Blows my socks off! How you reused your cabs and granite, but completely changed the cabs to inset--amazing!! Love your lanterns, the creative window surrounds, and message board! Pour yourself a glass of wine, kick back, and ENJOY!!

I even liked the 'before'! But the after is totally amazing! Those new cabs are absolutely gorgeous! Love the island counter! Great job :).

It looks amazing. What a great look. I now have another inspiration GW white kitchen to drool over.

PS - Can I borrow your carpenter? ;)

An exemplary facelift! I love the cool crispness of the white and grey with the warmth of the granite and wood. Really excellent.

You need to move out so I can move in. I want your kitchen! You did a beautiful job with so much thought on reusing. I couldn't imagine your space any other way than what you have done. So light, white, yummy, and cheery!

OK, if I can't move in then at least let me have your island top! I'm going to have to check out that company from which you purchased it. I'm strongly considering a wood island top also.

You did something I've almost been afraid to ask. I may wish to reuse my countertops (soapstone) but change out the cabinets at some point. How did the de-install of the granite go--is this easy to do or tough? Thanks.

Simply Gorgeous!!

You won the carpenter lottery! Everything looks terrific. Congratulations.

Very impressive transformation!

Gee, thanks again everyone.

marita40, Just so you know the cabs were never removed -- he put the face frame over my existing frame while the cabinets were in place. There was no Demo of any cabinet -- he constructed frames to go over all the cabinets, top and bottom. While the existing cabinets were not perfect, the boxes were in good shape and he was able to use them. I got quotes on removing and reinsalling the granite here in LI (where everyting is an arm and a leg) and everyone said it was a 50-50 chance of them breaking. It was costly (3k) plus to do switch out and if they did break it, add at least 7k for new countertops. Luckily, my overhang could accomodate the new face frame (which was only slightly wider than the overlay doors). My carpenter said this approach of making new face frames only works if the cabinets boxes are in decent shape internally, and mine were. But this approach worked better then just putting on new doors as he was able to make everything hang perfect and plum. It was a long, tedious process, all the measuring etc. My carpenter John really is very smart and extremely patient; he takes great pride in his work -- most people wouldn't have attempted this job when the eaiser way to go is to rip out and start from scrach. We are really lucky to have worked with him.

here is a picture of how it started:

Absolutely beautiful. Your thoughts and your carpenters talent make a great team!

What an amazing transformation. Love all the details: lighting, message board, hardware, and OH MY what an island. Great job. John is a true artist.

Genius! Out of the box thinking! When I first saw the pictures and before I read the text, I had to roll up to look at your title again- "facelift-huh? She's got a whole new kitchen"! Who thought of the face frame idea? I love that it gives you a little more room in the cabinets also. The carpentry details are wonderful. Where are you regionally? I am thinking that others may want John working on their kitchens also.

I love the details of the feet, the corbels, the columns, the window trim, the message board. Thank you for sharing this!

Wow, genius! I'd love to find such a talented carpenter.

You and your carpenter are a brilliant team! Love all the attention to detail- brackets, "furniture feet", the message center, etc - but the over-all transformation of your kitchen steals the show. Well done!

Scappy25 -- hi, we are in Western Suffolk County, NY (that's Long Island). John Dicapua goes anywhere in LI. I don't know if I can post his full info here (don't know if Gardenweb permits it?). It was his idea to do the face frames -- we were brainstorming and he came up with that idea, he had not done it before.
The feet, brackets, Island columns, message center ideas I picked up looking here, in the kitchen forum, Houzz, and other kitchen mags. The Window molding treatment was my idea, but we worked on the design together. John had some reservations about some of my ideas (he told me post job!), but he was more than happy to try and make them work. It was one of his more creative and out of the box projects and he really liked that.

Breezy -- Hi sorry I did not answer you sooner about the wood top -- just so you know, it comes unfinshed, and you need to cut, sand and varnish it yourself (but big savings 900 delivered vs. 3000 finished at other sites).

Absolutely beautiful transformation! I love your choices, your creativity in recycling, and the obvious joy you have for this kitchen! Thanks for sharing yours and your carpenters 'tricks' - very helpful information.

I especially love your message center. Thanks for the input on how to do it, as I just might copy that! I also love the wood counter top. Stunning transformation!

Enjoy it so much!

domesticah, your kitchen is gorgeous and I love the way your cabinet maker salvaged your old cabinets. When you open the doors, can you tell they were refaced? Especially at the top where it was space before?

Domesticah~

Hi.
I am so impressed! Wow, good for you!
What a light, bright & airy kitchen you've achieved.
My personal favorites: the addition of brackets & island top
Enjoy it.

Katie

You kitchen is so Inspiring!!! Beautiful job...enjoy!

Incredibly beautiful job--kudos to your carpenter. Congratulations.

All I can say is, "Wow!"

Absolutely gorgeous!

It looks great!! Congratulations!!

Wow, I love your kitchen. I always thought it was possible to do something like this to cabinets but had never seen it done. Your carpenter did an awesome job!!!

Facelift?? My word, that looks like a brand new kitchen! The creativity and artistry is amazing! Your carpenter is a genius! I am blown away!

I love all your pendants--especially the melon jar pendant by the door! The message center is perfect with your space, and that wood top? *Swoooon*

Amazing "facelift"! Congratulations and ENJOY!

Oh my, so beautiful. Love the wall color...it's such a soothing space! What is that backsplash? It's really lovely. Congrats!

WOW! This looks like an entirely new kitchen. Its hard to believe anything was saved because no aspect looks anything like the previous kitchen. I love the island legs and top, the window moldings, and the detail work. absolutely stunning!

At this point there's not a single original comment I could make, so I'll just echo every single thing that's been said about your spectacular kitchen make-over. Wow!

thanks for telling us your location- sadly, too far from me! I've seen referrals posted here but it would probably be better if you had your email settings enabled so that gardenwebbers could email you. I am sure you will be getting inquiries.

Can I ask the painting process/details for the cabinets also? They must have been site finished and the finish looks flawless.
thank you!

Hi, Thanks again for all the nice comments. I will try and post a pic of the cabinet open, but yes -- you can tell when the cabinets are open that something is afoot (I did not paint the inside, just the face frames of the old and new Cabs). But I am able to live with that. The Painter painted them on site, they were brush painted and the paint was Fine Paints of Europe (color was Ben. Moore "Simply White"). Painting was quite a process -- all the sanding and prep work. In the end, they look like the other the built-ins in my house (all brush painted). Thanks : )

WOW!!!!!!! Amazing transformation on a great budget! Looks like you spent so much more! Kudos to your carpenter. He definitely worked some serious magic in your kitchen. Congrats!

Awesome transformation and the way that you accomplished it is just amazing.

I also would love to see the cabinet doors open down by the stove (the ones you show in the picture during the carpentry process).

I am in Easter Nassau (Massapequa), so will save your carpenter's name. You should make sure to post a review on Angie's List if you are happy with his work. Because of all the bad apples out there, we consumers should share the good ones' info. He deserves it....

I love how your kitchen came out and think it is quite lovely. Your pre-reno kitchen was nicer than most that I see IRL, yet the finished kitchen is even better with how cool, crisp and pretty it is. It reminds me of floating on a cloud... Very dreamy....

Oh my, what a transformation....it is hard to believe it is the same kitchen....and you certainly did find a good carpenter~~

Your kitchen was one saved in my favorites for your backsplash...nice, clean and simple~~ Great job!

Wow! I love your new kitchen! It is beautiful. I especially love your pendant lights; where did you get them?

Also, if you have a minute, could you please post the dimensions of your island?

Thank you and enjoy that wonderful space.

Amazing, absolutely amazing!! You must be so happy! I can't get over how your granite looks completely different with the white cabs than with the oak...really stunning.

I first started out with loving white kitchens, then got bored with them (we are planning a new build with our first ever house!) I collected loads of white kitchen pics.

Now, I'm into the darker mode.

Now, I'm swinging BACK to white. Good thing nothing has been bought/built yet ;)

Amazing transformation. You even made your backsplash look new...I had to study carefully to be able to tell it was the original.

I wonder if John would like to visit Alaska ;)

Yes...I second the suggestion to list him on Angie's List and any other contractor list out there. Great carpenters are a rare find - especially ones that will actually listen to you!

Thanks!

Hi,
I purchased the lights at Elements in Carle Place, NY; they are by Art Craft (apothocary collection)

My Island is 36x70.

The Tile I got at Cancos -- it is a simple "wave" textured tile.

I will post pics of the inside of the cabinets soon...

My Carpenter John Dicapua's number is 516-770-3679 for those of you in NY. He also did all the molding, wainscotting and fireplace surrounds in my house as well as completely rebuilding our side porch from the ground up. He is a talented, hardworking and trustworthy individual (a rare find). I will have to join angie's list as I am not a member.

Everything is beautiful but I do especially love the message board. Can't believe you put that together yourself. It looks fantastic (as does the entire kitchen.) Great job! SQ

Domesticah! What a great renovation! You have inspired so many! And, your carpenter can suggest this concept to other renovators! I am considering the Craft Art butcher block in my kitchen. When you order the walnut block, do you get to stain it or just oil it? Or does oiling it bring out the natural color. Our island will be a bit larger in length than yours and I am HOPING to design the dimensions of the island so that we don't have to do any cutting or trimming? What do you think?

So glad you are done and now enjoying your new kitchen!

WOW - your kitchen is really pretty! That's so amazing that he was able to take regular cabinets and make them extend to the ceiling! Even with the second picture showing it in progress, I am still confused how he really did it, but it doesn't matter. I like the island top, too. I just realized I could incorporate one feature you have - there is a great towel bar on the end of your island. I won't have an island, but I do have a base end cabinet near the cooktop on my sink run that would be a great spot for a towel bar. Thank you for the idea!

WOW!
and that island...speechless :)

This is very inspiring! It could not have turned out any better. So cool you were able to save the cabinet frames, granite, and BS. When I first saw the granite in the before pics, I was wondering why someone would rip that out.

Applause to you and your contractor!

I was thinking of how great the "old" kitchen looked and how I would love to have that in my house and then I saw the new kitchen! WOW that is just amazing, love everything about it, looks brand new! Congratulations!

Wow! What an amazing transformation! I LOVE everything you've done. Brilliant cabinets, gorgeous island. Love the message board!

I meant to post on this yesterday, domesticah -- how lovely! I liked your old kitchen very much, but the new one is just breathtaking, especially knowing what was involved. It's particularly attractive with all the summer greenery at the doorway and windows. Just beautiful.

Becky

Wow! Just beautiful. But don't give out John's phone number until he's finished at your house ;)

Your various sizes of white tiles, the bordering, and the angles make for an excellent counterpoint to the other features (and I suspect an affordable one). In conjunction with the other big-picture items in the decor, it adds one more consistent feature which defines areas and adds texture and probably a little sparkle without shouting. Impressive thinking! More is more in this case.

Beautiful! How fresh and serene. Congratulations!

Domesticah, congratulations on a truly inspiring makeover. It's a beautiful kitchen, and genuinely "green," which is something so very few even try for, much less achieve. I was going to say how much I liked your choice for your new backsplash, when I realized that sparkle is just more of the magic you worked with what you started with. Very, very nice.