Initial Budget: $38,000

Final Cost: $39,000.

Client's Goals:

• Update a 20-year-old, builder-quality kitchen

• Create an Old World look

• Improve efficiency of workspace to suit two cooks

• Remove soffits, especially the one over the island

• Replace dated tile floor with new tile in kitchen and entry

• Install new and better lighting

Designers' Solutions:

• Moved refrigerator to more convenient place next to pantry

• Removed soffits to allow for cabinets of varied heights, and to open space visually over island

• Created focal point from family room with large hood and backsplash

• Angled base cabinet to allow easier access through narrow dining room doorway

• Included an 18-inch deep microwave wall cabinet with left end extended to hide kitchen appliances from view of family room

Cabinets: Medallion Cabinetry in maple with a cashew stain and raised-panel doors. Beadboard panels on custom wooden hood and island. Accessories: Roll-out shelves, trash pull-out, appliance garage, full-extension drawer glides, lazy Susan, burnished chrome cup pulls and knobs, undercabinet lights, and crown molding with rope insert.

Appliances: Pro-style stainless steel slide-in gas range. Dishwasher with cabinet panel.

Countertops: Granite countertop on island; laminate countertop with beveled edge on the perimeter.

Backsplash: 4-inch by 4-inch stone-like ceramic tile on a diagonal with sunflower raised decos.

Flooring: 12-inch by 12-inch ceramic tile floor with 2-inch by 2-inch teal deco inserts.

Sink: American Standard apron-front farm sink.

Faucet: High-arc Delta faucet in brushed nickel with separate sprayer and filtered-water faucet.

Lighting: Recessed lights