In this special blog series, meet Dover Home Remodelers’ talented designers: Enjoy a glimpse at their work, inspirations, and beautiful before-and-after home remodeling project highlights.
More than two decades ago, her passion for interior design and home construction led Shelley Bujdos to Dover Home Remodelers. Before life at Dover, Shelley had been a design consultant for Arhaus, where she honed her creative talent for helping customers bring their home-style visions to life.
What Shelley loves most about her role at Dover — back then and still today — is the ability to see projects through from beginning to end.
Dover opts for seamless, end-to-end project management where other contractors might hand off the project to another manager at a specific phase. Dover’s process plays to her strengths: Shelley delights in guiding homeowners through the entire home remodeling process, from design vision and drawings to selections and buildout. It’s a talent that has produced award-winning results.
Shelley’s Personal Home Remodeling Project
There have been many “favorite” projects that Shelley has managed over the years. But in 2020, after 21 years working as a designer at Dover, she enjoyed a uniquely personal renovation project: her home kitchen. Shelley borrowed many great ideas from her past projects and embraced her bohemian design style to create an updated new space that flowed with the rest of her beautifully curated home.
Shelley’s kitchen before:
Shelley’s kitchen after:
Shelley’s updated kitchen plan worked within the existing footprint. While the room was large enough, the builders’ grade cabinets left pockets of dead space difficult to access. The new kitchen layout uses every inch of space and provides a place for everything. She chose custom cabinetry for the project, with each cabinet and drawer purpose-built for optimum function and easy access.
Beyond aesthetics, when designing a new kitchen, Shelley always thinks of functionality first. So, behind every door and drawer, she adds rollouts, racks, dividers, charging stations—the smart upgrades that make working and living in a kitchen an enjoyable experience.
Once Shelley establishes a final design for a client, she gives them a “homework assignment.” Using a photocopy of their new kitchen layout, she asks them to determine how each cabinet and drawer will function. In her own kitchen remodel, Shelley completed the same exercise to achieve a well-planned, perfectly suited space.
She removed the pantry closet and extended cabinets from floor to the 9-foot ceiling. Not only does it afford loads of storage, but the new layout also makes the space look larger.
The custom cabinetry was stained to complement the undertones in the existing hardwood floor, which runs throughout the first floor. Shelley chose brown antique granite for countertop surfaces in a honed (leather) finish. The backsplash showcases 5” x 5” tumbled terracotta tile glazed in various white tones finished with grey grout to complement the cabinets and tile floors.
At first, Shelley considered deleting the existing peninsula and replacing it with an island, but then decided that the best option for their lifestyle was to incorporate a peninsula in the new design. It includes a hidden storage area for grilling tools and an overhang for seating.
Her favorite built-in storage is concealed in the end panel of the pantry cabinet. Touch-release access opens the panel to reveal storage for brooms and cleaning supplies along with a dry erase board.
Shelley’s design expertise is beautifully displayed throughout the newly updated space that flows seamlessly with her home’s bohemian design vibe for a cohesive and inviting feel.
She shares this labor of love with her husband and their Moyen poodle, Beau. The space is perfect for entertaining her family, including four married children and nine grandchildren.
If you’d like to connect with Shelley to discuss your home design ideas, call Dover Home Remodelers at 440-777-7555.
