TRANSITIONS

Reinvented & Rewarded

BY ASHLEY FERRAGUT JOHNSON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TIFFANY KOKAL

Sarah Polovitz, husband, Mark, and children, Johnny and Lauren, are truly enjoying the space they have worked so hard to create. The three-month kitchen remodel was worth the wait.

The kitchen is the heart of our home. It is where families and friends gather, break bread and connect. Whether huddled around a home-cooked meal, checking your children’s homework or simply gathering your thoughts over a warm cup of tea, the kitchen offers a place of respite. It is no wonder then, that it is also the best investment, dollar for dollar, in your home.

On average, a minor kitchen remodel will recoup close to 90 percent of your ROI (return on investment) while major kitchen overhauls return anywhere from the 50-80 percent of your cost. A remodel typically starts around $30,000 and can go upwards to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the project. The emotional and inconvenience price a remodel may cause by not having a working kitchen can be daunting, but rewards reaped are priceless.

To get a firsthand look at this process, I spoke with one of my best friends, Sarah Polovitz, a UND marketing- major-turnedreal-estate-agent-extraordinaire who recently

One of Sarah’s favorite pieces is her centerset Rohl Perrin & Rowe polished-nickel faucet. She intentionally chose a finish that would complement, not match, the rest of the hardware in her completed kitchen space.

Sarah and Mark worked with a local remodeler, Creative Builders, which gave the couple innovative liberty to design the kitchen of their dreams. From the custom cabinetry to the layout of the kitchen, the space was personalized to meet the needs of this Minnesota family.

went through her own kitchen demo and remodel. Although she has had no formal training in interior design, one glance at her timelessly decorated Excelsior, Minnesota home and impeccable kitchen remodel shows that she understands great design.

After decades flying as a pilot for United Airlines, Kathy Rauth, Sarah’s mother, shifted her proverbial work gears into real estate. After working in the sales marketing industry for years, daughter Sarah (who also obtained her own private pilot license) eventually joined her mother to help clients buy and sell homes. Together, they became a topproducing mother-daughter duo at Edina Realty, serving the Twin Cities and Brainerd Lakes Area, giving them sales experience and an understanding of good design.

To add a bit of drama and pop of color, Sarah opted for a satin brass finish on the cabinet pulls. Glass knobs on upper cabinets help create the classic look of the space. The hardware pictured here is Emtek Assa Abloy from Nob Hill Hardware in Minneapolis.

Sarah’s mother and real estate partner, Kathy Rauth, are no strangers to what makes a kitchen appealing and desirable. The two recently accepted the Executive Circle Award of 2020, in honor of producing in the top two percent of sales of all Edina Realty agents.

Sarah, husband, Mark, and their two children, Lauren and Johnny, moved into their present home in 2012. Built in 1987, the spacious two-story home is tucked quietly away in a heavily wooded lot, perched atop a hill of towering trees. The Polovitzes have slowly been updating their home to mirror their timeless classic tastes. An outdated, malfunctioning refrigerator became Sarah’s impetus to make some big changes. This was the perfect time to start designing the kitchen of her dreams. The first order of business were the floors. The original “orange” oak was sanded and stained in a light, but natural-looking finish, which hides imperfections and wears well for their busy family and blonde golden retriever. Once the floors were complete, the real work began. The kitchen was taken down to its studs, so the new space became a realization. Sticky notes in hand, Polovitz walked around the kitchen using them as visual cues of what they wanted and where. Sarah explains, “We wanted an appliance garage that would hide our toaster and coffee maker,” and up went the sticky note. With the help of picture boards and Pinterest, the new space was conceptualized.

Sarah knew she wanted to keep the space open and bright, opting for a warm white hue on the walls and cabinets, which transitions nicely into the rest of their home. The airy new kitchen pulls in all the natural light from the large windows and wrap-around deck, creating a tranquil and natural feel. The old black granite center island was demolished. A custom, off white and grey quartz island with a clean, simple edge was installed. Opting for chef-grade appliances was a must, which quickly pulled the space together. “We were impressed with the quality of the Thermador appliances and loved the idea of being able to panel the freezer, refrigerator,

Function is incredibly important to this on-the-go family of four, so convenience and organization go hand in hand. Snack caddies and hidden storage are part of what gives this kitchen charming functionality. From an “appliance garage,” which hides away toasters and other kitchen items, to custom cabinetry designed to neatly store all things for cooking, it’s obvious everything has its special storage area.

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Stools and pendant lighting, which hang over the island, are from Restoration Hardware. The rich industrial colors are a perfect contrast with this light and airy chef’s kitchen.

This beautiful remodeled space is a kitchen meant to be used. The quartz countertops are bright and sunny, and less porous than marble and other natural stone surfaces. It’s an easy clean-up after Sarah’s five and six-year-old sous chefs have cooked.

dishwasher, ice maker and beverage cooler. The only exposed stainless-steel item in our kitchen is the range, which is a functional six gas-burner with griddle.”

For finishing touches, Sarah opted for a bit of classy pops in the kitchen. Satin brass knobs and pulls adorn their custom cabinets, which complement the classic design. Although Sarah gave careful thought to every piece she selected, she recommends keeping the overall design simple and clean to stand the test of time.

After surviving 12-plus weeks on popcorn, Pinot Grigio and takeout sushi, they packed up their paper plates and makeshift kitchen for good. The meticulous planning was done and the Polovitzes settled in. They christened their new space with a fabulous meal they prepared together — “lamb chops and seared broccolini with a glass of Santa Margherita.” As they ate their first meal in their kitchen, laughs were shared, memories made … and no meal had ever tasted quite that good.

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OUTDOORS

Elegance, durability and creativity define this outdoor haven for this family's home. Maintenance free decking combined with a well-thought out plan and a reputable installer adds up to many years of enjoyment. Free standing seating and flower-filled pots enhance the space.

All decked out

BY TERRI FERRAGUT | PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY DECKMASTERS Thinking about a deck project? Expanding your living space by adding a deck is a great American tradition. Family gatherings, a quiet place to read a book or simply enjoy the summer breeze — all define that sacred space. The key to success begins with good knowledge beforehand. Inspired Home spoke with Josh Smook, Deckmasters project designer, for his thoughts on deck design. DESIGN Smook encourages homeowners to think about a few key factors beforehand. What will the space be used for? What will the traffic flow into the backyard be like? For example, will there be a future patio or fire pit destination in the yard that's built away from the home? “Once these questions are answered, we can begin to tailor a design to account for the client’s space usage and traffic flow,” Smook says.

In terms of design, homeowners often become excited about a particular deck design they may have seen on a website. Although beautiful, what customers like — based on an extravagant image versus reality — can differ greatly from what their building codes and budgets allow. These images and a client’s dream can, however, help give Smook an idea of what they are envisioning.

“From there, we are able to tailor design elements and pieces of those ideas to incorporate into what their home will allow us to build; keeping it in alignment with what their budget will allow,” Smook says. Basic, simple deck design generally means more usable space. Keeping things modular is also a good plan. Instead of building planters and benches into the deck, Smook encourages homeowners to add freestanding pots and benches. “This allows for movement when space is needed and an opportunity to change them out with seasonal colors,” he says.

Weight loads on a deck area also should be considered when planning. “Average-weight furniture and get-togethers with family and friends are fine, but no deck is designed to have a hot tub or roof structure placed over it without reinforcement and extra footings," Smook cautions. “Before you decide to place something extra-heavy on your deck, it’s always a good idea to consult your builder.”

MATERIALS Smook firmly believes decking material is one of the most important things to consider when building a new deck because it is more an investment today than years ago. "Treated and cedar decking are low cost and budget friendly, but require painting and staining yearly to prolong their life," Smook warns. “After a few years, a wood deck might begin cupping, bowing or twisting. When repaired, these are unforeseen costs that can result in doubling your initial budget.”

Another consideration for Smook is the material usage. Low-maintenance decking sometimes costs upwards of $100 per board, so accurate product estimations are needed for the project to keep waste to a minimum. Your home is an investment and so is your deck. Low-maintenance materials allow you to do it once and not worry about a thing for many years to come. “With most products," Smook says, "a 25+-year warranty is pretty standard, so you’ll be enjoying your new deck for many years to come.”

Simplicity is always a valuable key to add much needed space to your decking plan. Aluminum railings in black, white, or bronze are popular choices for today's decks.

Simplicity gains an extra nod for acquired space in this design plan incorporating aluminum railings in white with cables. Aluminum railings are growing in popularity and they're budget friendly.