The kitchen is a cornerstone in any home. It’s where we cook dinner and where we gather with friends and family. Everyone wants a beautiful kitchen, but remember, this is a functional space as well. Choose finishes and materials that will stay on trend for years to come.
Dream Becomes Reality
A Kitchen That Works LLC
Photography by Tammy Dwight
This kitchen project was part of a whole house remodel. The house, custom built in 1973, had only one owner prior to Cindy and Mark Feurstein purchasing it. No renovations had apparently been undertaken since the original build except for the addition on the south side of the house. Other than being dated and dysfunctional, the kitchen was cut off from the beautiful mountain and water view by a staircase (the landing at the top of the stairs was a safety hazard at only 30 inches deep and 36 inches wide).
The staircase was relocated to the north edge of the living room by taking space out of what was the formal dining room and now is a home office. As a result, the kitchen was opened not only to the view but also to the living room, helping make this home with ceilings under 8 feet feel open and spacious. The space that had the staircase is now a welcoming spot where guests can sit at the kitchen island and converse with the cook.
A Kitchen That Works LLC was the builder and designer, providing the Feursteins with a full complement of design-build services. Chris Gutsche of EcoSmith Architecture and Consulting was brought in to redesign the staircase and the siding and to help reengineer parts of the structure once it was determined that the home, which sits on a bluff on Hood Canal, had no shear walls or tie-downs to the foundation. Molly McCabe of A Kitchen That Works designed and specified the interior spaces and specified the materials for the entire exterior and the mechanical systems.
The primary change was to remove the staircase, which opened up the kitchen to a functional layout. All windows and doors throughout the home were replaced. McCabe collaborated with the couple to ensure that all their needs and desires were met, including incorporating furnishings from their prior residence.
The Feursteins love the end result. Their favorite parts are many — the induction cooktop, the steam oven, the storage, the overall functionality of the space and, of course, the view. “We pinch ourselves frequently just to remind ourselves that this home is not a dream — it is truly a reality,” they say.
The Team and Suppliers
Spacious Kitchen for A Modern Lifestyle
Fairbank Construction Company
Photography by Abigail Zelen
This kitchen project was part of a whole-house remodel to update the style of the home and make the layout more conducive to the homeowners’ lifestyle. They realized they spend a lot of time on their laptops at their kitchen island and the existing kitchen layout was not set up well for that.
The owners hired Fairbank Construction Company to oversee the project and hire tradespeople. Their architect, Cynthia Carpenter, suggested taking out a wall and trading spaces between the family room and the dining room. Kitchen layout changes included moving from a small, awkwardly shaped island with a downdraft cooktop dominating its space to a large island that has a second dishwasher and room for four to sit and eat. Additionally, they now have a 36-inch range and a dedicated area for making hot and cold drinks, plus a small appliance garage to hide away the toaster oven.
A 12-foot sliding door was added to open onto the deck, which brings in a lot of natural light and increases the views and access to the outside. Cabinetry, quartz countertops, faucets, stainless steel sink, lighting and appliances are also new.
The homeowners’ favorite part of the new kitchen is the huge island and the ample counter space. There is plenty of room for everything and everyone. The cabinet where they keep the toaster oven and bread has been very handy for accessibility while keeping everything looking nice. The drinks area lets you make coffee or cocktails without getting in the chef’s way.
The Team and Suppliers
Unique and Bold
Liberty Bay Cabinetry & Interiors
The homeowners had previous water damage to a section of hardwood floor that could not be repaired and the floors all needed to be replaced. This was the catalyst that kicked off the remodel. They had always felt the kitchen was awkwardly designed and difficult to work in. The original kitchen had a really wide island with lots of usable space, but the cabinetry was too low, making the space and countertops not easily accessible or usable.
Paul Asherl at Asherl Construction was the general contractor and provided all the labor and subcontractors. Heather MacMillan at hsMAC Design assisted with all aspects of the interior design process. Anna Runyard at Liberty Bay Cabinetry & Interiors assisted with the kitchen and Bath design and order. A collaboration of ideas and skillsets from everyone involved drove this project through to the end.
The new changes and additions to the kitchen consisted of an island, cabinets, counters, tiles, appliances, window and skylight, range hood lighting and expanded sink nook area.
The homeowners are very happy with how the kitchen turned out — beautifully unique and bold. Their favorite part of the new kitchen is the spacious island and the ample working space between the island and cabinets. They also like the black matte foil look of the cabinets and the mixing of the metals, along with the beautiful contrast of “bold and bright” between the cabinetry, tile and floor.
“We were glad that we decided to live with the construction instead of moving out,” one homeowner said. “Given all the delays and increased scope, it was worth putting up with the inconvenience but ensure everything was to our expectations. Despite everything, it truly was worth it in the end.”
The Team and Suppliers
A New ‘Feel’ for the Kitchen
Harbor Kitchen & Bath + Countertops
Photography by Foto Guy
This remodel kept the layout of the kitchen because the homeowners liked the way it looked, but they didn’t like how it “felt.” So they worked with interior designer Sabrina Reyes of Harbor Kitchen & Bath + Countertops to change the colors and make the kitchen their own.
They found the company through an online search and liked that it had ‘phenomenal ratings” and is a local business. “We decided to go with them because we loved the personal touch that appeared to be put into every project and job,” the homeowner said. “Sabrina took the time to sit with us and figure out exactly what we were looking for while still helping us maintain our budget.”
Reyes helped with the selection of materials, which included Calacatta Leon 3CM from MSI for countertops, B.A.T.C.H. 4-by-12-inch charcoal subway tile, Jeffery Alexander pulls in matte black, North Point white shaker cabinets, MSI single-bowl stainless steel 16-gauge sink and Kohler matte black Simplice faucet. The tile backsplash is a beautiful bold color that really makes the countertop stand out.
The owners love how the kitchen turned out. “We have been extremely happy with the quality of work and the customer service,” the homeowner said. “Remodels can be very stressful and Harbor Kitchen & Bath + Countertops made it as simple as it could be.”
The new cabinets are their favorite part of the new kitchen. “They’re fantastic quality, have clean lines and the storage they provide is phenomenal,” the homeowner said. “We even have the garbage can/recycle can hideaway right by the sink — amazing.”
Reyes recommends loving what you’re putting into the home. “Make the space yours,” she said. “Even if you are going to sell, while you are still living there you should enjoy the space for as long as you can.”
A Kitchen for Cooking Together
Creative Countertops, Inc.
Norman and Marcia Adams Landry love to cook. Their existing kitchen was small, with minimal work surfaces and no room for more than one cook, or possibly two, at a time. They designed an entirely new kitchen and relocated it to what was formerly the family room.
The homeowners collaborated with Seri Yeckel for the architectural drawings and hired Susan and Cole Buckhart for design consultation and visual renderings, and Tamma Burke for color consulting. Clark Construction provided two great carpenters who installed a new window and sill, along with a new door, and did all the finish work involved with that part of the project inside and outside. They worked to deconstruct the floor in the laundry area to give access to the plumbers and electricians, and built a reinforcement wall under the kitchen island. They installed new baseboard throughout the entire lower floor and constructed the range hood. Clark provided New Star Painting and Restoration for all the necessary drywall work.
The couple chose their appliances first and purchased them five months before the project began with the help of Albert Lee Appliance. The Landrys purposely opted for brands that were available. At the time, some brands were 10 months to a year away from availability.
Next, they chose the cabinet style and finish. They had oak shaker-style cabinets in the former kitchen, and although those were still popular, they opted for a modern version with a slim shaker profile for the kitchen and island, this time in quarter-sawn oak with a black washed finish. To contrast with the wood cabinets, the couple settled on a natural stain mixed with a touch of white. They wanted a honed finish on the countertops and island and chose a matte finished quartz.
They decided to install double ovens and a large sink. A microwave drawer was placed in the island. The pot filler that the homeowners felt was a bit of eye-candy has been an excellent choice for access to water when the sink is busy. They also installed a water filtration system for both the pot filler and the cold-water dispenser.
The panel-ready fridge was not their first choice, but something they thought would add to the clean lines of the cabinetry. The Landrys chose to keep upper cabinetry to a minimum as well and opted primarily for drawers that are easily accessed.
The homeowners are very happy with the remodel. They made some bold decisions and it was a little intimidating, but they’re embracing the changes to the space and loving their new kitchen.
One of their favorite parts is the openness of the entire space that was their former kitchen and family room. But the most important part of this new kitchen is being able to cook together with the family in a space that they created just for that reason.
Their biggest advice is to choose your design, then have your major decisions on materials, finishes and colors made before you begin, especially if this will be your first experience with a remodeling project.
The Team and Suppliers
A Stunning Update
Works Granite & Stone LLC
The homeowners loved their newly purchased condo on a golf course, but knew they had to remodel the outdated kitchen. They made all the decisions for this remodel, though it was not easy. Both agree the marble countertop with the 18-inch backsplash is their favorite feature of the project. They also received helpful advice from Works Granite & Stone. New finishes included Carrera marble countertop, Kohler farm sink and 9-inch-wide waterproof Provenza flooring from Meyers Flooring. The outcome is beautiful.
The Team and Suppliers
From Dated to Gorgeous
Kitsap Kitchen & Bath Co.
This home had a very distinct lack of flow from the entry of the home to the back half of the house, where the kitchen and living room are located. The kitchen itself was severely dated and ready to be brought into the present. The classic U-shape kitchen cried for a remodel that included an island, adjustment of utilities and updated pantry.
The island was very important as the homeowners’ children love to post up at the overhang to work on homework and spend quality family time while someone is working in the kitchen. For a very close-knit family, having the openness and flow from room to room allowed for better togetherness in the heart of the home.
Kitsap Kitchen & Bath Co.’s project managers Randy Torres and Lacey Collins were in charge of all the design, estimating, project coordination, general contracting and management from start to finish; designer Natalie Collins provided the design.
When choosing the cabinet materials for this home, Kitsap Kitchen & Bath wanted a bold color accompanied by natural wood. The homeowners fell in love with the deep navy paint for the island and pantry, paired with a natural alder for the perimeter. Countertops needed to be durable and light while adding a touch of movement at the island.
A crisp white was selected for the perimeter countertops and the island took the show with its sweeping blue veining and bits of gold glitz against a white background. The backsplash was one of the last items to be selected for the space to play off the blues, whites and silver tones in an on-trend yet classic shape, the arabesque.
Removing the obtrusive wall separating the dining room and kitchen allowed for the gorgeous large island and visual open concept from entry door, through dining room and back to the kitchen.
This kitchen went from dark and dated to warm and inviting. The home sits on a wonderful quiet street with gorgeous mature landscaping and now the family has main floor that really works and a beautiful home to raise the family in.
The owners are very happy with the remodel and feel as though they can really enjoy this home, now that the functionality and flow from front to back makes more sense.
The Team and Suppliers
New Kitchen Vision Years in the Making
Creekside Cabinet & Design, Inc.
This kitchen was very dark and dated, with the last remodel completed in the 1970s. The original floor plan of the kitchen was about 4 by 6 feet, with not enough space to open the oven door or dishwasher.
The homeowner, Shannon Huff, had the plans drawn up of the configuration for about five years but kept changing her mind on the cabinet color. Her goal was to only have to remodel the kitchen once and make the space fun but timeless. Jennifer McLinko with Mise en Place Design assisted her with some changes in the plans.
Huff connected with Cindy Friend from Creekside Cabinet & Design from the start. “We seemed to have the same vision,” she said. “She didn’t try to persuade me on any decisions; instead, she showed me some completed projects as inspiration.”
When she couldn’t find a contractor, Huff decided to manage the project and use Creekside’s installers. She ordered all the materials and selected subcontracts based on recommendations from the suppliers. “They all showed up on time and completed the job with 100 percent satisfaction,” she said.
In choosing the appliances, she wanted a sleek look. “Function was huge. My husband wanted a big refrigerator and I wanted panel-ready appliances,” she said.
Huff is ecstatic with the remodel. “There is not one thing I would change,” she says. And she loves the space. “My cabinets allow enough storage for everything I need. The drawers are deep enough for my big pans,” she said.
Huff advises other homeowners to do their research. “I asked everyone I know what they would do different with their kitchen remodel and paid attention to details,” she said. “Be patient and if you don’t see what you want, wait until you find it.”
The Team and Suppliers
An Open, Bright Kitchen
Works Granite & Stone LLC
Meri Arnett-Kremian downsized to this house in 2014 and knew that the kitchen would need a refresh, but she wanted to live in it a few years to get a feel for what needed to change. She knew immediately that the original “appliance garage” took up too much usable counter space and added to the overabundance of honey oak cabinets in the kitchen. The original backsplash was 4-by-4-inch ceramic tiles with eggplants, radishes and other veggies — not to her taste. She was also not a big fan of the Corian-style counters, but after her daughter-in-law accidentally steam-damaged a spot by placing a hot pot on a trivet, it was time for them to go.
After interviewing several remodeling contractors, she eventually selected Northwest Exterior Home Services LLC. The company usually works on home exteriors, but does interior remodels during the winter. Arnett-Kremian found the owner, Joe Parks, to be extremely responsive and cooperative. His crew was knowledgeable, efficient, polite and hardworking. Services they performed included painting all public spaces, demolishing counters, removing and installing new sink, installing new backsplash tiles and replacing existing halogen undercounter lighting with LED fixtures.
After the quartzite was installed by Works Granite & Stone LLC of Bremerton, Northwest Exterior Home Services made sure everything was working again. “What I found most impressive was how willing Northwest was to coordinate their schedule with Works — the counters and sink were removed the day before Works was ready to start the install, so I was without a functional kitchen for just a little over two days,” Arnett-Kremian says.
While the homeowner made virtually all design decisions, she relied on Tammie Zech of Zech Interiors in Belfair for sourcing and purchasing an unusual ceramic backsplash tile after selecting the quartzite.
Arnett-Kremian kept the existing appliances, as she had replaced all of them, except the refrigerator, in the last three years. Changes included new paint (from a cocoa color to a beautiful cream), countertops, sink and backsplash; removal of appliance garage doors; replacing old halogen pendant fixtures and old halogen undercabinet fixtures with LED ones; and installation of soft-close hinges. The kitchen is now lighter, brighter and more open — and free of the vegetable-themed backsplash tiles installed by the original homeowners.
The homeowner loves the results. “I was thrilled that, although the remodel started in early November and wasn’t finished until early January, I had a functional kitchen for both Thanksgiving and Boxing Day gatherings and feasting,” she says. “I appreciate Works Granite & Stone and Northwest Exterior Home Services for working with me to make sure that happened.”
Her favorite change is the open and bright feeling, thanks to the new paint and the appliance garage door removal. She now has several more linear feet of counter space, something that’s really helpful when she hosts a large holiday gathering. She also loves the polished beauty of the natural quartzite and the white-hammered 4-by-12 subway tiles.
Although the Luxe Riviera quartzite was a definite splurge, the kitchen was done for a reasonable budget in a reasonable amount of time. “It can be done,” Arnett-Kremian says. “Be specific about what the scope of work is, get several bids and make sure the bids cover the scope of work. Check contractors’ licenses and bond info with the state of Washington. Read reviews and don’t be afraid to ask for references from their clients and to see a portfolio of the contractors’ work.”
If you already have high-quality cabinets, she recommends you consider keeping rather than replacing them. Alternatives include getting cabinet doors refaced, painting cabinets or adding “cabinet jewelry” for a quick update.
“If you’re picking the counter surface (rather than delegating the choice to someone else) and want a natural stone, expect to spend lots of time in several warehouses between Fife and Seattle,” she adds. “Also be skeptical of the signage on slabs — some things marked as quartzite had a high amount of schist, which scratches and flakes easily. … Look at each slab, not just the one in front, and put dibs on them with the wholesaler. It’s best if you can see them in daylight to check for tiny cracks and possible fills, but some stone wholesale places don’t move slabs on the weekend, for example. Wholesalers tend to classify slabs price-wise by letter, with E or E+ being the costliest, but they won’t divulge the real price to you, only to your fabricator. Doing the selection yourself and working directly with the fabricator (like Works in Bremerton) will save you about 20 percent over the cost charged by a contractor if they provide that service to you.”
The Team and Suppliers
A Designer’s Kitchen
Bethany Reilly Interior Design
“After” Photography by Zander Grey
This kitchen was original to when the home was built in 1991. The selections made at that time were outdated, so the space was in dire need of a full refresh. Additionally, the flow wasn’t working and more functional storage was needed for this family of four.
Bethany Reilly, the homeowner and designer, had a vision for the space for many years. It was just a matter of putting it on paper and scheduling her trade members. The builder was Joel Pacheco with First Home Services. Pacheco and his crew were an integral part of the entire process, from demolition to touch-up paint.
A wall dividing the kitchen from the dining room was removed to give a more open layout and visually expand the space. The materials were selected to give a modern Scandinavian feel. Reilly wanted high-quality materials not only for durability, but to show her future clients the value in quality products. Additionally, she selected Beko appliances because of the company’s commitment to the environment.
Reilly and her family are thrilled with the end results. Because she designed the kitchen to have multiple zones, one for the main cook and one for the secondary cook, as well as a designated area for entertaining, the kitchen functions exceedingly well.
There are a number of areas of the kitchen that the Reillys would consider their favorite, but the crowd pleaser is the island. They can entertain here, roll out pizza crust, wrap gifts and decorate cookies on the expansive island. As for the aesthetics, Reilly considers the pendant lights over the island her favorite touch.
Reilly emphasizes that remodeling a kitchen takes time and planning. “Investing in a good design team is integral if you want a highly functional kitchen,” she says. “If you are unable to move out of the home during renovations, be prepared for major disruption. However, the end results are worth it.”
The Team and Suppliers
Bluefoot Architecture & Design
Photography by Anne Dofelmier
The kitchen was extremely small, dark and outdated. Being an avid cook and entertainer, the homeowner, Kristal Thomas, had no room to store staples, keep all her dishes and barware, and mingle with or include her guests in the food preparation.
The original design created a barrier between the kitchen and dining room, so the remodel removed that barrier and doubled the space of her kitchen. Windows were also replaced and expanded to bring in more natural light, while a functional island was added so that dinner and party guests could participate in food prep or just hang out with the cook without being in the way. Doing this also opened up the kitchen to the beautiful view to Seattle and Mount Rainier out of the back sliding doors. Creating the openness improved the flow from kitchen to the dining area and deck. Dedicated space for wine and spirits, food prep, cooking and cleaning without having to cross paths made barely a one-person kitchen into a kitchen for three to four people.
Sound Construction and Coatings (SCC) was the builder, completing the project from demolition to trim-out. Robert Diem of SCC managed all the subcontractors. Bluefoot Architecture & Design created the design for the kitchen remodel, along with the design for expanding the view and opening up the doorway to the deck by specifying the installation of a bi-fold door, which has been moved to phase 2 of the project. SCC installed flooring, cabinetry, trim, windows, appliances and a custom hood, as well as managing electrical, plumbing and drywall subs.
Almost everything changed in this kitchen to create the functionality the homeowner wanted and a mood that reflected her personality and tastes. The former kitchen was dated, lacking organization, space and character. In contrast, the new kitchen provides an abundance of clever storage, improved workflow and an aesthetic that can only be defined as breathtaking.
Selection of materials started with the inspiration — the stone countertop. Once Thomas fell in love with the Magma Gold slab from Meta Marble and Stone, she and interior designer Michele Doyle were able to dial everything else in. They knew they were going for a moodier tone — darker, sexier hues with a decidedly feminine look. When Thomas described her vision for an “apothecary, alchemist shop but modern and dramatic” during their first conversation, the design direction was born.
Choices were then narrowed down for finishes to dark stained knotty alder cabinets, highly obscured glass cabinet doors and black composite sinks from Elkay that disappeared into the stone. Brizo had the lines and finishes that were most desired for the faucets. The hood was fabricated of hammered blackened steel, with a Celtic knot embossed on the face from one of Doyle’s tried-and-true fabricators. Doyle also envisioned wallpaper and something whimsical but still moody — an updated aesthetic of a timeless design of the bird-and-branch motif gilded in gold. The material was also available as a vinyl, which makes it very cleanable and durable for a backsplash.
To allow the Magma Gold to remain center stage, they chose Black Galaxy granite for the perimeter. All of the natural stone was expertly installed by Creative Countertops. Light fixtures are from various design sources and each pays respect to the uniqueness of the space while not denying the proper amount of lighting to those who use the space. The faceted mercury glass of the dining area, the textured glass of the pendants over the island and the whimsical semi-flush ceiling lights over the counterspace all announce that this room is for lovers of creativity, delicious food and merriment.
“I am so happy with the results,” the homeowner said. “I have been dreaming of this kitchen since I bought my house 13 years ago. It really hit home when my family was here from New York and Arizona and all six of us were cooking, chopping, making cocktails and sharing laughter and conversation. That is what I had always wanted from my kitchen, and Bluefoot delivered. Since it was such a big project, I did not trust myself to make all of the choices that needed to be made. When I spoke with Michele at Bluefoot Architecture & Design, I knew she was the right choice to make my dream a reality. Every day, I walk into my kitchen and am in awe. It truly takes my breath away.”
It’s tough for the homeowner to choose just one thing as her favorite part of the new kitchen but if she had to, the Gold Magma stone on the island would be the answer. “I knew when I saw that piece that it needed to be in my kitchen and the rest of the design was all modeled around that piece,” she says. “Michele was so inspired to put a piece of the same stone as the backsplash to the stove as well. It is the first thing I see when I enter the kitchen for my morning cup of coffee. The lighting is probably second and I can’t forget the hood with Celtic knots. The entire space brings me great joy — it’s gorgeous.”
Thomas highly recommends working with a designer to bring your vision to life. She said her “old apothecary” idea turned into something she never imagined. “With so many decisions to make and hundreds of choices with each decision, you need someone to clear out the noise and narrow those choices. Michele and her team were with me the whole way. Shopping with me, letting me know when a fixture or accent didn’t quite match aesthetically or my genre. Sending me pictures of things to get me thinking,” she says. “They also did almost all the communication with my contractor so that I could keep focused on my work and have very few interruptions. Overall, the whole project went very smoothly and I would highly recommend Sound Construction as a contractor — they were so professional and friendly. Creative Countertops, Inc. had a stellar installation team and made sure everything looked perfect.”
