Award-Winning Kitchen Remodel Creates a Brighter, More Open Feel

When a homeowner entrusts you with their dream, and that dream becomes an award-winning reality, it’s a truly special achievement. This kitchen remodel successfully transformed a dark, cluttered, and outdated space into a lighter, brighter, and more open "Dream Kitchen." The project earned a prestigious NARI CotY (Contractor of the Year) award for its innovative solutions to poor traffic flow, limited storage, and lack of counter space, resulting in a beautiful and highly functional, cook-friendly workspace. This client, a repeat customer, demonstrates the profound trust built through exceptional results and a commitment to bringing visions to life.

The Challenge: A Kitchen Long Awaiting Its Potential

For years, this homeowner envisioned a kitchen that truly worked for their lifestyle – a brighter, more open, and functional space with better storage and improved traffic flow. The existing kitchen was a source of frustration: dark, cluttered, and outdated, with an inefficient layout that hindered daily tasks and limited entertaining. It suffered from minimal cabinet storage, insufficient counter space, and a lack of comfortable seating. The desire for a chef-friendly workspace, complete with gas cooking and a deep sink, coexisted with specific aesthetic preferences: the husband desired stained cabinets, while the wife dreamt of light cabinets, and both wanted the convenience of a TV viewable while doing dishes. This intricate web of desires presented a unique challenge, one we were eager to embrace.

The Transformation: Crafting a Cook-Friendly, Open Concept Space

Our design process began by reconfiguring the entire space. A pivotal change was the strategic removal of a wall, immediately creating a more expansive, open kitchen and dining floor plan that dramatically improved traffic flow. The existing soffits and a structural bolt were also removed, contributing to the sense of openness.

At the heart of the new kitchen stands a magnificent island, designed not only to provide ample workspace and seating but also to artfully blend contrasting aesthetics. Here, rich, dark stained Wellborn Premier Bishop cabinets create a striking visual anchor, fulfilling the husband’s preference. These are beautifully complemented by the light-finished Wellborn Premier Bishop cabinets that define the perimeter, satisfying the wife’s desire for a brighter space. This thoughtful "gentle mix" of dark and light cabinetry is a testament to blending individual desires into one harmonious design.

The commitment to functionality shines through every detail. The design incorporates cook-friendly cabinetry, featuring specialized solutions like pull-out spice racks and customized pan storage, ensuring every item has its place. The countertop, a stunning Vicostone Ice Lake, provides generous prep areas, while a classic farmhouse sink adds both charm and practicality. For a truly seamless and elegant look, the backsplash features beautiful Crystal Glass Gray Mosaic Tile, with all outlets and switches cleverly concealed underneath the cabinets. This innovative approach ensures an uninterrupted visual flow, highlighting the beauty of the mosaic.

To address the desire for entertainment, a TV was ingeniously concealed within a cabinet equipped with pocket doors. This clever solution allows the husband to enjoy his favorite shows while tackling dishes, and the TV disappears discreetly when not in use. Improved and adjustable lighting, including stylish pendant lights, recessed ceiling lighting, and functional under-cabinet lighting, illuminates every corner, enhancing both the ambiance and usability of the space.

Overcoming Obstacles: Dedication to a Seamless Finish

Even with meticulous planning, remodeling often presents unforeseen challenges. This project was no exception, requiring innovative solutions to ensure a flawless outcome. A pre-existing drain pipe for an upstairs bathroom, which protruded awkwardly outside the wall, was expertly rerouted five feet back into an adjacent joist cavity. This allowed for the seamless installation of the desired wall cabinetry, cleaning up original plumbing work for a pristine look.

Another challenge arose with the hardwood flooring in the dining room, which was half an inch off-set from the kitchen. Our solution involved replacing the hardwood in the dining room and "toothing" it into the kitchen, creating a perfectly seamless transition between the two spaces.

Perhaps the most memorable obstacle was "The Elusive Sink." The client's beloved Blanco Ikon Silgranit Sink (Metallic Gray) was ordered with a two-week lead time but never arrived. With only seven days before countertop templating, and the lead time now extended to six weeks, we launched an extensive search. Through unconventional avenues, we finally tracked down the precise sink in California! With just three days to spare, it was express-shipped and, despite poor packaging, arrived undamaged—just in time for templating. This dedication to sourcing even the most challenging elements underscores our commitment to client satisfaction, no matter the obstacle.

The Award-Winning Result: A Dream Kitchen Realized

The culmination of thoughtful design, superior craftsmanship, and dedicated problem-solving is evident in every detail of this NARI award-winning kitchen remodel. This project transformed a once-frustrating space into a vibrant, cook-friendly hub—a testament to how homeowners' long-held desires can be beautifully realized. The "Ohhh La La" factor that caught the NARI judges' attention is a daily joy for these repeat clients, who now truly have their dream kitchen.