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 done. We have been using it since Christmas Day, and after a few finishing snags it’s officially complete (for now, at least). I couldn’t wait for perfect conditions or professional photos, so we took our own shots this weekend and I’m excited to share the small kitchen remodel reveal with you.
There’s a lot to cover — even a small kitchen involves many decisions — so I’ll share an overview and plenty of photos here, then follow up with detailed posts on individual elements. If you have questions, please ask in the comments.
A quick recap for new readers: we bought this solid house in Seattle about a year and a half ago. It has lovely views of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound. The house had been updated sixteen years earlier and well cared for, but the kitchen needed a refresh. We debated opening the layout but ultimately kept the existing footprint and simply demoed the old finishes, keeping the layout, location and size intact.
Keeping the walls instead of removing them turned out to be the right call. After living with the kitchen for several weeks, I appreciate how functional and comfortable the layout is. It allows space for family to help, hides most of the dinner mess from the main living areas, and keeps the room feeling cozy rather than cavernous.
With a smaller kitchen you can’t always add big features like islands or long banquettes, so every design choice must earn its place. The benefit is that a few well-chosen changes make a big impact.
Utensil Crock // Ballard Designs Bristol Bench
Because the house is older, I wanted the kitchen to honor the original character while feeling fresh and functional. A neutral palette keeps the room flexible and easy to refresh with seasonal accents.
Cookbook and Tablet Stand / Wall Lights
This is an antique dinner bell I’ve had for years!
Below are the main highlights from the remodel.
Arched doorways
We opened and reshaped two small doorways into rounded, arched openings. They add instant character, increase perceived height, and make the kitchen feel inviting. The arches create a welcoming connection between the dining room and kitchen and bring a charming, cohesive look to both spaces.
Paneled walls and ceiling
Paneled walls give the room a solid, textured backdrop while horizontal lines visually connect the elements. The ceiling is clad in tongue-and-groove cedar with knots visible for warmth and character. The wood wraps the room and adds cozy, rustic interest.
Tiered Stand
Round window
We replaced the window above the sink with a round window that complements the arched doorways and serves as a focal point. Painting the trim white keeps the look balanced so the view out the back corner windows remains prominent. Sconces and antique brass faucets add a soft metallic touch to the sink area.
Plaid Rug
Dutch door
The Dutch door was a long-time dream and it anchors the room with a moody navy color that contrasts beautifully with the white cabinets. I open the top half daily; it brings personality and a coastal cottage vibe to the space.
Apron-front sink and brass faucet
Despite the kitchen’s size, we chose a larger 36-inch apron-front sink. It fits proportionately under the window and is excellent for washing pots, pans, and watering plants. The brass faucet adds warmth and performs well.
Hi — here I am in my favorite spot. 🙂
Cabinets, counters and sconces
We chose a semi-custom approach using a stock cabinet line customized to our layout. The shaker-style full-overlay cabinets are a warm white in matte finish, offering more storage — an important gain in this compact kitchen. Drawers are full-extension and soft-close, and we fit a generous run of quartz counters beneath the corner window for a seamless, easy-to-clean surface.
We removed upper cabinets on the sink side to open the view to the corner windows and installed wall sconces to add warmth and ambiance. A few closed uppers flank the range hood to balance the look and provide practical storage.
Appliances
We partnered with KitchenAid to install new appliances, including a professional range, a cabinet-depth French door refrigerator, a paneled dishwasher, and a vented range hood. They make meal prep and cleanup much easier. I’ll share a post soon with more details about the appliances and why we chose each one.
Le Creuset Dutch Oven / Marble Lazy Susan
Herringbone tile floors
Choosing the floor took time. We selected a durable, textured rectangular tile with a brownish-gray tone that hides daily grime, suits the dogs coming in and out of the Dutch door, and pairs well with runners. The tiles are installed in a herringbone pattern for subtle interest and movement without overpowering the room.
Copper French Press / Nutmeg Grinder / Mug
Hardware
I like mixing hardware styles and finishes to keep the kitchen feeling lived-in and timeless. We used a variety of knobs and pulls — black, brass, and glass — arranged thoughtfully to balance style and function in the limited space.
We balanced round black knobs, varied black pulls, square glass knobs with dark brackets, and slim brass edge pulls on the pantry cabinets to add visual interest without clutter.
Similar Wood Footed Pedestal Trays
White Hall Lights: Barnlight Electric / Wall Quote Art / Rug: HomeGoods
Come As You Are Welcome Mat
Now let’s look at a few before-and-after moments.
Removing the upper cabinets and soffits on one side opened the view to the corner windows and made the space feel lighter and more open.
We replaced the old range with a new professional model and kept counter space on both sides for practical meal prep and ventilation.
The Dutch door remains a favorite — it truly feels like a dream come true.
I love the long counter that wraps the back wall. It’s pleasant to work on and doubles as a buffet surface when entertaining.
It’s still a smallish kitchen, but it now feels larger in function, storage, and counter space.
Click HERE for all kitchen sources!
Thank you to KitchenAid® for providing the appliances for this project.
Thank you so much for coming by today for the kitchen reveal — I hope you enjoyed it. If you are 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