Encinitas Kitchen Remodel - Kaminskiy Design and Remodeling

Light-Filled, Two‑Tone Kitchen with Easy Island Seating

A dated soffit, small window, and scattered can lights gave this Encinitas kitchen a feeling of being closed in. Our redesign opened sightlines, expanded the window, and added comfortable island seating—all while preserving the home’s original wood floors. Warm Cherry Amber bases ground the space, while soft Painted Harbor uppers and a glazed ceramic backsplash bounce light for a bright, modern feel.

Design Highlights & Innovations

Designers: Andrea Short & Haley Overlund
Location: Encinitas, CA 92024
Project Scope: Kitchen remodel—including larger replacement window, soffit removal, re‑layout for island seating, all‑new cabinetry with integrated organizers, quartz countertops, ceramic tile backsplash, new lighting plan, appliance installation, and complete paint/finish work.

Design & Materials

Flooring: Preserved the original hardwood floors and patched the former island for a continuous look.
Cabinetry: Waypoint Living Spaces all‑plywood construction with soft‑close, full‑extension hardware. Base/Island/Talls: Cherry Amber. Uppers: Painted Harbor. Built‑in organizers include a pot & pan pull-out, a Lazy Susan, a trash pull-out, and a cutlery divider.
Countertops: Bedrosians Calacatta Milan quartz—elegant veining, zero sealing required.
Backsplash & Trim: Bedrosians Marin ceramic tile; full‑height splash behind the range hood and at the enlarged window.
Sink & Faucet: Rohl Culinario undermount stainless‑steel sink with Kohler Edalyn bridge faucet.
Appliances: Thermador French door built-in smart refrigerator; Thermador Masterpiece Series microwave (counter model in pantry); Thermador smart built-in dishwasher with custom panel; Thermador ProHarmony gas convection range; new range hood in a modified location.

Gallery

Swipe through the finished spaces—two‑tone cabinetry, quartz worktops, enlarged window with sconces, and an island that invites everyday gathering.

Centered view of two-tone kitchen with large island seating, custom wood hood, zellige-style Marin tile backsplash, and soft recessed lighting

Built-in French-door refrigerator and coffee niche beside island with quartz top and woven pendants in a warm cherry and paint palette

Quartz island vignette looking to sink wall—woven pendants, Painted Harbor uppers, Cherry Amber lowers, and full-height ceramic backsplash

Thermador ProHarmony gas range beneath custom wood hood with glossy Marin ceramic tile and two-tone cabinetry

Expanded kitchen window with three sconces over Rohl undermount sink and Kohler Edalyn bridge faucet, open walnut shelves, and Marin tile

Close view of enlarged kitchen window and bridge faucet with open display shelves and drawer bases in Cherry Amber

Detail of custom stained wood range hood framed by Painted Harbor uppers and handcrafted ceramic tile

Enlarged kitchen window over Rohl undermount sink with Kohler Edalyn bridge faucet and quartz counters

Cherry Amber base cabinetry at the range corner with polished pulls beneath quartz countertops

Long sink run with drawer bases and panel fronts in Cherry Amber under the expanded window

Close-up of polished bar pulls on Cherry Amber drawers below quartz counters

Island seating with woven stools and pendants facing custom wood hood and two-tone cabinetry

Centered view of custom stained wood hood with glossy Marin ceramic tile backsplash and Painted Harbor uppers

Sink corner with Kohler Edalyn bridge faucet, enlarged window, trio of sconces, Marin tile, and Cherry Amber bases

Adjacent family room with coastal fireplace surround, built-ins, woven pendant, and layered blue accents

Woven dome pendants over quartz island with bright pink florals, dining nook, and floor-to-ceiling windows

Key Features

Island Seating – Adds a casual spot for breakfast, homework, and conversation with the cook.
Bigger, Brighter Window – Expands natural light; two coordinating sconces layer task lighting.
Two‑Tone Cabinetry – Cherry Amber bases ground the space; Painted Harbor uppers keep it airy.
Smart Storage – Pot & pan organizer, Lazy Susan, cutlery divider, and concealed trash keep counters clear.
Even, Efficient Lighting – Six 4″ dimmable recessed cans, pendants at the island, and under‑cabinet LEDs.

Objective

Create a brighter, more functional kitchen—with seating and organized storage—without changing the overall footprint.

See the Transformation — Before & After Video

Watch how soffit removal, a larger window, and a fresh lighting plan transform this well-loved kitchen into a brighter, high-function hub.

The Challenge — Low Light, Visual Clutter & No Seating

A shallow window and dated soffit limited daylight and storage options. The lighting plan relied on a few aging can lights, and there was no comfortable spot to sit near the action. Preserving the existing hardwoods while changing the layout added complexity to the island footprint.

Our Solution — Targeted Re‑Layout, Daylighting & Code‑Smart Upgrades

We removed the existing cabinets, counters, backsplash, appliances, soffit, and original window, then framed for a larger vinyl white kitchen window. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing were adjusted to accommodate the new layout, including the relocation of a range hood. The lighting plan now features six 4-inch dimmable recessed cans on a 3-way, a pair of sconces over the window, two pendants at the island, and under-cabinet LEDs. GFCI protection was added where needed. Drywall was repaired—especially at the former soffit—and the kitchen and family room received a fresh, coordinated paint update on walls, ceiling, and trim.

We installed new Waypoint cabinetry with soft-close hardware and all-plywood boxes, finished Cherry Amber on the bases/island/talls, and Painted Harbor on the uppers. Calacatta Milan quartz counters and Bedrosians Marin ceramic tile (full height at the range wall and window) deliver a crisp, low‑maintenance finish. The original wood floor was preserved and patched at the island footprint for a continuous look. Exterior stucco at the new window opening was repaired and blended to match as closely as possible. Finally, we set the Thermador appliance suite and the Rohl sink paired with the Kohler Edalyn bridge faucet.

Project Highlights

Daylight Boost – Larger window + layered lighting brightened prep zones from breakfast to cleanup.
Code & Comfort – GFCI protection, updated switching, and a right‑sized hood elevated safety and performance.
Maintenance-Easy Surfaces – Non-porous quartz and glazed tile clean up quickly and stay beautiful.
Thoughtful Reuse – Preserving and infilling the existing hardwood keeps character and controls costs.
Organized Storage – Inserts and pullouts put everyday essentials within easy reach.

Ready to Re‑Imagine Your Space?

✨ Picture a calm, light‑filled kitchen where cooking and conversation just flow. Schedule your complimentary in-home design consultation and personalized estimate—call 858-271-1005 today.