Tag: before and after kitchen

Kitchen Renovation: The Cabinets

Written by Jenna on December 7, 2015. Posted in DIY, Kitchen, Kitchen Makeover, Kitchen Renovation. 1 Comment on Kitchen Renovation: The Cabinets

It’s been about 2+ weeks since I shared an update on the progress of the kitchen renovation and A LOT has happened!

Once the hardwood floors were complete and we were able to move back into our home, the CABINETS ARRIVED. It was a very, very exciting day to say the least.

For this kitchen renovation that I am partnering with Lowe’s on, I chose to use cabinets by Kraftmaid.

Not only does Kraftmaid have an extensive selection of cabinet styles + colors, their attention to detail is exquisite, as well as the craftmanship of their product. When I started the design process for this renovation, I was quite impressed with all the ‘bells & whistles’ that they offer (many of which come standard with their cabinetry) + the variety of storage solutions they offer.

Once the design plan was in place and the cabinets went into production, a date for their arrival was lightly scratched in stone (versus ‘set in stone’ – bad joke, I know). We didn’t know if the cabinets would actually arrive on that date, but the Lowe’s independent contractor worked day after day to have everything with the walls + floors buttoned up by this magical date.

So the morning of the date comes and I heard crickets… I never was so anxious to receive a call, and THEN my phone rank and I was jumping for joy.

The cabinets DID arrive as planned on the date and I was able to breathe again…

The delivery company unloaded the truck box by box and stacked them ALL into my garage.

There were a lotta boxes and the garage was filled to the max!

The cabinets were gorgeous. Just how I imagined.

And then the fun began of installation…

The following Monday, the contractor got started with installing the cabinets in the empty shell that we once called our kitchen. The upper cabinets (which there are only 2 of) were the first to go into place. They set the placement for everything else thereafter.

Once the upper cabinets were in place, the base cabinets were installed, followed by the cabinet above the refrigerator + the pantry to the right…

By the end of Day One, this was the progress that was made.

I loved watching the new space evolve.

I literally gasped with excitement as each new cabinet was set into place.

Day after day, more progress was made and it started to look & feel like a kitchen.

A real kitchen.

After dreaming about this space for so long + being without a functioning hub for weeks, it felt so good.

In about 5 days, about 95% of the cabinets were installed.

And then IT HAPPENED… after weeks of living out of boxes, I was able to put away all my kitchen essentials.

A glass of wine + some serene tunes on Pandora and IT WAS A PARTY. By myself. With my dishes.

Above…

Below…

…There is so much incredible storage + space. From the outside to the inside, every nook & cranny is so pretty!

CABINETRY

For this kitchen renovation, I chose the Cayden line of cabinets in Dove White (perimeter cabinets) + Greyloft (island cabinets) by Kraftmaid. It’s a full overlay door with an inset panel and minimalist detailing.

For the hardware, I chose the sleek polished nickel Fordham pull.

This was the palette that I created during the design phase and the actual space is really coming together how I envisioned. squeal…

Without giving too much away, here are a few close up peeks at how the finished cabinets look once installed…

The crown moulding still has to be finished, but the flat stock has been added.

CABINET INTERIORS

Check out a few snapshots of the cabinet interiors…

WHY KRAFTMAID.

It’s a fair question. From Ikea to custom, there are a zillion cabinetry companies out there to choose form, so why Kraftmaid?

DESIGN. Lowe’s offers a great service of working with a kitchen designer who can create a plan for you. Whether you know exactly what you want or need hand-holding + direction, the Lowe’s design team will work with you to implement a plan. You not only want to create a high-functioning space, but also a kitchen area that fits your style + aesthetic… the Lowe’s kitchen designers can do that for you!

SELECTION. Kraftmaid has an incredible selection of cabinet styles, colors, decorative enhancements (add-ons), storage solutions, hardware, etc… Having options allows the possibility of achieving a custom-to-you, one of a kind kitchen!

QUALITY. Kraftmaid stands behind their product (check out their warranty) and with a big investment you want a company that cares about their product. Their attention to detail + the craftsmanship of their product is exquisite. What other cabinet companies upcharge for, Kraftmaid cabinets come as standard including solid wood dovetail drawers that are full extension + soft close and a finishing system on their doors to make them twice as resistant to scratches.

STORAGE. Kraftmaid has a huge selection of storage solutions. As much as the outsides of the cabinets need to be pretty, the insides have to be functional.

I am so thrilled with the progress of this kitchen renovation. I will be 100% honest, the renovation process has been exhausting + wearing and I haven’t even lifted a finger (with all the DIY we do, I couldn’t not imagine doing this as a do it yourself project… that’s just too much for me). There have been frustrating + tiring days, but I just keep focusing on the end result. In mere months, this renovation will be simply be a past moment in time. For now, I’m just thankful to have cabinets + focusing on the day-to-day progress!

Next up… countertops. I can not wait to share with you what I chose!

If you want to see all the posts documenting the kitchen renovation, here they are from start to finish:
Wonderful White Kitchen Inspiration
Kitchen Remodel: Before + Plan of Action
Demo Day: Steps for Demolishing the Kitchen
Kitchen Progress: Staining Hardwood Floors
The Cabinets Arrive + Get Installed
Natural Quartz Countertops in the Kitchen
10 Countertop Materials to Consider for the Kitchen
Subway Tile Installation + Choosing the RIGHT Subway
Kitchen Backsplash Tile Options + Inspiration
Choosing a Paint Color + Wallpaper for the Kitchen and Dining Room
Kitchen Renovation: The Appliances
Dissecting the Details
Kitchen Renovation: REVEAL + RESOURCES

DISCLAIMER: THIS KITCHEN RENOVATION IS A COLLABORATION WITH LOWEâ€™S USING KRAFTMAID CABINETRY. ALL OPINIONS + SELECTIONS ARE MY OWN WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF KRAFTMAID AND THE LOWEâ€™S DESIGN TEAM.

Stunning Stained Kitchen Reveal

Written by Jenna on November 11, 2015. Posted in Kitchen, Kitchen Makeover, Kitchen Renovation. 4 Comments on Stunning Stained Kitchen Reveal

While I am in the midst of renovating my own kitchen, I’ve been immersed in designing + project managing a few client renovations as well. One that just wrapped up is this stunning stained kitchen…

As of late, I am seeing that 90% of new kitchens have painted cabinetry – 85% of which are white – so when this client was adamant about wanting stained cabinets for their new kitchen, I happily obliged. For this project, the client had a clear vision & many decisions were already made when we started working together. It made my job easier + my role less than typical compared to working with clients that need more ‘hand-holding’. With my assistance, I was able to steer / direct them in making design choices that suited their style to achieve the kitchen they envisioned.

Before I share more of what the kitchen looks like now, you’ve gotta see what it looked like prior to demo…

Like I always say, you have to see the before to really appreciate the after. And the kitchen before really needed some TLC.

BEFORE

The construction of this kitchen was a bit unique and easier than most because the renovation took place before the clients moved in. This home was a new purchase for them and during the time before the closing, the design process was started. Yes, a bit risky in case “the deal” fell through, but once they closed on the home, construction began the following day. All the prep work + purchases were complete and we were ready to move forward.

The client had about a month before they needed to move in, so everything was scheduled on a tight timeline. Aside from some hiccups with waiting for the countertops to be installed, demo + repair + installation of the new cabinets went fairly smoothly.

Aside from the old kitchen being worn + dated, the space was also not being utilized to it’s maximum potential.

As the new plan evolved, there was no question that first to go was the soffit above the existing cabinets. The new upper cabinets would be taller and continue to the ceiling, then be finished with a decorative crown moulding.

The next area of focus was the island – a larger, more substantial island with lots of storage + space to eat-at was a must.

Following that, the refrigerator area needed updating to maximize storage.

THE VISION

Upon working through the updates that were needed to create a better flowing space + listening to the clients desires, I created the proposed plan + Vision Board…

CONSTRUCTION

After months of designing, fabricating, and building, construction began…

And then it was complete. The result…

AFTER

Welcome to this stained stunner…

This is the view as you walk into the kitchen from the entry foyer and it’s gorgeous. Light shines in from the exterior and the space feels bright & fresh.

The cabinets are a mix of a few stains, which took a several tries to get just right. The hue we wanted to achieve was a light-medium brown with no orange or red undertones. In the end, the result is rich and warm.

The cabinets are a full overlay door style (which means the door sits proud of the frame instead of being inset) with a recessed panel door. The door itself has a decorative edging on the outer perimeter + at the recessed panel.

The lighting was chosen by the clients and even though I had suggested other fixtures, these look great.

Cream colored counter stools beautifully compliment the stained cabinets.

The home is a combination of hardwood, carpet, and tile. The tile for this kitchen continues from the foyer and it’s a 18 x 18 ceramic with a staggered layout. It’s lighter tone is the perfect backdrop to the darker cabinets.

When it came time to choose the countertop and backsplash, it was important to select something that enhanced the beauty + tones of the stained cabinets. We decided on a granite that has flecks of caramel, black, and taupes – it’s so rich with lots of depth. For the backplash, a mosaic with varying-sized square glass pieces was what suited the clients style best.

The cooktop is set into the counter and 3 roll-out drawers were added underneath which gives ample storage for pots, pans, and cooking utensils.

A double oven sits to the left of the cooktop. Above is full-depth vertical dividers for large trays and platters.

Where the non-functioning refrigerator space was before, a new refrigerator + pull-out pantry storage was added.

These slide-outs with adjustable shelves have been a wonderful update and the amount of storage is incredible!

Taking a step back, this is another view of the overall newly revamped kitchen.

I am so smitten over the island legs!

This new space doesn’t only stop at the kitchen cabinets, but a desk was also added. With a combination of open & closed cabinetry, this desk space is the command center for this family.

Another hidden gem + must-have in the kitchen, a trash bin pull-out! This is a double for trash + recycling and in the island was the perfect placement.

And there you have it. The before & after of this kitchen renovation is pretty incredible!

It was such a wonderful job to be a part of. Another project complete!

Do you like stained cabinets or do you prefer painted?

Demo Day: Steps for Demolishing the Kitchen

Written by Jenna on November 9, 2015. Posted in DIY, Kitchen, Kitchen Makeover, Kitchen Renovation. 4 Comments on Demo Day: Steps for Demolishing the Kitchen

Demo Day means one thing… construction has begun!

Last week demolition of the existing kitchen started and I was full of emotions from excitement to nervousness. After months of planning, I just couldn’t believe the day had come.

After spending the weekend clearing + cleaning out the kitchen and adjacent areas, the kitchen was ready to be teared down.

I was anticipating DEMO DAY to be rugged & raw with sledgehammers flying and earsplitting noise of walls being tore down. Like this…

via

Yay, not so much. Guess it’s a good thing with a baby in the house who typically naps for 3+ hours…

I was a little disappointed that I couldn’t get the days anxieties out with a haul of a hammer, but I got over it quickly.

A few hours in to demo day, the window treatments were down, the cabinets were out, and the contractors were well on their way to clearing out the kitchen area.

The kitchen cabinets came out first, followed by the soffit above the existing cabinets. The new upper cabinets will continue to the ceiling with decorative moulding, which will really heighten the space+ provide more storage space inside.

The ‘soffit’ in front of the window (above the sink) we discovered is a beam, which will need to remain. Can’t take out what is holding up the house!

Beyond the beam though, we will be able to heighten the soffit, which will allow new tile to continue up and around all sides of the window. A pretty new pendant over the sink will also be installed.

Over the coming days once demo is complete, other areas of focus will be the plumbing + electrical. The electrical changes will include relocating + adding outlets, repositioning the recessed lights in the ceiling, and adding pendant lights over the island.

All the wiring for the electrical will take place now during the demo + repair phase, then when the cabinets are in, the contractor will be able to cut the exact locations in the sheetrock, so they are in the exact position that I’d like. Not too shabby…

See that ugly tile? That was the original floor for the kitchen + dining space. I couldn’t imagine… The hardwood flooring was installed by the previous owners and since the kitchen was already in place, they followed the footprint perimeter of the cabinets.

The challenging part that we’re going to encounter with our proposed plan is weaving new flooring into this area where the dishwasher once was because we are eliminating the footprint of this “peninsula” and instead creating a big ole’ island.

Once the new floor is installed, ALL the first floor hardwood floors will be sanded & restained. By weaving in new floor with the old though, it’s unknown how the stain will take and the new floor boards might be obvious & stand out. I was told, the darker the floor, the higher probability that it’ll be apparent. It’s an unknown at the moment, so we shall see what happens…

By days end, just the shell of the space was left.

I couldn’t believe how everything was out & already how different the kitchen space felt. And all I kept thinking was, it’s really happening…

It’s amazing how a room can look + feel so different when everything is removed. Your eye isn’t drawn to what it sees anymore, but instead with a clear palette a world of new thoughts + ideas come flurrying in.

For months (maybe even years in my head), I planned + designed every nook & cranny of the new kitchen, but having it actually go from a dream to reality is mind-boggling.

As my kitchen adventure continues, I plan to share the good, the bad, and all the steps in between with hopes to inspire + educate if you ever decide to renovate the kitchen in your home.

Next up for this kitchen renovation… finishing repairing the walls & then the patching + staining of the hardwood floors. After that, cabinets will be delivered.

Thanks for following along!

DISCLAIMER: THIS KITCHEN RENOVATION IS A COLLABORATION WITH LOWEâ€™S. ALL OPINIONS + SELECTIONS ARE MY OWN WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE LOWEâ€™S DESIGN TEAM.

BHG Kitchen + Bath Makeovers COVER Feature: Year 2

Written by Jenna on March 18, 2015. Posted in DIY, Kitchen, Magazine Feature. 4 Comments on BHG Kitchen + Bath Makeovers COVER Feature: Year 2

I am so excited to share that for the second year in a row, a kitchen project that I designed is on the Spring cover of the Better Homes & Gardens Special Interest Publication, Kitchen + Bath Makeovers.

How is this possible?! Even though I’ve had over a dozen features in various BHG magazines, the thrill never diminishes. It truly is a pinch-me-moment ever time!

My last experience collaborating with BHG on a kitchen makeover was fantastic and to see the result on the cover was incredible. From having a project featured in that magnitude, so many doors + new opportunities opened for me. That magazine hit newsstands just about a year ago and shortly after that, I was asked back to do it all again, for this years Spring magazine – magazines work long in advance. If you remember back a year ago, I was about 5 months pregnant at the time. The editors new that and were overly accommodating. I said, as long as we can wrap it up by early June, I’m on board. They were on board too and the ball started rolling from there…

Upon finding the right kitchen that was in desperate need for a makeover, Donna Talley – stylist + producer for BHG – and I partnered to create a makeover that was not only beautiful, but also budget-friendly and had many strategic storage options + ‘look for less’ details.

I love seeing + sharing behind the scenes footage and what goes into the end result, so let’s dissect…

The ‘before’

The ‘before’ kitchen was cramped & completely not functional. The space was of an okay size but with very limited cabinet space, a refrigerator wrongly positioned, and traffic flow problems, a lot needed to change. Here are a few before pictures…

Not only were the cabinets dated, but functionally there was a lot of unused space above the upper cabinets. The base cabinets weren’t much better. After working with an architect on a few structural questions, we decided to remove the walls @ the pantry and open up the pass through space to join the kitchen + dining space.

Here was the Creative Vision Board I created for the kitchen + dining room…

In the end we went in a slightly different direction for the fabrics & layers, but the general aesthetic + style remained. Here are a few outtakes on the options discussed…

In the end, this is what was chosen & is what is seen in the magazine feature…

At the same time as the materials + selections were being finalized, I was also working on the architectural drawings of the design, which included the floor plan and the various room elevations needed to execute the fabrication of the cabinetry. This is pretty much the same steps I take for all clients that I work with on a kitchen makeover.

Architectural Drawings…

Once the drawings were finished & everyone was on board, about 2 months later construction started and the makeover transformation was in process.

Progress pictures of the makeover…

In the end, this was the result captured through my lens.

The Result…

The new cabinets were fabricated by MasterBrands – the island is a teal hue, while the upper + base cabinets are a soft gray, and the “pantry” is the same soft gray with a glaze overlay.

Here’s a detail of the “pantry” that we created using stock cabinets…

The island is quartz an I was pleasantly surprised by it’s beauty. Before seeing the overall slab, I was planning for it to be faux looking (a knock-off granite or marble), but it wasn’t at all. The veining & movement of the slab was gorgeous. It’s a material I will definitely use again, especially as an alternative to marble since that can be difficult in a kitchen.

The transformation was incredible and I loved every step of the 1.5-month construction process leading up to photoshoot day which was in mid-June (and less than 2 weeks before I gave birth to baby #3 – thankfully we finished in the nick of time).

As always photoshoot day is typically mayhem, but Oh SO EXCITING. On the pages of the magazine, all looks calm & serene, but most of the nooks & crannies around the main shot are just the opposite.

Photoshoot day…

All the props + styling are credited to Donna Talley who produced & put the story together. Michael Partenio was the photographer for the shoot.

As I mentioned last year when sharing behind the scenes details, I find it incredible how much work goes into creating each shot. The space is overall beautiful, but the added pop layered in through accessories makes the room on the pages of the magazine come alive.

My pictures don’t honestly do a justice. The magazine shares much more beautiful angles + details, along with more of the story about the homeowner & the space. It’s an issue you will absolutely want to pick up. Plus a few of my blogger friends are also featured including Rhoda of Southern Hospitality, Brittany of Pretty Handy Girl, and Marian of Miss Mustard Seed.

Last, but not at all least, I couldn’t design a kitchen without a central command center and this one does not fail!

From my CCC (that was featured in BHG), to last years kitchen with a CCC, and now this one – all of them are so different.

Also in the magazine, a few tips are shared on how to clear the clutter and how it’s stated, “Jenna is on a mission to replace those piles with command centers”…

So fun! I hope you enjoyed a bit of the behind the scenes details of a kitchen makeover for a magazine. Fingers crossed more opportunities will come about in the future!

Kitchen Revamp: Before + After

Written by Jenna on March 5, 2014. Posted in Decorating, Kitchen. 9 Comments on Kitchen Revamp: Before + After

Oh My, where are the days going? I swear, I wake up and 5 minutes later it is night time. I can not keep ahead, but thankfully all is good – NO complaints, except for the bitter cold temps. Some fun news to share… I was in NYC for a quick trip late last week and met up with some blogger pals – Diane, Kelly, and Denise – for a Better Homes and Gardens event. BHG, along with BrandSpark, invited some local bloggers to the Best New Product Awards, where we got to mingle with representatives of some big brands. It was so fun to “get out” and meet others who are just as passionate as I. I’ll have more to come soon on the products and a chance for you to win some cool stuff.

While I should have my feet up resting (at 5 months prego, my body is definitely feeling aches + pains), I’ve been busy busy with a few client kitchens – all at different phases of construction. One I just started and have a design meeting for later today, another is mid-install, and another I just finished. I shared a peak of it the recently completed kitchen the other day, but now it’s time to show more + it’s evolution…

This kitchen was really wonderful to work on, but a definite challenge. For privacy sake, I can’t show the floor plan, but there was a large area of the “kitchen area”, which I would say technically was the eating area, that was unused. Then the space for the “kitchen” with the cabinets was very small + tight. When the client brought me in, she really expressed the want + desire to reuse much of the existing cabinetry. The challenge? They were faux wood/stained cabinets from Ikea and to match them exactly isn’t the easiest objective! My carpenter/cabinet fabricator was up for a challenge… Could he do it??

Here are a few before pictures…

Once we discussed the scope of work + the clients needs + style, this was the Creative Vision Board that I created…

The “known” of the space was the cabinetry. The client wanted to match the new with the existing. I spiced it up with the layers + details

>Lighting

>Fabric

>Tile

>Open shelving

These 4 elements brought the kitchen to the next level!

Lighting: The lighting before was very contemporary and did not fit the style of the house, which is old-world eclectic. Yes, it has modern features, but certainly is not contemporary. I wanted to bring in a sense of the handcrafted look and chose new fixtures for the space.

Fabric: It’s often a challenge in a kitchen to bring in color, but fabric on a window can be the needed element to soften and liven a space. The client and I looked at several options for window fabric and chose a modern pattern with colors of teal, mustard, and taupe.

Unfortunately, the window treatment is the only area of the space that is still incomplete. We are awaiting the roman shade for the window. Here are a few options we looked at before choosing #1…

Tile: Along with the cabinets, the countertop which is soapstone, was also staying. To balance the darker hues of the cabinets and counter, I knew a lighter natural stone would be the perfect compliment. The client and I visited a local tile shop and found this beautiful natural tile with light gray veining – the size: 2″ x 8″ – which was ideal.

Open Shelving: To break up the monotony of the stained cabinets, I wanted to bring in an opportunity of open shelving to give the space more openness. We chose for the shelves to be minimal and painted them to match the crown moulding that was added around the room. The backsplash tile was also continued behind the open shelves to give a cohesive look.

With a few more tweaks + tricks throughout the space, it came together amazingly. My carpenter is incredible and not only did he match the new with the old, he also used a few of the existing doors and reworked them to fit in new spots. For example, using one of the old doors, he used part of it to create a pull-out spice rack which now sits next to the new dishwasher.

I love when clients want to work with what they have! The outcome of this kitchen made me so happy. Here are some more after pictures…

Lastly some Before + Afters – sorry for them not being at the same angle…

There you have it. A few more details and the kitchen will be complete! In the meantime, want some more ideas for upgrading a kitchen? Check out this post of mine on 5 Upgrades for a Killer Kitchen…

more client kitchens coming soon…