Award-Winning Kitchen Remodel in Fox Chapel, PA
How a Kitchen Went From Outgrown to One of Pittsburgh's Best Kitchens
No Added Square Footage, Just the Storage and Counter Space This Family Needed
Erin and her family had outgrown their kitchen. They needed more counter space, better storage, a place to sit together in the mornings, and a better setup for cooking the family gatherings they loved to host. Working within the original layout, we redesigned the space from top to bottom to give this family of three exactly what they needed.
This kitchen was recognized by the Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh as the 2025 Best Kitchen in the $75K–$100K category.
Timeline
10 Weeks
Location
Fox Chapel, PA
Project Cost
$93,441
“We just finished a full kitchen renovation with AKN Interiors and we couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. After seeing the beautiful bathroom Andrew did for my brother and sister-in-law, we knew we wanted to work with him. The whole team was professional, easy to work with, and talented. Andrew was incredibly accommodating and paid close attention to detail. We will definitely use them again in the future!”
— Erin, Fox Chapel, PA
Tired Cabinets, Failing Floors, and a Family With Nowhere to Sit
- Dated Cabinetry and No Personality: The existing kitchen featured flat slab-front maple cabinets that felt tired, impersonal, and had none of the warmth or character the family wanted in the heart of their home.
- Not Enough Counter Space or Storage: The layout left Erin with too little room to prep, cook, or store what she needed, making even everyday cooking feel like a juggling act.
- No Place for the Family to Eat Together: There was no island, no breakfast seating, no natural spot for a family of three to pull up a chair and simply share a morning. That small daily ritual simply wasn't possible.
- Floors That Were Already Failing: Laminate flooring installed not long before our project had already begun to fall apart, making the kitchen feel neglected and unfinished before the real work even began.
Same Footprint, Completely Reimagined
We redesigned the layout entirely within the original kitchen footprint, raising the windows in the former breakfast nook to make room for cabinetry underneath, carving out space for a center island with seating, and reconfiguring the appliance wall to accommodate a double oven, gas cooktop, and a custom decorative vent hood. The result is a kitchen that feels twice the size it was, without moving a single wall.
Built for Family Breakfasts and Dinner Parties
A White Oak Island Built for Breakfast and More
A custom walnut island with a quartz countertop and built-in seating finally gives this family of three a place to gather every morning, turning a simple meal into the ritual it always should have been.
Custom Inset Cabinetry From the Perimeter to the Crown
Every inch of storage was purpose-built with custom painted inset cabinetry, designed to replace the old slab-fronts and give Erin the organization and elegance she had always wanted in her kitchen.
A Double Oven and Gas Cooktop for Family Entertaining
With a double oven and a dedicated gas cooktop replacing the original single range, Erin can now cook for a full house without crowding anyone out of the dining room or living room.
Durable Versailles-Pattern Porcelain Tile Flooring
Replacing the failing laminate with a durable porcelain tile set in a classic Versailles pattern gave the kitchen a finished, timeless foundation that stands up to real family life without sacrificing beauty.
More Details
Appliances from Don's Appliances
All new appliances were sourced locally, ensuring quality selections that complement the kitchen's performance and style.
Raised Windows with Cabinetry Below
By raising the windows in the former breakfast nook, we unlocked valuable wall space to run cabinetry underneath, maximizing storage without sacrificing natural light.
Decorative Custom Vent Hood
A custom vent hood anchors the cooking wall as a design focal point, giving the space a finished, intentional look that ties the whole room together.
From Frustration to Their Favorite Room in the House
What began as a kitchen that couldn’t keep up with everyday life became an award-winning space that earned regional recognition and, more importantly, the daily love of the family that lives in it. Erin and her family now have a kitchen where they can cook for a crowd, sit together over breakfast, and feel genuinely at home. Every detail, from the custom inset cabinetry to the Versailles tile underfoot, was chosen with their life in mind.
