Referrals Welcome

Ankeny homeowners Eric and Teresa Peterson considered buying a new home rather than remodeling. But after assessing the current market, they discovered the truth of the old real estate adage “Location, location, location.”

“We could have purchased a new home with the amenities we were looking for,” says Eric. “But it would probably be on a smaller lot, and we wouldn’t have the privacy and the view we have here.”

The Petersons purchased the home new and have lived on the cul-de-sac with some of the same neighbors for nearly 15 years. Instead of looking for a new neighborhood, they chose to look for a remodeler. Fortunately, Eric knew just where to begin.

Kitchen & Bath Company’s Tina Noel says, “Eric is actually my financial planner. At one of our meetings, he asked my husband and me if we knew any good-quality remodeling contractors.”

Noel recommended Rusty Green of Compelling Homes, and that referral led to a series of projects over the past couple of years.

“It started with the kitchen,” Teresa says. “The original kitchen was nice, but everything was dark wood, and I’ve always wanted a white kitchen.”

According to Noel, “The existing kitchen was the medium stained maple cabinetry that we designed with in the ’90s and early 2000s. The kitchen space is quite large, but it really seemed much more closed in and dark because of the cabinetry. Now with a beautiful light paint it really has come to life.”

Eric, the chef of the family, had some specific ideas as well. “The stove was my request,” he says. “I wanted a professional-style gas stove, so the rest of the kitchen design evolved from there.”

Working with Noel and the team at Kitchen & Bath Company, Compelling Homes transformed the kitchen—and the entire main floor of the home—with white trim and cabinetry, new flooring, a new fireplace surround, and a few other updates along the way.

“With the new stove and exhaust hood, we had to remove a window,” says Eric, “and we couldn’t find the same siding to match. I’d thought about replacing the siding with cement board eventually, so we ended up doing the whole house at the same time.”

Noel says, “When we first met to discuss the project, the Petersons definitely had some ideas of what they envisioned and how they wanted to lighten the space. My task was designing cabinetry with the finish they wanted and with lots of functional storage to fit the way they wanted to use the space.”

The new cabinetry, a soft creamy white just like Teresa wanted, extends to the ceiling, adding height and further brightening the space. A tile backsplash and granite countertop add texture while keeping the light tone.

“I’d helped my brother pick out granite for his house, so this had been on my radar already,” Teresa says of the island counter. “One of the suggestions Rusty came up with was to use the same granite around the fireplace but with a different leathered finish that gives it a different look.”

Eric had his eye on the tile pattern that Compelling Homes used in the feature above the stove. “Rusty suggested using the tile as a focal point there,” Eric says, “and they designed a custom exhaust hood that coordinates with the cabinetry and makes the Moroccan-style tile the focus.”

In addition to Eric’s dream stove, the couple opted for a spacious refrigerator and separate wine fridge.

“The Petersons enjoy their wine,” Noel says. “So the kitchen has a dedicated tall wine fridge, and the lower level has a dedicated temperature-controlled wine room.”

Eric says, “Before, we had a wall here with wine racks and a game area. This way, we have a place to showcase the wine. Compelling Homes created custom-built racks and the brick walls. Tina helped design the cabinetry. This is now my favorite feature in the house.”

In addition to the lower- and main-level projects, the Petersons also called on Compelling Homes to renovate the master suite, which they accomplished in award-winning fashion. “Tina won an award from the cabinetry manufacturer for her cabinetry design,” says Eric. “And Rusty won an award for the project design.”

“This project won the ‘I wish I’d thought of that’ award—a peer-to-peer recognition,” Green says. “The award was specifically for the rearrangement that reorients the closet and the bathroom door and makes the space more functional.”

Floor-to-ceiling cabinetry across from the walk-in closet increased the storage space. And creative custom touches, such as a warming drawer that serves as a towel warmer and a coffee and wine bar, add elegance and convenience.

“We added a large double vanity along with the built-in tall closet that serves as dresser storage that matches the vanity cabinetry,” Noel says.

With its stunning soaking tub, glass-enclosed shower, and heated floors, the new bathroom surpassed the Petersons’ expectations. Eric says, “Now, when we stay at nice hotels, we’re actually a little disappointed because they’re not as nice as the one we have at home.”

Green says, “A large part of this project’s success is due to Eric and Teresa. They have great taste, and they know what will work and what won’t. Every idea they had was perfect.”

The ceiling beams and architectural feature wall behind the bed are one example of that design partnership. “Eric wanted some sort of beams on the ceiling and decorative treatment for the headboard wall,” says Green. “We cut the ceiling back and added beams, and our trim carpenter created this headboard trim feature. He even made a custom wood cold-air return that you can’t even see.”

Eric and Teresa Peterson say that’s the perfect example of why they have partnered with Green and Noel repeatedly. “They care about those details as much as we do. To put this much attention into the features that matter to us—that’s why we kept going back to them,” says Teresa.

“I’d love to say the ideas were all mine,” Noel says, “but when you team up with Compelling Homes, it’s very much a team effort to create these spaces. And Eric and Teresa were such great clients to partner with.”

Each of the referrals that led to this partnership paid off many times over.

Eric says, “One thing people miss in their new home/remodel calculation is the utility factor. The enjoyment we’re going to get out of the home has to be part of that calculation, and we would never get that without this lot in this location.” •