From Vision to Reality: A Bold, Colorful Kitchen Transformation at The West Wall Lodge

Having had the pleasure of working with Kirsten and John on previous projects, we already knew that this kitchen remodel was going to be something special.

Kirsten and John are a warm, joyful couple whose positive energy is reflected throughout their home. We had previously installed beautiful Austrian Misty White Oak engineered hardwood flooring from Scheucher throughout their condo, as well as transformed their powder room into a colorful, blissful retreat.

For the powder room, we paired a whimsical Wildflower mural wallpaper with gold fixtures and a black James Martin vanity. So when Kirsten and John invited Paradise Interiors back to redesign their kitchen, we knew we were in for another fun and creative project.

And because we had previously worked at The West Wall Lodge on Mt. Crested Butte, we also knew that this project would come with its share of challenges.

Designing Around the Challenges

Many of the multi-story resorts on the mountain present unique structural and logistical challenges when it comes to remodeling. Tight access, shared building systems, concrete subfloors, and structural limitations can make even seemingly simple changes much more complicated.

Fortunately, Paradise Interiors has an incredible team of trusted subcontractors who are experienced in navigating these challenges.

With the help of Alpha Mechanical and Crested Butte Electric, we are able to develop creative, code-compliant solutions when unexpected issues arise — whether during the planning phase or once construction is underway.

We get it done!

Designing Around How They Live

We began the design process by sitting down with Kirsten and John to talk about their vision for the space, their needs, and how they use their kitchen every day.

For us, a successful kitchen remodel isn't just about creating a beautiful room. It is about understanding how our clients live and designing a space that supports their daily routines.

From the beginning, three design elements were at the top of Kirsten and John's wish list:

1. Blue cabinetry
2. Quartzite countertops
3. A colorful chandelier

Those three elements became the foundation for the entire design.

The Blue Cabinets

For the cabinetry, Kirsten and John selected the Millenia Series from Wellborn Cabinet Company in the Prairie Shaker door style.

The cabinets feature a full overlay, Red Oak construction, and a beautiful painted blue finish.

The color immediately gave the kitchen personality while still allowing the natural beauty and movement of the quartzite countertops to take center stage.

A Chandelier With a Story

The chandelier was one of the most meaningful elements of the project.

Kirsten and John had purchased it during a trip to Italy. They loved its unique aesthetic and, even more importantly, its sentimental value. They knew they wanted to use it in their new kitchen but weren't sure exactly how it would fit into the redesigned space.

We made sure the new layout gave this special piece the attention it deserved.

The result is a kitchen where the chandelier isn't simply a light fixture — it is a focal point and a reminder of a meaningful experience.

Inspired by Montanya's

The quartzite selection has a story of its own.

Kirsten and John had enjoyed a craft cocktail at Montanya Distillers in Crested Butte and immediately fell in love with the gorgeous stone bartop.

Being the incredibly thoughtful people they are, they even brought our designers a gift certificate to Montanya's so we could enjoy a cocktail and take a closer look at the stone ourselves.

After a cocktail or two — and quite a bit of research — we discovered that the beautiful stone was Ijen Blue Quartzite, sourced from Brazil and Indonesia.

We were eventually able to locate a slab yard in Denver that had several slabs available.

When we shared the news, Kirsten and John made the trip to the slab yard to select their favorite slabs.

We always encourage clients to personally select their stone whenever possible. Natural stone varies dramatically from slab to slab, and being able to choose the exact piece that will become part of your home makes the finished project that much more personal.

Rethinking the Layout

The original kitchen featured a diagonal peninsula with a sink that extended from a wall separating the kitchen from the entry.

It was an element Kirsten and John had never particularly loved. They didn't like the diagonal shape, and they wanted to open up the floor plan rather than have a wall interrupt the flow between spaces.

John also had a very thoughtful request: his own bar sink, separate from the main kitchen sink, so he could use it without interrupting Kirsten while she was working in the kitchen.

He also requested as many trash pull-outs as possible. Because the building provides separate trash and recycling receptacles in different areas of the complex, waste management had become a bit of a daily logistical challenge.

Kirsten wanted the pantry and refrigerator relocated, along with floating shelves and undercabinet lighting.

And, of course, we couldn't redesign the space without considering their sweet pup, Mavis.

We created a dedicated dog station in the entry, complete with food storage containers, food and water bowls, and a drawer for leashes and those all-important poop bags.

Appliances & Finishes

Appliances can be one of the biggest decisions in a kitchen remodel, with seemingly endless brands, configurations, colors, and finishes.

Fortunately, Kirsten knew exactly what she wanted — and we couldn't have agreed more.

The GE Café line in White with Gold hardware was the perfect complement to the design.

With the gold appliances and colorful chandelier anchoring the room, the plumbing and cabinet hardware naturally followed.

We selected Delta faucets in Champagne Bronze and paired them with shimmering Amerock cabinet pulls and knobs in Champagne Bronze.

For the sinks, we chose Blanco composite granite in Truffle, adding another layer of warmth and contrast.

Every finish was selected to work together as part of one cohesive story.

From Design to Construction

Once the layout and design selections were finalized, it was time to move into ordering, demolition, and rough-ins.

Ordering & Logistics

One of the biggest advantages of working with Paradise Interiors is that we manage the logistics behind the scenes.

We order, track, receive, inventory, quality-check, and deliver the materials for our projects.

That means our clients don't have to spend their time coordinating deliveries, tracking shipments, or figuring out where and when materials need to arrive.

For a project with a tight timeline, that organization becomes especially important.

Custom cabinetry can take six to eight weeks to build, followed by additional time for shipping to Crested Butte. Because we knew the timeline would be tight, we carefully coordinated the project phases so work could continue while we waited for the cabinets.

Demolition

We began demolition almost immediately after the cabinet order was placed.

Kirsten and John generously donated their old appliances to a local friend in need. This was such a wonderful gesture. It helped another member of our community and kept perfectly usable appliances out of the local landfill.

Thank you again, Kirsten and John!

Because this was a kitchen remodel within an open-concept condo, protecting the rest of the home was a priority.

Before demolition began, we moved furniture, protected the existing flooring, and installed plastic zip walls to contain dust and debris.

Good preparation makes a big difference during construction.

Unexpected Challenges

Once the old kitchen was removed, we could begin laying the groundwork for the new design.

Removing the entry wall revealed a shared cast-iron exhaust pipe that we had not anticipated. We also discovered that the concrete subfloor created a challenge when it came to relocating the main sink plumbing.

These are exactly the kinds of surprises that can arise once walls and floors are opened up.

Fortunately, our team at Paradise Interiors, working closely with Alpha Mechanical, was able to develop creative and code-compliant solutions that kept the project moving forward.

This phase also included roughing in the new lighting, outlets, and switches.

When you change a kitchen's layout, the existing electrical placement rarely works perfectly with the new design. In this case, we had several important elements to coordinate — including the statement chandelier, undercabinet lighting, appliances, and the new cabinet configuration.

Once the placement was finalized, Crested Butte Electric roughed in all of the electrical according to the new plan.

Watching the Kitchen Come Together

With the rough-ins complete, the transformation really began to take shape.

We added insulation where needed, installed new drywall, repaired the areas affected by the original backsplash, painted, and completed the remaining hardwood flooring installation.

Then, right on schedule, the custom cabinets arrived.

The installation of the blue cabinetry completely transformed the space and gave us our first real glimpse of the finished kitchen.

While we waited for the quartzite countertops to be fabricated and installed by Slate River Marble, we moved forward with the backsplash.

We selected Marazzi Zellige Neo 4x4 Gesso Glossy tile and installed it in a vertical straight-stack pattern, extending from the countertop all the way to the ceiling behind the floating shelves and range hood.

The glossy tile adds texture and light while creating a beautiful backdrop for the blue cabinetry and Ijen Blue Quartzite.

We then installed the cabinet pulls and knobs, adding just the right amount of sparkle.

Getting the Countertops Into the Condo

The countertops presented one final — and rather memorable — challenge.

The quartzite slabs were simply too large to bring into the condo through the stairs or elevators.

So we had to think outside the box.

Literally.

We rented a boom lift and brought the slabs into the condo over the second-floor balcony.

Once the slabs were safely inside and installed, we were finally down to the finishing touches.

The plumbers and electricians returned to complete the trim-out, Paradise Interiors installed the new appliances, and all of the final details were brought together.

And just like that, Kirsten and John's new kitchen was ready.

A Kitchen Designed for Real Life

The finished kitchen is colorful, personal, functional, and completely unique to Kirsten and John.

The blue cabinetry brings personality and warmth. The Ijen Blue Quartzite adds natural movement and drama. The Italian chandelier tells a story. The gold finishes tie everything together, while the redesigned layout creates a much more open and functional space.

And perhaps most importantly, every detail was designed around the way this couple actually lives — from John's separate bar sink to the strategically placed trash pull-outs, floating shelves, undercabinet lighting, and even a dedicated space for Mavis.

This project is a perfect example of what we love most about kitchen remodeling at Paradise Interiors: creating beautiful spaces while solving the practical challenges that make each home unique.

From the first conversation and initial sketches to the final appliance installation, our goal is to make the process as seamless as possible for our clients — even when the unexpected happens.

Because at the end of the day, a successful remodel isn't just about how a kitchen looks.

It's about how it feels to live there.

And we think Kirsten, John, and Mavis have found their perfect kitchen.