Behind The Design: @justjesshealth Kitchen And Bathroom Remodels
Images by @rennaihoefer
*BEFORE PICTURES BELOW!
Introduce yourself - who are you, where are you from, and what’s your story?
Hi! I’m Jessica, I was born and raised in Arizona (don’t meet many AZ natives, do ya). I have lived all over the country, but Scottsdale is where I call home. I am the founder of Just Jess Health, a service platform for women to discover tried-and-true practices for bringing healthful balance, nourishment and longevity to their daily lives.
Tell us a little bit about your project.
When I first met Lexi, I was recently engaged and living a crazy life as an NFL spouse. We were living in Seattle, but I wanted a homestead that I could escape to.
We ended up finding the perfect house right up the street from my parents. It was just what I was looking for, a great neighborhood, loved the layout, perfect amount of space and privacy. The bones were great. Only issue, the finishes hadn’t been touched in 20 years...not cute.
The house was bought with every intention of renovating. The plan was to start with the Kitchen and Master Bath. The kitchen was completely outdated and as someone who LIVES in the kitchen… it wasn’t going to work. The Master Bath literally looked like my grandma’s bathroom.
But, as you know, when you make plans God laughs.
What started out as a “we’ll do one room at a time, take it slow” turned into a “Shoot, change of plans.! Got a job offer in Seattle and we’re moving next week.”
That’s where Lexi came in (seriously a gift from heaven).
Side note: Did you know Lexi and her husband are from Seattle? For this reason, and a few others, the stars seriously aligned.
Why did you choose LGD?
We had gotten a job in Seattle and had to head back urgently.
The project turned into a complete renovation overnight.
Before homeownership was even a thought in my mind, I was a huge fan of Lexi’s. I loved her aesthetic and style, and not to mention, her authenticity.
I follow a lot of interior design accounts, and Lexi Grace is incredible at what she does and has the integrity to back it up (and a heart of gold).
Anyways…
After interviewing multiple Interior Designers and Contractors, Lexi was a breath of fresh air. First of all, she was so kind and professional. Second of all, I just felt like she “got me”. I knew that I could trust her to make design decisions that I would be happy with. This was so important, especially since I would be renovating the home from ANOTHER STATE.
There is nothing more frustrating than having a vision and then working with someone who just doesn’t get it. It’s like when you order a cheese pizza and they deliver you a pineapple pizza….uhhh no.
I chose Lexi Grace Design because her design aesthetic is exactly what I wanted. Clean, contemporary (but still cozy) with neutrals and plenty of texture.
She also had a great relationship with our contractor, so I knew they would make a great team.
What were your expectations going into the project? What were your wants, needs, and goals for the space?
Going into the project, I wanted the home to have a cohesive aesthetic and I wanted it to be done well. I didn’t want each room to be a new adventure. I knew I wanted “penny tiles” in the bathrooms, white walls, a cute “drop station”, a giant kitchen island and a master shower with TWO shower heads. I also wanted each bedroom and attached bath to be very clean and comfortable to make guests feel welcomed.
The rest, well, Lexi helped with that.
In total, the renovation consisted of:
(We completely gutted the house, down to the last toilet)
-Total Kitchen Remodel: Tore down a pony wall, moved the gas stove from the Island to the wall. All new appliances!
-Master Bath Remodel: Redesigned the shower, tub and vanities.
-Jack-n-Jill Bath, Ensuite Bath, and Powder Room
-Laundry Room
-Hallway Drop Station (this turned out awesome)
Share a little bit about what the design process was like.
The process was seamless.
Lexi and her assistant met me at my home. We discussed the vision and went over every nook and cranny. Like I said earlier, Lexi was able to read my mind and knew exactly what I wanted without me ever saying it.
After our meeting, the rest we did virtually. She started the process by making me pinterest boards to get better insight into my style. She gave me different styles and colors for finishes, lighting, cabinetry, etc. This part was so much fun. I got to pick and choose my favorites. Pinterest was so easy because it was something I already use. I was happy to play along!
Next came the design boards.
She turned my preferences into beautiful mood boards. I was able to envision the redesigned space, and give feedback. After a few rounds of “yes to this” and “no to that”, we finalized the designs for each of the spaces.
The next part was a little less fun..
Lexi sent me an itemized outline of everything we were ordering- plumbing, light fixtures, tiles, cabinets, glass, cabinet hardware...everything. If I had any objections, she took care of it right away. Lexi is the best at calming me down and telling me exactly what I do and don't need.
This was a tedious process, but Lexi made it a breeze.
I bet you can guess what came next...the install and final reveal!
OH MY GOODNESS. The pictures speak for themselves.
What purpose will your new space serve? How will you be using it in the future?
Lexi turned this bland, outdated space into my [instagrammable] dream home. I couldn’t be more proud of how it turned out.
This home was meant to be loved and lived in. We found a lovely family to rent the house to while we were out of state and receive frequent updates on how the house is doing.
What advice would you give to those who are considering hiring an interior designer?
If you’re considering hiring an Interior Designer, here are a few things I learned along the way.
Find someone who speaks to your aesthetic.
This is an intense, and expensive undertaking. It is important that you and your designer are aligned in your preferences and values! Mini story- before Lexi, we had consulted with a few other groups. They had objections to most of my aesthetic preferences, I never felt heard.
Take time to learn about your interior designer. Are they honest, trustworthy? Integrity was the number one thing I looked for in an interior decorator. You are trusting someone with your home that you will spend some of your most intimate moments in. Make sure the person you hire wants the best for you and your family.
Once you hire them, TRUST THEM. They are there to help you and want your home to look and feel amazing. There will be moments of doubt, or questioning a decision you made. Just relax, they’ve got your back.
Be adventurous. To be honest, I was scared of colors and loud textures (and when I say “loud” I mean anything outside the realm of neutral haha). Don’t be scared to be adventurous with finishes. One of my favorite bathrooms is the one where I was “adventurous”.
Lastly, HAVE FUN!
KITCHEN
MASTER BATH
ENSUITE
JACK AND JILL BATH
POWDER ROOM
BEFORE PHOTOS
