From day one, the homeowners were not happy with their basic, builder-grade kitchen. With its two-tiered island, awkward layout and lack of storage space, it needed a major design overhaul.
They turned to Dover Home Remodelers to renovate their tired, dated kitchen, creating an updated and functional space—a project that earned Dover 2nd Place honors in the prestigious NARI Contractor of the Year (CoTY) Awards 2018, Kitchen Remodel ($60,001 – $100,000).
From builder-grade, cookie-cutter to completely custom: The stylish kitchen upgrade
The homeowners’ wish list: Organization, function and style. A built-in look for the oversized refrigerator, more pantry space, a large prep area, a ventilated range hood and a drop zone were also top priorities. With a smart new layout, this fresh, sophisticated kitchen features a central island, custom cabinetry with built-in storage solutions and an art glass tile backsplash.
The Kitchen: Before & After
The original kitchen layout just didn’t work for these homeowners. A narrow, two-tiered island with a cooktop created poor clearance for other appliances, and the oversized refrigerator stuck out like a sore thumb.
Dover was able to honor all the homeowners’ requests and create a beautiful yet practical design, all while working within the room’s original footprint – the re-thought, new layout provides open flow while maximizing functionality.
Kitchen Island: Before & After
The narrow upper level of the existing island was completely wasted space; people could not sit at the island and open the refrigerator at the same time.
The new island offers ample clearance for all surrounding appliances and smart use of the space – it houses a microwave drawer and convenient roll-out storage.
In addition, the decorative back panels on the new island are touch-latch doors that open to provide even more storage.
Kitchen Storage: Before & After
Another challenge: The existing cabinets lacked functionality. Blind corner cabinets were difficult to reach so the homeowners barely used them.
The new custom cabinetry features multiple amenities: Easy to reach corner cabinets, pot and pan roll-outs, double waste baskets, utensil storage and a bread drawer, to name a few.
Kitchen Refrigerator Wall: Before & After
The original cabinets to the right of the refrigerator were hidden and the microwave sat on the counter. The oversized refrigerator stuck out, making it look even larger than it was.
In the new design, custom cabinetry creates the look of a sleek, built-in refrigerator.
Custom stemware storage, a Sub-Zero® wine fridge and space-maximizing pantry roll-outs complete this incredible wall of built-ins for a uniquely high-end look and feel.
Kitchen Drop Zone: Before & After
The existing pantry closet was too small, and the homeowners desperately needed a drop area: There was always clutter. The new wall of built-ins provided ample pantry space, so the original pantry closet was converted into a separate drop zone for easy organization—and added style.
Kitchen Cooktop: Before & After
Instead of a separate cooktop and ovens like the kitchen previously had, the homeowners chose a multi-purpose range and gained extensive prep space.
With most of the kitchen remaining neutral, the homeowner decided on a beautiful focal point using art glass tile: She designed a custom glass tile inlay above the range.
Kitchen: The Finished Product
Without adding square footage or removing walls, we made the kitchen feel more open and spacious. The homeowners gained utility and functionality, with a clean, stylish edge.
