Before & After: From Fire-Engine Red to Soft + Serene

A kitchen refresh rooted in tradition, patience, and lots of beautiful decisions.

Every once in a while, I work on a project that feels less like a big splashy overhaul and more like a long-awaited exhale. This was one of those projects.

When these homeowners bought their house, they inherited a kitchen with bold, fire-engine red cabinets. And while the layout worked well and the cabinets were in fantastic shape, the color? Not so much. It just never felt quite right. But, as with so many things in homeownership, it took a while to gather the motivation—and clarity—to make a change.

That’s where I came in.

Before: This red kitchen was LOUD and ready for an update.

We reviewed lots of different options for new hardware.

Finding the Right Direction

We spent a lot of time exploring different possibilities for this space. Because we weren’t changing the footprint or replacing the cabinetry, the success of the project really came down to color, texture, and tone. We went through multiple renderings to help the homeowners visualize how each element would work together—wall color, cabinet paint, tile, hardware, light fixtures, even the island finish.

Their style leans traditional with a soft spot for European influences (think English cottage kitchens and vintage details). And their home reflected that: a traditional base with some contemporary features, like vaulted ceilings and a big stone fireplace. Our goal was to make the kitchen feel like it belonged—like it had always been this way.

The Details That Made the Difference

We landed on a warm white for the cabinets, something classic that instantly brightened the space but still felt cozy. For the island, we chose a chameleon shade that reads gray, green, or slate depending on the light. It grounds the room and plays beautifully against the original wood floors.

One of the real anchors of the space was their vintage faucet at the sink. It was a piece they loved and wanted to keep, so we used it as inspiration for other design elements—bringing in those English cottage vibes with a twist. We added handmade crackle-finish subway tile for the backsplash and finished it with quarter-round edging, which gave it just the right vintage feel.

This vintage faucet was central to the inspiration for the entire project.

We also updated a few key appliances—just the ones that needed to go (the double oven and dishwasher). It’s worth noting that appliance sizing has become a bit of a wild card lately, so we made sure to double-check measurements and plan accordingly.

Lighting got a little refresh, too. We kept the main fixture over the island but swapped in new shades and added a coordinating piece over the sink for extra warmth and functionality.

The countertops are a soft, warm quartz with subtle golden veining—light, timeless, and just enough visual interest to tie everything together.

A Smart Investment

It’s worth mentioning: painting your cabinets is a big investment when done professionally. It only makes sense when the cabinets are truly in great shape (as they were here) and when the layout already works. Otherwise, I’d usually recommend replacing them entirely. But in this case, the structure was solid, and all we needed was a thoughtful refresh.

The Result

This kitchen now feels like it always should have looked this way. It’s calm, inviting, and so beautifully aligned with both the home’s architecture and the homeowners’ style.

We landed on a soft gold for the hardware to update the space but keep it warm.

If you’ve been living with a kitchen that doesn’t quite feel like you—but you’re not sure where to start—let’s talk. Sometimes the smallest shifts make the biggest impact.

After photos by Homes 2 Vu.