Cooking Up a Transformation Worth Talking About
Ever walked into a kitchen that instantly made you want to invite friends over—or wished yours could feel the same way?
Do you dream about blending timeless design with family-friendly function but aren’t sure where to start?
In this post, you’ll see how our team at AKN Interiors transformed a dated space into a custom kitchen full of personality, premium products, and clever design solutions tailored to a busy family’s lifestyle.
By the end, you’ll learn how thoughtful planning, creative design, and local Pittsburgh craftsmanship can turn an ordinary kitchen into a stunning new space with lasting value.
Ready to start designing your own dream kitchen?
Learn more about planning your kitchen remodel to set your project up for success from day one.
Give AKN Interiors a call or fill out our contact form today—we’d love to help bring your vision to life.
Now, let’s dig into what our team did in their beautiful North Pittsburgh custom kitchen remodel and all the custom details that make their home so special and give it lasting value.
Dated Pittsburgh Kitchen: Big Possibilities
Word of mouth is the best form of flattery in the Pittsburgh home remodeling industry.
So, when these particular clients called us because they loved the whole house remodel we did in their neighbor’s home, we were excited.
When our team first met with these homeowners, the clients were focused on the carpet throughout the majority of the home and were ready to replace it with luxury vinyl plank flooring.
The second priory focus was on the kitchen.
The homeowners wanted a different configuration and because the existing flooring was ran under the cabinets, they figured this would be the perfect time for a remodel.
Before starting your own project, check out our cost guide for your Pittsburgh kitchen remodel to better understand your investment.
The Client’s Pittsburgh Kitchen Remodeling Wish List
- Remove the pantry closet: Tired of the their closet pantry, these homeowners wanted pantry storage that could be integrated with their new cabinetry.
- Bigger refrigerator and range: If you’re doing a whole kitchen remodel, bigger appliances just seem to be the obvious choice right?
- Decorative range hood: A bigger range means a bigger range hood that can be the focal point of the kitchen.
- Quartz countertops: Durable and beautiful countertops is a must.
- Big Island: They didn’t want just any island. They wanted an island big enough for at least 4 seat for their 4 children.
- Replace the flooring throughout the house: Luxury vinyl flooring would be nice please.
- New paint: They were ready to give the entire home a new paint color.
- The stairs: Update the staircase in the middle of the home to a more modern look.
The Kitchen Remodeling Details
Sometimes our team work with homeowners who know exactly what they want, but there are times we meet clients who lean on our design expertise to create something specific to their family’s lifestyle and taste.
The latter was the case in this remodel and man, were we pumped to begin dreaming about colors, style, and materials.
The Custom Kitchen Cabinets: A Blend of Color and Wood
First things first, we must talk about those beautiful cabinets.
When our pre-construction team began working with these homeowners, they expressed that they wanted a kitchen that didn’t look like everyone else’s.
Our first thought was COLOR.
A particular color that has been on our kitchen designer radar has been Evergreen Fog by Sherwin-Williams which is a gorgeous green-meets-gray with a hint of blue.
Our clients loved the choice and as you can see, it blends beautifully with the rest of the home. Perfection.
The Kitchen Island and Peninsula
The next idea we presented the family is the color of the island which is a white oak.
But we didn’t stop there.
We noticed the existing peninsula in front of the sink was quartz, so our designer had the quartz removed and added a white oak waterfall countertop there too.
The custom design of the white oak waterfall countertop set this space apart from a standard remodel and this unique design was a huge hit with our clients.
Original, unique, and nobody else has anything like this in their kitchen.
We then focused on the range hood that was on the client’s wish list.
What if tie in the white oak on the bottom of the range hood?
And what if we add some white oak open shelving to the mix?
Another home run idea.
The results were absolutely stunning.
Kitchen Cabinet Storage: Pantry and Glass Uppers for the Win
The very first item on the client’s wish list was to remove the pantry closet and integrate the pantry into the cabinetry.
We did just that by flanking the Jennair refrigerator with pantry cabinets.
The lower half of these have pull out drawers for food storage and the upper half is adjustable shelving.
The previous kitchen cabinets did not go all the way to the ceiling so, we made sure to optimize storage and building their new custom upper cabinets to the ceiling.
Because they are hard to reach for every day use items, we opted to install glass and lit those babies up.
Now, they can display fun decorative items and it helps to soften the line of upper cabinets.
The best thing about them, is they can be left on at night as night lights for a warm, cozy feel in the kitchen.
New Upgraded Kitchen Appliances Are a Must
A new kitchen means new appliances and these homeowners were so ready for a premium products upgrade.
They chose the very popular stainless Wolf 48″ range which elevates this kitchen design even more. But let’s just talk about that cooking area.
The cook of the house has plenty of room on either side of the range for prepping, cookbooks, cooking tools, small countertop appliances, and even kitchen décor.
One of our clients’ favorite features is the drawer microwave.
We happen to think it’s one of the best things ever invented and love how this space saving microwave is perfect for placing in kitchen islands and wall cabinetry.
For the homeowners, they love it because it gives them the opportunity to teach their children how to use it.
But don’t worry, this Sharp microwave has a child lock button so the little ones can only use it when being monitored by their parents.
Kitchen Lighting and More
The cherry on this kitchen remodeling cake is the lighting.
We mentioned the upper cabinet lighting, but the true lighting stars are those beautiful brushed brass pendants lights over the island.
The other cherry lighting topper is the under cabinet lighting.
Talk about night lights!
These homeowners can choose which mood lighting mode they want out of the 4 different selections.
Kitchen Countertops and Backsplash: Subtle Yet Stunning
Some kitchens require a busy backsplash and countertops, not this one.
The show stopper in this kitchen remodel is the cabinetry for sure.
So why compete with that?
Our designer and client decided on a beautiful, classic hand cut subway tile, with white quartz that offers a hint of veining.
Timeless, elegant, and a gorgeous material that will look just as good in 15 years as it does today.
What About the Rest of the Home?
Don’t worry, we didn’t forget about what led us down this remodeling road in the first place.
Our team removed the dated, old carpet and installed modern vinyl, wood look plank flooring throughout the entire home.
We also gave it a fresh coat of paint and even updated the stairs with new, modern treads, black balusters, and wood handrails.
From the very first meeting to the final punch-out day, working with this wonderful family on their kitchen remodel and home updates has been an absolute joy for AKN Interiors.
Our team was thrilled to see their excitement grow as the transformation unfolded, reflecting the seamless collaboration and shared dedication to creating a beautiful, functional home.
AKN Interiors Can Help You Plan and Build the Perfect Kitchen for Your North Pittsburgh Home
We at AKN Interiors feel truly blessed to work with such amazing homeowners in the Pittsburgh area.
Your trust, enthusiasm, and collaboration make each project a joy and a testament to what we can achieve together.
Seeing your dream homes come to life and being part of your journey is an honor we cherish deeply.
Thank you for letting us be a part of your lives, and we look forward to many more wonderful collaborations in the future.
You’ve seen how a thoughtful design-build remodeling approach can turn an outdated kitchen into a showstopping centerpiece filled with custom design, functionality, and style.
From color selection to cabinetry layout, every detail works together to create a space that’s as practical as it is beautiful.
At AKN Interiors, we bring your dream kitchen to life through expert design-build remodeling.
Our expert home remodelers handle every stage—from design consultation to final installation—so you can relax knowing your kitchen remodel is in the hands of passionate professionals who care about precision, quality, and your unique vision.
