Parade of Homes: Gail and Rhonda Peterson Home

Nestled on the out-skirts of town in sugar beet country with trees, brush and plenty of custom concrete to adorn the front entrance with its circular drive-through, this tri-level home, built in the early 1980s by Ed Deg and partner Wes Smith, had the typical u-shaped kitchen with a peninsula dividing the kitchen and dining room. One would walk into the home directly into the living room with a wall, shutting out the rest of the world to its kitchen - the hub of the home.

Couple’s home paved in comfort -

Gail and Rhonda Peterson, Sidney, grew up in this community, and they wanted to raise their family enriched by the comforts of small town living. Now that the Peterson children have left home, leaving the couple to an empty nest, the outdated kitchen and living room area had to be transformed.

The Peterson home is a congregating place for family and friends, and the couple wanted comfort for everyone. They knew that the empty nest wouldn't be empty for long, as holidays and get-togethers happen throughout the year, and Petersons have to be ready for it. "The family room was supposed to be the place where everyone would go, but even in my old kitchen - that's where people would end up," Rhonda said. But how could she change the space to fit the needs of the ever-growing family?

First and foremost was the space between a new island and perimeter cabinetry. This new space allows the entire family to enjoy time baking and cooking together, yet there is still plenty of room for all.

The couple had worked with designer Brenda Larson of Creative Solutions on previous projects, always trusting Larson's direction. They also knew Ed Deg had to be the man for this renovation job, as he built the home and knew its bones, "and we knew he'd give us a great product," Rhonda said.

As designer and homeowner looked at a blank-slate space, Rhonda kept existing pieces of the old space that were definite needs in the new, such as the high bar chairs at the island, dining table, coffee table and chairs. They found placement for everything to house Rhonda's appliance choices, along with surrounding cabinets/countertops, and then the coffee center was discussed. "I wanted a coffee center, and I wanted to use some red, which is my favorite color," Rhonda said.

The coffee center became the focal point of the room, for which Rhonda chose Dura Supreme cabinetry in the Bella door style in custom red with the hand-rubbed finish. Rhonda kept the Bella door style on all cabinets, but chose two other finishes. One finish was maple in antique white with coffee glaze in the hand-rubbed finish on the island accented by large posts on the corners and the rest of the perimeter kitchen cabinetry was done in dark cherry with the Heavy Heirloom K finish in mission stain and charcoal glaze.

Choosing a countertop became an important aspect in Rhonda's kitchen as well. It seemed to fit when she chose a cement/concrete countertop, made by Jason Wise, as the Peterson family owns and operates Sidney Red-E-Mix. The inspiration of adding glass chips into a countertop came when Rhonda purchased an outdoor concrete bench that had a design of red poppies made from glass chips. "I just loved that piece, and I had to do something like that for my coffee center and simply adding red glass chips to the countertops," Rhonda said. As Wise began working on the countertops, he had Rhonda add the red glass chips randomly, but she also created the red poppies at the coffee center, as the project evolved.

Other special features in this kitchen include: built-in coffee maker, built-in Sub-Zero five-foot refrigerator/freezer with wood panels to match cabinetry, double ovens, a warming drawer, slide-out TV, farm-style sink, cork flooring, microwave, main dishwasher, custom shelving, pantries, and angled shelves for photos and collectibles. The 2-level island features, pots and pans drawers, pop-up vent over stovetop, pot filler, double sink and drawer dishwasher, along with plenty of storage and always a baked goodie on hand (as every worker found out during this project!)

Over the dining room table, Rhonda finally got to use that light fixture she had purchased long before the project even started. Some call it the spider light with many legs and clear glass globes.

This level of the home received all new doors and window trim, which was done in Rustic Alder in the Regency Finish. The window trim displays the custom stacked moulding treatment that graces the top of the windows.

Now that the project is complete, Rhonda says, "I just love it, love it. It's just so comfortable. It's so worth the wait while you live in the in-between time during the project. I guess my favorite part of the project has to be the efficiency of cooking and baking areas, as well as having plenty of space to entertain." Any changes for her? Definitely change out the faucets and add a backsplash, she says. "I want the touch style of faucets now."

"Rhonda was great to work with," Larson said. "Getting rid of the wall that divided this space to make it one large room will make Rhonda's kitchen run so much more efficiently. It was our job to make it all fit, and it looks great!"

In their office, Gail & Rhonda added new doors to existing cabinetry too and Sidney Millwork made her a new countertop. Creative Solutions and Ed Deg designed and built a custom curio cabinet that houses her collectibles.

As one travels throughout the Peterson's home, one will notice the many quilts Rhonda has made, adorning walls and beds. The laundry room is the first stop off the office, and it's a happy place to spend time washing, drying, folding and ironing, highlighted by vibrant colors. Be sure to check that cabinet - it holds the fold up ironing board!

Make a trip up the stairs, to find three bedrooms and two baths. The last renovation previous to the kitchen-dining room was the couple's master bathroom, also designed by Brenda Larson, along with B&B Builders and Sidney Millwork. This suite features a glass block walk-in shower, Rhonda and Gail's separate walk-in closets and creative cement flooring.

Take a trip downstairs to the first lower level and relax and smell the popcorn in the family room with a great bar area. This level also houses two more bedrooms and a bathroom.

And down yet another flight of stairs, hit the workout room and huge storage area.

Every room in this home says comfort in every corner - Well, except for the workout room. Stay clear of that one!

Petersons share this home because they wanted to support the Boys and Girls Club of Richland County. "We feel this is a very worthwhile club for our small town, and we are honored to have been a part of this event," Rhonda said. Rhonda drives bus for the Sidney School system, and she sees some of the children that are a part of the Boys and Girls Club.