My 2021 Kitchen Remodel Reveal!

I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am to share my kitchen remodel reveal with all of you!  This is the first major renovation we have ever done, and it was really stressful picking out all of these finishes, hoping everything comes together like I envisioned it in my head. Now that it’s done, I’m absolutely thrilled with the result, and thankful that everything came together as I planned it.  (Although we’re still waiting on the backsplash).  This kitchen has not only transformed the look of our home, but also how we live in our home.  It’s as though it always should have been this way.  We were so lucky to have such a great general contractor, and our cabinet maker brought our plans to life.

I will be sharing more kitchen posts with more details in the different selections that we’ve made, but I really want to get these before and after photos published, because this has been such a long time coming!  Can you even believe that we started planning this remodel in October 2020?  

A huge thank you goes out to my friend Kelly, from Kelly Ann Photography, who came and helped me shoot and edit many of the photos I’m sharing with you here today.

If you’ve missed any of the planning details along the way, you can see our 2021 kitchen remodel plans here.  This post contains some affiliate links.

Let’s get to it! 

My New Kitchen 

This view never gets old, and I’m happy every day that I walk into this space.  It literally is a dream come true, and I tell everyone that I will leave this house in a body bag – I’m never moving.  All of the stress, worry and disruption were 100% worth it.

Do you even remember the before?  Excuse the mess – I was cleaning everything out and snapping photos in the midst of the chaos before the contractors started.  This wall, and another angled wall as you walk in the front door were taken out, and it just completely changed everything.

Before

After

Taking the cabinets to the ceiling is such a game changer.  Our old kitchen had staggered cabinets that just looked and felt choppy.  This new kitchen is streamlined and buttoned up.  With everything being so open, that was something that was important to me – to keep a lot of the “kitchen stuff” hidden away.

Before

This is an angle that I never really photographed in the past, for obvious reasons.  My peninsula cut off the space, and there really wasn’t much to see, compared to how things are now with the walls opened up and the island.

We kept this wall because otherwise it would have been way too open, and this also lends itself to some great storage possibilities.  I don’t even have a “before” view of this area, because there just wasn’t a good way to capture the angle!

This corner of the kitchen is where the storage gets serious.  Like I mentioned, with everything being so open, I wanted to keep the clutter and visual noise to a minimum.  The cabinet along the back wall on the left, is a workhorse in terms of what’s hidden behind it.  It stores our microwave, my KitchenAid mixer and InstantPot, just to name a few things.

The larger upper doors open and slide back to hide them away.  Very convenient since there is a doorway leading into the kitchen. But mainly, I’m just happy to have all of this stuff tucked away behind closed doors, and not sitting out on my countertops.

Speaking of counters, can I just tell you how happy I am with mine?  As soon as I saw honed quartzite, I knew it was for me.  I love the look of natural stone, and these are nothing short of spectacular.  The veining detail is perfectly featured in the way that the stone was fabricated too.

In this view, you can really appreciate how much everything was opened up in this remodel.  But again, that wall still maintains a certain degree of privacy, so everything isn’t wide open for all to see.

Before – 

Now you can see the space that we kept for the wall cabinets.  The rest of it – all of its angles and funky stair step tile treatment is gone.  The tiny island, that wasn’t even part of the original plans.  Not to mention the floor tile.  Do yourself a favor – never, ever get travertine tile if you have a choice.  It’s so porous and hard to keep looking clean.  I think that was my most favorite thing to see removed as part of this process.

No More Breakfast Nook

One thing we decided to ditch with this remodel, was the breakfast nook.  We hardly used it, and we have a dining room nearby, so it made sense to get rid of it and make better use of the space.  I think the whole family agrees, that this is way better than what it was.  We all use this area daily, and the beverage fridge is one of my favorite elements.  We added a couple of chairs so people can sit and chat, have a drink, read a book, whatever you want.  And I will publicly give credit to my husband for saying that the cabinets in this area should be the same color as the island.  That was a great call, and he makes sure to make his contribution known to anyone who sees the kitchen. 😉

We also got rid of two niches in the process of pulling together this remodel.  There was one where the cabinets are, and another one where the photos are.  Another “feature” I don’t recommend.  They’re so hard to work with, and I’m so happy to see my three prints on this back wall now.

Breakfast Nook – Before

You can see what I’m describing in this photo.  We’ve just found the new layout to be so much better for the way that we live.  I love it.

Here you can see how we went with paneled appliances as well, keeping the refrigerator incorporated with the kitchen design.  And I love this fridge.  Even though it took six+ months to get it here and installed, it was worth it.  I swear, our food lasts longer in this beauty, and putting groceries away is actually fun.  And don’t even get me started on the stove.  It is a dream.  My whole family will vouch for the fact that I’m cooking more, and trying a whole slew of new recipes as well.

We did extend the wall slightly, to accommodate everything and to keep things looking symmetrical, but overall, the full length of the back wall really isn’t that much longer than the old one.  It just feels like it with the new layout.

The whole kitchen is just so much more functional and conducive to interacting with others while you’re working.  It’s a night and day difference.  I can watch tv while I’m cleaning up.  Interact with my guests both in the kitchen and in the family room.  I don’t feel like I’m cut off from everyone else the way I did before.  And I still can’t get over how much taller the space feels with the cabinets going to the ceiling!

The Pantry

Another area my husband wanted to address was the pantry.  Our old pantry was ok, but there was a lot of room for improvement.  One of the main things that we added here to help with the functionality was a pocket door.  Having a regular door on it before, just didn’t make sense.  You lost additional storage space, and the door was pretty much open, all the time.  We expanded it a bit and also rebuilt and redesigned it.  The only thing I’m kicking myself about here is not adding any outlets in here.  But a small qualm for the pantry overall.

We had the shelves stained to match our floors, and added in a wood countertop too, which is perfect for the small appliances and snacks.  And yes, there is room to spare in here because I haven’t decided if I want to bring back all of the crap I had in my kitchen before the remodel.  I’m finding that I don’t want to bring back a bunch of the junk that I packed away, into my shiny new kitchen!

I’m going to be sharing some more of the features in my kitchen in upcoming posts, but now that everything is pretty much wrapped up, I want to share it!  But since I know that you’re going to want some of the details, I’ll share some of them here.

Kitchen Remodel Sources

Paint:
Perimeter cabinet color: Benjamin Moore Pashmina
Island and beverage center: Sherwin Williams Inkwell
Wall color: Benjamin Moore Pale Oak

Lighting:
Pendants: Medium Hinkley Oliver Pendants in Heritage Brass
Flushmount light: Whittier Quatrefoil in Natural Brass 
Hinge light: 18″ Arti Wall Sconce by Hinkley

Hardware:
Cabinet Knobs: Signature Hardware Osian 7/8″ knobs in satin brass
Cabinet Pulls: Signature Hardware Strasbourg pulls in satin/polished brass, 8″ and 3 3/4″ sizes
Refrigerator/Dishwasher Appliance Pulls: Forge Industrial Modern “Jasper” Appliance Handles in Satin Brass

Countertops:
Blanco Supiriore Quartzite (honed)

Furniture and Accessories:
Rug Runner: Ballard Designs Carli Hand Tufted Wool Multi Rug
Accent Table: Ballard Designs Addison Tray Table
Side Chairs: Uttermost Encore Armchair
Bar Stools: Restoration Hardware Delos Counter Stool

Appliances:
Refrigerator: Subzero 42″ French Door Panel Ready
Stove: Wolf 48″ Gas Range

Floors:
Cochran’s Lumber Select Engineered white oak in a Frisco finish

Sink/Faucet:
Blanco Diamond Super Single in White
Empressa Bridge Faucet in Polished Chrome

Cabinets:
Custom cabinets from Refined Cabinetry

Contractor:
Kniess Construction

Thank you so much for following along with this whole process, all the way to the full kitchen remodel reveal.  While I’m glad that it’s over, if I had to do it again, I most certainly would!

Jenny

Kitchen Remodel Reveal

52 Comments

  • Reply
    Beth
    November 3, 2021 at 8:12 am

    Absolutely beautiful! Thank you for sharing your resources, too! I love everything about your kitchen.

    • Reply
      Jenny
      November 21, 2021 at 9:29 pm

      Thanks so very much. I love it so much. So worth every bit of blood, sweat and tears!

  • Reply
    Tara
    November 3, 2021 at 8:19 am

    This is fabulous! A wonderful place for not only family meals but entertaining too. Well done!

  • Reply
    Dee
    November 3, 2021 at 8:40 am

    Why you go out in a body bag, can I move in? Lol. A kitchen remodel is on the horizon here- and we will definitely be taking inspiration from yours. LOVE what you’ve done ( and hubby’s choices too)

    • Reply
      Jenny
      November 21, 2021 at 9:29 pm

      Thank you! It’s a free for all when I go out in a body bag, but know that I will be there to haunt you! 😉

  • Reply
    Suzanne
    November 3, 2021 at 8:50 am

    What a dream kitchen, it turned out amazing! I am in the midst of a kitchen remodel also and it is not fun to live through, hoping it will be worth it in the end. What are you choosing for your backsplash? My last decision is what color grout to use with our gloss white 2×10 subway tile and I have decision fatigue!

    • Reply
      Jenny
      November 21, 2021 at 9:28 pm

      Decision fatigue is REAL! We’re going with Fireclay tile in a color called Overcast. It’s kind of a green/gray color. Different sized rectangular/square tiles that will stack. Fingers crossed it looks the way I’m hoping!

  • Reply
    Valerie
    November 3, 2021 at 8:56 am

    This looks awesome and gave me ideas for our kitchen (one day) that has a similar before

  • Reply
    Jan Ross
    November 3, 2021 at 9:18 am

    You did it! It looks like every fear was mastered and every detail was handled to perfection. I also remodeled my kitchen in 2020 and so glad we did. Your ideas and design is just lovely! And I hope it will be timeless for you.

    • Reply
      Jenny
      November 21, 2021 at 9:27 pm

      Thank you so much for your kind words. It’s been a process, but SO totally worth it, as I know you can attest!

  • Reply
    Lisa
    November 3, 2021 at 9:32 am

    Jenny!!!!!! I’m so excited for you on this long awaited remodel! It came out so beautifully! I love your ginormous island that is open to your family room, the repurposed breakfast nook with built in beverage center, stunning pendant lights, cabinet colors, bar stools!!!! You made some gorgeous choices for this space! Done just in time to have your house full again for the holidays – enjoy!!!!

  • Reply
    Karen
    November 3, 2021 at 10:28 am

    Wow, this is incredible. Love all of your changes!! Great job, Karen

  • Reply
    Michelle
    November 3, 2021 at 10:50 am

    The kitchen is STUNNING! Job well done. I’m sure you will be enjoying it for years to come.

    • Reply
      Jenny
      November 21, 2021 at 9:27 pm

      I’m sure you’re right – it has changed the way that we live in this house, and I love it!

  • Reply
    Sue
    November 3, 2021 at 11:10 am

    Stunning! Good for you. I can tell how much planning and thought went into this renovation, Jenny. It certainly paid off. The good part of having to wait on your backsplash is that when it comes and is installed you will over the moon with it instead of it just being a part of all the beautiful “whole”. Enjoy!

  • Reply
    AliJ
    November 3, 2021 at 11:42 am

    OMG I LOVE it! It took me to the end to see what color the cabinets were because in some pictures they looked off white, other pics they looked gray, and at some point I thought they were white or beige. I love the Benjamin Moore Pashmina color for the cabinets and of course I love the Inkwell as I’m a navy loving girl!

  • Reply
    Sheri Petersen
    November 3, 2021 at 12:06 pm

    So beautiful! I love everything you do, but this is really fantastic. Congratulations.

    • Reply
      Jenny
      November 21, 2021 at 9:26 pm

      Thank you so much. It’s been a labor of love. 🙂

  • Reply
    Debi Duke
    November 3, 2021 at 2:03 pm

    Love your kitchen! I think it rivals the kitchens you post from the Home show! We did a remodel 3 years ago and I agree with you, cabinets to the ceiling every time!

  • Reply
    Frankie Peterson
    November 3, 2021 at 3:00 pm

    Fabulous kitchen!!! Congratulations, Jenny! I love everything about it.

  • Reply
    kldawson60
    November 3, 2021 at 8:55 pm

    Stunning!!!

  • Reply
    Cristina
    November 6, 2021 at 1:44 am

    Oh my, this is stunning!! ❤️❤️ Those cabinets are gorgeous, same thing with those pendant lights and all the finishes. Bringing the cabinets all the way to ceiling it’s such a game changer! All that storage space is insane. Enjoy your beautiful kitchen!!

  • Reply
    Denise McDaniel
    November 6, 2021 at 9:29 pm

    Absolutely perfect kitchen! Beautiful!

  • Reply
    Laurie L Zivkovich
    November 7, 2021 at 12:56 pm

    WOW! Absolutely beautiful transformation. Can’t imagine how much fun your cookie exchange will be this year with that unbelievable kitchen as the backdrop for the festivities. You did an excellent job putting this all together.

    • Reply
      Jenny
      November 7, 2021 at 6:50 pm

      Thank you! I was already looking forward to the cookie exchange this year, and the new kitchen is going to make it even more fun!

  • Reply
    Tricia
    November 8, 2021 at 7:11 pm

    It’s just beautiful. Well done. What are you planning for the backslash?

    • Reply
      Jenny
      November 9, 2021 at 9:55 pm

      We’re going to do a tile from Fireclay Tile. It’s kind of a gray/green color, and we’re doing a stacked tile in three different sizes. Should be coming soon!

  • Reply
    Valerie Bodine
    November 13, 2021 at 10:44 am

    You and I have the same exact house, same exact floor plan and Omgosh the kitchen is the same! You have given me inspiration to take the jump and redo ours! I hate it now and have always wanted it open to the living area. So many great ideas

    • Reply
      Jenny
      November 15, 2021 at 8:58 pm

      Thank you so much! It’s as though this house should have ALWAYS been this way!

  • Reply
    Kristyn Smith
    January 30, 2022 at 11:38 pm

    Hello, Jenny! I am a huge fan of everything you share on Pinterest. You seem to know so much about paint and decor – and your new kitchen is absolutely stunning!!
    I am about to have a small amount of work done in my kitchen, and would love your thoughts on paint color and backsplash choice…
    My walls are SW Agreeable Gray, I have granite countertops in gray tones, and my knobs and pulls are oil-rubbed bronze. I have narrowed the cabinet color down to SW Snowbound or SW Alabaster, and I am leaning toward a light gray or white hexagon backsplash.
    Any thoughts on my two paint color choices, and/or on the backsplash choices?

  • Reply
    Terri
    May 14, 2022 at 8:32 am

    Can I ask how tall your kitchen ceiling is? Trying to decide if I can do cabinets all the way to my ceiling as well…

    • Reply
      Jenny
      May 21, 2022 at 6:35 pm

      We have nine foot ceilings.

  • Reply
    Donna
    July 11, 2022 at 6:35 pm

    Jenny, love your blog and of course your gorgeous kitchen. Any pictures of backsplash?

    • Reply
      Jenny
      August 11, 2022 at 12:39 pm

      I have to do a blog post on this! I’ve had a million other little things come up and haven’t done it yet. Working on it!

  • Reply
    TK
    October 12, 2022 at 1:52 pm

    Hi Jenny, love your beautifull kitchen:) are those stools comfortable?
    Thank you

    • Reply
      Jenny
      October 29, 2022 at 11:36 am

      They are super comfortable! That was a requirement for my bar stools, for sure!

  • Reply
    Erin
    November 11, 2022 at 12:23 pm

    Have you had any staining with your quartzite?

    • Reply
      Jenny
      November 14, 2022 at 4:21 pm

      I had a couple of areas where I had oil marks – not stains so much. But I was able to get it out with a product designed for those issues, and then resealed my countertops with a solvent based sealer (which is the only sealer that I have found to work!).

  • Reply
    Stacey
    December 24, 2022 at 8:35 am

    What are the dimensions of you island please? I apologize if I missed it. Beautiful kitchen!

    • Reply
      Jenny
      January 5, 2023 at 11:58 am

      Thank you! Island dimensions are 116″ x 57″. We customized it based on the size of the quartzite slab that I found.

  • Reply
    Deanna
    January 21, 2023 at 10:20 am

    How has your Blanco Superiore quartzite been? I’ve read that they can still stain and etch? So I’m now looking at Taj Mahal. I like the one you have better, just curious if you have had any issues.

    • Reply
      Jenny
      February 7, 2023 at 10:07 am

      We’ve had to seal it above and beyond what the fabricator did, but I still love it. No stains that we haven’t been able to remove (and then reseal) and no etching.

  • Reply
    Robin Gibson
    April 28, 2023 at 12:35 pm

    What is the name of your countertops? Thank you

    • Reply
      Jenny
      May 13, 2023 at 7:28 pm

      My countertops are honed quartzite – Bianco Supiriore. I love them.

  • Reply
    Karissa
    September 13, 2023 at 8:54 am

    Hi Jenny! I stumbled across your kitchen and it happens to be.very similar to our current renovation. Can you comment on how your sink has held up? I am a little terrified to not select stainless because it’s all I have ever used but the white is beautiful!

    • Reply
      Jenny
      September 21, 2023 at 3:06 pm

      I have been very happy with my white sink! No issues!

  • Reply
    Halya
    November 27, 2023 at 7:38 pm

    This is beautiful ! Planning a remodel and considering pocket doors like you have in microwave ca b. I’ve read some feedback that they can get easily banged up if not careful So stay open most of the time….i think it has something to do with having to make sure they are pulled out ALL the way before closing…. And some people (kids, spouse) are not always careful. What is your experience ? Thank you

    • Reply
      Jenny
      January 22, 2024 at 11:18 am

      I haven’t had any issue with them. We really only have them open when we use them, and my kids are old enough to know how to operate them without breaking them. I love that I can open them and tuck them away, especially since they’re right near a doorway!

  • Reply
    Barbara
    December 4, 2023 at 2:04 am

    Hello Jenny! Im in the process of renovating my kitchen! And your blog inspired me! I love your kitchen!! The perfect colors, appliances, so tasteful! Congratulations and Thank you for sharing!!! ❤️

    • Reply
      Jenny
      January 22, 2024 at 11:17 am

      Thank you so much for your kind words. I’m glad to have provided some inspo!

  • Reply
    Belinda Simonian
    December 5, 2023 at 7:03 pm

    Love your kitchen remodel. Can you share which type of sherwin williams paint was used? I used water based and its chipping.

    • Reply
      Jenny
      January 22, 2024 at 11:17 am

      My cabinets were color matched to Sherwin Williams and Ben Moore colors. I believe they used lacquer to paint them (I didn’t paint them).

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