Dated honey oak kitchen in Des Peres, MO. This space started with the classic 1990s look: raised-panel honey oak cabinets, darker flooring, and a compact square island that broke up the room without adding much function. The homeowners loved their home and its open layout, but they wanted the kitchen to feel brighter, more intentional, and better aligned with the rest of their décor.
They chose to complete a more extensive refresh of the kitchen while still working with the existing footprint of the cabinets. In addition to updating the cabinetry, they replaced the floors, countertop, tile backsplash, and island to create a cohesive, well-planned design. The overall aesthetic of the home leans shabby chic—soft, inviting, and slightly vintage—so we carried that look into the kitchen with a Pewter glazed finish on Designer White and Marina. Designer White provides a clean, light backdrop that instantly lifts the room, while Marina adds a soft, muted blue tone. The Pewter glaze highlights door profiles and molding details, giving the cabinets a gently aged, custom furniture feel that fits perfectly with the rest of the house.
One of the biggest functional challenges in the original kitchen was the island. It was a 48" square, which made it difficult to seat more than one or two people comfortably and limited traffic flow around the workspace. There was not a clear “back” side for seating, and the proportions did not fully match the scale of the room.
We redesigned the island to be a 72" long piece with an extended overhang along the back for comfortable seating. This new length allows for multiple stools in a row, creating a true gathering zone for casual meals, homework, or entertaining, while still preserving clear walkways on all sides. The updated island is finished in Marina with the same Pewter glaze, helping it stand out as a furniture-like focal point against the lighter perimeter cabinetry.
Function was just as important as appearance. Inside the new island, we incorporated a dedicated pots and pans cabinet for deep, bulky cookware, along with pull-out trash cans for easy access and improved waste and recycling organization. These upgrades keep everyday items close to where they are used most, reduce countertop clutter, and make the kitchen work harder for the homeowners.
The finished result is a bright, cohesive kitchen that respects the home’s shabby chic style while dramatically improving storage, seating, and day-to-day usability—all achieved through thoughtful updates, new finishes, and a smarter island design rather than a full cabinet replacement.
