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Posts Tagged ‘remodel’

Grand Lake Lakehouse Remodel Pt. 2

This lakehouse had been in the family for years but when a plumbing leak caused major damage, it became the perfect opportunity to reimagine the home for the next generation. The goal: create a space where kids, grandkids, and guests could gather, relax, and make lasting memories.

In Part 1, we shared the transformation of the main floor. Now, we’re heading upstairs—where two guest bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a bunk room were redesigned with comfort, color, and family in mind. Each room was gutted and refreshed with new paint, carpet, furnishings, and custom details throughout.

Explore Our Grand Lake Lakehouse Remodel — Pt. 2

Grand Lake Lakehouse Remodel Pt. 1

When longtime clients called after a plumbing leak flooded their lakehouse—it was the perfect opportunity to breathe new life into their early-2000s vacation home. What started as a collapsed kitchen ceiling and damaged flooring quickly evolved into a full lakehouse remodel, transforming their Grand Lake retreat into a fresh, inviting space for weekends with kids and grandkids.

Located near Afton, OK, this Grand Lake home sits right on the water, offering scenic views and a peaceful escape just a short drive from Tulsa. The house sleeps nine and features three bedrooms and a bunkroom, making it ideal for hosting family and friends. The homeowners purchased this secondary home nearly a decade ago, and over the years, we’ve had the opportunity to design and refresh different areas. This recently completed project—also featured in TulsaPeople magazine—allowed us to reimagine the entire space with timeless finishes, thoughtful storage, and a modern yet relaxed interior design style.

This is Part 1 of the reveal—starting with the main living spaces and downstairs bedrooms, and how we brought new life to this family-favorite lakehouse. Explore the upstairs in Part 2 here.

The Best ROI Home Improvement Projects From an Interior Designer’s Perspective

Interior Design in Tulsa, OK by Kirkendall Design | Updated December 11, 2025

At Kirkendall Design, we believe your home should be a place that supports the way you live today while adding lasting value for the future. We guide clients to make thoughtful home improvement decisions—choices that elevate both daily living and long-term return on investment (ROI).

Below, we’re sharing the home improvement projects that consistently deliver the strongest ROI, paired with the design insight that helps them shine.

Kitchen Remodels: Up to 98.5% ROI

As the heart of the home, a well-designed kitchen is one of the best investments you can make. Here are Kirkendall Design, we specialize in kitchen renovations of all scale. A minor kitchen remodel, averaging 98.5% ROI, often includes fresh hardware, upgraded appliances, new lighting, or a cabinet refresh—simple updates that create a brighter, more functional space. Check out our favorite kitchen design must-haves here.

A major kitchen remodel (about 91% ROI) takes the transformation further with custom cabinetry, new countertops, and sometimes a reimagined layout. Our design team guides you through the process with design boards and photorealistic renderings, helping you visualize how a timeless, livable luxury kitchen will look and feel before the first hammer swings.

Bathroom Remodels: Up to 102% ROI

Bathrooms are among the most impactful rooms to update. A minor bathroom remodel, averaging a 102% ROI, focuses on new lighting, mirrors, paint, and updated fixtures—fresh details that instantly elevate the space.

A major bathroom remodel (about 93.2% ROI) can reshape the entire experience. Think custom showers, soaking tubs, new flooring, and vanities that bring a true spa-like atmosphere to your home. Our Tulsa interior design firm specializes in creating bathrooms that feel luxurious and timeless.

Explore bathroom trends here.

Landscaping: 100% ROI

Outdoor spaces have become an essential extension of the home. Landscaping upgrades, which offer a 100% ROI, can dramatically improve curb appeal and everyday enjoyment. As part of our outdoor living services, we source high-quality outdoor furniture, lighting, and decor to create spaces that invite you outside—perfect for quiet mornings or evenings spent with friends and family.

Attic Bedroom Conversion: 93.5% ROI

Converting an attic into a bedroom is a smart way to gain valuable square footage without building an addition. With an average 93.5% ROI, this project can transform unused space into a cozy guest suite, children’s room, or private retreat. With our team’s extensive construction knowledge, we simplify the process from initial concept to final installation. Check out our Florence Park project for a stunning attic bathroom transformation.

Entry Door Replacement: 90.7% ROI

A beautiful entry door sets the tone for the entire home. Replacing it can enhance curb appeal, security, and energy efficiency, with an average 90.7% ROI. We can help clients select doors that complement their architectural style while adding a thoughtful touch of personality.

Luxury Design Changes That Truly Pay Off

Whether you’re dreaming of a kitchen refresh, a more functional bathroom, or a home improvement project that adds value and comfort, choosing the right updates makes all the difference. At Kirkendall Design, we guide Tulsa homeowners through every step—from initial vision to final installation—ensuring the process feels seamless and the results feel deeply personal.

Ready to explore a project that balances beauty, functionality, and smart ROI? Get started with a design request.

Source: Fortune Builders Top 10 Home Improvements with the Highest ROI

New Year, New Look

Simple Ways to Update Your Home

I don’t know about you, but after the holiday decor is all boxed up and put away I am always ready for a little design refresh in my home. I often hear the same thing from clients so I thought I would share some easy tips for breathing new life into your home this month.

ACCESSORIES

The easiest way to make a change in your decor has and always will be with your accessories. But—here is the fun part, and a shift that has me very excited—I am seeing people gravitate towards incorporating family heirlooms and vintage/organic pieces into their homes again.

I’ve had several clients want to keep and display meaningful pieces they have either inherited or come across. For example, one client had three grandfather clocks. We discarded one and kept the other two, saving one from each side of the family. We gave them both a fresh coat of high-gloss paint and now they are the showstopper in her home. With another client, instead of hiding her expansive collection of barware, we chose to display it all in the bar area which in turn created a truly unique design statement. It’s all about finding creative ways to breathe new life into pieces that are meaningful to you. Don’t just keep them to keep them! Instead, update them, rethink them and give them a significant place in your home. The bonus is that yours will have something no other home will have—a truly one-of-a-kind design element!

If you haven’t inherited any wonderful pieces, don’t fret. Antique stores, resale shops and even various online sites can be a goldmine for quality pieces. Being one of eight siblings, I lost the bid for our family cookie jar when it went to my oldest brother. But, that heirloom was so special to me I eventually found an identical jar and bought it so I could incorporate it into my home. I love teasing my brother now and making him second guess who actually has the real deal! Likewise, I recently came across a vintage 1970s lamp that was incredibly well made and fit into today’s design aesthetic beautifully. It had a horrible shade, but I know that is an easy fix. I can’t wait to find the perfect home for it.

COLOR

Thankfully, the trend over the past several years has been towards monochromatic, somewhat sparse spaces, which makes it very easy to introduce color in small, noncommittal ways. Think pillows, art and small accessories. Benjamin Moore did a great job capturing the color palettes we are asked about most as of late with their 2022 color story. The trend now in color is earthy—terra cotta (I love Benjamin Moore’s “Wildfire”), sage and deep charcoal blues. Benjamin Moore’s “Natural Linen” is a great neutral that is not gray. The neutral trend is here to stay, but it is trending warmer and this color hits the nail on the head. For white, I usually gravitate towards an off-white like Benjamin Moore’s “Wind’s Breath.” You can find Benjamin Moore locally at Spectrum Paint.

TEXTURE

Like I said, the neutral palette is still a strong trend whether it is your total color scheme or a backdrop to the earthy tones mentioned above. The key to making neutral interesting and pleasing to the eye, however, is texture, texture, texture. When it comes to pillows and throws, be sure to incorporate various materials. For accessories, think about layers and juxtaposing elements. Perhaps you have a beautiful bowl on your coffee table…try adding some moss balls. The harmonious blend of opposing materials will make your design pop.

If your home is ready for a refresh and you need our team to be your eyes and ears on the project, fill out a design request form HERE. We’ll go from there!