This project took about 3 months from demo to completion and involved a complete makeover of the kitchen and family room. Although we ordered stock cabinets (the high-end of the grade spec), some customization was required, as the manufacturer did not have the appropriate size for the stove. Additionally, we needed to rework some of the interior pullouts and create “fake” drawer fronts for the base cabinet spice rack pullout. The use of extensive molding gives these cabinets a custom look without breaking the bank. In fact, we spent half the amount of the lowest quoted custom cabinet price. 

All new lighting, composed of 22, 4″ recessed cans, provides work specific lighting where needed, while dimmers for the ambient lighting help to set the right feel for whatever the occassion. We custom designed the island (provides wine rack, spices, display area, vegetable and drawer storage) and had a cabinet shop make from cherry with a mahogany stain. A 1,200 CFM exhaust was installed over the 6 burner gas stove, so now no one can complain when I’m cooking Pittsburgh style steaks (I used to set the smoke alarm off before the change).

Opening up the wall between the family room and kitchen, combined with painting all the previously stained wainscoating and bookcases in white, creates a cohesive and flowing transition between the two spaces. They now function more like a single area. We covered the brick hearth and fireplace surround with the same granite as used for the kitchen counters, and I built a custom mantel with a flip-down front in which all of the electronic equipment (home theater amplifier, stereo receiver, cd player, dvd collection, etc.) are housed in pullout shelves. We hooked up a radio controlled receiver that transmits the Infrared signal to all of the devices so the mantel can stay in the closed position and not interfere with the remote control. Although not shown in the picture above the space above the mantel now has a 42″ flat screen monitor that is framed nicely by the molding.

We’re very happy with the outcome, and don’t think we would change a thing. By the way, the custom cherry cabinets, appliances and other items we could “rescue” when we did the demo, were donated to the Habitat for Humanity Restore in our area, and helped someone else have a nice kitchen that otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford it. That too, was one of the most satisfying aspects of our renovation, and we heartily recommend you consider doing the same whenever you undertake a renovation project!