Fun & Functional Design with Jamie & Morgan Molitor

Jamie and Morgan Molitor are the creative forces behind construction2style. This innovative design and building team have been transforming homes for over a decade, creating dream spaces for clients. They have evolved from DIY bloggers to a company providing comprehensive interior design and remodeling services nationwide, an accomplishment that’s a testament to their design styles. Learn more about their company and the projects they’ve completed at www.construction2style.com or @construction2style on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or TikTok.

Recently, the Molitors partnered with Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery to renovate a kitchen and laundry room/mudroom for a busy family of six. The results are fresh, fashionable, functional and perfectly suited to the needs of this family.

About Jamie & Morgan Molitor

Jamie, the co-founder, is the contractor and designer at the helm of the company. Morgan, the design and branding force, merges fashion with interior design, transforming spaces. Together, their focus on creativity and desire to craft exceptional spaces has established them as leaders in the design, construction and media world.

This Minnesota-based company provides much more than design and remodeling services. They also offer marketing insights, online courses, in-person conferences, digital marketing products and more. Their non-profit organization, resilience2reform gives back to their local community by offering second chances.

The Dream Project

In the next few years, Jamie and Morgan Molitor hope to do more home flips as a team. They love doing house flips because “it gives us full creative reign to make design decisions that some clients may be more afraid to take,” they explain. This could include playing with colors, patterns and products.

The Project at Hand

This kitchen and mudroom project came from one of the Molitor’s repeat clients. Previously, they had worked on the lower level, kids’ bathroom, and primary suite of the home. Since previous renovations, the family has added two more kids to their family, which sparked the desire to expand the space and add some functionality to the kitchen and mudroom.

The Challenges

The more kids you have in a family, the more important concealed storage and laundry room functionality become. This family needed every detail of the space to be designed to work for their busy lifestyles.

The Kitchen

When you’re looking for large appliances that offer all the functionality you need but you don’t want them to be obtrusive to the design, panel-ready appliances are a great choice. By choosing the JennAir 42" wide 25.5 cu. ft. built-in refrigerator, the Molitors were able to feature the same warm wood panels from the cabinetry on the refrigerator fronts for a consistent look. 

They went with a panel-ready appliance for the dishwasher too, choosing the Thermador Emerald 24" wide 16 plate-setting-freestanding panel-ready dishwasher. Both of these appliances were chosen because of their large capacities and range of functional features, which make them ideal for large families.

By choosing panel-ready appliances for the refrigerator and the dishwasher, they were able to make the range and hood the real showstoppers of the design. As the star of the show, the Molitors chose the Thermador Pro Grand® 36" wide slide-in dual-fuel range with four burners and induction griddle. The stainless-steel finish stands out against the custom cabinetry and is easy to keep clean. This range offers a superior cooking performance and a range of convenient features, including a QuickClean base, hydraulic SoftClose doors, telescopic racks, and more.

With large families, one oven is never enough. That’s why the Molitors made the thoughtful choice to integrate a Thermador 30" Masterpiece single electric wall oven into the base cabinetry of the island. For quicker meals, they included a microwave drawer into the island.

The Molitors complemented the deep warm tones of the woodwork with a matte black finish on faucets, fixtures and hardware. 

The Mudroom

The kitchen was only one half of this renovation. The Molitors also took on the mudroom and laundry room, a common drop zone for families and a space where functionality is of the utmost importance. For this family of six, the LG 27" wide smart washer and dryer were the ideal choice. They make easy work of tough stains and stand up to the demands of a busy household. To help reduce stooping for the family, this washer and dryer were placed on LG 27" pedestals, which offer a large-capacity storage drawer for detergent and other laundry essentials. 

Plenty of custom cabinetry, a laundry room sink and a large folding counter provided the extra functionality needed to keep up with a large family. The light and bright design of this space proves that functional spaces can also be truly beautiful, and the blown glass light fixtures act as the perfect jewelry to the space.

The Molitors also installed an all-new custom locker system, so each of the four kids have a designated place for their things at the end of the day. One of the best things about including lockers in the space is that they are incredibly versatile. In the end, “This space is sure to suit the family for years to come,” explain the Molitors.

The Process of Design

Projects as stunning as these all start somewhere, and the Molitors break down where they start, what they consider when they’re working on a design and some of the things every single project must have in order to be complete.

What’s the Aesthetic?

The Molitors are “Eclectic Storytellers.” “We prioritize creating spaces that authentically mirror your personality and values, ensuring that your home resonates with your essence,” they explain. They don’t like to stick to one design trend. Instead, “we curate environments that elevate one’s lifestyle. Whether blending modern with traditional elements, infusing vibrant colors, or adding unique personal touches. It’s all about crafting a story within one’s home, creating spaces that authentically represent who you are at your core.” 

Where to Start

With this project, and with any project they work on, the Molitors start with a schematic design. Figuring out the floor plan is an important first step because different spaces are different sizes. That being said, if an addition or significant remodeling is taking place, starting with an architect or engineer is essential. 

When to Break the Design Rules

All-white kitchens were popular for a long time because of their timeless aesthetic, but the Molitors suggest “adding warm wood tones or a pop of color somewhere in the space vs. keeping it all white.” 

Save vs. Splurge

The Molitors suggest that you invest in the bigger, long-term pieces in your space. Investing in things like custom cabinetry, quartz countertops, and top-rated plumbing fixtures upfront will help you save money down the road. A great place to reign in the budget is on the smaller style items, such as mirrors, lighting and accessories. 

5 Must-Have Items in Every Design

If you want to design a space like the Molitors, stick to the 5 things they ask that you include in every design:

1.    Touch Faucets

2.    Highly Rated Appliances

3.    Custom Cabinetry

4.    Quartz Countertops

5.    An Open Mind

Final Design Tips & Tricks

The Molitors want to offer a final reminder for creating your space. “We like to remind clients that they should be designing spaces for them – not resale. Designing a space that’s functional for your day-to-day activities, for your family, for your pets.”  

Working with Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery

The Molitors choose Ferguson because the process is so seamless. They coordinate with their clients to set up a showroom tour and explain that “when your representative greets you at the door, they’re always well prepared to discuss your client’s wants and needs and are patient with those who are hesitant on making decisions.”

If you’re loving the look of this renovation as much as we are, consider making it your own. The products used by Jamie and Morgan Molitor are beautifully curated in a Shop by Look page, making it easier than ever to bring them into your own design.