3 Min Read
- A Project Built Around How They Actually Live
- The Kitchen: Redesigned From the Ground Up
- The Master Suite Addition: More Space, More Privacy
- The Basement: A Finished Space That Actually Gets Used
- New Flooring, Tile & Paint: The Details That Tie It All Together
- The Deck: Bringing the Outside In
- The Finished Result
When a homeowner in Stilwell, Kansas reached out to Top Shelf, they weren't looking for a quick refresh. They wanted their home completely reimagined, the kind of transformation that changes how a family actually lives in a space.
What followed was one of the most comprehensive renovation projects we've completed: a full custom kitchen, a master suite addition, a finished basement with a dedicated home office, a large custom deck, new flooring throughout, and a full interior repaint. Every room, every finish, every detail touched.
Here's a look at how it came together.
A Project Built Around How They Actually Live
Before a single wall came down, we spent time understanding exactly what this family needed from their home, not just what looked good on paper, but what would make daily life better five years from now.
That planning phase is where projects like this either succeed or struggle. The scope was significant, the trades had to coordinate across multiple phases, and the homeowners were living with the decisions long after we were gone. Getting the design right upfront wasn't optional, it was the whole job.
The Kitchen: Redesigned From the Ground Up
The kitchen was the centerpiece of this renovation. The original layout wasn't broken, but it wasn't built for the way this family cooks, entertains, and uses the space.
We redesigned the layout for better flow and storage, brought in custom cabinetry, installed high-end appliances, added a custom tile backsplash, and integrated new flooring to connect seamlessly with the rest of the home. The result is a kitchen that feels like it was always meant to be there, functional, refined, and worth spending time in.
The Master Suite Addition: More Space, More Privacy
Adding square footage to an existing home is one of the more complex things a builder can take on. It has to look and feel like it was part of the original design, not like something that was tacked on.
The master suite addition here expanded the bedroom footprint and added a private ensuite bathroom with high-end tile and finishes. The goal was a space that felt like a retreat, and that's what we built. The addition blends cleanly with the existing structure while giving the homeowners something they didn't have before: a master suite worth coming home to.
The Basement: A Finished Space That Actually Gets Used
A lot of finished basements feel like an afterthought. This one didn't.
We built out a dedicated home office designed around usability, proper lighting, thoughtful layout, finishes that matched the rest of the home's aesthetic. The space now serves double duty: a quiet, productive work environment during the day and additional living space when it's needed.
New Flooring, Tile & Paint: The Details That Tie It All Together
One of the things that separates a well-executed whole home renovation from a collection of individual projects is cohesion. Every finish decision, the flooring, the tile, the paint, was made with the whole house in mind.
New flooring runs throughout the home. Custom tile was installed in the kitchen and bathrooms. A full interior repaint refreshed every room. These aren't glamorous line items, but they're what makes a house feel finished rather than just updated.
The Deck: Bringing the Outside In
The outdoor living upgrade was one of the final pieces, and one of the most impactful. A large custom deck was designed and built to extend the usable square footage of the home outward, with easy access from the main living areas and enough space to actually entertain.
For homeowners in Stilwell and across Johnson County, outdoor living is a serious priority. A well-built deck adds functional space and real long-term value to the property.
The Finished Result
This project is a good example of what's possible when a renovation is planned properly from the start. Multiple trades. Multiple phases. A homeowner who trusted the process, and a team that executed it.
The home in Stilwell didn't just get updated. It got rebuilt around the life the homeowners actually want to live in it.
If you're thinking about a large-scale renovation, whether it's a full home transformation or a single major addition, we'd be glad to walk you through what that process looks like.
Top Shelf Home Builders serves homeowners across South Johnson County, Overland Park, Stilwell, Shawnee, and the greater Kansas City metro. We build custom homes and complete large-scale renovations for homeowners who value quality, craftsmanship, and a process they can trust.
