Want a full tour of our newly renovated kitchen in 4,390 words or less? Pull up a chair and grab a sparkling water—here’s the story, with plenty of after photos and the reasoning behind our material choices.
First, a few before-and-after shots. This was the view from the living room before, when the kitchen was mostly hidden from sight.
Now the open sightline looks like this:
And the view from the garage entry used to be:
These days it reads much brighter and more intentional.
There’s a lot to cover, so today we’ll focus on the big-picture choices: cabinets, counters, hardware, appliances, lighting, tile, paint, and the natural accents that keep the space from feeling cold. We’ve already discussed the layout and demo in earlier posts, so here’s how it all came together.
Cabinets
We love a white kitchen—it brightens spaces and works well when natural light is limited. For this remodel we used a local cabinet maker and selected Quality Cabinets for their solid craftsmanship, soft-close drawers, and an upgrade option to a 5-piece drawer front with a recessed panel. The stock white was a crisp, slightly gray-leaning white that matched our trim and tile samples nicely—always bring home a door sample to check.
We chose a traditional shaker-style door with a double-beveled edge to suit the character of the house. Functionally, we packed the kitchen with drawer bases—especially in the island—which provide deep, accessible storage and make daily use much easier.
We considered Ikea for parts of the house before, and while it’s great for smaller projects, for this large remodel we stuck with local cabinetry to ensure the finishing details—trim, fill, and custom fit—would come out exactly as we wanted.
Counters
After testing many materials in past projects, we chose quartz for durability and low maintenance. Quartz is non-porous, resists staining, and doesn’t require sealing—ideal for a busy family kitchen.
For the island we selected a dramatic veined quartz slab (Cambria Brittannica) for its large-scale movement and contrast. We paired that with a more subtle, concrete-like quartz on the perimeter to balance the look and keep the island as the star.
We also opted for a triple-thick island appearance (3″ visual thickness). It’s achieved by mitering and attaching banded edge pieces from the same slab so it reads as a solid, substantial slab while keeping material waste and cost down. The result feels sculptural and is one of the first things guests notice.
For the perimeter counters we chose a warm gray quartz (Compac Ice-Zement) in a matte finish to resemble concrete. The matte finish helps the glossy island pop while keeping the perimeter subtle and tactile.
Hardware, Faucet, & Shelf Brackets
We chose polished nickel for fixtures and hardware because its slightly warm undertone harmonizes with the wood floors and the warm veining in the island. For the faucet we selected a single-handle pull-down for ease of use; it’s functional and tidy. Cabinet hardware is coordinated: knobs on top cabinets and pulls on lower cabinets and drawers, keeping visual consistency and usability.
Appliances
We installed a counter-depth refrigerator for a streamlined profile, and a matching Whirlpool Gold Series suite that we bought prior to the renovation. We switched from electric to gas for the range to improve cooking performance and achieve the look we wanted; a slide-in gas range gives a cleaner fit against the tile wall. The under-counter microwave has been a great placement—convenient and out of the way, and it helps keep the upper sightlines clean.
Lighting
We added multiple recessed lights on dimmers for general and task lighting, plus three large metal dome pendants over the island mounted on polished nickel rods. The pendants were chosen to have enough visual weight for the long island and were finished in a muted putty color that ties to the counters’ veins without overpowering the space.
Wood and Natural Accents
To keep the neutral palette warm, we layered in wood and woven textures: oak floors, woven blinds, wood stools, cutting boards, and reclaimed wood open shelves. The shelves are a DIY project made from locally found reclaimed lumber, stained to show off texture and warmth.
Tile & Paint
We ran the backsplash tile to the ceiling to create a strong vertical statement and left an even reveal around the windows so the tile could continue uninterrupted. We selected a matte, tumbled marble subway tile for a classic look that complements the adjacent brick fireplace and adds subtle texture without competing with the counters.
Walls are painted in a soft warm gray (Irish Mist by Behr) that sits slightly darker than the cabinets and allows the tile, pendants, hardware, and veiny island to take center stage. The door to the mudroom was painted a lively blue-green (Lime Light by Behr) after a few test coats to land on the perfect shade.
Sources
Below are the main finishes and fixtures used in the kitchen for easy reference:
- Pull-down polished nickel faucet
- Veiny quartz island counters (Cambria Brittannica) and gray quartz perimeter counters (Compac Ice-Zement)
- Counter-height wooden stools
- Polished nickel shelf brackets and coordinating cabinet hardware
- Metal dome island pendants in a muted putty finish
- Tumbled marble subway tile backsplash
- Woven blinds, wooden cutting boards, and woven trays for accessories
We’ve included layout measurements and a rendering to help anyone wondering whether their space can accommodate a large island. We chose shallower-than-normal cabinetry behind the stools (14″ deep versus the typical 25″) which preserves generous walking space while keeping the island visually substantial.
And because before-and-after photos never get old, here’s one more comparison: the kitchen before…
…and after, with the wall removed and the space opened up for good.
There are still details to share—how we organized drawers, what mistakes we learned from, how we built and stained the reclaimed shelves, and the built-ins in the living room—so expect more posts with specifics and how-tos. For now, we’re enjoying cooking and gathering in a bright, functional kitchen that feels like home.
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