It’s nice but not my style
When I first listed this beautiful home, it had everything buyers were looking for — space, light, and a stunning setting — except for one major drawback. The kitchen felt far too small for the size of the house. A massive formal dining room sat between the kitchen and the living space, cutting off flow, conversation, and natural light. The square footage was there, but the layout simply didn’t support modern living or entertaining. This is exactly why we approached this project as a sustainable luxury kitchen renovation, reimagining the space in a way that maximized both value and design without unnecessary waste.
Semi Open Floor Plan
Before any walls came down, I leaned on my design background to help buyers really see what this space could become. Since the kitchen felt too closed off for such a large home, I created visual drawings like this one. It shows how everything could open up with a big, welcoming island and better flow into the living areas. Having these renderings made it so much easier for buyers to picture themselves here. Not just walking through rooms, but actually living, cooking, and entertaining in the space. Sometimes all it takes is seeing the vision to feel confident about moving forward.
Once the wall between the kitchen and dining room came down, everything finally made sense. The space felt instantly bigger, brighter, and more connected to how people actually live. We reused original stained cabinets by relocating them to the island. The mix of painted cabinets and warm wood adds depth while saving money without sacrificing style. This is where the vision came to life as one open space for gathering, cooking, and entertaining.
Painting Kitchen Cabinets
One of the smartest moves we made was keeping this entire cabinet wall and simply giving it a fresh coat of paint. The cabinets were solid, well-built, and already perfectly sized for the appliances, so instead of ripping everything out, we color-matched them to the new cabinetry and let them live on in a new way. It saved a huge amount of money and waste, but more importantly, it made the finished kitchen feel intentional and seamless.
One small change that made a huge difference was moving the sink base so the sink could be centered perfectly on the window. Once we committed to that, it became clear the window itself needed to grow too — so we widened it to bring in more light and frame the backyard view. Suddenly the sink area went from feeling tucked away to being one of the best seats in the house.
Champagne Bronze Fixtures
This is where we really let the gold rush in. The Moen bronzed gold one-handle pull-down kitchen faucet paired with the Blanco white super-single Silgranit sink gives this area that perfect mix of modern and timeless. Above it all, the Lark two-light linear brass chandelier and champagne-bronze accents. These add just the right amount of glow, turning everyday tasks into something that feels a little more special. Between the warm metals, soft natural light, and clean white surfaces, this part of the kitchen feels both elevated and totally inviting
For the new island and expanded areas, we hunted down a quartz match that blended seamlessly with the existing countertops, allowing the entire kitchen to feel cohesive without the waste or cost of starting from scratch.
A Statement Island
We added stained cabinets to the island base so it felt original to the home. This created a large furniture-style island without losing the kitchen’s character. We salvaged oak floorboards to patch removed areas, keeping the remodel sustainable and visually seamless.
Instead of replacing perfectly good cabinetry and appliances, we chose to work smarter. The original cabinets on this wall were professionally painted by C & M Painting and color-matched to the new ones. This allowed them to blend seamlessly into the updated design. The KitchenAid range and stainless hood stayed too — not only because they were high-quality, but because they still performed beautifully. And while we were being thoughtful about what we reused, my client did decide to splurge on the pot filler she had always wanted, adding a little luxury right where it counts.
Marble Backsplash
We wanted something more interesting than basic white subway tile, and real marble was a must. I chose soft gray and beige veining to complement stainless appliances and warm oak tones. The grout became the magic, using a light brown shade that echoes the champagne-bronze fixtures. That small detail ties everything together for a custom, layered, and elevated look without overpowering the space.
Swapping the layout transformed how this family lives every day. We added island seating for homework, baking, and quick meals with room for six. The former eat-in nook became a true formal dining room. A Kichler Etcher 18-inch pendant anchors the island with sculptural warmth. It elevates the space while still feeling relaxed and livable.
Mixing Metals
After seeing my hardware at the lake, my client was hooked and spent hours on the Atlas Homewares site exploring all of their gorgeous options. With so many cabinets in this kitchen, we mixed pulls and knobs to keep everything from feeling too matchy while still staying cohesive. The champagne-bronze finish adds just the right amount of warmth and polish, giving the cabinetry that jewelry-like detail that makes the entire space feel custom and elevated.
This little beverage station is one of my favorite moments in the entire kitchen. By reworking the original cabinets, counter, and refrigerator, we created a wet bar that feels completely intentional. We removed the solid door panels and added frosted glass to lighten the look and create a custom, collected feel. Located near the family room, it makes drinks and morning coffee easy to grab. The Brizo Artesso bar faucet adds the perfect touch of luxury and craftsmanship for a high-end kitchen.
Modern Updates with Classic Design
What started as a closed-off dining room is now the heart of the home—open, bright, and built for real life.
By removing walls and reworking existing elements, this sustainable luxury kitchen renovation delivered both beauty and everyday function. With smart design and a clear vision, you can transform how a home lives without starting from scratch.
