Kitchen Remodel Before & After 8: Kitchen Refacing Cabinets

This kitchen remodel was for the oldest home in Milton MA, approx. 300 yeards old.  I am a big fan of old houses, my own home is a 1888 Victorian, of which I am the 3rd owner.  There is something about the charm, the stories of past family members that were born and died in the home, the black and white photos with the outhouse in the background before there were roads.  Yes, we put up with the drafty windows and creaking floor, but wouldn't want it any other way.  It was an honor to be involved in this transformation.

The old cabinets were worn out.  The wood drawers slid in the wood frame without glides, causing sawdust to continually fall into the cabinetry and kitchenware below.  The homeowners were concerned with any major renovation work.  They felt if they removed the cabinetry boxes from the old walls, the walls would fall down as well.  The solution was decided on kitchen refacing cabinets.

Bright blue laminate counter tops and backsplash needed to disappear!

To reface existing kitchen cabinetry, all the existing doors, drawer heads and openings were carefully measured.  The lip style doors needed new hinges, in an oil rubbed bronze finish.  A door and drawer head style was chosen, in a maple wood painted snowdrift white. The new wood drawer boxes were ordered with the soft close feature. The existing hinges were removed from the existing cabinetry boxes, then they were sanded and painted with 2 coats of paint specially formulated to match the cabinetry white paint.

The lattice doors at the sink were added to allow air flow from the radiator that is located inside the cabinet.

New glass doors for the existing upper cabinetry was ordered to maintain this serving area.

Soapstone counters were selected to keep with the period look.  Polished granite would not have worked in this space.  Soapstone was wiped with mineral oil to make it turn black in color quickly and consistently.  The natural white veining pops against the black in the stone.  Otherwise, it would black in the most used spots over time.  Scratches can be easily buffed out of this material.  Soapstone does not stain, is anti-bacterial and resistant to chemicals.

The soapstone countertop with mineral oil applied.

A siligranite sink was chosen, to be white in color as opposed to a more contemporary stainless steel sink.  A porcelain sink could also have been an option, but those sinks have scuff marks from pots and pans that need to be cleaned.  Porcelain sinks are also heavier, and need a support cradle built underneath to hold them in  place.  Given the existing radiator located in the sink base, this was not an option.

The backsplash is a porcelain ceramaic subway tile.  The color and pattern is made to resemble Carrara marble. New laminate flooring was installed, as they did not want to lose any inches in the ceiling height, which is only 79" high.

Are you trying to plan your kitchen remodel?  With our vast knowledge of all the surfaces and materials, we can help you!  Contact us today for a free consultation!