This Brookside whole home remodeling project transformed an outdated home into a modern, inspiring space that reflects how the homeowners live today. After spending several years living abroad in Asia, our clients returned with a strong vision: they wanted a home that felt intentional, functional, and deeply personal.
Through a whole-home remodel—including the kitchen, main floor powder bath, primary bathroom, and basement- we reworked layouts, elevated finishes, and created spaces designed to be lived in and loved.
Table of Contents
Existing Conditions: What Wasn’t Working
Before the remodel, several spaces in the home limited both function and flow.
Although the kitchen offered a generous footprint, the dated finishes and inefficient layout made the space feel cramped. Because the work zones were poorly arranged, the overall flow felt restricted and failed to take full advantage of the available square footage.
Meanwhile, the main floor bathroom included a tub that simply wasn’t being used. Because there are no bedrooms on this level, the tub didn’t add value. At the same time, the entry from the garage felt tight and congested, creating bottlenecks during busy moments of the day.
Similarly, the primary bathroom felt dated, and despite its large size, the layout did not function logically. As a result, the space lacked cohesion and failed to reflect the scale and potential of the room.
Finally, the basement bathroom was extremely small and only included a toilet and sink. As a result, it felt cramped and unfinished. Without a shower, the basement lacked the flexibility needed for guests.
Altogether, the home needed smarter layouts and a cohesive design direction to support modern living.
Rethinking the Floor Plans
To improve functionality, we focused first on reworking the floor plans. Designer Andrea Stone helped guide our clients through the design and selections process and Director Keith Brockman oversaw the project as it was brought to life.
On the main floor, we removed the unused tub and slightly reduced the bathroom’s footprint. In doing so, we gained valuable square footage for the garage entry. As a result, the transition into the home now feels open and efficient, especially during high-traffic times.
In the basement, we completely demoed the existing bathroom and reframed the space to create a larger, more functional layout. By moving drain lines and relocating the toilet hookup, we were able to add a shower and transform the bathroom into a fully usable space. This change significantly increased the value and usability of the basement.
These layout changes may not be immediately visible, but they play a major role in how the home functions day to day.
Construction & The Remodeling Process
We began with demoing the kitchen, main floor bathroom, primary bathroom, and basement.
Kitchen demo
Kitchen demo
Main floor bathroom demo
Upstairs primary bath demo
Basement demo
Once demolition was complete, the Brookside home renovation moved into the construction phase.
At this stage, we completed:
- New framing to support revised layouts
- Plumbing and electrical updates for relocated fixtures
- Insulation and new drywall throughout the home
Basement bathroom demo and framing
Basement bathroom demo and framing
o enhance functionality, we framed a larger bathroom in the basement, allowing more space for the shower.
New framing for basement bathroom
Plumbing work to move drain lines for new shower and toilet
Then we relocated the drain lines and repositioned the toilet and sink to prepare for the new shower.
Drywall in kitchen
Drywall in new basement bathroom
From there, the transformation continued with new flooring, custom cabinetry, and fresh paint, on all levels of the home.
Filling in hardwoods in the kitchen
Patching area where old kitchen island was
Main floor powder bath tile
Upstairs primary bathroom tile
Basement bathroom tile
Primary shower tile and niche
Primary bathroom vanity and counters installed
Basement bathroom shower installed
Main floor powder bath wallpaper
Finally, we installed hardware, fixtures, appliances, and lighting to bring each space together.
Kitchen cabinetry, counters, and hardware installed.
By managing every phase carefully, we ensured the home felt cohesive across all levels.
Key Design Details That Define the Home
While layout changes improved function, the design details brought the home to life.
- Kitchen Remodel: The kitchen features rich gray, modern cabinetry paired with a warm wood island and statement lighting. Together, these elements create a space that feels bold yet welcoming—perfect for both everyday living and entertaining.
- Powder Bath Statement Wallpaper: The main floor powder bath makes an impact with Chinese dragon–inspired wallpaper. This bold choice reflects the homeowners’ time living in Asia and sets the tone for the home’s globally inspired design.
- Basement Bathroom Sink: In the basement bathroom, a vintage-inspired sink serves as both a functional piece and a personal design moment. Inspired by a sink the homeowner loved in an old house years ago, it had always been part of the long-term vision.
- Art Collection on Display: Throughout the home, the clients’ art collection—gathered from travels around the world—adds layers of meaning and visual interest. Rather than acting as decor alone, the art tells the story of the homeowners’ experiences.
The Final Reveal
In the end, this Brookside whole-home remodel delivers both form and function.
Each space now supports the homeowners’ lifestyle, from gathering in the kitchen to moving effortlessly through high-traffic areas.
In addition, the finished home feels modern without sacrificing warmth or personality.
The finished powder bath makes a bold statement. Although it’s a small room, it delivers huge personality with a fun, spunky design. The dark blue vanity anchors the space and ties seamlessly into the blue tones in the dragon wallpaper, creating a cohesive and intentional look. Meanwhile, the black and gold hardware adds contrast and sophistication, elevating the overall design. As a result, this compact space feels vibrant, curated, and full of character.
In contrast to its previous layout, the redesigned primary bathroom now feels spa-like, clean, and airy. By opening up the floor plan and refining the layout, the space finally reflects its true scale and purpose. Soft, light finishes create a calming backdrop, while the streamlined design enhances the sense of openness. At the same time, matte black hardware and modern light fixtures introduce sleek, contemporary contrast. As a result, the room balances warmth and sophistication, delivering a serene retreat with polished, modern edge.
With a thoughtful redesign, the basement now lives like a true extension of the main levels of the home. The expanded bathroom features a larger footprint and a full shower, which significantly improves both function and comfort. By reworking the layout, the space now feels intentional rather than secondary.
Meanwhile, fresh drywall and paint redefine the lower-level living area and create a clean, cohesive backdrop. As a result, the basement feels finished, livable, and seamlessly connected to the rest of the home rather than set apart from it.
The home is beautiful, but most importantly, the remodel reflects the people who live there—proof that thoughtful Brookside remodeling can transform not just a house, but how it feels to live in it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was it worth adding a shower to the basement bathroom?
Yes. Adding a shower dramatically increased the basement’s functionality and made the bathroom feel complete rather than secondary.
Why remove a tub from the main floor bathroom?
Because there are no bedrooms on the main level, the tub wasn’t being used. Removing it allowed us to improve circulation and make better use of the available square footage. Since we added a shower to the basement the number of bathrooms available to shower in didn't change.
How do you keep a whole-home remodel cohesive?
By maintaining consistency in materials and finishes while incorporating meaningful design moments, a large remodel can feel intentional rather than disjointed. Our team of talented designers are there every step of the way from design, through construction to help guide you in creating a space you truly love to live in! Read more about our design-build process here.
What kind of design style do you focus on?
We believe every home should be as unique as the people who live in it. Our focus is always on the client, creating a space that reflects their style, needs, and vision. Our team has experience across every design style, from modern and sleek minimalistic to transitional and timeless traditional spaces with a vintage touch. If you have the vision, we can make it happen. Check out our galleries for other completed project inspiration.
Start Your Brookside Remodeling Project
If you’re considering a Brookside remodeling project—whether a kitchen remodel, bathroom renovation, or full-home transformation—thoughtful planning makes all the difference. We also service other surrounding Kansas City suburbs and the Lake of the Ozarks.
Your dream home journey begins here! Contact us today to start the conversation.