The owners of this early-2000s Poway home were ready to trade dark granite and golden maple for brighter sightlines and a fresh coastal-meets-modern vibe. We re-imagined the U-shaped kitchen with a generous island, swapped bulky soffits for stacked shaker cabinets, and carved out a built-in banquette that doubles as hidden storage. A soft white palette on the uppers keeps the space light, while warm stained bases ground the room and tie into the newly refinished floors.
Project Scope: Kitchen & family-room makeover—including new cabinetry to the ceiling, quartz surfaces, tiled splash, lighting overhaul, door replacements, and floor refinishing.
Design & Materials
Flooring: MSI Lanston Oak hybrid rigid-core LVP runs through the kitchen and family room, providing seamless, water-resistant durability.
Cabinetry: Waypoint Living Spaces maple shaker bases, in a warm walnut stain, pair with painted “Classic White” uppers that meet the crown; all doors are soft-close with full-extension drawers.
Countertops: MSI Calacatta Prado quartz—subtle veining, zero sealing required.
Backsplash & Trim: Bedrosians Celine porcelain tile and matching trim add handcrafted character and easy-clean practicality.
Sink & Faucet: Blanco Diamond single-basin SILGRANIT sink in Café Brown paired with a Kohler Edalyn pull-down faucet and integrated soap pump.
Appliances: The lineup includes a Signature Kitchen Suite French-door refrigerator, a free-standing gas range with vent hood, a quiet dishwasher, and a drawer microwave.
Gallery
Swipe through the finished spaces—from quartz-topped island to the cozy window banquette and two-tone cabinetry.
Key Features
Entertaining-Ready Island – Seats four while keeping the cook connected to guests.
Window Banquette – Built-in drawers hide board games and backpacks; fluted pedestal table adds sculptural interest.
Stacked Wall Cabinets – Extra 18 inches of vertical storage without moving walls.
Under-Cabinet Lighting – Shadow-free prep surfaces and a soft evening glow.
Refinished Floors – Fresh seal coat brightens the entire first floor and simplifies cleanup.
Objective
Create an open, welcoming hub that supports weeknight routines and weekend entertaining without adding square footage.
See the Transformation — Before & After Video
Watch a fast-paced flipbook that transforms this once-dark, peninsula-bound kitchen and family room into a fresh two-tone space—featuring a quartz island, stacked shaker cabinets, a hidden-storage banquette, and a seamless connection to the backyard.
The Challenge — Dated Layout & Visual Clutter
Granite countertops, busy cabinet grain, and partial walls blocked natural light, creating tight work zones. A shallow peninsula trapped traffic, and the breakfast area lacked comfortable seating.
Our Solution — Strategic Re-Layout & Modern Finishes
We removed the traffic-choking peninsula, relocated the plumbing and electrical systems, and re-framed a partial wall to conceal the laundry hookups. That single move opened a clear circulation path and gave the family the island workspace they’d been missing.
Next, new lighting circuits, GFCI outlets, and fresh drywall brought the kitchen fully up to code, ensuring safety and headroom for future appliance upgrades.
To flood the space with daylight, we installed two energy-efficient vinyl patio doors and layered in dimmable LEDs, so every corner now feels bright from sunrise through cleanup.
Finally, durable quartz counters, glazed ceramic tile, and high-efficiency fixtures cut weekly maintenance to a wipe-and-go routine, freeing weekends for family gatherings instead of upkeep.
Project Highlights
Seamless Flow – Island anchors food prep and conversation; no more bottlenecks at corners.
Low-Maintenance Surfaces – Non-porous quartz and glazed tile resist stains, making them ideal for busy families.
Storage Boost – Full-height pantry pull-outs flank the fridge; toe-kick drawers in the banquette capture every inch.
Ready to Re-Imagine Your Space?
✨ Envision pouring coffee in a light-filled kitchen that glides from breakfast rush to homework hangout and weekend potluck—no stress, just easy flow. Let’s bring that vision to life. Call 858-271-1005 to schedule your free in-home consultation today.
