Site Unseen Project
When our clients first reached out to us, they were moving to the area from out of state. Being a military family, they were no strangers to packing up every couple of years to move across the country for various assignments. Knowing how the military likes to keep you on your toes, you never know if your current posting is going to last only a few short months or extend on several years, so our clients were looking to make their new home a place they could enjoy for as long or as little as they were able. With the reality looming that they may not be in this home as long as they would like, we began to discuss alternatives to a full-scale kitchen remodel and settled on a fabulous kitchen refresh that would be budget-conscious while ensuring they would get top dollar when it was, in fact, time to pack up and move on. Oh, and did we mention that our clients purchased this home site unseen?! (Hence the clever project name...).
the before
The kitchen's original solid wood cabinetry was in relatively good shape considering the age of the home, but the original stain was dark and dated. The pot rack over the tiny island and random light placement throughout the space only made it feel more crowded and certainly not a space you would want to stay in for very long. Since replacing the cabinetry was not an option, we were going to need to get creative in order to give our clients that WOW factor they craved while also keeping the project budget-friendly.
the plan
Our clients favored a slightly more modern approach to home decor, but did not want to distract from the classic, colonial style of the home's architecture. We decided to carefully mix in more modern elements like the hardware and light fixtures while keeping the larger elements in the space primarily traditional. The small island was just begging for some attention, so we decided to help it to stand out with the addition of a new (but still traditional) look. The results have us absolutely giddy!
The after
We instantly brightened this kitchen by choosing a warm white paint color for the perimeter cabinets. The slate blue/grey color on the island helps it not get so lost in the space and the combination of molding wrapped around the sides echoes some of the home's character and provides interest.
The additional countertop overhang on the side increases countertop prep space and also provides space for their sweet daughter to pull up a barstool and help with dinner! We selected a modern brushed brass cabinet knob that really shines against the new cabinet color.
Every detail matters, especially when transforming a space with a smaller footprint. Glossy porcelain tiles help bounce light around the room, making the space appear larger, and their variated hand-cast colors complement many of the warm undertones found in the quartz countertops. By removing the rest of the crown molding around the perimeter of the kitchen, it allowed the cabinetry molding to really stand out on its own. Removing the unnecessary ceiling fixtures and opting for recessed lighting throughout also increases visual space and allows your eye to move freely around the room. We also opted for a low-profile microwave above the new gas range. This sleek and streamlined appliance gives some additional headroom to function more easily when meal prep is in full swing!
This project was so much fun to pull together and our sweet clients are ecstatic with their newly refreshed space!
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