A cramped, partitioned 1980s kitchen footprint can make even a spacious home feel closed off and isolated. For a family in Maple Grove, Minnesota, their original kitchen blocked natural light and cut the cooking zone completely off from surrounding living areas. They envisioned a bright, open-concept main floor infused with a warm mid-century modern aesthetic—a functional space tailored for daily family meals and effortless weekend entertaining.
To bring their dream kitchen to life, they called on Tschida Construction. Through our seamless Design. Select. Construct! approach, our team handled the complex load-bearing wall removal, rerouted hidden mechanicals, and crafted custom finish details to deliver an emotional, turnkey transformation.
Key Takeaways
- THE CHALLENGEA dark, partitioned 1980s kitchen layout that separated the cooking area from main living spaces.
- THE SYSTEMRemoved a main load-bearing wall, set manufactured cabinetry, and installed a custom multi-tone tile backsplash.
- THE RESULTCreated a bright, open-concept kitchen centered around a large quartz island with custom detail work.
Working alongside an experienced interior designer, we selected manufactured cabinetry to optimize the available wall dimensions efficiently. Removing the primary load-bearing partition allowed the new floor plan to connect directly with the formal dining and living areas.
Project Summary
| Client Profile: |
Residential Homeowners |
| Project Location: |
Maple Grove, MN |
| Primary Objective: |
Open up an 80s layout using targeted kitchen remodeling services. |
| System Installed: |
Open-concept wall removal, manufactured cabinetry, and custom multi-tone tile backsplash seen in our completed remodeling projects. |
| Key Outcome: |
Bright, connected kitchen featuring mid-century modern design elements. |
Heavy Lifting: Load-Bearing Removal & Transparent Solutions
Opening up an 80s kitchen requires serious structural expertise. To connect the kitchen directly with the formal dining and living areas, our crew set temporary shoring walls and safely removed the main load-bearing partition, setting structural support headers overhead. To protect the rest of the home, plastic containment barriers kept construction dust isolated from upper living quarters.
During demolition, we uncovered hidden mechanical vent pipes and electrical circuits inside the wall cavity. True to our commitment to open communication and reliable service, we immediately walked the clients through the needed $1,100 scope adjustment, explaining the plan clearly before making a single move.
To optimize spatial flow and keep project costs on target, our team worked alongside an interior designer to select high-quality manufactured cabinetry tailored precisely to the room's dimensions. Once delivered, our installers set and leveled the units in just two days, taking exact countertop measurements right away to keep the schedule moving fast.
Artistry in the Details: A Hand-Laid Backsplash Reveal
The crown jewel of the new mid-century design is the custom multi-tone tile backsplash. To ensure the design matched the homeowners' vision, our lead tile installer laid out individual tiles across the new kitchen island side-by-side with the client.
"At the final reveal, there were definitely some tears and that was great... They absolutely loved the backsplash." - (Nick Tschida, Tschida Construction)
Together, they mapped out the exact color gradient and pattern before transferring the tiles onto the wall, cascading the design around sleek floating shelves and the range hood.
Open-concept kitchen renovation with custom tile backsplash in Maple Grove, MN.
A Mid-Century Modern Dream Brought to Life
The finished walkthrough was an emotional moment for the family. What was once a dark, closed-off 1980s space is now an open, light-filled hub. The massive quartz island provides generous prep space and informal bar seating, while updated stair railings tie the entire main level together.
By blending structural engineering with down-to-earth, relatable client care, Tschida Construction transformed an outdated layout into a modern sanctuary built for years of family memories!
Ready to Open Up Your Kitchen Layout in Maple Grove? Trust Tschida Construction!
Tschida Construction brings structural expertise and detailed craftsmanship to every home renovation project we take on. We handle load-bearing wall removals, custom tile work, and layout redesigns with total precision.
Planning a kitchen remodel in Maple Grove? Contact Tschida Construction to discuss your project!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can load-bearing walls be removed during a kitchen remodel?
Yes. Structural load-bearing walls can be removed by installing engineered support beams concealed within the ceiling frame or mounted underneath to maintain structural integrity.
How long do manufactured cabinets take to arrive?
Manufactured cabinetry typically carries an 8 to 12 week lead time from ordering to site delivery. Demolition is scheduled once cabinets arrive and undergo quality checks.
How are custom tile backsplash patterns created?
Installers often lay out multi-colored tile sheets on a flat surface like an island to assemble and refine the color gradient before mortaring individual pieces directly to the wall.