Kitchen after (refacing)

All of the cabinets were refaced with custom designed raised paneling. With refacing, the boxes remain, so that the original layout of the kitchen is essentially the same.

The owner picked the design of the cabinet doors and waiting for the materials to be custom made, delayed the initial projected time frame for the completion of the renovation.

Kitchen before

Choosing to replace the counter and eat off bar would not only provide a new aesthetic, it could also be very useful as a stronger material would also last longer and be more durable.

The existing flooring was ceramic tiles, which could also use a revamp.

Kitchen after (lighting)

Pot lights were installed in the ceiling, which provides brightness and warmth.

Lights were also installed above the cabinets and underneath the corner cabinets.

The existing duct work made the electrical wiring required to install the lights one of the more challenging aspects of the renovation.

Kitchen after (new backsplash)

Natural stone backsplash was built for the stove area in lovely soft tones; perfectly set off by the gleaming granite counter tops.

The sleek and modern black induction-heating stoves are much better suited to these updated peers.

The dining room before

The worn gray carpet is a builder standard, which could definitely be improved upon. The room also like the rest of the house had a bland, clean look that was quite nondescript.

The dining room after

The main floor carpet was ripped up and replaced with dark oak hardwood flooring. As seen here, one of the new light fixtures, brings warmth and elegance for courting guests.

Crown molding also added a touch of refinement. 6-inch baseboard replaced the existing 4-inch baseboard, which co-ordinates with the crown molding for a more finished look.

The living room before

This shot looks out from the living room area into the hallway. The dull-coloured walls combined with the white trim and light gray carpeting effects a sense of stiffness that makes the house seem unlived-in.

The living room after

Green paint may come to mind as a peculiar option, however, choosing the right tone can make all the difference. The room has much more liveliness and the pale shade combines well with the dark hardwood. Again, the crown molding creates a sense of completion.

The family room before

Like the kitchen, the walls were an immediate and obvious change to be made. For a room that truly called for a coziness factor, the family room should easily draw people in.

The family room after

Darker neutral walls give a cozier feel as the backdrop to the real center of attention – the custom built media unit. It's both a focal point for the room (a standard design issue) as well as a place for both showcasing and storage.

The fireplace had the surrounding tile replaced with slate. Here too, are the warming pot-lights and the elegance-upping crown molding.

The stairway before

The carpeting on the main floor and matching staircase runner was getting worn and old.

The stairway after

The aging carpet was ripped up, and the stairs were re-painted and re-stained along with the railing and spindles. New tread set to match the hardwood floors was installed.

In the tiled rooms, the existing basic ceramic was upgraded with custom 2 X 2 marble tiling.

The hallway before

Not much had changed from the time the original house was built. The downstairs halls looked exactly as the upstairs did with the bland gray, pale blue and white scheme.

The hallway after

Light fixtures, paint, crown-molding and baseboard were changes that were also implemented in the upstairs. Carpeting was also replaced with the oak hardwood.

Even the halls are completely transformed with a much richer feel.

Chandelier

Another example of how charming light fixtures and the right finishing touches create a polished living space.