When the owner of a winter home overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in Hillsboro Beach heard about the availability of the adjoining condo, she purchased it and undertook a massive remodeling project to join the two units and maintain her distinctive style in each.
Working with Richmond-based Catherine Jordan, LLC design firm, they walked into the Pompano Beach location of D&B Tile. They found the tile for the project and met Stonewater Kitchens, an award-winning kitchen design firm and longtime Associate Partner with D&B Tile Distributors as well - a tenant in their showroom. The rest, as they say, is history.
According to Laurene Schwenke, partner at Stonewater Kitchens and a licensed designer, “I met Catherine Jordan when she came into D&B with her client. They were looking for wood mode initially. They chose the flooring and cabinetry all at the D&B Pompano Store. Catherine Jordan was the overall designer for the condo remodel and selected a 6x36 rectified porcelain tile for the flooring to tie in with the existing herringbone pattern in the original unit. She also specified the tile in the bathrooms.
“The condo owner lived in the original unit. When the adjoining unit became available, she purchased that and knocked down a major wall to connect the two units. The kitchen was placed in the middle. It bridged the two units. The original kitchen was one fifth the size of the new one. It was the perfect solution to bring the two units together.
“We installed the kitchen. The general contractor performed the remainder of the job. Our company is an Associate Partner with D&B and has been a tenant at the Pompano location for more than ten years. I graduated from the Colorado Institute of Art in Interior Design specializing in kitchens. I do the design, my husband Pat handles the construction side of it dealing with the contractors.
“Catherine Jordan Design picked out all the materials so they would match the original unit and selected the colors in the cabinetry to match the new floors. The customer gave us a date and all contractors worked together at the same time. It all finished on schedule. We had an excellent relationship with the main designer and would be happy to work with them again.
“We had a challenge with the existing columns in the building, which are load-bearing. We had to design around them. The oversight with the condo board was flawless. The contractor had done work there before, so there
was no problem.
“Stonewater Kitchens specializes in extreme remodel projects. We do complete renovations. We don’t just hang new cabinets and call it a job. We work to open up spaces, fit islands and make it contemporary. Wood-Mode® Cabinets were used on this project.
The company just introduced the aqua blue color and it happened to be the feeling they wanted. This is more transitional Shaker style. It works very well with this waterfront condo.
“The real challenge was to tie the two units into a cohesive design. There was obviously a major structural renovation before we came in. I was proud that they were able to blend with the original unit and have it appear
to be seamless.”
Throughout the last 20 years, Wood-Mode® has built on the foundation created during its first half-century in business. An important element of this foundation was its expressed commitment to market its products, not through the large mass-merchandising home centers, but through its long established national network of independent kitchen and bath dealers.
Stonewater Kitchens prides itself on creating award-winning designs that will bring a sense of harmony to your home.
From initial measurements to completion, and with customer guidance and input, they are in complete control of every step. Design, color scheme, scheduling and installation are all handled with the utmost professionalism. They invite you to visit their newly remodeled showroom featuring Wood-Mode® and Brookhaven® located in the Pompano Beach location of D&B Tile Distributors.
See these beautiful tiles and many other selections of tile, marble and stone from around the world at any of our nine conveniently located stores.
Remember, the first step to beautiful design is stepping into D&B Tile.
Photographs and article by
G. Richard Booth
