An Ankeny remodel transforms every room in the house.
Story by Tracy Dickinson
Photography by Mirza Kudic, courtesy of Home State Builders
Featured in Autumn 2025
Sometimes a remodel project snowballs when new projects are added along the way. Sometimes surprises during construction necessitate unexpected changes to a project.
And sometimes, a homeowner just decides now is as good a time as any to tackle the entire to-do list.
An Ankeny couple reached out to Tom Monson of Home State Builders on a friend’s referral, knowing they had a long-term project ahead of them. They had considered other remodelers, but Monson was the last one they contacted.
“He was the right guy,” the homeowner says. “Matt Cole of BBS Architects | Engineers had recommended him. Matt was doing the architectural work for us, so we trusted his advice. When we met Tom, we knew he was the right guy. He understood right away what we were trying to do. We trusted Matt, and then Tom was able to solve some of the problems that others weren’t able to solve.”
The primary focus of the project was the kitchen and outdoor living area at the back of the home, but the couple had a list of other items they wanted to address.
“We knew when we bought the house that we would want to change the kitchen at some point,” the homeowner says. “And the really small laundry room didn’t work well for our family. There were just a lot of things about the layout of this part of the house that we wanted to change.”
The couple also wanted to take better advantage of the golf course views to the back of the home and make the outdoor living space more functional. Monson’s solution was to use the existing deck space as part of the kitchen to open up that area and give the family both the oversize island they envisioned as well as an expanse of windows overlooking the golf course.
“We put a new deck off the expanded kitchen with a two-way fireplace between the deck and the dining area,” Monson says. “And the living room windows overlook the deck now, so everything just flows together.”
Although the stunning marble-look island is the focal point of the kitchen, new cabinetry painted with a creamy neutral finish adds warmth, and the hidden pantry nearly doubles the storage and workspace.
Monson accomplished the same feat with the laundry room near the back entry. “Before, there was just space for the washer and dryer, and we wanted it to be more functional,” the homeowner says.
Monson expanded the room by bumping out the exterior wall, more than doubling the square footage, and adding storage and workspace with cabinetry and finishes that coordinate with the kitchen. Monson also moved the built-in drop zone closer to the back entry so the daily clutter stays out of the kitchen.
“The family wanted new flooring throughout the house. And we made cosmetic changes like paint or wallpaper in nearly every room,” Monson says. “The designer, Channing Jack, was key to helping create the look they wanted.”
However, those cosmetic changes included more than just flooring and paint. A new railing system to the lower level echoes the style of the new trim in the living room. And both the main-floor living room and lower-level family room received new fireplace surrounds and built-in shelving.
In the master suite Monson updated the bathroom, removing a whirlpool tub and creating a spacious tile shower as well as installing a double vanity and walk-in closet.
Throughout the home the couple wanted lighter finishes with cleaner lines. Monson’s expertise and the finish details created with Jack’s help have given the family exactly what they envisioned when they purchased the home several years ago.
Light-wood floors, stone fireplace surrounds in a soft gray, and wood-trim accents have created warmth while keeping the home light. And touches of black in many rooms, from iron railings to the cabinetry in the lower-level bar, create dramatic accents.
As many clients do, Monson says, these homeowners chose to transform their current home rather than move because they love the location and their neighbors. With an active family and demanding jobs, their hope was to transform the house into a home that offers real living space that suits their lives.
With the help of old friends—and now some new ones, they have a home that’s as relaxing and beautiful inside as the outside view they love. •
Resources
- Remodeler Home State Builders
- Architect BBS Architects | Engineers
