Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

  • Shop Our Houses
    • Our Current House
    • Our Richmond House
    • Our Beach House
    • Our Duplex
  • Before & Afters
    • Our Current House
    • Our Previous House
    • Our Beach House
    • Our Duplex
    • Our First House
    • Our Second House
    • Our Showhouse
  • DIY & Decorating Tips
    • Most Popular
    • Home Improvement
    • Painting
    • Cleaning & Organizing
    • Crafting & Art
    • More . . .
  • Painting Projects
  • Plants Guides
  • Shop
    • Our Fav Home Finds
    • Our Lighting Line
    • Our Books
    • Book Club Picks
    • Black-Owned Businesses

Young House Love » Reader Redesigns » A Kitchen With A Dark Wood Island And White Cabinets

| By Sherry Petersik | May 5, 2009 | 80 Comments

A Kitchen With A Dark Wood Island And White Cabinets

We seriously had to pick our jaws up off the floor when we saw this almost unbelievable kitchen remodel. Here’s Gord’s letter:

I just thought I’d drop you an email regarding our kitchen renovation that we have just completed. This involved moving windows & doors, tearing down walls, closing in the weird wall-railings in to the family room and reconfiguring the entire kitchen. We basically stripped the space down to studs and started over. We knew that moving electrical, plumbing, etc would cost a bit extra, but we are so glad we did it. We basically doubled the size of our kitchen by doing so. We did a lot of the work ourselves & stayed within budget! It was a huge undertaking, but very worth it! As you can see, the kitchen before was small, awkward & dated. By reconfiguring, tearing down the wall and moving everything around, we now have an open & bright room that we enjoy spending much of our time in. Hope you enjoy it! Sincerely, Gord

scary-bad-ugly-kitchen-before-picture

dream-kitchen-amazing-before-and-after

kitchen-modern-makeover-large-island-dream-fabulous

You’re totally gaping at the computer right now, aren’t you? We just keep drooling and scrolling up and down. This gorgeous kitchen renovation is proof that even the saddest of befores can be transformed into a majorly amazing after. Thanks so much for the pictures Gord! You definitely cooked up something pretty sweet.

More posts from Young House Love

Filed Under: Reader Redesigns

Fab Freebie: From Our House To Yours
A Large Painted House Number On A Brick House

Comments

  1. Jeana says

    May 5, 2009 at 9:42 am

    gorgeous! i love it, we’re getting ready to start ours, and this is such an inspiration!

    Reply
  2. Audrey says

    May 5, 2009 at 9:44 am

    This kitchen is stunning! Great job, Gord!

    Reply
  3. Denise says

    May 5, 2009 at 9:44 am

    I just saw this same makeover posted today on the “It’s Great to be Home” blog. It’s fabulous, but just thought you’d like to know.

    Reply
  4. Gràcia says

    May 5, 2009 at 9:44 am

    This has to be one of the best before&afters Ihave ever seen. When I saw the first pic, I expected some cabinet painting, and not much more. But this… AMAZING.

    Reply
  5. Danielle says

    May 5, 2009 at 9:47 am

    Holy Cow! What a difference!!! What were people thinking back in those days when they designed kitchens?

    My favorite part has to be the island. Love the contrast with the white cabinets. Great job! New kitchens are the best!

    Reply
  6. Candace says

    May 5, 2009 at 9:57 am

    WOW! What a difference?! That is one amazing kitchen. Wonderful job, Gord!

    Reply
  7. Erica says

    May 5, 2009 at 9:59 am

    You were serious… that is a JAW DROPPING makeover! My chin actually hit my desk… literally. Do they want to remake my kitchen too?!! AMAZING work!

    Reply
  8. Fran says

    May 5, 2009 at 10:01 am

    Wow! Love the light fixtures over the island.

    Reply
  9. sammyw says

    May 5, 2009 at 10:01 am

    wow i love the dark & light combo, very classy :)

    Reply
  10. Grace says

    May 5, 2009 at 10:01 am

    I can’t stop looking! it’s amazing!!! great job and so inspiring :)

    Reply
  11. Liz says

    May 5, 2009 at 10:03 am

    What are the chances?? Gord sent his gorgeous kitchen redesign to me last week and it is my post today, too! Seriously small world. :) http://itsgreattobehome.net/2009/05/05/gord-lauras-gorgeous-kitchen-remodel/

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      May 5, 2009 at 10:15 am

      Hey Liz,

      So funny that you featured Gord’s amazing makeover today too! It’s a small world (full of gorgeous kitchens!).

      xoxo,
      Sherry

  12. natalie meester says

    May 5, 2009 at 10:05 am

    Wow! How beautiful! Do you know how long that island is? We have 5 in our family and was wondering how long it’d have to be to get us all seated there.

    Reply
  13. Christina says

    May 5, 2009 at 10:06 am

    Oh, yeah! Mouth fully agape. What an amazing transformation.

    Reply
  14. Arlene says

    May 5, 2009 at 10:07 am

    Yes, my jaw dropped too!!! That is absolutely beautiful. I’ve been dreaming of remodeling my kitchen for about five years and LOOOOOVE looking at kitchen before and after pictures. Love the light fixtures!! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  15. Laura says

    May 5, 2009 at 10:08 am

    Wow! What a stunning transformation!!! It gives me hope for our dated kitchen :-)
    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  16. heather s. says

    May 5, 2009 at 10:10 am

    That is absolutely amazing! It doens’t even look like the same space since they moved windows/doors! Great job, Gord (and family).

    Reply
  17. Lynn says

    May 5, 2009 at 10:11 am

    I can’t get enough. (*drool*) Any more pictures, Gord?

    Reply
  18. Live a Colorful Life says

    May 5, 2009 at 10:13 am

    That’s funny. Before I read that you kept “scrolling up and down,” that is EXACTLY what I had been doing. Amazing. And amazingly beautiful!

    Reply
  19. Beth G says

    May 5, 2009 at 10:22 am

    My jaw did drop at this…what a difference! AWESOME! :)

    Reply
  20. Christine says

    May 5, 2009 at 10:23 am

    This is probably the most amazing re-design you’ve ever posted.

    Reply
  21. bungalowbliss says

    May 5, 2009 at 10:25 am

    AMAZING remodel, Gord! Can you give us the skinny on your resources for cabinets, countertops, and those great light fixtures?

    Congrats on staying within your budget and still ending up with a professional-grade transformation!

    Reply
  22. Roeshel says

    May 5, 2009 at 10:32 am

    What a beautiful & stunning kitchen makeover! I cannot believe it’s the same space. Good work Gord – it’s gorgeous!

    Reply
  23. Allison says

    May 5, 2009 at 10:35 am

    What a beautiful kitchen!! Great job Gord!

    Reply
  24. jennifer says

    May 5, 2009 at 10:38 am

    The new kitchen is beautiful! Mind if I ask the name of the new paint on the cabinets? Thanks! :)

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      May 5, 2009 at 10:50 am

      Hey everyone,

      So glad you’re loving Gord’s amazing makeover. We’ve emailed him to let him know there are a few questions over here, so hopefully he’ll pop in and answer them all!

      xoxo,
      Sherry

  25. sarah says

    May 5, 2009 at 10:49 am

    Wow! Incredible! I love the floors!

    Reply
  26. Jenn says

    May 5, 2009 at 10:53 am

    omg. that is amazing! so glad gord shared!

    Reply
  27. Barbara says

    May 5, 2009 at 11:01 am

    That is one fine kitchen. Your eye for design and layout is fabulous. Where did you steal the extra space from?

    Reply
  28. Crystal says

    May 5, 2009 at 11:04 am

    WOW! Hard to believe that’s the same kitchen.

    Reply
  29. Melanie says

    May 5, 2009 at 11:14 am

    Great makeover indeed but this looks like serious money!!! I would love to know how much this transformation costs.. We can all have nice kitchens if we had the resources, right?

    Reply
  30. Alysia says

    May 5, 2009 at 11:20 am

    What a stunner! I am in love with the lights over the island. I can’t believe they did it themselves. So skilled and absolutely gorgeous!

    ps. Your comment section in the Z Gallerie post is not working. :(

    Reply
  31. JM says

    May 5, 2009 at 11:21 am

    Oh my gosh, I LOVE this kitchen!

    Reply
  32. Venessa says

    May 5, 2009 at 11:37 am

    no more detail :-( timeline, budget, sources, Gord, help a sista out LOL

    Reply
  33. Gord says

    May 5, 2009 at 11:53 am

    John & Sherry,

    Yes, just last week Liz posted a request for reno before & afters. I really enjoy her post over there and thought I’d share these photos with her as well … and they ended up being posted on the same day! How funny. Glad you all enjoy it!

    Reply
  34. Gord says

    May 5, 2009 at 11:59 am

    In answer to the questions here:

    1. The colour of the white cabinets is: “Marble White” from Benjamin Moore
    2. Cabinetry and granite were from local custom cabinetry and granite companies
    3. The pendants are an Uttermost pendant we ordered in. See http://www.uttermost.com
    4. The island is 9′ 4″ long. We absolutely LOVE this island. Originally we weren’t planning to remove the wall because of the extra cost involved. But we eventually decided to remove it as that allowed for this large island. A decision with no regrets whatsoever!

    Hope these answers help.

    Reply
  35. LeilaMac says

    May 5, 2009 at 12:00 pm

    W-O-W! I must know the light fixture source!

    Reply
  36. Gord says

    May 5, 2009 at 12:07 pm

    John & Sherry,

    Just want to share that we have a blog going evolvingrenovation.blogspot.com which is documenting our entire home renovation. We are currently working on a nursery transformation. The blog isn’t super professional, but just a way for us to share what we’re doing. Thought I’d drop this note for your readers! Thanks!

    Reply
  37. .megan. says

    May 5, 2009 at 12:16 pm

    WOWZERS! I LOVE IT! I would have never thought to use that color floor with the dark wood cabinetry, but it really keeps the room bright! A darker floor really would have ruined the mood!

    NICE WORK ;)

    Reply
  38. Cynthia says

    May 5, 2009 at 12:19 pm

    Would you mind asking him where he got his light fixtures over his island, as well?

    Thanks!

    Reply
  39. Jenn says

    May 5, 2009 at 12:26 pm

    Love, love, LOVE! Yes – would love to know where the light fixtures are from. Amazing!

    Reply
  40. jbhat says

    May 5, 2009 at 12:27 pm

    Gorgeous!

    Reply
  41. Lindsay says

    May 5, 2009 at 12:32 pm

    Wow! This is fabulous!

    Reply
  42. SoBella Creations says

    May 5, 2009 at 12:52 pm

    Wow!

    Reply
  43. Carmen says

    May 5, 2009 at 1:06 pm

    From your house to mine!
    I cannot get enough of photography coffee table books. Love them…lots of inspiration.

    For some reason, your Z Gallerie giveaway seems to be halted at 1,334. Hopefully, this can go into the entries for the giveaway.

    Reply
  44. Jane says

    May 5, 2009 at 1:23 pm

    Ditto about the Z Gallerie giveaway, I would love to win! From your house to mine!

    Reply
  45. Somer says

    May 5, 2009 at 1:23 pm

    All I can say is WOW! Beautiful…my dream kitchen, the after of course!

    Reply
  46. Jaime says

    May 5, 2009 at 1:34 pm

    Love the kitchen!! What a beautiful transformation! Can’t wait to check out the blog (work blocks blogger, grr!)

    :)

    Reply
  47. Helen says

    May 5, 2009 at 1:36 pm

    OMG gorgeous makeover. I love it.

    Reply
  48. Rowan says

    May 5, 2009 at 1:38 pm

    I see people are asking where Gord purchased his pendant lights and didn’t notice he has already answered the question.

    Here is the answer he gave:

    “3. The pendants are an Uttermost pendant we ordered in. See http://www.uttermost.com“

    Reply
  49. Sara says

    May 5, 2009 at 1:40 pm

    Wow! WWhat an amazing kitchen now! Great job on the reno Gord.

    Reply
  50. Ann says

    May 5, 2009 at 1:45 pm

    That’s amazing – and my initial reaction was ‘jaw-dropping’ — and that’s before I even read the other comments saying the same!

    Can you ask Gord what his costs were (recognizing that they did a lot of the labor themselves, it would be helpful to know….we’re planning a redo now and I think I want Gord’s!)

    Thanks :-)

    Reply
Newer Comments »

Stuff We Love

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

John and Sherry Sitting On Woven ChairHey, we’re John & Sherry. We’ve fixed up 7 homes, written books, designed products, started a podcast, and then downsized & moved to the beach! Here you’ll find over 3,000 DIY projects & home updates. More about us…
*This site contains ads and affiliate links*
See our disclaimer & privacy policy to learn more

Latest Finds

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

SHOP OUR LIGHTING

Young House Love Shades Of Light Capiz Chandelier

GET POSTS BY EMAIL

We’re Digging

Traditional Rug
The “Magic” Rug
Smokeless Solo Stove Firepit
Smokeless Firepit
Outdoor Solar LED Path Lights
Solar Path Lights
Criss Cross Office Chair
Our Desk Chair
Blue Air 211 Air Purifier
Our Air Purifiers
Eufy 11S Max Robot Vacuum
Our Robot Vacuum
Kohler Memoirs Toilet
Our Favorite Toilet
Livable Luxe Book
Fav Design Book
SEE MORE OF OUR FAVORITE FINDS > >

  • About
  • FAQs
  • Press
  • Contact
  • :)

© 2025 Young House Love ® · Disclaimer · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use · A Fun Wordpress theme on Genesis Framework · Hosted by Liquid Web