Before and After: 3 Bold Kitchens With Deep Blue Cabinets
See how pros, including two found on Houzz, transformed spaces with blue cabinets, bright tile and vintage touches
Painting your kitchen cabinets a dark color can feel like a risky move, but these three makeovers show just how rewarding — and varied — the results can be. All the kitchens serve up deep blue cabinets with white countertops and brass hardware, but pros gave each space its own distinct flavor with details like colorful tile, a vintage stove and a salvaged stained-glass window. Check out the before-and-after photos, then let us know in the Comments which kitchen best suits your taste.
“After” photos by Bret Gum Photography
After: Chasman took the kitchen down to the studs and removed the old beige tile to reveal and refinish the Douglas fir subfloor. She also worked with her contractor and builder to create a period-appropriate window above the fluted farmhouse sink, piecing together the original window casings with vintage sashes and installing a leaded-glass stationary panel in the middle.
New birch cabinets, built by a local cabinetmaker, have a custom charcoal-blue stain and feature a mix of vintage and reproduction brass hardware. White honed Carrara marble countertops and grayish-green trim around the windows and door frames pop against the dark backdrop.
The colors come together in the retro floral-patterned backsplash. It’s made of handcrafted 8-by-8-inch glazed ceramic tiles that extend to the ceiling.
A vintage step stool, Persian runner rug and colorful pottery collection displayed on open shelving add to the cheerful, eclectic look.
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After: Chasman took the kitchen down to the studs and removed the old beige tile to reveal and refinish the Douglas fir subfloor. She also worked with her contractor and builder to create a period-appropriate window above the fluted farmhouse sink, piecing together the original window casings with vintage sashes and installing a leaded-glass stationary panel in the middle.
New birch cabinets, built by a local cabinetmaker, have a custom charcoal-blue stain and feature a mix of vintage and reproduction brass hardware. White honed Carrara marble countertops and grayish-green trim around the windows and door frames pop against the dark backdrop.
The colors come together in the retro floral-patterned backsplash. It’s made of handcrafted 8-by-8-inch glazed ceramic tiles that extend to the ceiling.
A vintage step stool, Persian runner rug and colorful pottery collection displayed on open shelving add to the cheerful, eclectic look.
Shop for kitchen fixtures
Chasman rejiggered the inefficient layout as well. The refrigerator and stove moved to the sink wall, and the doorway to the living room was expanded by about 6 feet, which created room for an island with seating and storage. (Click the link at the bottom to see it.)
And the stove isn’t just any stove. It’s a 1940s white Wedgewood with four burners, griddle, two ovens and two broilers. Bought online for only $400, it’s among the room’s most charming retro features.
Flanking the custom hood surround are upper cabinets with vintage glass fronts with a green tint and chicken wire — another fun yet functional vintage touch.
Read more about this remodel
And the stove isn’t just any stove. It’s a 1940s white Wedgewood with four burners, griddle, two ovens and two broilers. Bought online for only $400, it’s among the room’s most charming retro features.
Flanking the custom hood surround are upper cabinets with vintage glass fronts with a green tint and chicken wire — another fun yet functional vintage touch.
Read more about this remodel
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2. Salvaged Stained Glass and a Funky Federal Feel
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple, their young daughter and the family dog
Location: Prospect Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York
Size: 300 square feet (28 square meters)
Designers: Architect Ben Herzog and project manager-designer Ilva Skaraine of Ben Herzog Architect
Contractor: Ryszard & Son Construction
Before: In its previous life, this room was a home office and the kitchen was one floor above it. And in the 1880s, when the four-story Brooklyn townhouse was built, it was most likely a sitting room. Hence the intricate crown molding, fireplace and tall windows.
The homeowners were eager to update the home but honor its architecture and original details, so they hired architect Ben Herzog and his team, who have extensive experience renovating similarly stately and historic apartments and townhouses. They all agreed that the kitchen should occupy this room and its prime first-floor location overlooking the backyard.
Not sure where to start on your home project? Learn the basics
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple, their young daughter and the family dog
Location: Prospect Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York
Size: 300 square feet (28 square meters)
Designers: Architect Ben Herzog and project manager-designer Ilva Skaraine of Ben Herzog Architect
Contractor: Ryszard & Son Construction
Before: In its previous life, this room was a home office and the kitchen was one floor above it. And in the 1880s, when the four-story Brooklyn townhouse was built, it was most likely a sitting room. Hence the intricate crown molding, fireplace and tall windows.
The homeowners were eager to update the home but honor its architecture and original details, so they hired architect Ben Herzog and his team, who have extensive experience renovating similarly stately and historic apartments and townhouses. They all agreed that the kitchen should occupy this room and its prime first-floor location overlooking the backyard.
Not sure where to start on your home project? Learn the basics
“After” photos by Brett Beyer
After: Project manager-designer Ilva Skaraine designed the new kitchen with Federal style as the aesthetic foundation, then added eclectic elements that spoke to the owners’ quirky and adventurous tastes.
One such element is the stained-glass transom window above the new double doors, which access a deck with steps to the backyard. The design team reclaimed the former church window from an architectural salvage yard, then built the arch to fit it.
They replaced one of the original windows with those double doors and another with a window over the sink, matching the casings to the existing plaster casings. Meanwhile, the original 3D molding was carefully preserved and repaired by a specialist where it was crumbling.
The new custom cabinetry, which forms an L shape around a large island, stops short of the ceiling to preserve the molding too. The upper cabinets are topped in unstained white oak with a custom brass rail. Coordinating brass pulls pop against the cabinets, which are painted in Benjamin Moore’s Midnight Navy.
After: Project manager-designer Ilva Skaraine designed the new kitchen with Federal style as the aesthetic foundation, then added eclectic elements that spoke to the owners’ quirky and adventurous tastes.
One such element is the stained-glass transom window above the new double doors, which access a deck with steps to the backyard. The design team reclaimed the former church window from an architectural salvage yard, then built the arch to fit it.
They replaced one of the original windows with those double doors and another with a window over the sink, matching the casings to the existing plaster casings. Meanwhile, the original 3D molding was carefully preserved and repaired by a specialist where it was crumbling.
The new custom cabinetry, which forms an L shape around a large island, stops short of the ceiling to preserve the molding too. The upper cabinets are topped in unstained white oak with a custom brass rail. Coordinating brass pulls pop against the cabinets, which are painted in Benjamin Moore’s Midnight Navy.
The hue was matched to the blue in the peppy hand-glazed Moroccan terra-cotta tile backsplash, which adds levity to the room’s traditional elements. The white in the tile pattern coordinates with the quartzite countertops and the stained-glass window ties in with the tile’s yellow.
A 36-inch Wolf range replaced the former sitting room’s fireplace, which you can just see in the “before” photo. The chimney remained, again to preserve the moldings, and was repurposed for running plumbing and electrical lines. And don’t worry, they preserved the beautiful original mantel too — they just moved it to the garden level. Coincidentally, that’s probably where the original kitchen lived, bringing the renovation story full circle (sort of!).
Read more about this remodel
A 36-inch Wolf range replaced the former sitting room’s fireplace, which you can just see in the “before” photo. The chimney remained, again to preserve the moldings, and was repurposed for running plumbing and electrical lines. And don’t worry, they preserved the beautiful original mantel too — they just moved it to the garden level. Coincidentally, that’s probably where the original kitchen lived, bringing the renovation story full circle (sort of!).
Read more about this remodel
3. A Twist on Traditional With Fish Scale Tiles
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of three
Location: Vinings neighborhood of Atlanta
Size: 163 square feet (15 square meters)
Designer: Rosa Moreno
Before: A young couple’s all-white kitchen was giving them the blues, so they searched Houzz and found kitchen designer Rosa Moreno.
The brief: Preserve the layout and recently refinished floors; lose the useless soffits; and add blue cabinets, a seating area and plenty of personality.
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A family of three
Location: Vinings neighborhood of Atlanta
Size: 163 square feet (15 square meters)
Designer: Rosa Moreno
Before: A young couple’s all-white kitchen was giving them the blues, so they searched Houzz and found kitchen designer Rosa Moreno.
The brief: Preserve the layout and recently refinished floors; lose the useless soffits; and add blue cabinets, a seating area and plenty of personality.
“After” photos by Karen Calver Photography
After: Simply removing the soffits, which served no purpose, made the ceiling look and feel much higher.
The new cabinets, from Cabico Custom Cabinetry in a blue finish called Bonavista, extend all the way to the ceiling. They have a crown molding detail at the top and traditional-style pulls. The counters are quartz with subtle blue veining that complements the color of the cabinetry. A textured white subway tile backsplash keeps the kitchen bright and crisp, yet still has personality despite being a neutral choice.
The layout remained the same, but Moreno extended the counter on the peninsula to create the seating area desired by the homeowner, who found the woven leather counter stools and beer garden table herself. She also found the white vent hood above the range, which replaced the separate cooktop and wall oven.
After: Simply removing the soffits, which served no purpose, made the ceiling look and feel much higher.
The new cabinets, from Cabico Custom Cabinetry in a blue finish called Bonavista, extend all the way to the ceiling. They have a crown molding detail at the top and traditional-style pulls. The counters are quartz with subtle blue veining that complements the color of the cabinetry. A textured white subway tile backsplash keeps the kitchen bright and crisp, yet still has personality despite being a neutral choice.
The layout remained the same, but Moreno extended the counter on the peninsula to create the seating area desired by the homeowner, who found the woven leather counter stools and beer garden table herself. She also found the white vent hood above the range, which replaced the separate cooktop and wall oven.
The counter stools, table and caged brass sconces beside the hood add patina, but Moreno saved the bar area next to the refrigerator to go a little wild.
The owners loved fish scale mosaic tiles and zebra wood for a countertop material, but Moreno thought using them throughout the kitchen might have been too busy. Here they make grabbing a cup of coffee or making a cocktail feel extra energizing.
Read more about this remodel
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The owners loved fish scale mosaic tiles and zebra wood for a countertop material, but Moreno thought using them throughout the kitchen might have been too busy. Here they make grabbing a cup of coffee or making a cocktail feel extra energizing.
Read more about this remodel
More on Houzz
Read more kitchen stories
Browse kitchen photos
Hire a kitchen remodeler
Shop for kitchen products
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their two kids
Location: Alhambra, California
Size: 182 square feet (17 square meters)
Designer: Julia Chasman Design
Before: This galley kitchen in a 1925 Spanish-style house had some great classic details.
But the owner grew up in the house (that’s her dad, from whom she bought it, in the photo), and she was ready to replace the worn oak cabinets and basic finishes with something that better reflected her own colorful, eclectic style.
Plus, there was too little storage space, and a narrow doorway separated the kitchen and living room with a refrigerator right beside it, impeding flow.
So she looked for design ideas on Houzz, where she found and hired designer Julia Chasman.
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