Hey there! Thanks for joining us for another Before and After feature! This month, we are highlighting our Lumi project, a kitchen and living room remodel in Eagan, MN. If you like what you see, you are in luck! This home will be on the Fall 2025 Parade of Homes Remodelers Showcase tour, happening Friday, September 26-28, 2025. Visit our Remodelers Showcase page for directions, hours and details.
Where It Began
Our homeowners started with a classic 90s floor plan — a kitchen set between a formal dining room on one side and a sunken living room on the other. With two young kids, this was their forever home, and their goal was to create a more open layout that better reflected their family’s needs and personal style.
The existing layout of the Eagan, MN home had a lot of frustrations: a small, cramped kitchen with blind corners and limited storage, a separate dining room that was rarely used, and a general overall dated feel that didn’t match their style. To top it off, there was no venting for the stove. The entire space had a choppy feel due to the separate dining room, a partial wall and a step down between the kitchen and living room.
A Forever Home Transformation
To transform their space, we focused on several key objectives. The homeowners wanted to open up the space for better flow and use for their family of four. They envisioned a clean, modern, and minimalistic style with a warm, natural aesthetic that would brighten up the main floor and optimize views to their beautiful backyard. They also wanted to use high-quality craftsmanship materials befitting of their intention for this to be their forever home.
Their wish list included creating as big of an island as possible, with seating to serve as a gathering space. They also desired an appliance garage, a beverage center, and a continuous run of cabinetry and countertops along the back wall, even if it meant adjusting the windows to accommodate it. As avid home chefs, they wanted to replace their electric stove with a gas one and have a double oven and a separate cooktop and microwave. The decision was also made to incorporate the seldom-used dining room into the new kitchen design to create a larger space.
Challenges & Thoughtful Solutions
This project came with its share of challenges. The narrow layout made it difficult to fit the large island with seating they wanted. We solved this by using a smaller cabinet depth to accommodate seating while keeping the island feeling substantial. We removed the awkward desk station and partial walls, replacing them with a useful beverage station. During the remodel, we discovered a lot of DIY electrical work and a jog in the wall that had been previously hidden by cabinetry. Ultimately, we were able to address these issues and even widen the opening to the family room to approximately 9 feet wide.
Replacing the electric stove with a gas stove required bringing in a new gas line and venting. Thoughtful space planning was critical to accommodate all their desired appliances—double ovens, a separate cooktop, and a full-depth refrigerator—without making the space feel cluttered. We were also able to relocate the door to the deck, which eliminated a constant pinch point and made way for three new windows.
Functionality & Aesthetics
The final kitchen is a testament to careful planning and high-quality craftsmanship. The kitchen now features a mix of Sherwin Williams Snowbound White and stained Red Birch cabinetry, adding depth and warmth while maintaining a light and open feel. The island is 10 feet long, and its narrow 33-inch depth provides ample prep space without overwhelming the room. A full-depth fridge and double ovens were seamlessly integrated into the cabinetry.
The transformed kitchen is packed with features, including a beverage bar for both kids and guests, and a continuous wall of cabinetry and countertop that is only minimally interrupted by the undercounter microwave. A pantry, an appliance garage, plus drawers along the island, ensure storage is never an issue. The widened opening to the family room creates easy flow for entertaining and allows them to keep an eye on the kids while preparing dinner.
The overall aesthetic is a clean, bright, and modern design that invites in light and natural elements from the wooded pond behind their home. We chose quartz countertops with light gray veining, which add subtle visual interest. Soft neutral subway tile provides a subtle, elegant backdrop. The enlarged, symmetrical square black windows reinforce a modern feel while flooding the space with light. Mixed metal finishes across the lighting and hardware create visual interest and add layers of light, including three striking pendant island lights and undercabinet lighting.
Extending the Transformation to the Living Room
The transformation extends to the living room as well. A new 12’ wide sliding glass door replaces windows on the exterior wall, bathing the space in light, and offering easy access to the deck, which overlooks a beautiful nature-filled backyard and pond. The living room now seamlessly connects to the kitchen, offering beautiful views and effortless comfort, no matter where you sit. The new LVP flooring throughout ties the newly opened spaces together. The result is an updated space that reflects their vision and goals for their forever home.
Your Kitchen, Bath and Home Remodelers
Feeling dissatisfied with your current space but unsure where to begin? Start with a call to our team, Minnesota’s trusted remodel team. With decades of combined experience, we specialize in uncovering the hidden potential in every home. Whether it’s a kitchen remodel like this one, a bathroom remodel, a lower-level renovation, or other home renovations, we guide homeowners through every step—from design to construction—to create spaces they truly love. Our solutions bring both beauty and functionality, and we’re committed to making the process seamless with clear communication and exceptional customer service. Contact our Lakeville, MN remodelers today, and let’s begin transforming your home into a space you’ll love living in! Contact our Lakeville, MN remodelers today and begin transforming your home into a space where you’ll #LoveWhereYouLive
