When it came to our kitchen remodel, one thing was clear—we had to get creative. We spent countless hours brainstorming how to make everything fit just right, especially our dream 48” gas range. With limited space and ventilation challenges, we boldly chose to skip the dining room table altogether. Instead, we centered everything around a large island that now doubles as our cooking station and our informal dining space. It comfortably seats five with counter-height stools—perfect for casual meals and cozy conversations.
A Work of Art in Stone
The island isn’t just practical—it’s beautiful. We chose a stunning granite countertop that truly feels like art, with dramatic dark tones and veins of color flowing through it. It surrounds our 48” range, topped by a Cypress-trimmed vent hood. And yes, there’s smart storage built right underneath.
Sunlight, Scenery, and Smart Solutions
Where we once pictured a formal dining area, we now enjoy peaceful seating tucked under two large picture windows. A Lutron shade filters the bright morning light, softening it just enough to enjoy a serene view of the backyard and lake beyond.
Lighting That Works With Us
We added under-cabinet, under-island, and even baseboard lighting throughout the kitchen. At night, the baseboard lights become our gentle nightlight—just enough illumination to get around without flipping on harsh overheads.
Stepping Out With Color
This is the first time we’ve gone bold with cabinet color, and we’re so glad we did! The dark cabinets create a dramatic contrast that we absolutely love. For the island, we chose a lighter shade to balance it all out—and it works beautifully.
Cabinets That Make Life Easier
All drawers are soft-close (a dream!), and the cabinets come packed with practical features like pull-out shelves that make everything easy to access. No more digging around the back of a deep cabinet.
The upper cabinets feature adjustable shelves, and even the fridge is built into its own cabinetry for a streamlined look.
Here are my four favorite cabinet features:
- Pull-Out Shelf Under the Sink
No more crawling on the floor to reach the back! This is a game-changer for my knees—and my mood.
- Hidden Trash Can
For the first time ever, no freestanding bin! It now tucks neatly behind a cabinet door. Clean, simple, and totally satisfying.
- Corner Access Solution
Our cabinet maker suggested this brilliant solution to make the most of that awkward corner space. It’s amazing—I even have a video to prove it!
- More Pull-Out Shelves
These under-counter pull-outs mean nothing gets lost in the back. Everything is easy to find and grab.
A Countertop That Hides the Mess
Around the sink, we chose a quartz countertop with a subtle pattern of brown specks. It’s beautiful and practical—those little specks do a great job of hiding everyday messes. Sometimes I even think there’s a spot to wipe… but it’s just the design!
Simple Tile, Beautiful Impact
We went with a classic Daltile Indoterra Natural IN42 Matte for our backsplash. It runs under the cabinets, up around the window over the sink—even all the way to the ceiling above the cabinets for a seamless, polished look.
Floating Cedar Shelves with a Glow
On one side of the sink, we added cedar floating shelves. I asked our installer to place them high enough so I could still fit tall items underneath. And to top it off, we added LED lighting beneath them for a soft, ambient glow.
The End Result: A Home We Love
What started as a kitchen remodel turned into a full open-concept transformation—combining our kitchen, dining, and living spaces into one cohesive room. It was a journey full of design decisions, budget tweaks, and a whole lot of patience. But now it’s done, and we’re loving every inch of this space.
Most importantly—we survived the remodel, still in love, and still of sound mind! 😄
I love every bit of this! It’s all beautiful, but I really love the range and the windows!!!
Thank you.
This is beautiful, Coleen!!
Thank you, we are really enjoying it.