In Their Own Words: Client Testimonials From Three Refined Homes Project
When our clients speak, they tell stories of transformation—not just of spaces, but of lives enhanced through thoughtful design and expert craftsmanship. From enthusiastic testimonials about a chef's kitchen renovation in a classic Saint Paul home, to a growing family's bathroom sanctuary designed for the way they want to live, to heartfelt thanks for rescuing a "slightly slanty" historic porch, our clients' words reveal what makes Refined Homes special. These aren't just renovation projects—they're stories of creativity, problem-solving, and the kind of craftsmanship that our clients celebrate long after the dust has settled. So grab a cup of coffee (or maybe a blueprint), and let's hear directly from homeowners who've experienced the Refined difference firsthand.
From Clumsy to Custom
A Family Kitchen's Flavor Revival
This family of four loved everything about their classic 1923 Saint Paul home in Mac-Groveland---except their kitchen. You know how it goes: Ben, the homeowner who loves to cook, was frustrated with his kitchen's lack of function and style. (And let's just say the previous owners' hasty upgrade with poor-quality materials wasn't doing anyone any favors.) This clumsy kitchen was in disrepair, and the homeowners had had enough.
"We've always loved our little St. Paul house, but our dream was to create an open living/kitchen space where we could spend more time together as a family. Thanks to the incredibly talented team at Refined Homes, this little house is now a home!"
—Megan, Kitchen Renovation Client
Think of this project as a recipe where every ingredient serves a purpose—from the custom cabinets in natural wood and antique white built by a local craftsperson to the seamless profile created by cabinet-depth appliances with hidden handles.
Plot twist: Rather than settling for an under-cabinet water filtration system with a dedicated spigot near the faucet, the family upgraded to a whole-home water filtration system installed by a family-owned, local business. Now, the bathrooms have filtered water for brushing teeth, showers without chlorine in the steam, and kids' baths without mercury. Talk about thinking beyond the kitchen!
Additional light beams through the kitchen thanks to a custom-built Bayer door with a large glass pane that lets parents easily watch the kids in the backyard—an added benefit they hadn't even considered. The uninterrupted classic tile pattern is made possible by plug molding installed by a local electrician underneath the cabinets, proving that sometimes the most beautiful details are the ones you don't notice at first glance.
The final dish? A warm, welcoming kitchen that serves multiple needs: an open space for family togetherness, a functional cooking area for the chef of the house, and beautiful details that complement the home's construction era. From focused meal prep to family celebrations, this transformed kitchen proves that with the right design, one space can elevate your entire home experience.
From Functional to Fabulous:
A Growing Family's Bathroom Sanctuary
Picture this: You're a growing family of three, soon to be four, trying to navigate bath time with a two-year-old in a bathroom that technically works but feels more like a puzzle assembled by someone who lost the picture on the box. Sure, everything functioned, but bathing your little one (and preparing for a newborn) in a space that's been hobbled together by well-meaning handyman fixes? Let's just say it wasn't exactly the serene family moments these parents were dreaming of.
"Being new to the area, we reached out to neighbors for contractor recommendations and several people spoke highly of Refined Homes. We reached out to Ian and Tricia and shared with them our short timeline before the baby’s arrival, because we knew it would be a challenge, but they didn’t shy away. Ian and Tricia, along with their designer, guided us through both the design and construction process, helping us reimagine the space to better suit our needs. They uncovered previously unused space behind walls, maximized storage, and improved overall functionality—all while enhancing the timeless character of our century-old home.
—AJ & Mary, Homeowners
When this family approached us, they weren't looking for bells and whistles—they wanted a bathroom designed with deep consideration for how they actually live. Think of this as architectural empathy: every detail thoughtfully planned for use, enjoyment, and yes, the kind of beauty that makes even toddler bath time feel special.
But here's where the story gets interesting (and boy, did we discover multiple plot twists). In-depth lead testing revealed that lead was indeed present, so we performed the entire demo to the EPA's lead standard for the safety of the family and our workers. When we demo'd the floor, we uncovered what can only be described as a structural mystery novel—previous trades had cut through floor joists, compromising the integrity of this 1922 home's foundation. What started as an aesthetic upgrade became a comprehensive rescue mission for the bones of the house.
Plot twist number three? Sometimes the discoveries made during demo are not all bad news! We revealed a beautiful curve in the wall that our expert cabinet maker designed around, turning what could have been a challenge into a stunning custom feature.
Fun fact: This project featured something we absolutely love—a homeowner who wanted creative input on the floor tile pattern! Working alongside our design team, he charted out a custom pattern that transformed the floor from functional to fabulous. It's like having a co-author for your home's story, and the collaboration created something neither of us could have imagined alone.
The finishing touches? Unlacquered brass knobs and pulls that the family specifically chose because they wanted to experience them naturally aging over time—a beautiful reminder that some things get better with age (just like this 1922 home).
The result? A bathroom that doesn't just work for this growing family—it celebrates them. From thoughtful storage solutions to a tile pattern that's uniquely theirs, from custom cabinetry that embraces the home's natural curves to hardware that will tell its own story over time, this space proves that the best renovations happen when technical expertise meets personal vision. (And when you discover and fix 100-year-old structural issues in the process? Well, that's just us making sure the next chapter of this home's story is rock-solid.)
Engineering Excellence:
The 1920s Porch That Stopped Tilting at Windmills
These charming historic homes have stories to tell—and sometimes those stories include a few creaky floorboards and tilting porches! When our clients came to us with a porch so sloped that marbles would roll from the front door to the storm door, we knew we had a mystery worth solving.
"We hired Refined Homes to shore up the sinking front porch of our historic 1923 home. After getting several quotes, we chose Refined Homes, and we are SO glad we did. From start to finish, they were professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely cared about preserving the integrity of our home. "Refined Homes' expertise in historic structures is unmatched."
—Dan, Homeowner
It's more like architectural detective work, where we balance historical charm with modern stability. The 1920s bungalow's porch had developed such a severe slope (1-½" per four feet!) that it was practically auditioning for a carnival ride, with cracks in the stucco indicating the problem was worsening.
Fun fact: We now use marbles as leveling tools during client consultations—nothing demonstrates a slope quite like watching a marble race across your porch!
It's a win-win that has the neighbors stopping to admire and the local historical society giving enthusiastic thumbs-ups. Now that's what we call making history level!
Our solution involved comprehensive foundation stabilization, strategic lifting to address settling, installation of sistered floor joists to restore proper slope, and careful preservation of original architectural elements. Let's just say the marbles aren't rolling anywhere anymore! Not only can our clients now walk through their front door without feeling like they're on a carnival ride, but their porch looks precisely like it did when Calvin Coolidge was president—minus the slant, of course.
Your Dream Our Expertise
These projects represent more than just construction and renovation—they're transformations that enhance our clients' daily lives. Whether we're breathing new life into a century-old kitchen, creating bathroom sanctuaries for growing families, or stabilizing historic architecture, our commitment to craftsmanship remains unwavering.
Ready to write your own remodel story?
Whether your project is small, medium, or magnificent, we bring the same attention to detail, problem-solving mindset, and storytelling approach to every home we touch. After all, every project has a story, every challenge has a clever solution, and every client becomes part of our ongoing narrative.
Contact Tricia and Ian today to begin the next chapter of your home's story!
