storage solutions, and a spacious open-concept design.
Check out the gallery below for a behind-the-scenes look at the transformation, including before photos and in-progress shots that show just how far this space has come.
The new kitchen features custom beaded inset cabinets in white oak, topped with stacked upper cabinets with glass inserts and matching cabinetry panel doors for the pantry. We carried the warmth of the cabinetry into the space with a wood-wrapped beam and stained new hardwood flooring to perfectly blend with the home’s original floors.
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Brass and black metal hardware complement clean quartz countertops, a stainless steel workstation sink, and a sleek pot-filler. Built-in appliances, pull-out trash, lazy susan cabinets, and tall tower storage (expertly designed to hide a structural column) make this kitchen not only beautiful but exceptionally functional.
Kitchen Remodel highlights:
Custom White Oak Cabinetry
One of the most striking features of this remodel is the custom white oak cabinetry, designed to bring warmth, texture, and timeless appeal to the space. Crafted with beaded inset doors and elegant furniture base detailing, these cabinets feel more like fine furniture than standard built-ins. The natural wood tones add softness and richness, balancing beautifully with the sleek quartz countertops and metal finishes. Stacked upper cabinets with glass inserts offer both style and storage, while under-cabinet lighting enhances visibility and highlights the wood’s natural grain. This cabinetry design is a perfect example of elevated simplicity—clean, classic, and endlessly versatile.
Built-In Appliances & Hidden Top-Drawer Shelves
Sleek and streamlined, the built-in appliances in this kitchen are seamlessly integrated into the custom cabinetry for a polished, high-end look. But it’s the thoughtful storage features that truly elevate the functionality of the space.
Hidden top-drawer shelves offer discreet organization for smaller items like utensils and kitchen tools, keeping countertops clutter-free. Deep drawers make storing pots, pans, and small appliances effortless, while a pull-out trash cabinet and lazy susan corner units ensure every inch of space is maximized. It’s a smart blend of form and function—designed for the way families really live.
Quartz Countertops & Mixed Metal Finishes
This kitchen blends durability and design with stunning quartz countertops that offer the look of natural stone with none of the maintenance. Resistant to stains, scratches, and heat, quartz is a top choice for busy households—and its smooth, consistent surface adds a touch of modern elegance to the space.
Complementing the countertops is a mix of brass and black hardware and lighting, a trending combination that adds warmth, contrast, and a refined, designer feel. These mixed metal finishes bring depth and personality to the kitchen while tying together the contemporary and classic elements of the overall design.
Open-Concept Layout for Better Flow
One of the most transformative elements of this remodel was opening up the floor plan. By removing a load-bearing wall that once separated the kitchen from the dining room, we created a bright, spacious layout that flows seamlessly into adjacent living areas.
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The result? A more connected, functional space that’s perfect for entertaining and everyday family life. This open-concept design not only makes the kitchen feel larger and more inviting, but also allows for better movement and natural light throughout the home—truly elevating the entire first floor.
Pot-Filler, Deep Drawers & Clever Storage Throughout
Every detail in this kitchen was designed with functionality in mind. The addition of a pot-filler above the range is a true game-changer, making it easy to fill large pots without heavy lifting or trips to the sink. Deep drawers offer generous space for storing cookware and small appliances, keeping them within easy reach but out of sight.
Smart storage touches—like hidden top-drawer shelves, a pull-out trash cabinet, tall pantry towers, and corner lazy susans—maximize efficiency without sacrificing style. It’s a kitchen where beauty meets everyday practicality.
Custom Pantry Renovation for Smart, Seamless Storage
Another standout feature of this remodel is the custom pantry, thoughtfully designed to maximize storage while maintaining the kitchen’s clean and cohesive look. Hidden behind cabinetry panel doors, the pantry blends effortlessly with the surrounding custom white oak cabinets. Inside, there’s ample space for dry goods, small appliances, and everyday essentials—keeping countertops clutter-free and everything within easy reach. It’s a perfect blend of form and function, offering discreet storage without sacrificing style.
This kitchen remodel in Norfolk, Virginia blends elevated simplicity with thoughtful design details—bringing our client’s dream kitchen to life.
Kitchen Gallery
A Smart & Stylish Laundry Room Renovation
McDrake Remodeling carried the same aesthetic into the laundry room for a cohesive and polished look. The space now features luxury vinyl tile (LVT) flooring, custom white oak cabinetry, and sleek gunmetal hardware.
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Designed with everyday functionality in mind, the laundry room includes a folding surface over the washer and dryer, a built-in drying rod, open shelves, and a laundry basket cubby. It’s a streamlined and serene space that makes laundry feel a little more luxe.
Laundry Room Features:
Coordinating Cabinetry & Finishes
The laundry room in this remodel was thoughtfully designed to reflect the same elevated simplicity and warmth as the kitchen. Featuring the same custom white oak cabinetry with beaded inset detailing, the space feels cohesive and beautifully connected to the rest of the home. Gunmetal hardware and LVT flooring offer both durability and modern appeal, while smart additions like a built-in folding counter, laundry basket cubby, drying rod, and open shelving make the room as functional as it is stylish. It’s proof that utility spaces can still feel polished, pulled-together, and intentionally designed.
Durable & Stylish LVT Flooring
For this remodel, we selected Pergo Luxury Vinyl Tile in “City Road” from the Tile Options Collection—a smart, stylish choice that delivers the sophisticated look of real tile with all the practical benefits of luxury vinyl. These floors are waterproof, dent-proof, pet-proof, and built with enhanced scratch protection, making them perfect for busy households.
Practical Storage & Custom Touches in the Laundry Room
This laundry room proves that utility can be beautiful. Designed with everyday function in mind, it features custom white oak cabinetry that offers ample storage, keeping supplies neatly tucked away. Under-cabinet lighting adds both visibility and style, while a built-in sink makes pre-treating stains a breeze. A drying rod and a folding area above the machines create a seamless workflow, and dedicated cubbies provide space for laundry baskets and additional essentials. Every element was carefully planned to deliver maximum functionality—without compromising the warm, cohesive design aesthetic carried over from the kitchen.
Cozy Fireplace & Custom Built-In Entertainment Center
The heart of the living room got a stunning upgrade with a renovated fireplace and a custom-built entertainment center that perfectly balances function and style. Framed by clean lines and thoughtfully designed shelving, the entertainment center offers ample space for books, decor, and media—making it both a statement piece and a practical solution.
The new fireplace surround adds warmth and ambiance, creating the perfect backdrop for cozy evenings at home. And no one appreciates the new setup more than the family’s beloved dog, Moose, who’s claimed the hearth as his favorite new lounging spot. It’s a cozy, stylish retreat the whole family (paws included) loves.
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Fireplace & Entertainment Center Gallery
Bringing the Vision to Life
At McDrake Remodeling, we pride ourselves on listening closely to our clients’ goals and bringing their vision to life with expert craftsmanship and thoughtful design. From the open-concept kitchen to the refined laundry room and cozy living space, every detail of this home was planned with purpose and personality. We’re absolutely thrilled with how beautifully it all came together—and so are our clients.
Ready to start your own transformation?
Find Inspiration for Your Next Home Project
Be sure to check out our design blog for all the home remodeling inspiration you need—from kitchens and bathrooms to sunrooms and flooring, we’ve got ideas to spark your next project.
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Visit our Showroom
Visit our showroom to explore a wide selection of cabinetry, flooring, hardware, and fixtures in person. Get inspired and meet with our expert design team to start planning your dream remodel today!
