The Coastal Reno: A Colorful Kitchen Remodel in Milton
Since moving to the Emerald Coast, Steve and I have taken on some dramatic kitchen remodels, and this coastal home transformation didn’t disappoint. This project required serious problem solving and creativity, which we took in stride. But first, let’s meet the homeowner…
A Home for Winters with Her Family
Our wonderful client (let’s call her Hannah, for anonymity) purchased this property to be near her family during winters in Milton, Florida. However, she knew she needed to renovate before it would feel like home-sweet-home. Here’s how it started:
Hannah’s main problem was with the dated oak cabinets and tiled countertops. They made the space feel dark and didn’t function well. She was also looking for an open kitchen where she could host family and actually enjoy cooking in her kitchen. Before renovating, this lackluster breakfast bar blocked the flow of daily traffic. It had to go!
To upgrade this dated kitchen, we created a list of the project’s scope and design goals:
Get rid of the dated oak colors, tile countertops, and bulky breakfast bar
Install new cabinets and upgrade flooring with practical LVP (Luxury Vinyl Planks)
Create a coastal feel and paint walls in lighter, soothing shades
Add sparkling new appliances for a modernized look and feel
Last but not least, we had one big structural challenge on our list…
We needed to remove the wall between the kitchen and dining area, shown above. You can see how it restricted natural light and blocked the view of the yard and front door. Unfortunately, removing the wall came with its challenges:
An additional cost of removing the wall and relocating electrical devices
Exposing kitchen flooring without tile (that was discontinued)
Opening up a spot in the ceiling
We explored several options, including cutting an opening through the wall rather than removing it, and we walked through the associated costs and ROI together. In the end, we decided that removing the wall would be well worth the investment and give Hannah the home she had been dreaming of.
Sea-Inspired Palette for a Coastal Kitchen Remodel
First up: Our selections for materials and a coastal-inspired palette. We knew the cabinets were going to become the star of the show. What we didn’t know (because it’s always different for each client) was that selecting the cabinet finish would be such a swift process. It was love at first sight when Hannah saw this cabinet color!
Hannah immediately migrated to the green-gray color, so we created an entire color palette around this coastal hue. We also worked together to custom design the cabinetry itself: the door style, material, construction style, etc. Steve always takes time to teach our clients everything they need to know about cabinetry to make educated selections; we lovingly call it Cabinetry 101.
So, how did it all turn out?
Coastal Kitchen Renovation, Revealed…
Beautiful! So much better without all that oak, right? The new cabinet color, white walls, glass backsplash, and the new LVP flooring all coordinate together effortlessly. Fortunately, her newly purchased rug and sofa in the adjoining family room were in a harmonizing color palette. This is always important to achieve in an open concept space.
And would you look at all those cabinets for storage?! Perfect for outfitting a kitchen that can feed one, a few, or a larger crowd.
Finally, Natural Light!
High on our client’s priority list was to open up her kitchen by removing the wall between the kitchen and the dining area, and as you know, we decided to take it down. It was worth it!
Look at how beautiful this natural light is now. It has become the highlight of the space, making everything feel fresh and open. We ended up installing the new LVP flooring throughout the kitchen, dining room, living room, and hallway due to this new, open floor plan. And that hole in the ceiling? Our fantastic drywall team patched it right up.
Fully Reconfigured Layout for Functionality
Remember that breakfast bar? Removing it increased the usable work area with the island and allowed us to reconfigure the kitchen layout. In addition, the fridge is closer to the pantry and the sink for quick and easy access. This creates a functional workflow, especially when entertaining.
We also installed a range with an induction cooktop and an air fryer setting for the oven. (It’s the little things, right?) The microwave serves as a cooking location with an exhaust fan over the cooktop, creating a compact and efficient workspace.
The Final Verdict
Hannah absolutely loves the space we designed for her! Now she can spend time with family and friends with a kitchen that promotes flow and function with a fun color that energizes the space. In two weeks, we’ll be back with all the best kitchen features we had to include inside this coastal kitchen. So keep an eye out for the post.
In the meantime, if you’re ready to update your kitchen, reach out to us. We’d be happy to discuss your project and see if we’re a good fit for one another.
Warmly,
Sarah