Diary of a Renovation: It’s all Coming Together

This is the sixth blog post chronicling the renovation of our contributing editor Karin Lidbeck Brent’s classic Cape Cod home. Want to read all about it from the beginning? Start here.

By Karin Lidbeck Brent

One of the most significant challenges of creating the design for my open concept Cape Cod style home was creating a harmonious relationship between the kitchen and living room. My solution was to use color and fabric to pull it all together. I started by finding this Duralee fabric named “Chilvers” by Tilton Fenwick and it was the springboard to the creating an interesting mix of materials.

More fabrics from Duralee and Pindler join the party.

The transformation of the rest of the house is going to be enlivened with some colorful patterns of blues and chartreuse greens. When you find something you love you go with your gut and you will never be disappointed!

This stone tile from Daltile with its sand and beach grass tones will be the transforming the fireplace wall in the living room. I love the way it ties back to the sun washed grey kitchen cabinets.

Our resourceful builder Jim Gronski found this wood at a yard sale. I’m seeing an amazing mantle written all over it!

Interesting wood finishes will be making an appearance on the floors as well. Wanting a floor that would make a statement, we searched for bleached light wood finishes throughout which reflects our whole Cape Cod design aesthetic. The light floor will make the rooms feel brighter, and mixed with our fabric choices the end result will be happy!

We have picked a mix of floors, from real wood to engineered floor, that work together in mutual tonal affects but will give us some subtle textured differences. 

With the electrical and plumbing almost done and insulation and sheet rocking starting, the house will start taking shape quickly. The balance of overseeing all the construction details while envisioning every detail of the decorating process is certainly consuming our lives, but my husband Michael and I are so excited as all the pieces are falling into place.

Read the other blog posts in the series here: 

Part 1 – Getting Started

Part 2 – Hiring the Right Team

Part 3 – Creating a Home with Great Bones

Part 4 – Designing as you Go 

Part 5 – Planning the Design Direction