Delicious Kitchen Before & After
![Close-up of a contemporary kitchen, featuring grey upper cabinetry with small, square silver knobs. You get a partial view of a silver microwave above and a range and oven unit below. Subway tiles in varied shades of green and grey counterpoint the bowl of yellow lemons that adorns the counter, alongside a green glass bottle of water, with a glass of water containing sliced lemon. The lower cabinetry is a darker shade of grey, with larger rectangular horizontal silver drawer pulls.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Yelp-Leonard-G-Kitchen3-580x870.jpg)
You just cannot beat the WOW of a great before-and-after story. My client wanted a modern kitchen with a cool masculine aesthetic for his San Francisco condo that would remain in style for years to come. Looking at the photo above, do you agree we delivered the “wow”?
![Looking into kitchen through a dining pass-through with personal items piled up on the pass-through counter, but nothing on the counters inside the kitchen itself. The orangey wood upper cabinets don’t tone well with the pink-flecked countertops.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_BeforeAfter_BEFORE-Graff-Kitchen-Passthrough--225x300.jpg)
Here’s what the space looked like before: Almost office-y with its basic cabinetry, standard handles, plenty of electrical outlets but nothing dressing the counters.
![Looking into a kitchen through a dining room pass-through space. At the far left is a large silver-finish fridge and freezer unit, with grey cabinetry above, that continues around the rest of that wall and the right wall, where you see a microwave above and a range and oven unit below. Subway tiles in varied shades of green and grey counterpoint the green plant and fresh fruit displays. Light white-colored worktops are continued in color on the passthrough, which doubles as a dining counter surface. White walls and ceiling continue throughout the rest of the space.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Yelp-Leonard-G-Kitchen1-580x387.jpg)
After, what a difference! I brought in off-white quartz countertops to brighten up the space, two-toned gray cabinetry for some color dimension, and handmade stained glass subway tiles in soft, watered-down tones of grays, blues, and greens. Now it’s contemporary, smart, and welcoming, and will be a kitchen that feels timeless, the heart of the home.
![State of the kitchen before Kimball worked her magic. The shades of orangey finishes on the cabinets and flooring don’t tone with each other, and the undercabinet lighting gives off a sickening greenish effect.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_BeforeAfter_BEFORE-Graff-Kitchen-Stove-Microwave-225x300.jpg)
Previously, the old finishes were dated and discolored, and the lighting gave off this eerie cast.
![Contemporary kitchen featuring a white ceiling with recessed center square, grey cabinetry at eye level. Subway tiles in varied shades of green and grey counterpoint the green plant and fresh fruit displays. A bowl of yellow lemons adorns the counter, alongside a green glass bottle of water. The bottom cabinetry is a darker shade of grey, and the clean lines of the sink are reinforced by a modern single tap and basin.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_BeforeAfter_AFTER-Graff-Kitchen-Sink-580x870.jpg)
After our makeover, you’d actually want to spend time doing the washing up in this lovely, calming kitchen! I love that the owner’s artwork and sculpture are given space to breathe, and natural light pours in from the dining area.
![In this homeowner’s own before photo, shades of orangey finishes on the cabinets and flooring don’t tone with each other, and the undercabinet lighting gives off a sickening greenish effect on the countertops.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_BeforeAfter_BEFORE-Graff-Kitchen-Oven-Flooring-225x300.jpg)
![Contemporary kitchen featuring a white ceiling with recessed center square, grey cabinetry at eye level that continues around the other wall. You see a silver microwave above and a 4-burner range and oven unit below. Subway tiles in varied shades of green and grey counterpoint the green plant and fresh fruit displays. A bowl of yellow lemons adorns the counter, alongside a green glass bottle of water. The bottom cabinetry is a darker shade of grey, and the floor is a horizontal multi-colored pattern that tones with the greys and tans.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Yelp-Leonard-G-Kitchen2-580x870.jpg)
Now the kitchen is light, fresh, and ready to welcome chefs and guests alike!
Need a kitchen that sizzles while looking cool? Kimball Starr Interior specializes in contemporary residential kitchens loved by cooks! Contact us today for a complimentary consultation.