For today’s feature, we bring you a Preston Hollow home that not only got a major aesthetic upgrade but a major rework as well. This kitchen originally was a U-shape with a separate breakfast room. It was also almost completely blocked off by the formal dining space. The entry, dining room, and kitchen all had different ceiling heights and shapes. Every passageway was a pinch point for guests. We knocked down a majority of these separating features and seamlessly integrated the three rooms and simplified the ceilings as much as possible. The grey poplar kitchen cabinets – which we will discuss later – were a perfect backdrop. Here is a before and after shot for reference:

Construction Makes A Difference

Just by opening up these rooms, large gatherings (post COVID-19 of course!) are going to be a breeze. Bunko nights are now less cramped and easier to host. And even if you are home alone, the front door is much more accessible, even while making something delicious in the kitchen. This prime real estate space straight up the tollway from Downtown Dallas now feels more like home.

New Finished Features

Cabinetry from WW Woods Eclipse (Frameless) cabinet line saturates the room. The Lancaster door style is simple and allows a Heatherstone stain on Select Poplar wood to be the pop of color in the space. A Poplar kitchen indeed! Top Knobs Lily pulls in polished nickel decorate door and drawer fronts. Cambria Delgatie Quartz can be seen as both countertop and backsplash material. Faucets in the kitchen, laundry, and wet bar are all from Brizo’s Artesso series, also in polished nickel. The Kitchen sports a Jenn-Air appliance package with a workhouse Liebherr Integrated Wine Cabinet at the wine bar. Vent-A-Hood provided the custom vent hood above the range.

Customized Laundry Room

The laundry room backs up to the wine bar from our poplar kitchen and uses the same materials for a cohesive look. It’s also a common walkway from the kitchen and front of the house back to an informal family room. Therefore, we wanted the ability to hide the laundry units during heavy foot traffic days. The homeowner didn’t want guests staring at the washer/dryer en route. A fully customized cabinetry unit comprised of cabinetry materials from Eclipse and hardware from Richelieu creates the perfect pocket door system for these Electrolux units. The remaining cabinets hide a tall broom/mop storage, a small sink, cleaning products, and a pull-out waste bin. A simple white hex floor tile breaks up the wood floors throughout the house and gives this laundry room more durability. The perfect poplar laundry to match our stunning poplar kitchen!

Revived Wet Bar

Okay, so not everything in the house got a “poplar makeover.” The living room wet bar – as simple as it is – already functioned very well. It’s also in a funky spot. So, we kept the cabinet boxes as-is and provided unfinished door and drawer fronts from Eclipse to match the kitchen door style. We then refinished the cabinets to match the trim in the living room. A small marble remnant was used as counter and splash. Tucked away on the sides are some adjustable shelving brackets from Knape & Vogt with wood shelves painted to match the cabinets.

Poplar Kitchen Appeal

And now we have come full circle! This poplar kitchen is a dream, and just as “light and bright” as those run-of-the-mill white shaker kitchens. See this before and after for proof. The original cabinets were a light cream color with some brushing and mostly light/warm materials. However, it still felt dark. Although our cabinets (and floor) are now a darker color, the kitchen looks brighter – and cleaner! You’d be amazed at what opening up a wall (or three) and a new lighting plan will do to a room. This is a perfect example!

Don’t forget to check out our other most recent featured spaces: an update traditional kitchen “plus” remodel, and a condo kitchen that proves you are never too old to cook.