The kitchen is by far one of the most significant transformations of the renovation. It was an entire overhaul, and it turned out beautifully. Take a behind the scenes look at the process and get some design insights from Deepali below.

First Steps

C: Hi, Deepali! I love the new kitchen. Tell us a bit about your design goals for the kitchen space.

D: Overall, we just wanted to update the kitchen. The previous layout was working fine, but we wanted more counter space. We weren't big fans of the upper cabinets in the original kitchen and enjoyed a much simpler style cabinet. We also wanted to bring in some natural elements, like the natural marble. We were going for a light and bright, all-white space with a touch of eclectic, bohemian.

Demolition Progress

C: Did you keep the original floors in the kitchen?

D: Yes, we did. We just sanded and stained the flooring again. We chose the oak flooring to complement the all-white theme.

C: Do you have any tips and tricks for minimizing cost during a significant renovation?

D: Subcontracting would be the most significant savings, but we weren't able to subcontract with our time constraints. Hiring a professional can save you money in the long run. With my design background, I was able to be really on top of the project. There were no mistakes or extra surprises because of my frequent check-ins with the team. Having a professional designer on board can help with the cost because they are up to date on trends and know the right pricing. Kitchen remodels aren't cheap, but I would say my main tips for minimizing cost are to make sure to have an educated designer on board and to create a priority list of what is most important to you and where you want to spend your money.

Wood Floors Refinished & Installed 

C: I love how much light the wood floors add to space! Was this the main reason you decided to choose lighter flooring?

D: Yes, this was one of the main reasons. We also painted the window frames black to highlight the lightness of the space.

Cabinet Build Out

C: Can you tell us a bit about the process of designing and building out the cabinets? Were they custom-built?

D: Yes, all the cabinets were custom built and made by a local company. I hand drew the design and made sure every space had a purpose. The cabinet company then made a CAD, and we went back and forth a few times until things were perfect. 

Painting Process

C: Why did you decide to paint the kitchen space white? Can you give us the brand of paint and color name you chose?

D:  We liked the brighter, cleaner look. With the big windows and light exposure in the space, we decided to go with Simply White by Benjamin Moore. Simply White adds beautiful soft tones to space, and it's perfect even in the evening light. 

C: It seems like you maximized the storage in the new kitchen. As a family of four, what was essential for you to have in terms of storage?

D: Yes, I like organizing, it's one of my strengths. I don't collect excess dishes or pots, and I wanted every cabinet to have a purpose. The main focus was to swap out the original small countertop for an ample countertop where everyone could sit to bake and cook as a family.

Marble, Lights & Appliances Installed

 

C: I love the sconces and oven range you chose. Can you tell us a bit more about them?

D: Yes, the oven range is from Fisher & Paykel. We wanted gas burners because an induction range is not the best for Indian cooking. The sconces are from a local Portland company, Cedar and Moss. We didn't want pendant lights above the island because we wanted an open and airy look, and the main focus on the cooktop and hood.  

 

Before

 

Final Reveal