Before & After: A Fresh and Functional 1970s Kitchen Remodel

Do you have a room in your home that just isn’t serving you anymore? Maybe the space isn’t functional? Maybe the colors and finishes are outdated? Or maybe you feel the weight of overwhelm every time you walk in? 

The client who approached Steve and me with this 1970s kitchen remodel was feeling all of the above — and she had made do for long enough! After seeing a friend’s kitchen remodel (a long-time client of ours), she asked for a referral and gave us a call. 

Like most of our clients, we discovered that she loves to entertain and was eager to update the cabinets and appliances for a fresh, functional space she’d be proud to invite people into. She also knew she wanted to brighten up the space, but she wasn’t sure how. 

It soon became clear that she was looking for more than just a contractor. She wanted ONE design/renovate team (for simplified communication) who could help her with the design selections, keep the project on budget, and execute the vision to completion — our speciality.

Let’s talk specifics...

Goals for the Project:

• Stay within the existing kitchen footprint for both space-planning and budget purposes

• Brighten up the space with lighter colors and updated materials

• Exchange cabinetry in order to help with time management, organization, and function

• Remove the old desk and pantry closet from the kitchen

• Match the new kitchen floors to the prefinished hardwood floors in the adjacent family room

Our Design Plan:

We all decided it would be easiest to keep the kitchen layout the same. To increase efficiency, we planned to update the cabinets' functionality and order all new appliances.

Steve and I knew our client needed additional floor space to improve traffic flow, so we decided to transform the former pantry and built-in desk into a thinner profile butler pantry. 

In the laundry room, we decided to build tall, built-in utility cabinets and add additional cabinetry next to the washer and dryer for storage. You can never have too much storage!

Remember this post on researching your design aesthetic first? Our client did her homework and it was essential to creating a look she loves. Steve and I were able to bring her ideas — plus some that perhaps she hadn’t considered — while staying timeless and true to the architecture of her home. 

We spent time with the client making layout decisions as well as design choices before beginning the project. The pre-planning for this job was the KEY to accomplishing her goals, which we did on budget and with a fresh, timeless look!

Ready to see how this project turned out?

Before & After: A Kitchen Renovation

Before: The dark cabinet color shrank the room and kept natural light from streaming in.

After: We added a pendant light over the peninsula for both practical and decorative purposes. Light cabinets help reflect the natural light and make the room look more spacious and inviting.

Before: While this combination of drawers and cabinets are fairly standard in older 70s homes, they did not provide optimal storage for the client. Open cabinets lack functional organization, and you’ve me say it before... it’s nearly impossible to reach items in the back.

After: We said goodbye to the 1980s white appliances and replaced them with beautiful stainless steel models. Steve and I kept the existing cabinetry footprint but added drawers in the peninsula for additional storage. These deep drawers are great for storing pots, pans, and small appliances… items that would otherwise be stacked awkwardly in open cabinets. 

We also took the cabinets to the ceiling, which made the room visually taller and provided another shelf of storage all the way around the kitchen.

Before: The dark olive green and equally dark stone countertops made this peninsula feel small and crowded.

After: The peninsula still functions as a gathering space for guests, but the new countertop (Fantasy Brown quartzite) and backsplash (marble and glass harlequin) brighten up the space and make it feel larger and in this decade!

Before: The cabinets and built-in desk  were original to the house, which was constructed in the late 1970s. The client had painted them to make do until she could complete the renovation.

After: Steve and I transformed the unused space into a beautiful butler pantry wall — also known as an entertainment center for those who like to entertain. Before, the former desk was essentially just a space to park the client ’s purse. Now, it’s not only a focal point, it also provides additional space for serving and as a place for the client ’s guests to make merry.

The HAPPY FINALE

Today, this client couldn’t be happier. She says she gets compliments on the countertops and the backsplash every time she has guests! That’s our goal — to give the client a place she is excited to cook in, to share with others, and to entertain. 

If you’re ready to finally tackle that kitchen remodel, contact us. We would love to help transform your space into the place you feel most at home!

Warmly,
Sarah