They’ve lived in Belton for almost 30 years and always loved this area with its rolling hills and beautiful sunset views. As they became empty nesters and started thinking about relocating, the opportunity to move to their dream location finally became possible.

The property had lots of promise both inside and out, but needed some updates and personalization. Outside, they made many changes to the landscaping, integrating the wild terrain with native Texas flowers and plants. They added a pool, hot tub and additional covered porch, knowing they would be hosting friends and family often for pool days, game nights, and s’mores by the fire.

They loved the open floor plan, high ceilings, and big windows on the interior, but knew that they would want to add more of their personal touch over time beyond just a fresh coat of paint. Floor-to-ceiling built-in shelves and a stone fireplace took the place of the enormous blank wall in the main living area.

But one thing with which they were both dissatisfied, but did not have a clear vision for, was the flooring and backsplash scheme. They had large beige travertine tile on the floors and a simple beige backsplash in all of the kitchens and bathrooms with the spotty brown granite on the countertops that was popular through the early 2000’s-2010’s. This combo, while not visually offensive, lacked character and did not reflect their personal style.

In talking with one of our installers, they also learned that travertine tile is a highly-sought after and luxurious tile option that can actually increase the resale value of a home. After discussing this, they decided it would be a waste to remove that amount and quality of tile. The installer then told them that they could refinish the tile instead, which would clean off the years of dirt and grime, smooth the surface, and renew the color.

After they refinished the tile, I could immediately tell a difference when I walked into their house. The floor had a nice shine and the different shades were clearer and brighter. In order to add warmth and comfort to their space, Ron and Anne had a few large area rugs made from some of our luxurious, patterned carpet selections in the store.

Fun fact: You can have a custom rug bound from any of our carpet selections!

This solved the floor conundrum, but the beige on beige backsplash and counter problem remained. Owning a flooring store definitely came in handy at this point, as the couple combed through several backsplash and counter samples to find just the right combination for their style and budget.

I went with them to the MSI Surfaces showroom during this process and had a great time checking out all of the beautiful samples there. (Click here to see a short video of our visit!)

As any wise homeowner would, they considered how their selections would appeal to future homebuyers and how it would impact the value of their home. At first, they considered playing it safe and neutral so that their kitchen and bathrooms would one day have a broad appeal when they decided to sell. But they were not finding any combinations that excited them or matched their vision!

Often, in looking through many samples, a customer will realize that they gravitate toward a certain color, shape or style. My parents have always loved the combination of warm, rich wood tones and autumnal colors like forest green, navy and terra cotta in their home decor, so naturally, they found themselves drawn to this bold, Artesian Blue backsplash from Daltile.

Another significant change that they have wanted since moving in was to make the island all one level. This update is so worthwhile because it not only opens up the room visually, but substantially increases the counter space. Check out this before and after!

Renovation, while thrilling and rewarding, always requires patience and tolerance with a messy space for what is hopefully a brief period of time. Here, you can see the process of removing tile backsplash and what the island looked like before new countertops were installed.

For the countertops, they fell in love with this Azul Treasure Quartzite, so they decided to use it for their island and master bathroom paired with a more neutral selection for the other countertops.

Obviously the most enjoyable part of renovating one’s home or business comes when the shiny, new product is finally installed. It’s always such a treat to bring the client’s vision to life and see the long-awaited end result!

It has been amazing to watch my parent’s house transform, even without changing the flooring or cabinets. This bold, blue backsplash and eye-catching island bring them so much joy and have enhanced the personality of their home.