Here’s an update on our kitchen renovation — things have really progressed over the last two weeks. The addition is moving forward as well, though recent work has focused on interior spaces. Over the next couple of weeks the addition will begin to take visible shape, and I’ll share more about that in a future update.
This phase has been exciting because there’s been a lot of visible progress, yet so many finishing touches remain: trim, crown molding, glass doors, bookcases, lighting and ceiling details. We’re very pleased with how everything is coming together so far and feel confident about our design choices.
I’ll go into more detail about specific decisions in later posts, but for now I wanted to give a clear look at our current progress and offer a few hints about what’s coming next.
WOOD FLOORS:
After gutting the interior floors in the kitchen, dining room and living room/entry, we installed European white oak. It’s stunning and gives the house a relaxed, beachy vibe that we love. The new flooring creates a pleasant indoor-outdoor connection, tying the warm wood tones inside to the natural surroundings outside.
DINING ROOM WINDOWS AND WINDOW SEAT:
We moved existing rear windows into the new dining room. The change brought in a lot more light and unexpectedly revealed a partial water view. Initially I thought these windows would only bring light and not open up a view, but I was pleasantly surprised.
While the water view isn’t expansive from this angle, seeing the distant water and islands brightens my day. The view is visible from a few spots as you walk through the kitchen and dining area, making it a delightful, unexpected surprise. A large bush currently blocks part of the view, but once we trim it back the water will be more apparent. Simple glimpses of water as I move through the house bring me a lot of joy.
Beneath the windows we installed a built-in dining bench with drawers for storage. Two bookcases will flank the bench, providing open shelving for books and seasonal decor. We’re planning a comfortable cushion and layered pillows to bring color, pattern and seasonal interest. I love how each area feels like a distinct room while also flowing into the others.
WHITE APRON FRONT SINK AND POLISHED NICKEL FAUCET:
The white apron-front farmhouse sink is in place so counters could be measured, and I’m smitten. I enjoy walking through the space each day after the crew leaves and arranging little vignettes to see how elements play together. The polished nickel faucet adds a classic, refined touch and complements other finishes in the kitchen.
INSET CABINETS AND ISLAND:
The cabinetry turned out exactly as envisioned — warm, homey and full of detail. We selected traditional cabinetry with a mix of profiles and accents: beadboard, inset drawers and doors, slab and beaded shaker styles. The painted finish is smooth and beautiful; additional details such as feet, trim, decorative brackets, glass doors and a dish display area will be added soon.
Layout constraints included many doors and windows on one wall and the opening to the dining room on the other, but the arrangement is cozy and inviting. We optimized storage and counter space to suit our modest home, and it already feels like the right fit. While the floors are currently protected, I’ve laid out a few scrap pieces and samples to visualize how finishes and elements will relate to one another.
Placing the sink where we did feels right; it looks over the dining area and benefits from the surrounding windows and light. Widening and lifting the openings between rooms was a dramatic change that improved flow and sightlines. The kitchen floor plan and earlier design documents helped guide these choices.
THE QUEEN BEE RANGE WALL:
Our range — affectionately nicknamed “Beatrix” — hasn’t been installed yet, but the color palette and nearby accents are already hinted at. We’re missing one cabinet, the hood and a few finishing touches, but I can already picture how the range wall will look once complete. It will provide a lovely pop of color and character to the space.
Another cabinet wall is coming together and will include space for the refrigerator. Only part of it is visible at the moment, but it’s shaping up to be a thoughtful, functional area with clean inset details.
HARDWARE AND LIGHTING:
Our hardware and lighting have arrived. We chose timeless pieces in a warm aged brass finish, combined with glass knobs and some polished nickel accents for a classic, layered look. The hardware feels right for the traditional-meets-coastal aesthetic we’re aiming for.
Sources: Oval knob, drawer pull, appliance pull, glass knob, bin pull and cupboard latch were selected to coordinate with our finish palette.
We also ordered coastal solar lanterns for the exterior, and I’m excited to choose matching porch lighting for the new back porch. Small exterior details will help complete the overall look.
There’s still a lot to do, but I hope this update gives a clear sense of where the remodel stands and what to expect next. I’ll continue to share progress and details as the project moves forward.
If you like regular updates, I share progress photos and daily moments on Instagram.
More posts about our kitchen remodel:
My New Kitchen Floor Plan + Parents’ Addition and Exterior Elevation
Our New Kitchen Design Mood Board (and five questions that helped me make decisions)
Adding Character in a Kitchen Remodel: The Tale of Our New Range and Faucet
Kitchen and Dining Room Renovation Update! Projects Have Begun!