Riverstone Kitchen Refresh in Six Weeks

We took a compact 1990s kitchen and reworked it for a family of five who cook every night. The goal was to keep the existing footprint, remove the pinch points, and add storage without losing natural light.

Goals

• Remove the wall that blocked the dining area.
• Add a true pantry and a landing zone for groceries.
• Improve task lighting and reduce shadows over prep areas.

What changed

The old galley layout forced everyone into one narrow path. We opened the wall between the kitchen and dining room and shifted the sink to the new island. That created a single, clear work triangle and gave the homeowners a place to chat with guests while cooking.

Layout

We kept the plumbing stack in place and built a wider island that includes a pull out trash center and seating for three. The range moved to the exterior wall, which let us add a full height pantry cabinet on the opposite side.

Materials

• Cabinets: maple, matte white with warm oak accents.
• Counters: quartz with a light gray veining.
• Backsplash: handmade ceramic tile in a soft cream.
• Hardware: brushed brass pulls and knobs.

Timeline

Demolition and framing took one week. Cabinets and counters landed in week four, with electrical and lighting rough ins completed in parallel. Final paint, trim, and fixtures wrapped in week six.

Results

Storage increased by roughly 30 percent, and prep space doubled. The new lighting plan combines dimmable recessed cans with under cabinet strips so the room works for both weekday meals and weekend hosting.