Sophisticated Kitchen/Dining
![A beautiful contemporary kitchen in mostly white cabinetry, wall paint and ceilings, with gray-green subway tiling as backslplash. The flooring is a warm varied tone wood, and a dining room is visible through a doorway opening at the far end, with wall paint in the same gray-green. A modern cooktop and square vent in stainless steel match the double oven to the right.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Cole_07_LR-580x416.jpg)
Today I’m excited to share a recent before & after kitchen project! This one is really dramatic so I think you’ll enjoy seeing the changes, from a dark, cramped, dreary kitchen to a lovely light space.
![A dated, tired-looking kitchen with "country-style" cabinetry, worn flooring, and a large silver fridge/freezer combo. A small doorway at the end shows another room.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/kitchen-island_BEFORE.jpg)
As you can see in the Before image above compared to the top After photo, we made some big changes to the floor plan and layout. The fridge was in an awkward location, with no nearby counter space to put down food items because of the doorway peeking out behind the old fridge location. We closed that doorway and relocated the fridge to provide better access and flow – a HUGE change!
![Contemporary kitchen in mostly white cabinetry, wall paint and ceilings, with gray-green subway tiling. The flooring is a warm varied tone wood, and a laundry room is visible through a doorway opening at the far end, with cabinetry in the same gray-green. A stainless steel fridge stands across from a stainless steel under-counter dishwasher near the sink, in front of a light-filled double window. A large sash window is closer to the camera, in front of the white marble L-shaped counter with white leather chairs. Two small pendant lights hang over the counter and seating area, with recessed lighting throughout the rest of the space.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Cole_04b_LR-580x429.jpg)
Providing a 48” fridge and freezer column allows plenty of storage space, and now it’s closer to the opposite counter in front of the windows. A short L-shaped counter provides seating and storage, while allowing free movement through the kitchen.
![The old kitchen was dark, cramped, full of items that didn't fit into storage, and looked dated. A front-load washing machine is visible beyond the kitchen.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/kitchen-dryer-wide_BEFORE-580x435.jpg)
You can see how cramped everything looked previously. The island jutted out and stopped traffic flow. The cabinetry blocked sunlight from the windows. There was nowhere to set a pot down next to the cooktop. In a laundry nook just beyond the kitchen, the side-by-side washer and dryer were taking up a lot of real estate.
![Sleek gray-green cabinetry with round silver knobs surrounds a white marble backsplash and countertop, dressed with 2 green bottles of Pellegrino water and clear glasses.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Cole_08_LR-580x870.jpg)
We stacked the washer and dryer to double our floor space, a simple yet incredibly effective solution. Here you can see where the washer and dryer used to be, now there’s beautiful gray-green cabinetry that matches the subway tile in the kitchen, and counter space where you can set a basket for laundry needs or doggie supplies, plus additional pantry storage.
![A look back at the kitchen, showing the gray-green subway tile as backsplash behind the goose-neck sink, and the L-shaped counter with seating. The dining room is just peeking through the opening at the far left. 3 light-filled windows show some greenery outside.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Cole_05b_LR-580x436.jpg)
By changing finishes, the space went from dark and dreary to light and airy colors that open up the space. We created balance with the cabinetry and color dimension with the tiling.
![A traditional pendant lamp hangs over dead space, while a desk and chair are pushed up against the far back wall, holding a computer. An abandoned dining chair is piled with office supplies.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/dining-rm-BEFORE.jpg)
Previously the dining room was being used as a home office, which isn’t ideal for a family.
![Looking from the corner of the dining room, showing walls in gray-green that match the subway tiles in the kitchen, a gorgeous cypress wood dining table with a matching gray-green stripe up the middle, surrounded by dark gray dining chairs. The kitchen is visible through the widened opening, showing the L-shaped marble countertop and seating, plus a bit of the sink and windows.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Cole_03b_LR-580x439.jpg)
The husband had a slab of cypress from a fallen tree sitting in the garage, but didn’t know how to use it. We relocated the home office, put legs onto the slab and turned it into a beautiful dining table. Now the entire space tones and looks completely pulled together with their gorgeous new kitchen and laundry. I’m so pleased with how it turned out, and so are the clients!
![A long view from the dining room through the kitchen all the way to the laundry room at the rear. All spaces have the same gray-green tones and white wooden detailing.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Cole_01_LR-580x857.jpg)
Kimball Starr designs luxury homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a socially-distanced in-person or remote consultation on how YOUR home can be transformed!