Quick Links:
Click here for my Kitchen FAQ
My Small Kitchen Remodel: Kitchen Source List with Paint Colors
Get the look of my kitchen with similar sources HERE!
Find my Amazon Favorite Kitchen Decor & Coffee Tools here
My kitchen was featured in BHG’s Small Space Decorating Magazine, Winter 2018
HHey, friends! The day has finally arrived—our kitchen is officially finished. We’ve been using it since Christmas Day, but a few hiccups delayed the final touches. Now that it’s complete (for now—who ever really finishes a room?), I’m thrilled to share the reveal.
I nearly waited for perfect lighting or spotless styling, but I couldn’t keep you waiting any longer. We grabbed the camera and took photos so I could welcome you to our small kitchen remodel reveal today.
There’s a lot to explain—every decision matters in a compact kitchen—so I’ll cover the highlights here and follow up with more detailed posts on specific elements. If you have questions, please ask in the comments and I’ll dig into more detail later.
A quick recap for new readers: we bought this Seattle house about a year and a half ago. It’s a solid older home with lovely views of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound. The kitchen had been updated roughly sixteen years ago but needed a refresh to better suit our needs and the home’s character.
We considered tearing out walls for an open plan but ultimately kept the original layout, demoing the existing finishes and updating everything within the same footprint. After eight weeks of living with it, I’m so glad we kept the walls—the layout is functional, cozy, and still allows room for friends and family to help in the kitchen. It also keeps the mess out of view from the main living areas, which I appreciate.
In a small kitchen you can’t add everything, so every choice must count. The benefit is that a few well-considered decisions make a big impact.
Utensil Crock // Ballard Designs Bristol Bench
Because this is an older house, I wanted the kitchen to feel like it belonged here—honoring the original character while introducing fresh, functional elements. A neutral palette keeps the room adaptable so we can change the look with accessories through the seasons.
Cookbook and Tablet Stand / Wall Lights
Below are the main features and why we chose them.
The arched doorways:
We opened and rounded the two small doorways into arched openings. The arches add charm, visual height, and invite you into the kitchen. They create a welcoming connection between the kitchen and dining room and enhance the home’s character.
Paneled walls and wood ceiling:
We installed horizontal paneled walls for texture and added warmth with tongue-and-groove cedar planks on the ceiling. The wood wraps the room and complements the vintage feel while keeping the space cozy.
Tiered Stand
The round window:
We replaced the window above the sink with a round window. It suits the house and echoes the arched openings. Painted white, the trim keeps the sink area from competing with the view beyond the corner windows. Antique brass faucets and sconces add a soft metallic accent that elevates the sink area.
Plaid Rug
The Dutch door:
The Dutch door was a dream feature and determined much of the room’s palette. I chose a moody navy—Benjamin Moore Blue Note—for the door. I open the top daily; it brings a coastal cottage touch and gorgeous contrast to the white cabinetry.
Apron-front sink and brass faucet:
We installed a larger 36-inch apron-front sink that fits the new cabinet and the window above it. It’s perfect for plants, pots, and baking sheets, and the undermount style makes it easy to use. The brass faucet we’ve chosen adds warmth and pairs nicely with other brass accents.
Hi—here I am in my favorite spot. 🙂
Faucet / Drinking Faucet
Cabinets, counters and sconces:
We selected semi-custom cabinetry built from a stock line—soft-close, full-extension drawers, shaker profile, full overlay, and a warm white similar to Benjamin Moore Simply White in a matte finish. The design adds storage without feeling cold or modern. Quartz counters (Daltile Carrara Gioia) run to the corner window and make cleanup easy. We added drawers and a Lazy Susan to maximize storage and counter space.
We removed upper cabinets from the sink side to open the view and installed wall sconces instead, which add ambient warmth. We debated open shelving but the uncluttered look of no shelves felt best for now. Two closed uppers flank the range hood, providing balance and hidden storage.
The appliances:
We partnered with KitchenAid for new appliances and are thrilled with the professional range, range hood, French-door refrigerator, and paneled dishwasher. They make meal prep and cleanup a pleasure. I’ll share a detailed post about the appliances and why we chose each model.
Le Creuset Dutch Oven / Marble Lazy Susan
Herringbone tile floors:
Flooring was a tough choice. We chose a durable, textured tile with a warm gray/brown hue from Daltile that looks almost like concrete. It’s practical for pets, hides daily grime, and provides contrast without stealing the show. Rectangular tiles set in a herringbone pattern add subtle interest and allow us to change runners and rugs seasonally.
Copper French Press / Nutmeg Grinder / Mug
Hardware:
I mixed hardware styles and finishes to keep the kitchen feeling layered and timeless. We used black knobs and pulls, square glass knobs with black brackets, and slim brass edge pulls on the pantry—plus brass on faucets and sconces—to create visual interest.
Similar Wood Footed Pedestal Trays
Before you go, here are a few before-and-after shots to show the changes. The removal of upper cabinets opened the corner windows, the new range and counter layout improved functionality, and the Dutch door remains a favorite feature.
Removing the soffits and uppers on this side created an open feel and emphasized the corner windows.
We sold the old stove and installed a professional range with proper ventilation and counter space on both sides—an important practical upgrade.
This Dutch door truly is a dream come true.
The long counter along the back wall feels great to work at and is perfect for a buffet setup when we entertain.
It’s still a modestly sized kitchen, but it feels much larger in function, storage, and usability.
Click HERE for all kitchen sources!
Thank you to KitchenAid® for providing the appliances for this project.
Thank you for stopping by for the kitchen reveal—I hope you enjoyed it. If you’re new here, I hope you’ll follow along as we make this house our home.
Quick Links:
Click here for my Kitchen FAQ
Get the look of my kitchen with similar sources HERE!
Small Kitchen Remodel: Kitchen Source List with Paint Colors
Find my Amazon Favorite Kitchen Decor & Coffee Tools here
Here are more posts with details about our kitchen remodel:
Shiplap Walls Behind Stove & Sink
Where we got the Dutch Doors
How we chose our kitchen appliances
Details on our quartz countertops (marble alternative)
How we mixed and matched our kitchen hardware
Herringbone floor tile details
Kitchen Remodel: Four Design Tips