Before

• Existing cabinets were old; stark white and with peeling paint
• Base cabinets all had doors with shelves, so you had to get on your knees to reach pots and pans
• Small island plus a separate eating table made the space feel cramped
• Appliances where too small to meet the needs of a growing family
• No pantry storage

After

• Changed the cabinetry to a soft white paint with a glazed finish, and a contrasting cherry wood island, which gave the space more warmth       
• Incorporated the table-style seating into the large extended island – set at counter height – increasing both the size and the function of the kitchen
• Raised base cabinets on the island add great storage, as well as visual interest to the new cherry island, completed with a contrasting granite countertop

In summary – this is the perfect example of how a really good design can dramatically improve a space.  Even though we needed to overcome some very limiting restrictions, this kitchen achieved an amazing transformation, while still enabling the clients to save some money by using existing flooring, granite and backsplash.

• Base cabinetry is all doors, forcing the owner to get down on the floor to reach the pots and pans.
• The cooktop is located dangerously close to the wood oven cabinet.  This does not meet Code. Not only is it dangerous, it limits the prep area to only one side of the cooktop.       
• The cabinets do not stretch up to the soffit, leaving a void for dust to collect and which certainly does not maximize storage.       
• The overall layout contains a large quantity of small cabinets, making it difficult to store larger items.      
• Corner area not being used is a waste of usable space
• Most of the counter area is in the back corner and not useable as a workspace.

After

• The sink was relocated to face out into the family room.  Now, the chef can easily converse with family or guests.      
• Storage space was dramatically increased by utilizing corner space more effectively, adding 2 wide pantries, and adding deep drawers for pot and pan storage.
• The snack bar was raised to visually shield a sometimes messy kitchen from the living/entertaining areas
• Substantially more counter space and long runs of countertop – generous space for prep work

In summary – by moving the appliances and the sink we dramatically improved this kitchen.  The new kitchen is beautiful and has 50% more countertop area and three times the pantry storage!  Beauty and functionality - what more could you ask for?

• Outdated, broken cabinets
• Sink facing a window, limiting work space and making it difficult to entertain or cook in
• Countertop peninsula and hanging wall cabinets separated eating space from “kitchen”, madding the kitchen cramped and dark, while also blocking the view of the fireplace
• One light for the whole kitchen – kitchen was dark
• Range is too close to the refrigerator, leaving no usable counter space

After

• Relocated the sink to the island, where it is easy to have guests interacting with the cook, but not under foot
• Installed raised base cabinets on back of island to hide the sink from the dining room
• Cooktop was moved to allow nice counter space on both sides, and to created a great focal point in the room
• An appliance garage was added to hide away countertop appliances
• Fireplace is now a focal point, and viewable from     anywhere in the kitchen

In summary – By making better use of the entire available space, this little kitchen expanded into a fantastic kitchen which became the center of the home.

• Original room was divided with wall cabinets hanging between kitchen and dining area
• Wall cabinets with soffit gave the ceiling a lower feel
• Sink was facing out a window, not facing company and family
• Range was next to refrigerator with zero prep space on one side, and a “dead corner” on the other, making the prep space ridiculously small
• Virtually no useable base cabinets in the kitchen
• Very poor lighting made the kitchen dark and dreary

After

• Removed dividing wall cabinets to make the room feel more spacious
• Cabinets now go to the ceiling, creating the feeling of more height in the kitchen
• Corner range and microwave adds a WOW effect to the kitchen, and creates needed prep space on both sides of the range     
• Unique curved countertop was designed to personalize the space to the home owner’s style, while adding seating for four people

 In summary – What a change!  The custom, curved, raised bar created the one-of-a kind kitchen the client wished for.  Not only did we add unique style, but the function of the kitchen increased dramatically.  More usable countertops and cabinetry, and a cool look…what could be better!

Before

• The old kitchen was hidden behind walls, creating an isolated space
• Cabinets were old and outdated
• Lack of drawers made base cabinets difficult to use
• Small island created problems in the flow of the kitchen when more than one cook came into the mix
• Lighting was one central light, making the kitchen dark

After

• Took advantage of the vaulted ceiling by staggering the heights of the cabinetry, which accentuates the space and gives a more elegant feeling to the entire home    
• Warm, natural cherry cabinetry blends perfectly with the furniture in the dining room and living room

In summary – a small, “lonely” kitchen became the center of the home, where you can cook, dine, entertain and have children doing their homework.  What a lovely transformation!  It is much more than just a new kitchen; it is a life-style remodel.

Before

• Old cabinets that do not go to the ceiling
• Very limited counter space
• Kitchen window opened directly to the neighbor’s kitchen only 10 feet away
• Zero function, zero organization
• Bathroom had a lovely view of back yard
• Kitchen was cramped, with no pantry
• There was no front hall coat closet

After

• Moved the kitchen to the back of the house, creating a lovely wide view of the backyard
• Ceiling was 9 feet high allowing us to stagger the heights of the wall cabinets, increasing both storage and interest
• Opened the kitchen to the dining room and added informal countertop seating       
• Fabulous functionality and storage from 7 feet of tall pantry cabinets, plus five sets of large drawers in the base cabinets – no more bending to reach pots and pans
• Exciting corner range adds visual interest when looking in from the dining room
• Relocated the bathroom to the front of the house which also created the space for a coat closet

In summary – By thinking out of the box, and actually moving the kitchen and the bath, we created a lovely space with twice the storage.  Great functional, lifestyle and visual benefits to this existing home!

Before

• Builder kitchen – plain cabinets did not go to the ceiling
• Base cabinets had mostly doors, so you have to get down on your knees to retrieve pots and pans
• Cooktop dangerously located – teetering on the edge  Walking by, it would be easy to tip a pot over or to get burned
• Cooktop had no hood or ventilation, and no prep space
• Sink was placed dangerously close to the cooktop

After

• Removed a wall to open up the kitchen to the dining and living area, making the kitchen the center of the home
• Cabinets now go to the ceiling adding an elegant feeling, along with the illusion of more height in the kitchen
• Added an additional sink facing the new round seating area, which makes it more fun to entertain, and integrates the new kitchen into the living areas     
• The corner cooktop allows much better prep space, and gives a fantastic focal point from the full-height granite backsplash
• Reworked the front hall entryway to create a coat closet and make room for a shallow pantry in the kitchen

In summary – The transformation of this kitchen is amazing!  The basic kitchen that once functioned so poorly has been transformed into an incredible kitchen that accommodates the entire family.