San Clemente – Transitional Brown U-Shaped Kitchen Remodel with Custom Cabinets

The owners of a San Clemente home wanted to warm up the look of their abode with a woody kitchen renovation. APlus was called in to make it happen.

Before

Formerly, the kitchen had a very understated vibe. The flat design of the cabinets and their plain white finish made the space feel a bit generic. We were asked to incorporate higher quality materials and more radiant, earthy tones to help the room feel more cozy.

Restructuring

First, we removed all of the kitchen’s original build. The existing floors were left in place, as their golden light wood hue was complementary to the new design. Since the original U-shaped layout already made the most of the room’s available space, it was decided that we’d rebuild the cabinets in the same format. The new custom cabinets were built out of maple wood in a Euro-style construction, with 3” Shaker doors and 2 ½” Square crown moulding. We gave them a vibrant chestnut brown finish that enhances the appearance of the wood’s natural grain and gives the entire kitchen a more inviting ambiance. All of the drawers and doors were affixed with Dark Bronze ornamental handles.

Our goal was to not only improve the look of the kitchen, but its storage options as well. We incorporated multiple features, including built-in utensil compartments, pull-out tray shelves, vertical cutting board storage, and a trash drawer. For practicality purposes, an electrical outlet was installed in the cabinetry of the center island, making it easy for the homeowners to move and use their electrical countertop appliances

Mitered 1 1/2" edge Marmol Expert Sienna Beige granite countertops were put on all of the surfaces. Their neutral, subtle gray coloring goes well with the shimmering tile backsplash of the walls, which the owners installed themselves. Surrounded by the backsplash are the original glass window cut-outs. These unique elements add interesting illumination and a contemporary influence.

Appliances

To keep the transitional kitchen looking sleek and modern, the owner chose to go with stainless steel appliances, all from the Kenmore Elite collection. Against the back wall, a 25 cu. ft. Counter-Depth French Door Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator was built into the cabinet casing. Next to it is a 30" Convection Microwave-Hood Combination, set over a 30” Slide-In Gas Range. At the corner beneath the window is a large undermount sink with a tall curved faucet. It is set next to a 24'' Built-In Dishwasher.

Do you have a home in San Clemente or another part of Orange County? Are you interested in upgrading it with a professional renovation? APlus Kitchen and Bath provides expert remodeling services throughout the area. Our contractors would be happy to give you a free quote for your project. Contact us today!

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Coto De Caza – Traditional white U-shaped designed build kitchen remodel with APlus custom cabinets

In the illustrious neighborhood of Coto de Caza, the owners of a dated home wanted a renovation that would make their abode as effortlessly stylish as the locale. After researching the competition, they decided that APlus was the only team of contractors with the skills to execute it perfectly.

Before

Originally, the home’s design was very standard. There wasn’t much in the way of character, as most of the construction and materials were fairly basic. Our task was to change all of that by incorporating personalized style and functionality into every part of the renovated rooms.

Restructuring

The first step of building what the owners praise as their new “mastercraft” U-shaped kitchen was to remove everything - even much of the left outer wall. In the new open space, we installed a lengthy accordion glass door that opened up to the backyard pool deck. This created a refreshingly airy atmosphere by letting the natural light spill in, and also added the option of making the room an open-air kitchen.

Another brightening factor was the installation of recessed lighting and sleek hanging lamps with dimmer adjusters, enabling the owners to control the intensity of their illumination. The ceiling’s light fixtures draw attention to the thick Beaded Colonial crown moulding that tops the custom cabinets, which were built in a Euro-style construction out of maple wood, with Victorian doors, Glenmore Dark Bronze hardware and a Straight White finish. Many of the upper cabinets have built-in interior lighting, glass-panel door inserts and glass shelving. We also added lighting to the undersides of the upper cabinets, for extra visibility and a touch of cozy ambiance. The refrigerator was housed within the cabinetry for a more cohesive look. Storage perks include lazy-susans built into the corner shelves (which have folding doors), and vertical spice pulls. At the center of the kitchen, we built an island with the same stately moulding patterns found on the rest of the new construction.

All of the surfaces were topped with thick slabs of granite featuring mottled earth tones. Upon the back and right wall of the kitchen, we put in a natural stone tile backsplash to add to the warmth and complement both the countertops and the subtly rustic hardwood flooring.

Custom Hood

The star of the kitchen is the custom hood, which we designed and built ourselves. The process entailed carving the hood from raw wood materials, then sanding it smooth so that it could be coated with the white finish on the upper and lower sections, and a contrasting Manganese finish at the center. It features its own elegant moulding, as well as graceful corbels and interior lighting.

Appliances

The client chose all stainless steel appliances to add a modern touch to the otherwise fully traditional kitchen. There’s an Imperial Ventilator Insert within the custom hood, which rests above a KitchenAid Commercial Style Gas Cooktop. The KitchenAid Architect Series II Built-In Double Ovens, GE Monogram 1.1 Cu. Ft. Microwave Oven, and Sub-Zero 48” Built-In Side-by-Side Refrigerator with Internal Dispenser are clustered together on the kitchen’s right side. In the center island, a Rohl Shaws Original Single-Bowl Fireclay Apron Sink is set between a Bosch 24” Bar Handle Dishwasher and a GE Monogram Wine Reserve.

Living Room

The crown moulding of the kitchen was extended into and throughout the living room, which was given a section of bright white wall paneling with a built-in compartment to mount the large flat-screen TV.

Have you considered upgrading your home’s value and style through renovation? APlus contractors provides top of the line remodeling services in Coto de Caza and the rest of the Orange County area. Contact us today for a free quote!

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SANTA ANA - DESIGN BUILD WHITE TRANSITIONAL HOME & U-SHAPED KITCHEN REMODEL WITH APLUS CUSTOM CABINETS

The owners of an expansive Santa Ana house wanted to freshen it up with a new look, and contracted APlus to carry out the full-home renovation.

Before

Prior to our remodel, the home lacked a consistent style. The rest of the home was bright and airy, while the kitchen’s old oak cabinets and dark appliances only absorbed the room’s natural lighting. Additionally, the various storage options in the kitchen and other rooms were lacking. Our goal was to refine the home with a cohesive transitional design, and install custom cabinetry in key areas to make storage more practical and efficient.

Restructuring

In the kitchen, we sought to maximize the amount of workspace available, while introducing some options for casual seating. The airy U-shaped layout provides ample space for this. We first stripped everything down to the foundation and installed new materials. For the flooring, we went with beautiful hardwood planks from the Gemwoods California Classics collection, in Rancho Santa Fe Walnut. This flooring was extended throughout the rest of the home. Next, we built and put in Maple custom cabinets in a Euro-style construction, with Shaker doors, Sonora moulding, and a creamy white DE Swiss Coffee finish. This light new tone reflects the light coming from the ceiling and outdoors, making the entire room feel fresher. We gave the cabinets of the long kitchen island a sophisticated Espresso brown finish, and incorporated moulded posts to make room for 5 stools. On the right, beneath the large window, the main cabinetry was lowered to create a bright bench area.

A lot of texture is integrated through the use of a polka-dot wall backsplash, and speckled light gray granite countertops. These elements tie in well with the simple black hardware that accents the cabinet doors and drawers.

Appliances

Beneath the smaller of the kitchen’s windows, we placed a 33” Blanco Apron Front Farmhouse Fireclay Sink. Next to it is a 24” KitchenAid Undercounter Dishwasher. As the kitchen’s focal point, we installed a 36” KitchenAid Commercial Style Gas Cooktop beneath a 36” KitchenAid Wall-Mount Canopy Range Hood. A 30” KitchenAid Electric Built-In Microwave/Oven Combination and a 42” KitchenAid Bottom Mount Built-In Refrigerator are mounted amid the cabinetry side by side, giving the space a very streamlined look. The cabinetry of the center island also conveniently houses an appliance, the 24” U-Line Wine Captain Refrigerator.

Living Rooms

The home features 2 spacious living rooms. The first features a bar, where we refaced the cabinets in the same style as the kitchen. The bar looks out onto main living room area, which boasts a wide, handsome fireplace, refaced with Sparkstone Harbor Mist stone tiles, and set with RMQ Gold tiles from Thompson Design at the hearth. Formerly, overbearing shelves and cabinets here made up an imposing entertainment center, but we removed all of that to give the room a sleeker style and space to mount the large flat-screen TV above the mantle. A small cabinet compartment was built next to the hearth to supply a storage area. The other living room is set at the home’s entryway, in a sunken area at the foot of the stairs. It has a petite custom cabinet build below the TV. Next to that, we refaced the fireplace with the same stone tiling as that of the first living room’s fireplace.

Stairway

The stairs were updated with a contrasting balusters and rails. A glossy black finish on the hand rails pops against the white balusters, and enhances the sweeping curvature of the stairs and upper gallery.

Bathroom

The subdued guest bathroom had its cabinets refaced in the same style as that of the kitchen and living rooms. Its countertop is a beautiful gray stone with a mossy green tint, extended a few inches upward along the wall to create a subtle framing backsplash.

Laundry Room

We outfitted with laundry room with all new custom cabinets to make the most of the available space. They are trimmed with 2 ½” Square crown moulding. Next to the laundry machines is a 25” MontBlanc Wakefield Dual Mount Natural Stone Composite Sink, mounted on a light gray granite countertop.

Considering a renovation for your Santa Ana home? APlus contractors provides professional remodeling services for homes throughout Orange County. Get in touch with our team today for a free quote!

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