Neither wholly traditional nor distinctly modern, this Minneapolis kitchen finds its footing in a beautifully blended style. Designed by Kristen Veenstra and photographed by Ashley Sullivan, it’s a study in balance and layers—where each element feels unique enough to stand out, yet nuanced enough to seamlessly complement the home’s original character.
From Ashley Sullivan… I absolutely love working with Kristen — her designs are so deeply considered, down to the tiniest detail. Every element feels intentional, which makes photographing her work such a joy. She also brings the best kind of energy to shoot days: calm, upbeat, and collaborative, which keeps everyone at ease and allows the creativity to flow.
On this particular day, we were greeted with dark skies and steady rain, which meant we had to get creative with our lighting and angles to capture the space at its best. It was one of those days that reminds me how much problem-solving is woven into the process of creating great imagery, and how rewarding it feels when everything comes together.
“This kitchen remodel is truly a work of art, with a design that’s both strong and layered. It stands beautifully on its own while integrating seamlessly into the rest of the home, and providing excellent functionality for the family who lives here.”
– Ashley Sullivan
From Kristen Veenstra… From the first walkthrough meeting with the clients, the home as a whole had a very distinct voice. Built in the ’80s, it included generous living spaces, soaring vaulted ceilings, expansive wood-paneled walls, and a hint of leftover mid-century flair. The kitchen footprint was comparatively small in contrast, lacking a functional layout and aesthetic appeal. One of the biggest challenges of the project was to give the kitchen a voice of its own while still respecting the features and feel of the rest of the home. This drew us to lean into a curated mix of elements, keeping it nuanced enough to remain classic.
The island incorporates rich wood tones and joinery found throughout the home, the color palette brings in the natural landscape of the outdoors, and the strategically placed curves on the cabinetry and hood surround are a slight nod to that radiused feature found in ’80s design. An anchoring feature is the range wall, specifically designed to have mass and presence, giving this formerly overlooked space a true moment of its own. Other unique features include a bar area with stone-clad shelves, custom dovetailed joinery on walnut door fronts, hidden appliances, and hand-applied plaster finishes. Open shelving gave us the opportunity for a unique styling moment that included vintage silver serving pieces from the homeowner’s collection, incorporating another layer into the mix and speaking to the client’s love for vintage and antiques.
Other unique features include a bar area with stone-clad shelves, custom dovetailed joinery on walnut door fronts, hidden appliances, and hand-applied plaster finishes. Open shelving gave us the opportunity for a unique styling moment that included vintage silver serving pieces from the homeowner’s collection, incorporating another layer into the mix and speaking to the client’s love for vintage and antiques.
Discover the talent behind the story… Photography: Ashley Sullivan · Interior Design: Kristen Veenstra Interiors · Builder: Fred Nordahl Construction
