Isn't fun to see before-and-after shots? It's thrilling to see something beautiful emerge, improbably, from a tired old space. Well, we truly had that thrill when we saw this kitchen that Francesca recently remodeled for a New York City client. Read on for more before-and-after photos and all the details, including cost, of this 3-week renovation!
Francesca, of Interiors By Francesca, was the designing hand behind this dramatic transformation. We asked her a few questions about this lovely renovation, and she gave us some good tips and resources for those of you who may be thinking about renovating a little city kitchen.
Did your client have any particular needs due to their cooking style?
My client was in dire need of a truly functional kitchen, and yet she is single and therefore does not cook much, as most single New Yorkers. The main focus was to give the kitchen an open, modern and functional feel. So my approach was to open up the kitchen, make the space feel grander by adding recessed lights, under cabinet lighting and the dramatic chandelier.
What was your approach to this kitchen remodel?
The residence is in New York City, where apartments and especially kitchens tend to be small. So, to maximize on space and create a larger kitchen, we removed the wall that separated the kitchen from the living room, creating a great room look and feel.
I selected cherry cabinetry with a classic/contemporary look and stainless steel appliances and hardware to give the kitchen a look and feel that is timeless.
The backsplash is white polished marble and the countertops are Cashmere Granite. We added recessed lights on the ceiling and added undercabinet lighting to create a wonderful balance of light and make the space feel grander. By adding a modern light fixture above the peninsula, the kitchen feels dramatic and sassy. It's an unexpected touch that really adds pizzaz to a small kitchen.
How long did it take, and how much did it cost?
The renovation was completed within 3 weeks. The complete renovation including materials and labor totaled $20,000.
Do you have any renovation tips for our readers who are remodeling?
• I recommend having your kitchen professionally measured by the showroom you intend on buying cabinets from. They are experts and can anticipate problems easily.
• I also recommend selecting materials that complement your lifestyle. For example, choosing materials that are easy maintenance or durable surfaces for a family with children or pets.
• Always use a contractor that was recommended by someone you know. Ask for references and check out their work in person. That way you are sure they can meet your expectations.
Do you have any recommended kitchen design resources in NYC?
• The kitchen cabinetry in this kitchen was purchased at Home Depot on 59th & 3rd avenue. I personally love this Home Depot because they have a great range of cabinetry options to fit any budget, and a knowledgeable staff.
• I also love Nemo Tile for flooring, stone and tile options. I visit the Ann Sacks showroom frequently for inspiration; they have the most amazing displays.
• The best kept secret in NY for design inspiration is the Architecture and Design Building. It's an inspiration mecca for remodeling projects.
Thank you so much, Francesca!
• More info: Interiors By Francesca
Related: Kitchen Tour: David and Laura's Modern Organic Remodel
(Images: Interiors By Francesca)
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undeniably beautiful, but doesn't it seem like so much cabinet space is lost by leaving it open under the counter? not sure how much the openness would've been sacrificed to have some shallow cabinetry there... it's still so open up top!
really great job, though, and holy! what an improvement!
kdkaboom: My first thoughts were exactly the same. I love the openness but would cringe at losing some cabinet space.
It made more sense after I read the article which says the owner doesn't cook a lot. I love the look of this kitchen. I wonder what is in the cabinet that faces towards the living area?? Linens? A cabinet like that could be very useful.
It's hard to tell from the pictures, but it doesn't look like they've lost as much as it would seem at first. Looks like they now have cabinets on a wall where they didn't have them before. And it also looks like they've extended the kitchen past the old boundary, so that new wall of cabinets looks like it may be on par with what was there before when it was more galley-style. All of their cabinets now extend up closer to the ceiling than they did before, so they might actually have the same amount of space now, if not more.
Wow, kudos, this has me thinking about staining my cabinetry darker rather than painting it white.
It really does look like more cabinetry was added to the upper cabinets to compensate for what was lost on the lower cabinets. The new cabinets are also taller than the old cabinets.
It didn't seem to me that they lost must storage space, and they definitely gained a bunch of counter space . . . but if this were my kitchen I would definitely have found a way to stick a dishwasher in there!
They definitely gained cabinet space. Knowing NYC kitchens just like this, I'd be very surprised if there were lower cabinets on that pass-thru wall. They also added all the space along the back wall, which before was just dead space. I think it looks great. Really takes a clichéd NYC apartment and brings it into a different category.
That tiny sink would drive me crazy... how do you wash any kind of pot in it? I guess it would work for the owner since she doesn't cook much though. But beautiful space, great improvement!
hey...i think i saw a similiar chandelier on color splash on HGTV with the couple who wanted the salmon/turquoise and black dining room!
I love love love the chandelier! What a beautiful centerpiece of a kitchen. I have seen similar at DWR with the swarovski series..that might be the same one. It is breathtaking!
Fabulous!
Is that the linear chandelier from Z Gallerie? I just blogged about that one! I really want it, and it's nice to see it in somebody's home.
Your kitchen turned out beautifully!
I quite like it, but I think that chosing modern style cabinet and stainless steel to obtain a timeless feeling isn't the right way to go.
It will age and not be timeless anymore in a decade or two.
Or maybe I am misunderstanding the "timeless" definition.
what counts as timeless in a kitchen reno? I agree that stainless steel & granite have been around for quite a while, but what's next?
I love that marble backsplash. I'd prefer a darker granite counter that offered more contrast to it.
Great redo! Although not a fan of the tile floor. I think the wood floor should have been continued into the kitchen. Love the chandelier, backsplash and simplicity of design. If only my NYC kitchen were this nice!
the gal had so much clutter in the before pic, I wonder if she finds it hard to keep it so minimal and clean?
20K seems a bit too steep for the size.
1. I would continue hw floors into the kitchen.
2. At least two possible more cabinet doors should have been glass with inside lighting.
3. Bar stool's seats should be see trough plastic.
4. Absolute No! to recessed lighting in a ceiling, absolute yes to counter lighting mounted underneath the cabinets.
it's a beautiful kitchen with lots of space for food prep. i don't know if 20K is a lot of money for a kitchen redo, but i do see the amount of work that had to be done: removing a wall, relocating gas line, recess lighting and finishings. i do agree, however, that the transition from wood to the tiled floors could have been seamless. that's for the resource info.
I like it.
However, the sink looks TINY. I hope that $20k included a dishwasher?
And contrary to what others said, it actually looks like you gained cabinet space