A Thoughtful Kitchen Modernization

Brentwood, California

SCOPE: The quartz doesn’t stop at the counter. It runs right up onto the window sills, where a wet sponge or a potted herb can’t hurt a thing. That’s the kind of detail Carol Carey built into this update of the home’s original kitchen, with new custom cabinetry, Silestone quartz countertops, a full tile backsplash, layered LED lighting, and a new dual-fuel range, all fitted to feel like part of the house rather than an add-on.

This remodel included selective demolition; new custom cabinetry and hardware; Silestone quartz countertops and window sills; a full tile backsplash; a new undermount sink and faucet; updated plumbing with a dedicated refrigerator water line; new electrical circuits and GFCI/AFCI-protected outlets; recessed and under-cabinet LED lighting; and drywall, baseboard, and paint work to match the existing home. A couple of things didn’t need replacing. The freestanding refrigerator stayed, and the garbage disposal was removed and reinstalled with a new air gap and air switch.

FEATURES: Carol ran the new cabinetry up to about 7½ feet and finished it with crown molding for more storage overhead. Below the counter, Carol planned pullouts throughout the lower cabinets, a dedicated trash pullout, a half-moon accessory for the corner, and vertical tray dividers, so baking sheets stand on edge instead of clanging in a stack. The drawers are dovetailed and full-extension, which means you can see all the way to the back of every one. The new dual-fuel range gets its own 240V circuit, and the dishwasher, refrigerator, disposal, and microwave each have a dedicated circuit too, so the kitchen can run at full tilt without tripping a breaker. Lighting comes in layers: ten recessed LED fixtures overhead, LED strips under the cabinets on their own control, and three-way switching so the lights can be turned on from one spot and off from another. Where new work met old walls, drywall was patched and finished to match what was already there. It still looks like the house’s own kitchen. It just works like a new one.

Fixture & Finish: