HomeMy ProjectsKitchen Remodel and DesignOpen Concept Kitchen & Dining Room Update: Before & After Photos

Open Concept Kitchen & Dining Room Update: Before & After Photos

Posted on February 1, 2023 by KylieMawdsley

Revere Pewter, Quartz Countertops, White Oak, & Little KLC!

After years of bouncing around, updating, and climbing the real estate ladder, we’ve finally found a home to settle down in (famous last words, right?) I MEAN IT THIS TIME!

exterior

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And by the way, the exterior is WAY different now – stay tuned for THAT blog post

If you aren’t aware of the long and sordid drama about our six-month forever ‘summer home,’ here’s the gist…

There weren’t many homes on the market, and we walked into this gorgeous newer house with a killer 180-degree ocean view and were like, ‘Sure, let’s do it; let’s raise our family here.’ A newly built home was a new concept for us, seeing as EVERY home we’ve owned needed updating/renovating *needed being a relative term. This house was only a year old and needed NOTHING.

However, it was a home with no heart – it was an almost tangible thing, and we had to get out of there.

Kylie M Interiors new home exterior

Don’t let it suck you in…sure it looks cute, but it bites

Luckily, I have a very understanding husband who agreed that the house was sucking the life out of us. We were able to sell it and buy our friggin’ DREAM HOME! Seriously, I’d stalked this house for years as it was in our old neighborhood. I’d walk by it whispering, ‘Oh yes, you will be mine, one day you will be mine…’ and now it is. I am that creepy.

Long story kind of short, we gutted it (naturally) and did a remodel on most of the rooms. And rather than drag it out over the years, which is our habit, we did most of it in one shootin’ match (minus some bathrooms/laundry). We did this with the idea that we could then relax and enjoy it. But you know me, I’ll ALWAYS find projects to do.

Entryway with Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray lightened wood cabinet, Ken Kirkby art. Kylie M INteriors Edesign, online paint color

Are you ready to dive in? After sharing the entryway last month (above), it’s time to look at the kitchen and dining room!

Check out this before photo showing how our entryway and stairs tie into the kitchen. I tried to get the whales in the bargaining process, but no such luck. Just joking; those damn whales still haunt my dreams.

FREE FRIGGIN’ WILLY!

Staircase in entryway with painted hand railing and carpet on stairs. White oak flooring and open to kitchen. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, online paint colour advice blog and consulting

Open layout entryway, kitchen stairwell. warm gray kitchen cabinets, white oak flooring and painted stair railing with carpet. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, online paint colour consulting

SHUT THE FREAKIN’ FRONT DOOR! Just LOOK at the difference. I mean, the kid’s college fund is dry, as is the bottom of my wine keg, but it sure looks pretty!

Before we get much further, let’s give credit where credit is due. This WHOLE project was brought to you by Jackson Triggs, Robert Mondavi, and Tanqueray – proud supporters of my drinking habit, which was further encouraged by the FREAKIN’ STRESS OF THIS RENOVATION! Seriously though, regarding credit, I’ll touch on the trades/companies within this article.

 

OUR ‘TWEAKED’ REVERE PEWTER KITCHEN

Looking at this next photo, I’m not going to lie and say it was a terrible kitchen; it wasn’t. It just wasn’t MY kitchen. This seems funny since I tried to cook Mr Noodles the other day (which Maggie fondly refers to as ‘non-gender specific noodles’) and actually burnt the water and ruined the pot. But regardless, I wanted a pretty kitchen…

Wood kitchen before

And I got my pretty kitchen…

Kitchen with warm gray cabinets and painted island, white oak wood flooring. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, online paint colour advice blog

Just LOOK at how much brighter and welcoming it is. It almost makes me want to cook. Just kidding. Nobody needs to suffer through that.

In this next before photo, we’re looking the other way, so you’re seeing a snippet of our backyard, which is our oasis (and will be another blog post unto itself), as well as a dark and dismal dining area…

Kitchen and countertop before

I’m sure THOUSANDS of you recognize this granite from the early 2000s! 

Ideas to Update Older Style Granite Countertops

After, I can’t even tell you how restful these spaces make me feel. Because it is all about me, am I right?

Cambria Brittanica Warm quartz countertop, Wayfair clear glass pendant lights. Kylie M Interiors Edesign

And you even get a sneak peek into the living room – you can see the before and after photos HERE.

Open layout kitchen, dining room, living room, warm grays and greige. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, Brittanica Warm quartz countertop, shiplap (2)

I also chose a consistent undertone between the island, cabinets, backsplash, and countertop – green. If you’d asked me a few years ago what my least favorite undertone was, I would’ve said green. Well, I change my mind about my favorite colors as often as I change my underwear, so I’ll let you figure out how often that is.

The 6 Best Paint Colours for Kitchen Islands & Bathroom Vanities

 

THE DINING ROOM UPDATE

Before, the light fixture (with matching island pendants) was like a bug zapper. If you have a mosquito problem, let me know, and I’ll pop these babies in the mail for you.

Wood kitchen before (1)

Modern farmhouse open layout kitchen and dining room. Edgecomb Gray paint colour, wood table, cabinets, black chandelier. Kylie M INteriors Edesign, online paint color consultant, advice blog

Here’s the dining room with my new art from Ronei

artwork by Ronei Faganello, dining room, Westcoast art, acrylic. Benjamin MOore White Dove walls (1)

I’m in LOVE with our new light from Wayfair with its clean, simple lines…

Open layout kitchen and dining room, farmhouse modern country style table. Greige and warm gray. Kylie M Interiors Edesign

 

THE PAINT COLORS WE USED

And you might be wondering what the kitchen cabinet colour is (or not). Either way, I’m gonna tell ya! It’s Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter, darkened by approximately 25%. My clients often say, ‘If you have to darken it by 25%, why don’t you just choose a different color?’. Because if there were a color nicer than this, I would’ve chosen it. I played around and hit JUST what I wanted – a warm, soft, earthy gray with a green undertone.Kitchen island painted a dark gray green with Brittanica Warm quartz countertop, warm gray cabinets. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, online paint color consultant

The 6 Best DARK GREIGE Paint Colors

The island is Sherwin Williams Urbane Bronze, a completely badass mix of greige and green. Tims says it’s gray…but it’s not.

What’s the paint color on the walls?

Finding the PERFECT off-white is like finding that random hair that’s slipped down the front of your shirt and is tickling you, but you just can’t seem to find the damn thing, so you reach in and plunge your hand around looking for the damn thing while people stare at you strangely. Anyway, I picked Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray, 75% lighter.

Dining room, modern farmhouse style furniture, white oak flooring, trestle style table, lightened Edgecomb Gray walls. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, online paint color consulting

I know I’m anal, but I want what I want when I pick a colour – whatever that takes. And with Edgecomb Gray 75% lighter, I’ve got this whisper of warm gray/greige with the tendency to FLIP through undertones throughout the day. The trim is Benjamin Moore White Dove.

WANT TO LEARN MORE: Our Kitchen Remodel – All of The Details

And check out our big hunka wood dining table – MAD LOVE…

Modern farmhouse open layout kitchen and dining room. Edgecomb Gray paint colour, wood table, cabinets, black chandelier. Kylie M INteriors Edesign, online paint color consultant, advice blog

 

THE PANTRY AREA

I don’t have a great before photo of this next area, but note the built-in microwave and the side of the pantry door…

Wood kitchen before

We opened that area with a small counter above our wine fridge and painted the pantry door to tie into the cabinetry. This also makes the kitchen look wider. The microwave is now in the pantry.

Kitchen island painted dark gray green, Brittanica Warm quartz countertop, warm gray cabinets. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, online paint color advice

As for the pantry itself, it’s not as big as I would love, but better than nothing. One day, I’ll organize it and show it to you…maybe.

 

OUR OFF-WHITE QUARTZ COUNTERTOP

The quartz countertop slays me (in a good way). It’s Brittanica WARM by Cambria Quartz. It has a white/off-white base, soft, greige warmth, and even a wink of modest taupe-beige. While it’s AMAZING, I’ve got more warm-toned countertops for you to check out here, if you’re curious.

Cambria Brittanica Warm, Urbane Bronze Sherwin painted island, white oak flooring Goodfellow. Kylie M Interiors Edesign.

Dining room with modern farmhouse style furniture, Brittanica Warm Cambria quartz countertop, Revere Pewter warm gray cabinets. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, online paint color consulting (1)

Is Revere Pewter the Best Cabinet Color for YOUR Kitchen?

 

THE SUBWAY TILE BACKSPLASH & STOOLS

As for the backsplash, OH, THE FRIGGIN AGONY!

I can advise clients on what to do all day long, as I have the KNOWLEDGE without the emotion attached (you know I love y’all, though.) Making decisions for myself gives me serious hyperventilating, twitching in the corner angina. Seriously. I look forward to renovating, but the process just about does me in.

Wood kitchen before

Kitchen island painted a dark gray green with Brittanica Warm quartz countertop, warm gray cabinets and subway tile backsplash. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, online paint color consultant

As for the counter stools, I usually prefer a stool with a full-height back for better badonkadonk support; Tim asked for backless ones, so I listened to him (first time for everything).

The backsplash tile is an Ames Tile (sadly, they don’t carry this exact tile anymore) and was installed by none other than BE Tile. The cabinets were custom-made from Mid-Island Cabinets. Notice that the grout is OPPOSITE the norm, as I opted for a DARK contrasting colour rather than the usual white/gray.

I’m also noticing that some of these photos look like they have a filter on them (thanks to my epic photography skills). I’m going to get better ones – stay tuned. But in the meantime…

Warm gray subway tile backsplash, Revere Pewter gray painted cabinets, Cambria quartz countertop, stainless steel Fulgor appliances. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, diy blogger

4 Ideas to Jazz Up a Simple Subway Tile Backsplash

Here’s another shot of the foyer, looking into the kitchen and dining room. Notice that I painted the handrail to match the kitchen island…

Staircase in entryway with painted hand railing and carpet on stairs. White oak flooring and open to kitchen. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, online paint colour advice blog and consulting

All of the painting, including the walls, ceilings, trims, and stair railing, was done by the most patient and talented duo of Delea and Shalyn of Details Painting.

If you want to look closely at our entryway remodel and how it relates to the kitchen, visit this blog post – Our Entryway Remodel, from Dark and Dismal – To DAMN Gorgeous HERE.

READ MORE

A Tudor Kitchen Makeover (With Revere Pewter!)

Is Revere Pewter the Best Kitchen Cabinet Colour for YOU?

The 5 Best Off-White Paint Colours

Ideas to Update Older Granite Countertops

6 Budget-Friendly Kitchen Update Ideas

NEED HELP?

Check out my Online Paint Colour Consulting packages! 

Online paint colour consultant Benjamin Moore Sherwin Williams, Vancouver Island, USA, UK. Interior, exterior, edesign colors. Kylie M Interiors, blogger marketing

Chat soon,

Kylie M Interiors, decorating blog, e-design, online colour consulting expert. signature

2019/UPDATED FOR GRAMMAR N’ STUFF IN 2023



Comments

  1. So gorgeous!! We had the same early 2000’s granite before too and now have Brittanicca gold quartz. It’s so amazing!

    Jennifer Williams

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      Niiiiice! I bet it looks GORGEOUS! That original granite is TOTALLY workable, but it sure is nice to have a shift. And MAN is the Brittanica Gold quartz stunning – that whole line is just friggin’ amazing, isn’t it?

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  2. Love, love your kitchen cabinets. I have to use sw, would colonnade gray works? And how much darker 25% 50%
    Thank you for all your reviewes they are very helpful.

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      Hi Judith! Well, RP really is a creature unto itself and Colonnade is grayer with less green. You might have better luck looking at SW Amazing Gray instead!

  3. Hi Kylie,
    I love, love love your new kitchen makeover. My walls around my cabinets -and in the whole house actually- are accessible beige. I was wondering if the darkened Revere Pewter would work for my cabinets and if the Urbane bronze would work on my island, both with white countertops. If not, can you recommend a white to paint the cabinets instead.
    Thank you for any advice you can send my way,
    Diane Parmelee

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      Hmmm, interesting. You’re not far off. I feel like you’d need a BIT more depth than what I have, more like SW Intellectual Gray, although it WILL pick up more green (but with Accessible Beige, green is better than purple!). As long as that jibes with any veining in your countertops :).

      1. Thank you Kylie! I am going to look into that color. Could I still use the Urbane Bronze on the island with the intellectual gray cabinets?

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      Hi Nikki, I sure did! I did RP 50% darker on the doors too and it’s SO STINKIN’ PRETTY! It’s such a nice, but not shocking change from white ;).

  4. What did you choose for the sink? I love the Brittanica warm and I’m nervous a stainless sink will scratch.

    Thank you!

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  5. @kylieminteriors we’re doing our cabinets straight up Revere Pewter and I’m wondering if you could recommend a backsplash…I’m having a heck of a time! Counter is Caesarstone Frosty Carrina!
    Thanks

  6. Hi Kylie,

    Thank you for your inspiration …
    Love the flooring throughout your home.
    I read it’s from Goodfellow .. is it an engineered hardwood ? Can you tell me what model / color it is ?

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  7. Love your kitchen! We am remodeling our kitchen with new shaker cabinets from the 20 year golden oak raised panel. I love the look of your kitchen so much that I am thinking of using the same paint colors for my cabinet and islands. My current wall paint color is balboa must, which I love. How do you think it would look with your cabinet, island and trim colors?

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  8. Hi! I’m sorry if I’m asking a question that you’ve already answered. But what was the color of the island in your kitchen? It’s gorgeous!

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