Light Demo Reno
Continuing our series on before-and-after renovations, today I’m sharing a project that required very light demolition, mostly replacing finishes.
This is an easier type of project to take on because it’s completed faster, creates less construction dust and waste, and costs less than a full renovation that removes everything and starts again.
![AFTER light renovation, a kitchen with white cabinetry, white countertops, and jewel-green subway tiles, plus stainless steel appliances. Open wood shelves on the right end of the counter near the sink. On the left side of the kitchen, an island with counter seating.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Kitchen-Angle-580x387.jpeg)
The biggest item we replaced was the kitchen flooring, which we matched to the rest of the house to provide unity throughout.
![BEFORE kitchen light renovation, with sage green cabinetry, a wooden kitchen island countertop, and white counters with purple flowered wallpaper as backsplash.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_BEFORE-Kitchen-Purple-Wallpaper-225x300.jpg)
![AFTER light renovation of kitchen with white cabinetry, white countertops, and jewel-green subway tiles, plus stainless steel appliances. On the left side of the kitchen, an island beneath two pendant lights.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_AFTER-Kitchen-Sink-580x387.jpeg)
In the kitchen, we updated the dingy green cabinet doors with white and added cheerful green ceramic Ann Sacks tiles, and a set of open shelves near the sink that we repeated at the far end of the kitchen.
![BEFORE: A stainless-steel kitchen and cooktop with large hood and two floating metal shelves either side of the stove. Red brick backsplash behind. Plain white walls and plain dark flooring.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Blog-BEFORE-Light-Demo-Reno-Stove-182x300.jpg)
![Same stove but updated with green subway tiles that match the rest of the kitchen, plus side shelves to hold the KitchenAid, cookware, and a shelf for the microwave, with a metal countertop above for cooking that creates some open space next to the cooktop. A bright green teapot sits on the hob.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Stove-580x870.jpg)
The oven needed an update from this commercial-looking afterthought. Now it’s a cute, modern cook-station with personality that harmonizes with the rest of the space.
![BEFORE: The L-shaped end of the kitchen counter with a drinks sink, sage green cabinetry above and below, and purple floral wallpaper.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Blog-Light-Demo-Reno_BEFORE-Kitchen-End-Counter-Sink-230x300.jpg)
![The L-shaped end of the kitchen counter, now with wood open shelves and green Ann Sacks subway tile, plus a wine fridge next to the drinks sinks and white cabinetry below white countertops.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Breakfast-Nook-Shelving-580x387.jpg)
The corner counter drinks station was wasting valuable space. The L-end cabinets were blocking light from entering the kitchen, so I took them out, replacing them with the same green ceramic tiles from around the corner. I added open shelving and a wine fridge for a modern touch.
![BEFORE: View of the breakfast nook with purple cushions and out into the lanai. A random rug and some folding chairs and tables are strewn about. A white pendant light hangs above.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Blog-Low-Demo-Reno-BEFORE-Breakfast-Nook-Lanai-225x300.jpg)
![AFTER the light renovation, which is mainly matching the kitchen flooring to the existing flooring elsewhere. We're looking out towards the lanai. Inside, the breakfast nook features a corner bench seat in turquoise blue on the seat pillow, and a floral pattern on the back pillows. Overhead is a white pendant light. The walls are white and the flooring is a honey blond wood. You can just see a bit of the white countertop and the handle of the wine fridge.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Breastfast-Nook-580x387.jpg)
Now the breakfast nook is colorful and sunny, with a custom built-in corner bench seat, table and chairs, leading to the lanai.
![](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Kitchen-Fruit-580x387.jpg)
![](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Breakfast-Nook-Corner-Counter-580x387.jpeg)
Look how much more natural sunlight is reaching the interior of the house! It makes the newly-replaced golden wood flooring shine.
Kimball Starr designs beautiful, refreshed homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a socially-distanced in-person or remote consultation!