The moment has finally arrived! After years of dreaming and meticulous planning, I am absolutely thrilled to share the complete reveal of our stunning new kitchen. This project has been a remarkable journey, 11 years in the making, and seeing it finally come to life fills me with an indescribable joy. I’m utterly in love with every detail, every decision, and every corner of this beautiful space.
Every morning, as I step into this room, I still have to pinch myself. It truly feels like a dream to have such a bright, functional, and inspiring environment where I can cook nourishing meals for my family and passionately develop new recipes to share with all of you. I feel incredibly fortunate, and there’s immense satisfaction in finally seeing this ambitious project completed. It was, as you might expect, a monumental undertaking, but the outcome has far exceeded my highest expectations. In the following sections, I’ll take you on a detailed tour, complete with striking before-and-after photographs, insights into my design choices and decision-making process, and convenient links to all the products and materials I selected for this transformation. Get ready to be inspired by this incredible kitchen remodel!
Before the Transformation: A Glimpse into the Past
When we first purchased our home 11 years ago, very few updates had been made to the kitchen. Built in 1916, parts of the kitchen cabinetry were astonishingly original to the house – that’s over a century of history embedded in those wooden structures! While charming in their own way, these 103-year-old cabinets, along with the overall layout and dated aesthetics, meant that a complete kitchen overhaul was always at the top of my renovation wish list. However, knowing it would be a “complete gut and rebuild” job, requiring significant time, effort, and financial investment, we continuously pushed it off.
Life took us on a detour for a few years, during which we rented out the house. Upon our return in the spring of 2017, the urgency for a kitchen remodel became undeniable. I simply couldn’t envision another year living with the overwhelmingly yellow walls and the jarring black and blue backsplash. It was time for a change, and I made it a personal priority to finally bring my dream kitchen to life. We embarked on a dedicated saving journey, meticulously setting aside funds for what we knew would be our biggest home improvement project yet.
Fast forward to early this year, and we were finally financially and mentally prepared to tackle the project head-on. The planning phase itself was a labor of love, spanning countless hours poring over Pinterest boards and Instagram feeds. I drew inspiration from a myriad of sources, meticulously curating ideas until I could clearly visualize the specific aesthetic and functional elements I desired. With a solidified vision, I designed the space, meticulously planning every detail from the layout to the smallest hardware choice. Once the design was complete, the next crucial step was finding the right contractor – a team that understood my vision and possessed the expertise to execute it flawlessly. After thorough research and interviews, we found our perfect match, and the transformation officially began! The entire project, from initial demolition to the final touches, spanned an impressive four weeks. The efficiency and precision with which it was carried out were remarkable, and honestly, the end result turned out even more beautiful and functional than I had ever dared to imagine. After so many years of dreaming and waiting, witnessing this vision become a stunning reality is nothing short of crazy amazing.
The Grand Reveal: Our New & Improved Culinary Sanctuary
Smart Cabinetry Solutions: IKEA & Semihandmade Collaboration
One of the cornerstone decisions for this kitchen remodel was the cabinetry. After extensive research and weighing various options, I ultimately decided to go with IKEA for the kitchen cabinet boxes. The appeal of IKEA lay in several key factors: their incredibly competitive price point, the vast array of innovative drawer and cabinet configurations that offered endless customization possibilities, and the overwhelmingly positive reviews from everyone I knew who had invested in an IKEA kitchen. To ensure I made the most of the space, especially in my small kitchen, I scheduled an appointment with a kitchen planner at my local IKEA store. Their expertise was invaluable; they helped me meticulously plan the entire layout, offering clever solutions to maximize every inch, which was one of my primary goals for the remodel.
While I appreciated IKEA’s functionality and affordability, I didn’t quite fall in love with any of their standard cabinet front options. This led me to explore alternative solutions, and that’s when I discovered Semihandmade. Semihandmade specializes in crafting bespoke cabinet and drawer fronts designed specifically to fit IKEA kitchen systems, offering a much broader selection of styles, finishes, and colors. This ingenious partnership allowed me to achieve the best of both worlds: the affordability and modularity of an IKEA kitchen combined with a truly custom, high-end aesthetic thanks to Semihandmade’s beautiful fronts.
For a contemporary yet timeless look, I opted for a sophisticated two-toned design. I chose white super matte shaker cabinets for the upper units, ensuring the kitchen felt light, bright, and expansive. For the lower cabinets, I selected graphite super matte shakers. This decision was largely practical: having previously had all-white lower cabinets, I grew tired of constantly wiping away smudges and marks (a common challenge with two energetic young boys!). The darker graphite provides a grounding contrast, adds depth, and is wonderfully forgiving when it comes to everyday wear. I am absolutely thrilled with how this two-toned combination turned out – it’s both stylish and incredibly practical.
My overall experience with both IKEA and Semihandmade was overwhelmingly positive. If I were to undertake another kitchen renovation, I would unequivocally choose this route again. It wasn’t without its minor challenges, of course. I made at least a dozen trips to IKEA during the planning and procurement phases and spent some time on the phone sorting out a few delivery logistics. However, these were minor hurdles in the grand scheme of things and certainly nothing too frustrating. A key piece of advice I would offer to anyone considering an IKEA kitchen: definitely factor in hiring a professional contractor to assemble and install the cabinets. It’s a complex and time-consuming task, and their expertise ensures a flawless finish.
Structural Changes: Opening Up the Space
After Structural Renovations
One of the most impactful changes we made was taking down the partial wall that previously separated the kitchen from the dining room. The transformation is astounding; it’s truly amazing how much more open and fluid the space feels now. The kitchen instantly appears larger, brighter, and incredibly more spacious, enhancing the overall flow and connectivity of our home’s main living areas. This structural alteration has made a world of difference in how we experience and use both rooms.
Initially, I had also hoped to completely remove the old chimney stack. This relic from the past was a leftover from when our house, built over a century ago, had a wood stove in the kitchen. However, once our contractor began the demolition phase, it quickly became apparent that removing the chimney would be a significantly larger and far more expensive undertaking than anticipated. Rather than incurring additional costs and complications, we made the pragmatic decision to embrace the brick chimney and integrate it as a unique architectural feature within the new kitchen design. And honestly, I’m so glad we did! It adds an incredible amount of warmth, texture, and character to the space. The exposed brick now serves as a beautiful focal point, lending a touch of rustic charm and historical depth to our otherwise modern and updated kitchen. It’s a wonderful example of how unexpected challenges can sometimes lead to delightful design opportunities.
The final, but certainly not least important, piece of the puzzle for achieving a cohesive and elevated look was the flooring. Since we had opened up the kitchen to the adjacent dining room, ensuring consistency in the flooring throughout these connected areas was paramount. Our contractor expertly installed new hardwood floors in the kitchen, meticulously matching them to the existing character of the house. Following this, we had the hardwood floors in both the dining room and living room professionally refinished. This meticulous process ensured that all the floors flowed seamlessly, creating a harmonious and unified aesthetic across the entire open-concept space. And I must confess, the new and refinished floors may just be one of my absolute favorite elements of this entire remodel. They look absolutely amazing, contributing significantly to the elegance and warmth of our home.
Thoughtful Finishing Touches: The Details That Define the Space
While the structural changes and major installations were behind us, the process of browsing and researching all the finishing touches was equally engaging and, truthfully, a lot of fun! I opted for a super simple and clean aesthetic for both the tile backsplash and the cabinet hardware, finding both practical and stylish options at The Home Depot. The minimalist approach ensured these elements complemented, rather than competed with, the larger design features.
However, when it came to the countertops, I knew I could not skimp on quality or aesthetics. As much of my work involves photographing food on various surfaces, the countertop serves as a critical backdrop. The previous kitchen featured dark, somewhat oppressive black countertops, so I was incredibly excited to update to something light, bright, and visually expansive. After exploring numerous options and visiting various showrooms, I settled on a stunning white quartz countertop with subtle gray veining. I sourced this from a highly recommended local fabricator, Bedrock Quartz. My experience with them was exceptional from start to finish. They offered an incredible selection of quartz to choose from, their team was incredibly friendly and helpful throughout the decision-making process, and their installation was impressively fast and precise. I would wholeheartedly recommend Bedrock Quartz to all my friends in Utah seeking top-notch quality and service for their countertop needs.
The final personal touch we added to the kitchen was a set of exposed wood shelves. I searched high and low for exactly what I envisioned, but couldn’t find the perfect pre-made solution. So, we decided to embark on a DIY project! My contractor skillfully cut each board to size, and then I took over, carefully staining and finishing them myself. The warm wood tones of these shelves add a lovely organic element and provide beautiful display space for my favorite dishes and decor. We loved them so much that we installed matching shelves in the adjacent mudroom, perfect for organizing my collection of cake stands and other miscellaneous kitchen items, ensuring a cohesive design throughout the connected spaces.
While I may not be a professional interior designer, I genuinely believe our new kitchen couldn’t look any better than it does now. Every element, from the major structural changes to the smallest hardware choice, was carefully considered and executed with a vision for both beauty and functionality. I am so incredibly happy with this remodel; it’s truly the dream kitchen I’ve envisioned for over a decade. Stepping into this beautiful, inspiring room every day to create and cook brings me immense joy, and I couldn’t be more excited to share my culinary adventures from this transformed space!
P.S. If you’re interested in seeing all of the behind-the-scenes moments of the remodel, including the demolition, installation, and progress shots, I shared a lot of the journey in my Instagram stories. You can find all the saved highlights from the entire renovation process right here in my highlights reel.
Sources & Product Details for Your Dream Kitchen Renovation
Curious about where I found specific elements of our new kitchen? Here’s a comprehensive list of all the products and materials used to bring this vision to life:
- Cabinets: Ikea Sektion cabinet boxes paired with custom Semihandmade fronts in a super matte shaker style (white for upper cabinets and graphite for lower cabinets).
- Appliances:
- Fridge and Gas Range by Samsung.
- Dishwasher by Bosch.
- Countertops: Exquisite “Rockport White” quartz from Bedrock Quartz.
- Wood Shelves: Custom DIY pine shelves, meticulously stained in “Early American” for a warm, rustic touch.
- Tile: Daltile Finesse Bright White 4×4 ceramic wall tile, conveniently sourced from The Home Depot.
- Faucet: Elegant American Standard Heritage wall-mount kitchen faucet in polished chrome.
- Cabinet Hardware: Liberty cup pulls and round knobs, all in a sleek satin nickel finish, purchased from The Home Depot.
- Wall Color:
- Kitchen: Inviting Sherwin Williams “Repose Gray” for a calming and versatile backdrop.
- Mudroom: Rich Behr Marquee “Hunter Hollow”, adding a touch of sophisticated color.
- Floors: Beautiful maple hardwood, stained in DuraSeal “Early American” for a warm and enduring finish.
Disclosure: I received a small discount from Bedrock Quartz in exchange for sharing my genuine experience with my new countertop. Rest assured, all opinions expressed throughout this article are completely my own and unbiased, as always.