Kitchen Remodel Reveal
It’s time for our long-awaited Kitchen Remodel Reveal! From Handan’s initial design in the spring to an all-summer build, it’s been one hell of a ride, but it’s finally finished, and we couldn’t be happier with how it turned out!
I remember the first recipe that I created myself. I didn’t read it from a book or from one of the stained and annotated recipe cards my mom kept in a green metal box by the sink.
The recipe formed somewhere in the murky depths of my pre-teen brain. It was the culmination of years of tasting this and smelling that and putting all those flavors and aromas into a mental file that would someday form the foundation of culinary skill.
The dish I made – and I remember the morning clearly, though I was only about 11 years old – was a masterful fusion of country and cuisine.
It was breakfast time before school – I had to have been in 6th or 7th grade – and I was bored to tears over the same-old same-old cereal. If I had to look at another Cheerio, I swear I’d hurl. I was so sick of those soggy little rings! Grody to the max!
I had already ventured into peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, but even those lost their allure after a time.
Ditto, peanut butter and Fluff, aka The Fluffernutter. By the way, if you’re not from the Northeast, you have no idea what you’ve missed out on your whole life. Go online and buy some from the company – you won’t be disappointed! When I lived in San Francisco, I ordered a case, so I could make Fluffernutters for all of my California friends. Most were thrilled, but it being California, there were some freaks who didn’t like it. Some people are just beyond help.
Anyway, it was morning, I was hungry, and I wanted no part of cereal or sandwiches.
But what about eggs? You may be thinking.
To which I say, kudos, madam! You’re on the right track!
Because the thing I wanted – the thing that had apparently been percolating in my subconscious, the thing I created when the notion leaped into my brain, fully-formed like Athena from the brow of Zeus – was a pepperoni pizza omelette.
That was the day I took my first step on the long and tasty path to becoming the world-famous chef I am today.
[Bahahahaha! Yeah right, my babes! – Handan]
Okay, okay, fine! So I’m not world famous.
Yet.
But I am renowned in every room of this house!
[Maybe. -Handan]
Anyway, throughout all the years between that pepperoni pizza omelette and today, I had a dream that someday I’d get to cook in a big fancy kitchen. A kitchen like you’d see in one of those fancy magazines that write articles about Perfect People.
I had a dream, but I didn’t have a plan.
Until Handan came into my life.
She made me a promise 7 years ago.
She promised me that one day, I’d have the kitchen of my dreams.
Now, my babes has made me several “big” promises like that.
And you want to know something?
She’s made good on all of them.
I’m so happy and so proud to present to you my new kitchen, a dream designed and given life by my babes and a small group of skilled and dedicated cabinet designers, contractors and craftsmen.
Debbie Caballero from Home Depot translated Handan’s original design into a gorgeous KraftMaid dream. She was a joy to work with, and she helped us out without question (as did KraftMaid) when we ran into a few small problems along the way.
San Tang installed the cabinets and lights with artistic precision. That one man can do so much so perfectly just astounds me. I am in awe of his skill.
Our stone was cut and installed by AA Marble & Granite, a company that does their stonework with passion and finesse.
Tony Noutash and his crew from Atlanta Custom Finishes did a flawless job installing our backsplash tile.
Ladies and Gentlemen, our Kitchen Remodel Reveal…
Let’s start with the breakfast nook. Here’s how it looked when we moved in.
And here it is now.
We bought the Pier One table and chair set in early spring when Handan was still living in the studio apartment in Atlanta. She found it on Facebook Marketplace for $500, including an outdoor umbrella. What a steal!
In our recent DIY Floating Shelves post, you saw the dog-feeding station that we built from a standard bathroom vanity from Lowe’s.
In a future post, I’ll explain how we did it and show you how to turn the attached top panel into a functional drawer.
Okay, enough potato, let’s get to the meat!
Old kitchen:
New kitchen:
Then…
And now…
Old:
New:
Okay, enough of the before and afters. Let’s carry on with the afters! And more specifically, let’s focus in on that beautiful 48-inch range!
This range is a dream to cook on. ZLINE has managed to build a dual fuel range of exceptional quality with all the features of a Sub-Zero or a Wolf or a Viking for one third the price. I look forward to years of good cooking with this thing!
I absolutely love the look of the range and hood against the backsplash tile! My babes did a great job picking that. Come to think of it…she did a great job with the whole kitchen remodel!
I’m keeping all my pots and pans in those 4 big middle and lower drawers. I’ve filled the two upper drawers with spices. I made some drawer dividers from scrap wood to keep things neat.
The two cabinets flanking the range have appliance garages at their bases. These things are fantastic!
Moving across to the island…
The farmhouse sink looks perfect against the Rocky Mountain Sky island cabinets.
To keep myself from destroying that beautiful fireclay, we bought a sink grid for the basin.
And that quartzite island! Oh, we just can’t get enough of it! (Hmmmm…what’s that area in the background?? Guess we’ll have to wait and see!)
That is one enormous piece of rock – actually it’s two pieces. At 12′ 3″ long, this island is bigger than any one slab of stone you’ll find in any of the rock shops.
Have I mentioned how much we love these pendant lights? The kitchen is such a huge expanse, and this light curtain really helps break up the empty space.
We have a small seating area for two – perfect for Baris and Handan to sit and keep me company while I cook! By the way, those stools were bought for the bar-height island in our old house. They were much too tall for this new counter-height island, but I came up with a perfect solution to make them smaller. You can find that post here!
I love the new faucet – I can turn it on and off with a simple touch.
Here it is in action!
Next to the sink, I have a slide-out garbage can on the left.
And a slide-out cutting board/tray holder to the right of the dishwasher.
Moving over to the perimeter cabinets…
This is the coffee station. It gets used about 5 times a day!
The drawer microwave is so cool! I had no idea these things existed before Handan put one in her design!
This is the corner cabinet above the stand mixer. The rotating shelf is just awesome!
In the lower cabinet, Handan found a great solution for the blind corner dead space.
I love the two-tiered cutlery drawer.
This is the command center next to the fridge. We keep all of our vitamins in the upper cabinet.
My bar – formerly the buffet in our old dining room.
Back to the range…
You may be wondering what’s hanging from the hood. He’s my culinary mascot – we bought him in Cape Cod during our honeymoon.
Penny and Pepper love the new kitchen too!
Caught in the act!
Here’s the shot I was taking above.
Here are some night shots. I installed dimmer switches for the ceiling lights and the pendants. Makes a huge difference at night!
Okay, that’s it for the “official” photos. If you’d like to see some pics of the first meal I cooked in the fully-finished kitchen, please click Next to carry on to page 2.
WOW! That Really IS a Dream Kitchen! It looks like you & Handan have thought of Everything. I love all of the organization ideas. You will enjoy every meal cooked in that kitchen!
It really is, Jane! We can’t take our eyes off it! 🙂
Beautiful kitchen, such great organizational ideas. Do you two want to come and do mine?
🙂
LOL, hire San to do it! We’d mess it up! 😀
Beautiful kitchen!
Oh, yes! The recipe, please. I’m 60 & so tired of cooking the same old things for dinner, & I only enjoy cooking multi-ingredient & multi-step recipes on occasion. Yours looks very doable.
You got it! I’ve gotten enough comments, so I’ll be making it next weekend and posting it the week after!
Wonderful Kitchen.
I really want that recipe. please post it and future recipes too.
Thanks
You got it, Angelika! I’ll be making it next weekend! 🙂
Beautiful!
Thanks, Rev! 🙂
really professional pics- lovely clean bright images!
What is that stuff that looks like clay that you are pouring into the the ‘bake’?
Thank you, Sue! I will have that recipe out next week! 🙂
Your kitchen is wonderful! It is definitely a dream kitchen. And please post the recipe. I’m taking care of my 96-year-old mom and she needs new things to try! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Lynn! I will start posting simple and delicious recipes now that the kitchen is finished!
Please post the recipe! It looks yummy! And I LOVE your new kitchen.
Thank you, Sheri – will do! 🙂
Your kitchen looks gorgeous and amazing in every way! Congrats on a beautiful kitchen creation and layout – you and Handan did a fabulous job!
Thank you so much, Gail! 🙂
Gorgeous kitchen! “Great job!” to both of you and all of the craftsmen.
Yes, recipe, please!
Thank you, Cynthia! Recipe coming next week! 🙂
Love, Love the kitchen. Great Job!!! Would love to have the recipe. Looks yummy!!!
It’s beyond yummy, Debbie! Look for the recipe next week! 🙂
That is an almighty kitchen! Beautiful and every space so well thought out. Dream kitchen for sure. Envy the stove especially and all that glorious storage. Would LOVE to have the recipe. Please share. I love to cook and am always tweaking recipes – some turn out great – others, not so much. Many blessings to you as your continue to make this house your unique home.
Thank you so much, Dorothy! I’m convinced! I’ll share the recipe next week after making it (and photographing it) next weekend!
Omg, y’all have a GORGEOUS kitchen now!!! Great job designing everything, particularly all the little details!
Please post the recipe! Also seeing those photos just taught me that cutting cooked chicken is something I should be doing. And also I need salt/pepper cellars because they’re so cute & handy. And ALSO how on earth do you get chicken to brown so beautifully while cooking covered?! Mine always come out fully cooked but looking like my legs…in need of a tan. Lol
Wonderful job on the kitchen!! You guys are so fun to follow. 🙂
Thank you so much, Kas! Okay the secret to browning chicken with a lid is high heat, fat and time. Can’t make good chicken without a little oil, so don’t be shy. Make sure the heat is on high and the oil is just about to smoke, then put your breasts in. Cover and wait. No need to keep flipping. Until you get the hang of how hot your pan is and how much time you’ll need with your stove/pan combo, you can take a peek underneath every once in a while, but other than that, just leave them alone. Then flip and do the same. If you want to cut the chicken, when it’s cooked is the time to do it. You can then keep the cubes in the pan and stir them around to get them browned as well.
Wowza! Your new kitchen is da bomb. So so gorgeous! So happy for you guys, though that stove, spice drawer, and island are making me drool with envy (but in a good way). I would love to have all that space. Enjoy creating culinary delights in it for many years to come.
It IS da bomb, Laurie! It makes me feel like a real chef! 🙂
That kitchen is most definitely the “heart” of the home! WOWzer!! Looking forward to “thee recipe!” WAY!! franki
Thanks, Franki! It’s coming up next week! 🙂
Your home is gorgeous and the kitchen is just so beautiful and functional. Enjoy it I am sure you will make more great memories in your home. Talking about Fluff. I used to make fluff fudge for our family so many years ago at least 40 and the kids and my nephew just loved it they still talk about it. Thanks for giving me a sweet memory.
Thanks, Bunny! It really is great stuff – but totally unknown outside the Northeast! I also remember Fluff fudge – yum! 🙂
I’ve been waiting on the reveal and it was worth the wait! It is beautiful and looks so functional. One very lucky man to get to cook in it! Congrats on a great layout and finish.
Thank you, Sara – I’m the luckiest guy ever to get to cook in this kitchen!
Your kitchen is absolutely gorgeous! I am jealous (in a good way). Love it! And I also love the idea of cutting chicken with scissors! Simple yet efficient.
Thank you, Pam! Yep, I learned that technique from my mom years ago!
WOW … you thought of everything! Simply stunning!!!
Just went back to look for your recipe … I would love it if you would share it with us! Thanks
STUNNING!!! What a showplace!!
Thank you, Jan! 🙂
You made “Chicken deJan”…….I mean…… your personal version of Chicken Divan! (Chicken deGreg?) Yes, I would love to have the recipe for your version. The kitchen is beautiful and I am hoping you will continue to give us all feedback on the KLine Range. It looks AWESOME! Congratulations on a dream come true and Happy Cooking!
Wow, I never knew what Chicken Divan was until looking it up just now. I suppose you could say that Chicken deGreg is a version of Divan, but with some very tasty additions! 😀
Stunning kitchen!! Recipe please it looks so good 🙂
Thank you, Laurie – recipe coming up!
Greg and Handan,
Your kitchen is heavenly! I love the pullout microwave and the lower cabinet with the dead space solution. I have one of those, dead space, that is. You obviously did a lot of research before beginning this journey, and it certainly shows. You are both amazing. I like your blog soooooo much. I really, really, I mean really, want the recipe for the chicken broccoli casserole. I can’t wait to see what is next.
Thank you so much, Marian! Kudos to Handan for the research – it’s how she approaches every project and everything in life. She is the polar opposite of me. If this kitchen were left to me to design, it’d be a hot smoking mess. I guess that’s why we make a great team – our strengths and weaknesses rarely overlap! 🙂
Absolutely gorgeous kitchen!! Just yummy. Now for that recipe – it looks SO GOOD. Happy for y’all. Wishing you blessings and joy from here in Texas.
Thank you so much, Linda! Recipe coming soon! 🙂
Greg & Handan,
I absolutely love your kitchen reveal, worth the wait! Beautiful pics of every part of it too! I want that gorgeous range, I love to cook as well. I’ll be watching for that recipe, it looks delicious. Congrats on your beautiful kitchen!
Hi Michele, it was so definitely worth the wait (though I thought at times it would never finish)! Recipe coming up next week! 🙂
Awesme job!!! Got my 30″ zline gas range last month – love it!!
Thank you, Ann! Let’s hear it for ZLINE! What a great piece of equipment for the price!
Oh, My Lanta!! That is an amazing kitchen, Greg! Good job, to both of you! I LOVE the triple light fixture over the island!! What an incredible place to create!!! Yes, that recipe would be nice to have!! Yum! (I mean, who doesn’t love chicken, broccoli, and cheese with a delicious (unidentifiable) sauce!!) Excellent!
Thanks, Terra! The best part about that triple light is how cheap they are! Those 5-light pendants costs as much as many single-light pendants we looked at. There are deals out there – you just gotta sniff ’em out! Mystery sauce recipe coming soon!
Wow, I expected your kitchen to be fabulous and I was right! Nice job!
Thank you so much, Patti!
Everything is well planned, a super job! Hats off to both of you! Share your recipe!
deborah h.
Thank you , Deborah – Handan is a super planner! Recipe coming soon!
Fantastic kitchen. Really wonderful job!
Thank you, Gayle! 🙂
This is totally incredible!!! Every last inch in that kitchen is beautiful! You guys did an awesome job!!!
Thank you so much, Diana! It really is! All credit to Handan – it’s her design. I just stand in there and look pretty! :D:D:D
Your kitchen is a dream come true! It is spectacular! Glad you are going to share he recipe with us. Thank you in advance. Nancy
Thank you, Nancy! Oh yes, I’ll be sharing it next week! 🙂
I’m totally gobsmacked… it’s an awesome kitchen and that range is to die for…
You and me both, Kathie! My jaw dropped when San, Carlos and Manuel finished the stove area!
I actually moaned when I saw your island countertop. Prettiest I’ve ever seen. The blue on your island is perfect. Nice job all around! Do you like your pot filler? I came so close to putting one in my kitchen and I think I’m sorry I didn’t.
We feel the same way about our island – the quartzite we picked is just incredible to look at! I love the pot filler, though I’ve only used it twice. It’s something that I didn’t ask for. I thought it was an unnecessary luxury, but Handan included in her design on the sly. Now that I have it, I’m glad I do. Yes, it’s a luxury, but even when I’m not using it, I think it looks great just sitting there! 🙂
THAT’S what that is! LOL I’ve never heard of it before, but now I want one!
I know, right? It’s that little thing you never knew you wanted until you saw it! 😀
Of course we want the casserole recipe! It looks awesome as does your kitchen. I think I need to figure out if one of those shelves for the blind corner cabinet will work in my kitchen. I’m too old to be getting on the floor to dig things out of that cabinet.
Recipe coming up next week! You’ll love that blind corner shelf if you get it. No more crawling around!
Just as gorgeous as I expected! Perfection in every way! Keep those recipes coming too, we are all tired of eating the same old things, especially this year! I feel like Private Benjamin, I want to dress up and go out to lunch…or dinner! At least y’all will have good memories from 2020!
Thank you, Anne! Okay, recipe coming up next week, and I’m going to start posting them regularly from now on. I have a ton of quick, easy and really tasty meals (and other things)!
Wow!!! That is gorgeous! The Persian rug is a lovely touch! Don’t think I’ll risk mine in the kitchen. You are going to have a marvelous time in your new home! So very well done!
Thank you, Derry! The rug is totally flat pile – actually no pile. The pattern is screen-printed on, so the rug is perfect for high-traffic areas, and it’s polyester, so it’s easy to spot-clean. Comfortable to walk on, the dogs love it and the best part is it’s only about $83! We bought a spare in case this one gets ruined. 🙂
I love the colour of your island. I am so envious of all those drawers and storage! Truly a dream kitchen! I would love your recipe. I’m always up to trying new meals! Enjoy your new home! ❤️
Thanks, Giselle! Oh, yeah, so much storage! Recipe coming next week! 🙂
Beautiful kitchen. My setup is very similar to yours! I was looking over your list of items and you didn’t mention the rug. (Or did I miss it?) That is the one thing that caught my eye throughout the tour. Any idea where you got it? I need a large rug or runner along the length of our 10 foot island. I am a messy cook..haha! Enjoy it all!
Thank you, Colleen! The rug is in the list – look for Vintage Medallion Area Rug. It’s a beautiful screen-printed rug, and it’s only $83!
I love everything about your kitchen, great job to both of you. I look forward to the casserole recipe and demo next week.
Thank you, Debbie!
Wow! The kitchen was worth the wait! What a beautiful space…from Handan’s design and space saving finds to the gorgeous pieces and all the special finishing touches…a dream come true. 🙂
That recipe looks nice and easy…I suspect the secret is in that soupy sauce mix…please do share!
Thank you, Claudine! It really is a dream come true! As for most tasty things, the secret is indeed in the sauce! 🙂
Very gorgeous, and such a great use of space. I love all the ideas here- the command center, two tiered cutlery drawers, pull-outs. Very innovative kitchen. I’m surprised you didn’t try to under-mount some outlets on the island instead of having that outlet on the side. You know these days, people just can’t have enough places to plug things in and charge their phones. THanks for all the great ideas.
Thank you, Tammy! Hey, that’s a great idea! Next time San is here, I’m going to ask him about undermounting an outlet in the seating area. It would sure help when Handan moves her office to the kitchen! 🙂
fabulous, as expected! Particularly love the command station along the fridge – great use of space. And you are well prepared to deal with flies: if the fly swatters don’t get ’em, you’ve got the rolling pin. And if that fails, smother them with the fire extinguisher. Then clean up the mess with the Goo Gone. Brilliant!
LOLOLOL! 😀
Greg…I knew this kitchen project would be something special; you did not disappoint. Everything is so beautiful..You & Handan are so talented & make those design/DIY projects come together. Congratulations on achieving your Dream Kitchen…it truly is!!!
Thank you so much, Bonnie – we love it! 🙂
Greg and Handan- What an accomplishment to complete your dream kitchen in this wild and crazy year. You’ve packed and moved, painted, fixed and managed to do all of that, plus the kitchen with several months to spare. I’ve followed all of your posts and really learned a lot from your decision making process. You obviously work well as a team and had a clear vision to guide you. Seeing the final project took my breath away. Having the colors you chose in every product be complimented by the rug is an absolutely “cherry on the top” moment. I know you will enjoy this for many years to come, and you will now put your energies into making all of the other parts of your new home be as expressive of your unique style as this kitchen already is. Bravo!
Thank you so much, Phyllis! It has been a truly whirlwind year, and it’s not even close to being over yet, but this kitchen is a high point (along with Handan’s new job and the new house). We hope to keep the projects going for quite some time now! 🙂
The kitchen looks great, the “hot dish” (I live in the midwest) looks delicious, Please, please share. Thanks
Thanks, Jody – hot dish coming up next week! 🙂
Fluffernutter fan too. And your right nobody here in the South ever heard of it.
It has to be Fluff though, can’t be marshmallow cream. There is a difference.
Oh, yeah – a few people in California told me it was the same as marshmallow cream. I laughed in their faces.
I am SO jealous of your beautiful kitchen. Just wondered if you’re concerned about the heat from your stove causing your spices to lose potency? I’ve always thought spices shouldn’t be stored near a stove.
Nah, they’re all good. The stove doesn’t throw heat that far, and I’m pretty particular about my spices. If I don’t use them in time, I throw them out when they oxidize. It’s easy to tell with a quick sniff which are bad. I also try to buy whole seed spices whenever possible and grind them myself in small batches.
Love, love it! I am in awe and inspired! Creativity personified. I want one!
Who Is the Kirkland spicy rum lover?
Handan is the spiced rum girl around here, though we haven’t opened that bottle yet. She’s been on a vodka kick, so she’ll need to finish that Blackheart rum first!
That is beautiful!! A dream kitchen, I would be cooking in there day and night! You all did an awesome job!
Thank you so much, Brenda!
Wow the most stunning, gorgeous, beautiful, fabulous kitchen, there aren’t enough words in the dictionary to describe how much i love this kitchen! Greg and Handan have done it again another amazing accomplishment of design and practicality and beauty, i want it, Maybe just one more word – supercalafragilisticexpialidocious 🙂
LOL, thank you so much, Catherine!! :):):)
Love your new kitchen! It is so beautiful! All the details and organization is perfect for someone who loves to cook. She thought of everything! That RANGE, swoon! It’s fabulous. Bon Appetit to you and yours!
Thank you so much, Rebecca! It is a dream to cook in! 🙂
A great kitchen foe a great cook! Love you!
Aunt Carol & Uncle Tom
Hi Aunt Carol, thank you! Love to you and Uncle Tom!
Love your new kitchen! I know I’m late to the party, but I was just catching up on emails I saved, but didn’t have a chance to open and read during the s$#% show that was 2020. My New Years resolution every year is to go through my 14,000 emails and start with a clean slate. Yeah, sure. Your recipe looks very much like the chicken divan that I’ve been making since the 70’s. Mine doesn’t have onion and I grate my own fresh breadcrumbs from soft bread so I don’t need the oil. They’re nice and moist. When I get to your post with “the recipe” I will check out the other similarities. I may try the onion. Laughed when you said you bought the lobster looking creature in Cape Cod. We rented a cottage in Dennisport for many years and when I said I was “in Cape Cod”; I was corrected by locals that you’re “on the Cape, not in The Cape”, Lol
Thank you, Gail! LOL, locals always have their own way of saying things. “On” just doesn’t sound right. I mean, technically, I’m “on” Georgia, because I’m not living in a cave, but you won’t hear me saying it, lol!
Love what it turns out into! Excellent job!
Thank you!
Hey there! Absolutely stunning kitchen, we are in the final stages of our remodel and are trying to narrow down a range. How do you feel about the quality of the Zline after several months? Have you had any major issues with it?
Thank you!
-Lindsey
Hi Lindsey, I’ve had no issues at all except for a whistling sound from one of the small burners when it’s on high. I’m sure I could just use a pin to poke the outlet valve to clear whatever is causing the whistle. It’s really not a problem, and other than that, the range has worked beautifully. Coming from a digital oven, I will say you’ll have to get a feel for the oven temp. Mine runs a little hot. Not a big deal if you have an oven thermometer.
Beautiful kitchen remodel!!! I have a kitchen that I’m looking to remodel. What was your budget on this kind of project? I want to move my refrigerator also, but what is the cost for that? Thanks!
Thank you, Malee! We discovered early on that our budget was going to be blown out of the water. Fortunately, we found a great installer who installed everything for about a quarter of the cost of Home Depot. For this scale project with similar cabinets, you can expect to pay over 20k for the cabinetry. The trick then is to find an installer who won’t rip you off. HD’s installer wanted something around 25k I think. We got it done much cheaper by finding our own guy. Moving the fridge wasn’t a big added cost since we tore out the entire kitchen. The only thing needed for that was to move the PEX water line, which was no big deal at all. Good luck and remember to shop around for installers!
Love your remodel. What color are the walls? Thanks!
Thank you, Donna! That is Bohemian Lace by HGTV Home by Sherwin Williams (Lowes)
The Kitchen turned out to the most beautiful version! Great Job!
Thank you!
Quartz, Granite, and Marble are always been the best countertop material for kitchen countertops! BTW! The kitchen is looking amazing!
Thank you so much!