When you look back on the cherished memories you’ve made in your home, how many of them can be traced back to your kitchen? From cooking Sunday dinner and preparing game-day snacks, to hanging your kid’s artwork on the fridge and helping them with homework, the kitchen is undoubtedly a place of connection.
And no one knows that better than the team at Highmark Builders. As a custom home and remodeling design-build firm, Highmark brings together architecture, design, and construction with everything from new custom homes, to kitchen remodels and other special projects.
With a dedicated remodeling team, Highmark understands the value of a thoughtfully designed kitchen. Their team has a history of designing beautiful spaces that seamlessly support family routines, entertaining, and everyday living.
“The kitchen has a way of drawing people in — it’s where meals are made and where family and friends naturally come together,” says Sandy Mahoney, Project Development at Highmark.
So what kitchen design features deliver that vision?
Highmark notes that homeowners planning their dream kitchen often request open-concept layouts, multipurpose islands, and flexible spaces. An open floor plan — especially one that flows into living and dining areas—keeps everyone connected, letting you cook while still engaging with guests on the sofa.
Equally important as the kitchen layout, are storage solutions, smart appliances, and lighting. Highmark has noticed a growing demand for prep kitchens and creative pantries, which provide extra space for meal prep, small appliances, and expanded storage, with cabinetry that can be customized to complement the main kitchen.
Popular appliance requests include double ovens, built-in wine coolers, and espresso stations — ideal for baking batches of cookies or enjoying a slow morning coffee with the family. Retractable doors can also be added to tuck away small appliances when they’re not in use.
And while the kitchen is already one of the most noticeable rooms of the house, choosing the right light fixtures can have an even greater visual impact – and show off the artwork on the fridge.
Along the same lines, wood-tone or painted cabinets, high-end countertops, and rich hardwood floors bring both warmth and sophistication to a kitchen — setting the perfect backdrop for a relaxed dinner with friends.
So how do all these features come together to create your place of connection?
“We listen to your lifestyle first — whether that means space for baking with kids, showcasing heirloom dishes, or creating a bar area for hosting. Material choices, cabinet colors, backsplash tile, and even custom-built features are ways to weave in tradition and personality,” Sandy says. The Highmark team is experienced at working with clients to create spaces that reflect your style.
During the kitchen design process, Highmark’s designers work with you to understand how you’ll use the space, and further explore your style preferences to choose the right materials, finishes, and appliances — creating a kitchen that’s both beautiful and perfectly functional for your daily life.
They also often focus on connecting the kitchen to outdoor spaces for seamless indoor-outdoor living. “These choices transform the kitchen into a hub that adapts to both daily life, and celebrations,” says Sandy.
With bonfire and marshmallow-roasting season upon us, having connected kitchen and entertaining spaces makes it easy to serve warm drinks and snacks while hosting friends and family on a chilly October night.
With thoughtful design and Highmark’s expert team, your kitchen can become a sophisticated and highly functional hub built for entertaining — surrounded by good food, drinks, and family, perfectly tailored to your lifestyle.
“We want homeowners to love spending time in their kitchen — cooking, laughing, and making memories with family and friends that last a lifetime.”
At the end of the day, you should have a kitchen that truly embodies the heart of the home. A place where laughter lingers after dinner is over, where milestones are celebrated, and where ordinary moments become treasured memories — a place of true connection.
highmarkbuilders.com | Located at 500 Lake Street in Excelsior
Contributing Photographers: Courtney McDermott Photography, LandMark Photography, Spacecrafting, Scott Amundson Photography, and Emily John Photography
Design by: Ruby+Suede Interior Design and Sara Gaulrapp Interior Design
The kitchen has a way of drawing people in — it’s where meals are made and where family and friends naturally come together.