Kitchen of the Week: Refaced Cabinets Bring New Style and Warmth
Updated cabinets, new countertops and a new backsplash give a New Jersey couple a fresh kitchen for under $20,000
Jeannie Matteucci
March 13, 2020
Houzz Contributor. Home design writer and lifestyle reporter with a love for stylish spaces, smart lighting and a good decaf dry cappuccino.
Houzz Contributor. Home design writer and lifestyle reporter with a love for stylish... More
David and Denise Belsky waited 20 years for this. During those two decades of raising their children, they made do with their 1990s-era kitchen and its whitewashed oak cabinets, custom mirrored backsplash and teal laminate countertops. Once the kids flew the coop of their Colonial-style home in Long Valley, New Jersey, the couple decided it was time for an update.
Not wanting to break the bank, they chose to work with design consultant Suzi Dia of Kitchen Magic to reface their existing cabinets. They also added new cabinet hardware, quartz countertops, a porcelain tile backsplash and new wall paint. The couple did some of the work themselves, which, along with refacing the cabinets, resulted in a refreshing new kitchen for less than $20,000.
Not wanting to break the bank, they chose to work with design consultant Suzi Dia of Kitchen Magic to reface their existing cabinets. They also added new cabinet hardware, quartz countertops, a porcelain tile backsplash and new wall paint. The couple did some of the work themselves, which, along with refacing the cabinets, resulted in a refreshing new kitchen for less than $20,000.
“After” photos by Andy Ryan Photographer
Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: David and Denise Belsky
Location: Long Valley, New Jersey
Size: 140 square feet (13 square meters)
Design consultant: Suzi Dia of Kitchen Magic
Before: The Belskys felt their existing kitchen was stuck in the past, especially the teal-colored laminate countertops. The whitewashed oak cabinets were in good shape, though, so the couple decided to improve what they had. “I didn’t like the idea of cabinets at the landfill, because they were structurally sound,” Denise says.
This photo was taken after the couple had removed the custom mirrored backsplash.
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Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: David and Denise Belsky
Location: Long Valley, New Jersey
Size: 140 square feet (13 square meters)
Design consultant: Suzi Dia of Kitchen Magic
Before: The Belskys felt their existing kitchen was stuck in the past, especially the teal-colored laminate countertops. The whitewashed oak cabinets were in good shape, though, so the couple decided to improve what they had. “I didn’t like the idea of cabinets at the landfill, because they were structurally sound,” Denise says.
This photo was taken after the couple had removed the custom mirrored backsplash.
Find a kitchen designer near you
After: Dia had the cabinets refaced with laminate Shaker-style doors that mimic the look of wood. A warm hazelnut finish delivers rich character. “We do intend to move eventually when we retire but wanted to enjoy it while we’re here,” Denise says. “We wanted to keep it fairly neutral, so the new owners can dress it up or dress it down.”
The Belksys kept the layout and floor tile the same, two moves that helped keep costs down. They also kept the range and refrigerator but replaced the dishwasher and added a new stainless steel hood. Denise plans on adding a stainless steel gas range in the future.
A potted plant blocks views of a vent and outlet, both of which would have been costly to relocate and therefore prevented the Belkskys from extending the cabinets. The sliding door to the left leads to the backyard.
Cabinets: Prestige Statesman in Hazelnut, Kitchen Magic
Shop for island seating
The Belksys kept the layout and floor tile the same, two moves that helped keep costs down. They also kept the range and refrigerator but replaced the dishwasher and added a new stainless steel hood. Denise plans on adding a stainless steel gas range in the future.
A potted plant blocks views of a vent and outlet, both of which would have been costly to relocate and therefore prevented the Belkskys from extending the cabinets. The sliding door to the left leads to the backyard.
Cabinets: Prestige Statesman in Hazelnut, Kitchen Magic
Shop for island seating
Dia dressed up the existing island with decorative and functional corbels that support a new quartz top. “The corbels are not ornate, so they fit the transitional style the homeowners wanted,” she says.
The glossy porcelain mosaic backsplash tile features an arabesque pattern and subtle light gray grout that complements the new light gray wall paint (Ghost Pines by Sherwin-Williams). The couple saved money by installing the backsplash themselves. “We took our time and it came out very nice,” Denise says.
The glossy porcelain mosaic backsplash tile features an arabesque pattern and subtle light gray grout that complements the new light gray wall paint (Ghost Pines by Sherwin-Williams). The couple saved money by installing the backsplash themselves. “We took our time and it came out very nice,” Denise says.
The quartz countertops — with gray veining and charcoal-colored speckling on a creamy white background — mimic the look of marble. “It feels like a marble, without the drawbacks,” Dia says. “It has subtle veining and soft colors, but it adds interest.”
An eased edge promotes a clean look that complements the Shaker-style cabinet doors. “We didn’t need to take away from the beauty of the counters with more ornate edging,” Dia says.
Quartz countertops: Swanbridge, Cambria
An eased edge promotes a clean look that complements the Shaker-style cabinet doors. “We didn’t need to take away from the beauty of the counters with more ornate edging,” Dia says.
Quartz countertops: Swanbridge, Cambria
Two drawers on the working side of the island store utensils conveniently across from the dishwasher. The drawers have horizontal grain patterns while the doors’ are vertical, a detail that adds a bit of visual interest.
Satin nickel pulls on the drawers and doors keep things calm and consistent. “Denise and David wanted to keep everything peaceful with not too much contrast that you would get with darker hardware,” Dia says.
Cabinet pulls: Conrad in satin nickel, Amerock Hardware
Cabinet pulls: Conrad in satin nickel, Amerock Hardware
A new undermount stainless steel sink replaced the old drop-in, two-bowl ceramic white sink. “I love that single-bowl, extra large stainless sink,” Denise says. “You can put a big lasagna dish in there with no problem.”
Now the couple have the updated, transitional-style kitchen they wanted, one that works for their current needs and can appeal to future buyers, although they may find their new kitchen difficult to let go of. “It’s so much more pleasing to walk in there now, and visually it’s a hundred times better,” Denise says.
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Now the couple have the updated, transitional-style kitchen they wanted, one that works for their current needs and can appeal to future buyers, although they may find their new kitchen difficult to let go of. “It’s so much more pleasing to walk in there now, and visually it’s a hundred times better,” Denise says.
More on Houzz
The Most Popular Styles and Cabinet Choices in Kitchen Remodels
Get more kitchen design ideas
Find a kitchen designer and other professionals
Shop for your kitchen
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This is a near match to the layout of my kitchen. Thank you for the inspiration and a reasonable remodel/update. But I’m so confused! There are no outlets and no lighting. Did they remove the can lights? No outlets? Photoshopped? Just confused and really want to know if there’s a better way!
Went to Suzy Dia’s page and was able to find the remodel (with the can lights and outlets).
You did a fantastic job! Love the arabesque backsplash. For anyone wanting to do a reno without contributing to the landfill, you can donate functional cabinets, appliances, etc to Habitat for Humanity. I'm pretty sure they will even come to remove them for you.