Lately many of the submissions we’ve received have been kitchen-related, and since we’re in a kitchen mindset, we’re excited to share this remodel. Jasmine and Sam’s renovation caught our eye with its layered white palette, abundant texture, and clean, modern feel. Functionally, the project shines: adding an extra row of upper cabinets plus thoughtful trim and molding lifted the whole space—both literally and visually. Below is Jasmine and Sam’s note about their project.
Hey everyone! My family and I just celebrated our one-year anniversary in our new house and I wanted to share pictures of our kitchen. We did nearly all the work ourselves—luckily we’re a handy pair.
The cabinets are maple in a shaker style. We ordered a second set from a local cabinet shop to match the lower row and had all the doors professionally sprayed in a warm white. I painted the gables, stretchers, and any fixed trim with a foam roller. Our biggest splurge was the new appliances—Viking across the board. They were a significant investment and not Sam’s favorite thing to install, but they were worth it. We saved by installing most of them ourselves.
The backsplash is a white beveled subway tile, an affordable choice that adds subtle depth. The original flooring was a mix of birch hardwood and a very dated shag carpet that visually chopped up the space. After removing everything, we installed an engineered walnut floating floor across the entire main level. We found the flooring through an auction outlet and ended up paying an incredible price per square foot, including underlay. The counter stools are from a national furniture retailer and complement the clean aesthetic.
The wall color is Antique White while the cabinets and trim are a bright, crisp white—matched at a big-box paint supplier for convenience. There’s a structural post in the middle of the kitchen that we wanted to remove, but it turned out to be load-bearing, so we dressed it up with molding and made it part of the design. We’ve learned to live with it, though I still wish it could have come down. Enjoy your kitchen renovations—best of luck! — Jasmine and Sam
Wouldn’t it be great if Jasmine and Sam started a blog so we could follow their projects? They clearly have good taste and practical skills. My favorite elements are the extra cabinetry and the streamlined stools; others are likely to admire the glossy countertops and reflective backsplash. If they drop by to answer questions, we’d love to hear more about materials, timing, and installation tips.
Psst — we recently shared our road-tripping Thanksgiving adventures on Young House Life. Also, we listed our dining table and six chairs from our first house for sale; they’re in great condition and were a practical, budget-friendly set.