5 Lessons We Learned from Our Modern Meadow Remodel
March 17, 2025
Remodeling a home is a delicate balance between honoring its original character and introducing fresh, modern updates. With our Modern Meadow Remodel, we took a thoughtful approach to reimagining the space—keeping what was special, refining where needed, and making strategic updates that transformed the home without erasing its history.
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Here are five key lessons we learned along the way:
You Don’t Need to Overhaul Every Detail to Update Your Home
It’s easy to assume that a remodel means a complete gut job, but sometimes the best transformations come from working with what’s already there. In this home, we kept the original tile floors in the kitchen, entry, and great room. Why? Because they were timeless, practical, and still in great shape. Instead of ripping them out for the sake of change, we focused our energy (and budget) on updates that would have a greater impact. The result? A home that feels refreshed without losing its foundation.
Updating Wood Stain Can Transform Your Space
Trashing wood beams in a remodel is an interior design crime. Never, ever paint them. Never, ever remove them. You will never regret keeping them. Instead, update them with a new wood stain. In this home, we had gorgeous wood tongue-and-groove paneling on the great room ceiling—ripping it out would have been unthinkable. Instead, we freshened it up with a modern stain that completely transformed the space while preserving its warmth and texture. The same goes for the wood beams in the primary suite. Keeping them and simply updating the stain allowed us to highlight the home’s character while giving it a fresh, current feel. Wood adds soul, and in our book, it’s always worth preserving.
Carry a Theme Throughout the Design with Wallpaper
One of our favorite ways to create cohesion in a home is through a subtle, recurring theme. In this remodel, we used floral wallpaper in each guest bedroom and the powder bathroom. While each pattern is distinct, the common thread of floral designs ties the spaces together in a way that feels intentional rather than matchy-matchy. This is a great way to inject personality into different rooms while ensuring the home still feels unified.
Double Islands Don’t Need to (and Arguably Shouldn’t) Match
Kitchens with double islands are becoming more popular, but making them identical can sometimes feel like a missed opportunity. In this home, we opted for a waterfall edge on the second island to create a subtle but effective visual divide. While both islands feature Blue Tahoe Quartzite, the addition of the waterfall detail on just one added depth and interest to the kitchen. The result? A functional workspace that feels anything but boring.
Preserving Quirky Details Is Almost Always Worth It
Not every original design choice needs to be erased. Sure, we updated plenty of questionable details in this home, but we also made a conscious effort to preserve the elements that made it unique. Case in point: the frosted forest scene window in the primary shower. Would we install it in a brand-new build? Probably not. But here, it’s part of the home’s history and charm, and keeping it felt like a nod to its past. These unexpected moments give a home soul—and that’s something we always want to protect.
Remodeling is about more than just making a home look new—it’s about making it feel right. By blending old and new, embracing character, and making thoughtful updates, we were able to breathe new life into this home while staying true to its roots. If you’re planning a remodel, take the time to assess what’s worth keeping, what needs a refresh, and where to make bold changes. The magic is in the balance.
