Take a look at this kitchen. Does it look familiar? These are the same cabinets and tiny footprint familiar to thousands of New York City cooks — not to mention cooks in cramped apartments all over the world! But look again; this kitchen was completely transformed into a place that is much more functional and beautiful.
Beautiful and amazing, right? And so much better! This renovation comes from Frances Herrera, a kitchen designer in New York City. Here are her notes on the project.
Designer's Notes
This tiny 5x8' kitchen is located in the Lower East side. Before we stepped in, the kitchen lacked function, felt crowded and cluttered. We revamped the kitchen and now it's a show stopper! I reconfigured this kitchen and used every inch of space to make it practical, functional, stylish and above all an inspiring place to cook.I started by increasing the storage space by using 42" high Kraftmaid Cabinetry. This increased countertop and prep space and visually made the space look bigger.
I replaced the full-size appliances with compact appliances. including a 24" GE gas range, 22" LG Over the Range Microwave, 18" GE Monogram dishwasher. We kept the existing 24" LG Refrigerator.
The use of open cabinetry at the top adds visual interest and solved an issue of a air vent that could not be covered. I also added a built-in spice shelf beside the range which helps keep the space organized and spices at arm's reach. Using a monochromatic scheme of 3x6" gray ceramic subway tiles and 12x24" gray porcelain floor tile makes the space feel crisp, polished and modern.
The end result is a modern day kitchen that is low maintenance but full of style.
Time: 3 weeks
Cost: $24,000 for labor and materials
Great job, Frances — this is gorgeous!
• More about the designer: Interiors by Francesca
Other New York City kitchen renovations from Frances:
• Before & After: Elegant Gramercy Park Studio Kitchen
• Before & After: Bright and Tiny Studio Kitchen
(Images: Frances Herrera via email)
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Beautiful! I love the brown/gray combination.
Ok, that is gorgeous.
Now that is an amazing transformation (wow, very expensive though--I'm waiting for all the people who said a $500 reno wasn't low-cost to come and complain LOL)
The transformed kitchen is indeed gorgeous, but honestly, how many people can afford $24K? This piece is great for ideas insofar as color schemes, placement, et cetera goes, but impractical for renters or those unable to secure loans at the moment.
I love these concept pieces, but would love to see more affordable renovations and renovations applicable to renters.
Where is the floor tile from? Would love to put something similar in my kitchen!
My kitchen is 5x8 too! But I only have 2 walls to put appliances and cabinets against! It's a challenge trying to come up with a floor plan but this reinforces the ideas that I have had: 1. Cabinets up to the ceiling 2. smaller appliances (I don't have room for a dishwasher which makes me sad :()
As far as the price goes--yes 24K is high for me as well, but you could get a very similar look for a lot less money, even in Canada, so use it as inspiration!
I don't think $24,000 is bad for what was done; that is a tremendous improvement for a very important part of an apartment. Architectural fees, labor and materials add up very fast. That it was done in three weeks is amazing; sounds reasonable to me.
Yes, this is a New York City kitchen, so $24,000 is actually on the low side. A quote from The New York Times:
A kitchen is one of the most expensive rooms to renovate, according to the National Association of Home Builders in Washington, which estimated that last year, the average cost was $25,000, including cabinets, counters, appliances and floors. But in New York City, the cost is probably twice that, said Gopal Ahluwalia, a staff vice president.
wow AMAZING Job! Beautiful!
@ks sunflower:
As far as I can tell, most of the renos on here (and apartment therapy) are very appropriate for renters. It's more common, actually, in my experience.
To me, this is a good price for a very nice kitchen reno -- especially new appliances, cabinetry, etc. Beautiful.
i love this, and if i could afford/be able to do this kind of reno, i totally would. but what about the renters who aren't allowed to change cabinetry, flooring, appliances, painting, anything?
Oooooo, Ahhhhhhh. Nice! I love it! I would say you got your money's worth!
That is gorgeous. I would have never seen that potential if the 'before' space!
Regardless of the price for the entire thing, it is very inspirational. I'm currently re-doing my kitchen and the built-in spice rack next to the stove may just end up making an appearance in my house.
Also, even though I thought I had a backsplash all picked out...seeing this look again has me rethinking my choice.
I admit the cabinets are not my style, at all. I'm not a fan of sleek dark wood. And I don't think sleek dark wood, and white subways, and stainless steel is exactly a groundbreaking new combo never seen before.
BUT I think it looks a million times better, and presumably meshes with the owner's style, and frankly whether or not I would choose different cabinets, the increased functionality cannot be denied.
It's fairly neutral, crisp, and much better use of space.
Well done, I say.
I actually think its a testament to the design that someone like myself, with a totally different aesthetic, would only have to change out cabinet doors to be happy. I don't think that first design really suits anybody; the new one could be easily adjust to suit quite a lot of people.
woaw... totally had to pick my jaw up off the floor....
I adore the partially open cabinets!!! It really opens up a tight space, and is also a very creative solution for their air vent requirement. I never really liked the cabinets 10 inches from the ceiling with enormous dust-collecting prospects avove them. This is an alternative which blends seamlessly into the design yet leaves great space for display pieces/color in an overall neutral design.
Love the tile back splash. Icing on the cake.
$24,000 for the lower east side? Really? dying to know where in the LES.
The "after" is so luscious...and why, oh why does everyone's "before" have those cabinets...we had those "before" cabinets before finally ripping them out and replacing them. Whoever invented those cabinets was made a millionaire! HA!
I'm a fan of the tiles and the color combination, and that darling built-in spice rack would make my husband's heart pitter-patter (he's the adventurous spice-mixer in the family.)
I just saw a renovation comparison in a kitchen design magazine that listed a $25k reno as "budget" and then showed a very similar kitchen for a $74k reno as "luxury." So I guess that makes $50k "mid-range?" Yikes.
My budget as it is would probably allow for a $500 "budget." That being said, this is a great space and if someone can use the money to upgrade the kitchen, that's probably one of the best spots to do so. I know I long to upgrade our kitchen, but in our neck of the woods (Nashville, TN) that isn't standard for renters.
Still, kudos! That's a beautiful renovation. I wouldn't want to ever leave the kitchen after that.
Beautiful kitchen renovation! 24K for everything included is not that bad. Could you go cheaper with less expensive cabinets? Probably. Doesn't mean that this person had to cater their kitchen to what renter-readers of AT can afford.
Wonderful inspiration!
I'd love to hear the floor tile details, too.
who would have though light grey and chocolate brown make the perfect pair?