Located in the outlying suburbs of Birmingham, Alabama, this homeowner desired a renovation with a refined transitional flare. The project included a minimal shift in the fixed elements in the kitchen layout while offering maximum flow and usability for the client and her extended family. We also redefined the design of the pantry and laundry room and refreshed the powder bathroom. The one design directive the client initially felt passionate about was a checkerboard floor. The dilemma was finding the right materials that suited her budget and tightly defined color palette. Eventually, we landed on this beautifully matte-finished porcelain tile…