raleigh hills Mid-Century remodel

This 1970s-built home in Raleigh Hills underwent a major renovation to improve functionality and flow across key spaces, including the kitchen, laundry room, den, and two bathrooms. While the house had potential, the existing layout featured an “eclectic” mix of flooring – hardwood, laminate, carpet, and slate tile – throughout the first floor. Additionally, the laundry room's excessive size, combined with its awkward placement as a passageway to the kitchen, contributed to the overall disjointed and impractical layout.

Warm wood tones, durable materials, and a fresh floor plan dramatically enhance the functionality of this mid-century modern kitchen.

Open shelving integrated into the cabinetry provides abundant storage while also offering generous display space.

A microwave drawer maximizes counter space while ensuring easy accessibility.

A minimalist hood wrapped in drywall allows the custom cabinetry to stand out while providing essential ventilation. The upper cabinets are raised to accommodate the custom stainless steel shelf.

Slab-front drawers and minimalist pulls create a sleek, easy-to-clean surface.

A playful terrazzo-look quartz blends the colors of the exquisite tile craftsmanship and warm cabinetry.

The island features wood slats that echo the wood slat dividing wall between the hallway and living room, and is painted in a green that complements the countertop, providing a striking contrast to the warm wood cabinetry. Globe pendants hang gracefully above the island.

Located just inside the garage, a small prep sink is perfect for rinsing produce or washing up.

A new chandelier above the client’s vintage dining set reflects the design of the pendants over the kitchen island and the sconce in the powder bath.

A modern railing replaced the scrolled ironwork railing, while new oak flooring ensures continuity throughout the first floor.

New built-ins enhance functionality and storage, resulting in a cozy nook in front of the newly tiled fireplace.

The modern slat wall - in the same wood as the flooring - acts as a railing between the hallway and sunken den, while keeping the space open and airy.

A subtle geometric wallpaper, paired with a painted vanity cabinet, adds a touch of intrigue to this powder bathroom.

The bathroom countertop uses a remnant from the kitchen to maximize the budget.

The laundry room doubles as a feeding station for the dogs, inspiring the choice of dog-themed wallpaper. Non-slip tile was installed to prevent accidents and protect against water damage.

Double sinks and mirrors provide plenty of space for getting ready.

Floor-to-ceiling cabinetry provides additional linen and toiletry storage.

The vertically stacked tile reflects the mid-century era of the house, while the larger tile size brings a contemporary touch.

The scrolled iron railings were replaced throughout the house, while a few wood slats extend the wall without requiring a new railing.

To address the layout challenges, the wall separating the kitchen and laundry room was removed, and the hallway was extended to improve accessibility to the kitchen. Flooring was streamlined by replacing the disparate materials on the first floor with engineered white oak, while stain-resistant and eco-friendly carpet was installed on the stairs and second floor for durability and comfort. The kitchen was upgraded with lower pull-out drawer cabinets featuring space-saving inserts for improved organization and functionality. Slab-front cabinet doors provide a clean, seamless look, while a counter-to-ceiling tile backsplash adds a striking visual element.

Sustainability was a key component of this remodel. Existing appliances were reused wherever possible, and the existing cabinets were saved for reuse in the basement. Energy-efficient upgrades included an induction range and a refrigerator designed to preserve food longer while reducing energy use. New wood cabinets provide a natural warmth to the kitchen.

During construction, unexpected issues with improperly installed slate flooring required rethinking material choices to stay within budget. Aligning the fireplace mantle with the floating shelves in the den presented another challenge, but precise calculations and height adjustments ensured that full-size tiles could be used without cuts. Despite these hurdles, the finished design successfully combines mid-century warmth with modern practicality, delivering a cohesive and efficient living space.

Construction Partner: Murrayhill Remodeling

raleigh hills Mid-Century remodel

Photography by Kaitlin Green