Kitchen Remodel: From Blank Canvas to Heart of the Home

Hi friends—Rasheeda here! After designing dozens kitchens for clients over the years, I finally carved out time to give my own family’s kitchen the love it deserved. If you’ve been following the “Kitchen Reno” highlight on my Instagram Stories and #gsikitchen on our Instagram Posts, you’ve already seen the dust, the decisions, and the big reveal. Today I’m pulling everything into one place so you can binge it blog-style—complete with product links and designer takeaways. Grab a latte and come on in!

The Vision

Our 1990s builder kitchen worked…technically. But the traffic jams, dark finishes, and limited prep space clashed with how our family actually lives (read: cooks, grazes, hosts cousins, and finishes homework—sometimes all at once). I wanted a layout that let everyone flow, plus a palette that felt elevated yet warm enough for nightly spaghetti-night chaos. We reimagined the space with custom cabinetry for hidden storage, a large central island with seating for five, panel-ready appliances to blend seamlessly into the design, and layered lighting to shift from bright task mode to soft evening ambiance. A neutral foundation—paired with mixed metals, textured tile, and warm wood accents—gave us a balance of timeless style and everyday comfort. Let’s see how this breaks down below;

Layout & Function First

  • Knocked down the peninsula that pinched the breakfast area.

  • Centered the range on the back wall so the island could lengthen to 9'.

  • Stole 18" from the pantry for a built-in coffee bar—because priorities!

Finishes & Fixtures

  • Fabuwood for cabinetry: Clean shaker doors, factory-finish for durability. Soft-close EVERYTHING

  • HanStone Quartz for countertops: Their subtle veining gives marble vibes with mom-proof resilience

  • Regina Andrews for lighting: The oversized brass pendants are the rooms jewlry-instant luxury

  • Art & Forge for hardware: Hand-cast pulls feel like tiny sculptures- details matter!

  • Datile for flooring & backsplash: 3x12 matt-white subway on the splash keeps things timeless; oversized porcelain on the floor hides Philly-winter mess.

Design Moments I’m Obsessed With

  • Waterfall island—the kids do homework on one side while I plate on the other.

  • Hidden spice pull-outs flanking the range—if you know, you know.

  • Champagne-brass accents repeating from the pendants to the faucet tie everything together without feeling matchy-matchy.

Lessons From a Designer-Turned-Client

  1. Live in the space (on paper) first. I sketched three versions before demo day.

  2. Source early, then over-communicate. Lead times are still real—book your slabs and appliances before the first hammer swings.

  3. Budget for surprise upgrades. Our under-cabinet plug-mold and toe-kick heaters weren’t must-haves…until they were. Worth every penny.

Watch the Full Transformation

Missed the minute-by-minute action? Head to my Instagram Highlights and tap “Kitchen Reno” for the demolition drama, countertop install timelapse, and the big family reveal.

Ready for Your Own Dream Kitchen?

If this remodel sparks ideas for your home, let’s chat! My team at Gray Space Interiors handles everything—from concept to punch-list—so you can skip the stress and fast-forward to the “pinch me” reveal moment.

Thanks for following along—can’t wait to hear what you think of our new heart of the home!

Rasheeda Gray