Where Storage Meets Style: A Clean-Line Kitchen Transformation

Scope: Before the remodel, the kitchen reflected its age. The cabinetry and finishes felt heavy and visually closed-in, limiting natural light and making the space feel smaller than it actually was. Storage was minimal and poorly organized, forcing everyday kitchen items into hard-to-reach areas. Lighting was insufficient for both food preparation and general use, and the layout did little to support an efficient cooking workflow.

While the kitchen was serviceable, it no longer matched the homeowner’s needs—or her vision for a brighter, more modern home. She wanted a space that felt open, inviting, and easy to use, with finishes that would stand the test of time.

The homeowner was motivated to remodel her kitchen to address several long-standing issues common in older homes:

• Outdated cabinetry and finishes that made the space feel dark and visually heavy
• Limited storage and poor organization, especially for cooking tools and serving pieces
• A desire for a cleaner, more modern look that still felt warm and welcoming
• The goal was to create a kitchen that felt brighter and more open, functioned better for daily cooking, and reflected a modern design sensibility—without sacrificing durability or ease of maintenance.

Features: 

Cabinetry & Storage

• Euro-style cabinetry with flat slab doors and slab drawer fronts for a streamlined, modern look
• Glass-front upper cabinet doors, allowing light to pass through the space while creating an elegant display area for dishware and decorative items
• Soft-close concealed hinges and full-extension soft-close drawer glides
• Functional storage upgrades, including a trash pull-out, pull-out shelving, and vertical tray dividers
• The combination of solid and glass cabinet fronts adds visual depth while helping the kitchen feel lighter and more open.

Countertops

• Granite countertops selected for durability and timeless appeal
• 25″ counter depth with a bullnose edge profile
• Polished cutout for an undermount sink, creating a seamless transition from counter to basin

Backsplash & Wall Finishes

• Full-height tile backsplash extending to the bottom of the upper cabinets and range hood
• Tile wrap at the kitchen window sill and jambs, continuing up to 18″ above the countertop for a cohesive, finished appearance

Sink & Plumbing Fixtures

• New kitchen sink and faucet with updated drain assembly
• New quarter-turn shutoff valves and braided stainless steel supply lines
• Garbage disposal reinstalled with a new electrical pigtail
• New refrigerator water supply and shutoff valve

Flooring

• Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring installed throughout the kitchen and adjacent mudroom, tying the spaces together visually and functionally

Lighting & Electrical Upgrades

• New dedicated circuits for major appliances, including the range, refrigerator, dishwasher, disposal, and range hood
• Recessed ceiling lighting to evenly illuminate the space
• LED under-cabinet lighting to enhance task visibility and highlight the backsplash
• Decorative wall sconces near the window to add warmth and layered lighting

Appliances

• Installation of a 30″ induction electric range, range hood, and refrigerator
• Reinstallation of the existing dishwasher

Design & Craftsmanship Highlights

• Balanced use of solid and glass cabinet doors to enhance openness and visual interest
• Clean cabinet alignment and tight reveals for a true modern aesthetic
• Thoughtful lighting placement for both task performance and ambiance
• Detailed tile work with careful transitions at windows and cabinetry

The Result

The finished kitchen feels brighter, more organized, and far more inviting—supporting everyday cooking while elevating the overall look and value of the home. It’s a space that blends modern design with practical upgrades, tailored specifically to how the homeowner lives and uses her kitchen.

Client Testimonial: I’ve been enjoying my new Carey Bros Kitchen for the last year. It is a pleasure to walk into the light, bright space every day. The beauty of the cherry cabinets and the granite countertops is outstanding. The extra storage space in the drawer banks and pull-out cabinets makes a huge difference. The under-cabinet lighting makes preparation and clean-up a breeze. I highly recommend the Carey Bros remodeling team.

I’ve worked with Carol at Carey Brothers over the last year to design a kitchen remodel and a bath remodel. Carol brings design expertise and many years of practical experience to her compassionate and friendly design service. She ensures that everything, down to the detail, is what the client wants. Michelle on the design team, also contributed greatly. She brought additional expertise and practical know-how to the remodel designs. James made an exacting estimate of the construction costs so I would know all ahead of time. Morris recommended an important door widening.

Construction supervisor Matt also visited my home to walk through the construction process in detail. All members of the construction team were outstanding, reliable, and excellent at their jobs.

I felt confident and secure in choosing Carey Bros. Remodeling for their design process, estimate planning, meeting customer needs, and for their dedication to customer satisfaction.

Construction on my project was delayed and began in autumn 2021. An area for improvement is for Carey Bros. to be transparent and timely in letting the client know up front about any delays or problems to save misunderstandings and confusion.

Positive: Responsiveness, Punctuality, Quality, Professionalism, Value