Project Before & After

Working with the house, not against it.

August 25, 2025

Columbus, Ohio

Original Build: 2003

Residential Renovation

Custom Millwork & Cabinetry

Kitchen

Butler’s Pantry

Fireplace Built-Ins

Laundry & Craft Room

THE STORY

The homeowner came to the project with a clear vision and a strong sense of style. Stella Noir was brought in to refine the layout and develop the custom millwork and cabinetry, balancing function with the character of the home.

THE BEFORE

A dated, modern aesthetic dominated the interior, feeling disconnected from the home’s Southern Colonial Revival architecture.

Kitchen & Butler’s Pantry

Before (right).

More than a traditional butler’s pantry, this hardworking pass-through connects the dining room and back hall, with two sinks, a dishwasher, full-size refrigeration, and extensive cabinetry for prep, serving and storage.

THE TRANSFORMATION

Connecting spaces and creating personality.

The focus of this kitchen renovation went well beyond the obvious aesthetic changes. Originally, a laundry room located behind the refrigerator and freezer separated the kitchen from the dining room, interrupting the flow between the two spaces. By relocating the laundry, we created a generous butler’s pantry and bar that now connect the kitchen and dining room, while providing additional storage, prep space, and a dedicated place to showcase the homeowner’s glassware and collected pieces.

“

One of the first things I look for in an older home isn’t what I want to remove - it’s what I can work with.

Designer’s Note

KITCHEN DETAILS

One of the kitchen’s defining features is the curved cherry island, detailed with brass seam strips integrated into the honed marble countertop. Beyond the kitchen, the Butler’s Pantry provides additional space for prep and cleanup while connecting directly to the back entry and secondary staircase. This thoughtful circulation creates an efficient flow through the home, particularly when entertaining large groups or hosting catered events.

After (both photos)

We Kept

  • Room Locations

  • Exterior Windows

  • Staircase

We Changed.

  • Pathways

  • Interior Doorways

  • Complete Kitchen Renovation

  • Added Laundry Room

  • Added Butler’s Pantry

FIREPLACE

The original fireplace wall felt asymmetrical and underscaled against the room’s soaring vaulted ceilings. New walls were framed to create arched niches on either side of a redesigned fireplace surround, giving the entire composition better proportion and presence within the space. The niches also created opportunities for decorative lighting and mirrors, adding depth, dimension, and layers of visual interest.

After (top photo)

Before (bottom photo)

(ALMOST) EVERYTHING HAD TO GO.

LAUNDRY & CRAFT

A former two-story entry was reframed to create a dedicated laundry and craft room tailored to the homeowner. Designed around the existing window dormer, the space features a central worktable for crafting and folding, dedicated hanging space, and extensive custom cabinetry. Soft pink tones and feminine details give this hardworking room a playful personality, while still feeling polished and connected to the rest of the home.

After (both photos)

Every home has a next chapter.

Sometimes the potential is obvious. Sometimes it’s buried under decades of renovations and decisions that no longer make sense.

See what could be - and bring it to life.

LET'S WORK TOGETHER