The Island: Making Existing Space Work Better
The biggest move we made during this kitchen remodel was ditching the L-shaped layout by opening up the connection between the kitchen and dining room.
This completely changed how the space flowed. The sink and dishwasher found a new home on the island, which made cooking feel easier and more fun.
We also extended the island countertop to add some seating, so now everyone can gather in the modern kitchen when Mark and Michal’s adult kids visit, and they can casually hang out together while they cook.
Oh, and the lighting? The fluorescent bulbs absolutely had to go, so we replaced the fixture with bright recessed ceiling lights for visibility, plus two Quoizel pendant lights over the island to soften the mood.
Using Colors and Materials to Tie the Space Together
The original color scheme of this kitchen worked together… but not in a way that made Mark and Michal want to actually spend time looking at it.
The dreary brown wood had to go in favor of white satin cabinets above, which amplified the existing natural light and the luminance of the new fixtures, and a soft gray for the drawers, island, and cabinets around the fridge.
The new Cambria polished white countertops feature a softer, half bullnose edge that upgrades the counters while preserving the only bright feature of the old kitchen.
A full backsplash of Teramoda Ink polished 3x1 tiles ties everything together, creating a stunning focal point above the cooktop and counter.
New Appliances: A Game-Changer for Cooking
Mark and Michal’s original kitchen had standard appliances: a stove with a cooktop and oven, a microwave above, a dishwasher, and a French-door refrigerator with a freezer drawer.
They all matched, but aside from the fridge, they weren’t anything special in terms of looks or function. The refrigerator survived the kitchen remodel, but everything else had to go.
The oven and cooktop had the biggest makeover, swapping the standard stove and oven combo for a Bosch Benchmark gas cooktop where the stove was originally installed, and a separate Bosch Speed Combination double oven next to the fridge.
A Zephyr range hood with under-cabinet lighting took the microwave’s spot, since the double oven made the extra appliance unnecessary.
With the new appliance layout, it’s easy enough for a single cook to navigate, but there’s enough flexibility for two or more.
The Details That Take Everything to the Next Level
The big decisions carried the overall transformation, but the smaller details make it feel personal.
A Deep, Functional Sink
The 33.5-inch Cairn sink makes washing easier with one wide, deep basin in place of the shallow double-basin original. The matte graphite color also ties in subtly with the backsplash, contrasting just enough with the white countertops to create depth without distraction.
Faucet Accessibility
The biggest win for the sink was the stainless Kohler touchless faucet, which turns on with a simple hand wave. Mark and Michal no longer have to worry about grimy faucet levers, and cleanup is a breeze with the three-function sprayhead.
Simple Yet Elegant Hardware
Satin nickel cabinet knobs, cabinet pulls, and drawer pulls connect beautifully with the stainless steel appliances and faucet, creating a subtle continuity throughout the whole kitchen design. The straight-line style of the pulls makes them easy to grab while adding an elegant finish to the cabinetry.
