This kitchen renovation was all about blending timeless elegance with practical upgrades for a growing family. The homeowners envisioned a space that felt both polished and lived-in, something that could handle everyday life while still looking beautiful for years to come.

Sometimes the first renovation idea is big, maybe even too big for the moment. At Irwin Construction, we’re always happy to collaborate and find thoughtful solutions that bring your vision to life and honor your budget. In this case, we reimagined the original plan (which included taking out a wall to expand the kitchen) and designed a kitchen that maximized storage, elevated style, and added function all within the existing footprint.

With custom Shaker cabinetry, luxurious granite countertops, and a bold midnight blue palette, this space now feels like the perfect blend of classic character and modern comfort. Follow along to see how we transformed this kitchen from DIY beginnings into a timeless, functional space the whole family can enjoy.

When our clients first moved in, they gave the kitchen a quick DIY facelift by painting the cabinets in a rich midnight blue and swapping out the hardware. It was a charming refresh, but the space still lacked the functionality they needed. Storage was tight, counter space was limited, and without a pantry, they had to creatively store food, appliances, and essentials in limited cabinets.

As our clients shared,

“Before the renovation, we had to get very creative and organized with our storage solutions because we had very little counter and storage space, and did not have a pantry. So all of our food had to be stored in our cabinets, and some appliances had to be kept on the counter, which only ate into our counter space. The location of the fridge made the kitchen feel smaller and more closed off from the rest of the space.”

They briefly considered moving, but their love for the neighborhood and a conversation with Jeremy led them down a different path. We listened, we planned, and together, we crafted a space that met their family’s growing needs without adding square footage.

The original renovation idea involved removing a wall to expand the kitchen. After exploring the budget, we landed on a smarter solution: revamp the existing galley kitchen while using the wall to anchor a new office and storage space on the other side.

We began with a full kitchen demo, including removing the fur-downs above the cabinets to create a cleaner, taller visual line. Then, we rebuilt from the inside out: custom paint-grade Shaker-style cabinets now stretch all the way to the ceiling, with floor-to-ceiling pantry units that drastically increased storage within the original footprint.

The playroom was also transformed with built-in cabinets and a desk area, offering a workspace for the homeowners and dedicated storage for their children’s toys.

Electrical updates included new LED can lighting, under-cabinet lighting, and updated fixtures that brightened every corner. A dark Saratoga Silver honed granite countertop (a happy accident after the availability of the originally-selected quartz slab fell through) became the perfect bold contrast to the blue cabinetry, giving the space a rich, elevated feel. The backsplash, 5×5 Ivory tile from Arizona Tile’s Flash series, and the diagonally laid checkerboard floor tile in warm neutrals brought softness, texture, and movement. Though initially hesitant about the checkerboard pattern, the client now says:

“I was a little nervous about the checkerboard tile pattern being too bold for the kitchen, but it turned out really cool and it fits the space so well! We were originally going to install a white quartz countertop, but there was an issue with it so it was no longer available. Turned out to be a blessing in disguise because we ended up switching over to a dark granite countertop and I’m so happy we did! It makes the space feel super elevated! “

Throughout the kitchen, playroom, and connecting areas, we tied everything together with a cohesive palette: Behr Midnight Blue cabinetry, Behr Silverdrop walls, and Sherwin Williams Greek Villa on the ceilings and trim. The playroom’s beadboard and cabinetry added a hint of warmth in Sherwin Williams Chatroom.

The finished kitchen is a perfect mix of beauty and function. From the drama of dark cabinetry paired with black and blue tones, to the refined granite counters and full-height backsplash, it’s a space that feels classic, creative, and completely customized. But perhaps the most meaningful change wasn’t visual. It was the comfort of knowing they didn’t need to leave the neighborhood they love. Instead, we helped them fall in love with their home all over again. Our clients shared:

“We are so, so grateful to the Irwin team for working with us to create a kitchen and storage/desk space that added more function to our space while keeping the same footprint! All before the baby came, too! We’re so thrilled with how our renovation turned out! We knew when we decided to renovate that hiring Irwin Construction was the only choice, and we are so glad to have had your team renovate our home!”

At Irwin Construction, we don’t just renovate houses—we craft spaces for gathering, growing, and truly living. Because while a house is just a structure, a home is where life unfolds. We’re incredibly grateful to the clients and community who trust us to reimagine their spaces and allow us to do what we love most: transform the everyday into something extraordinary. Stay tuned—our next renovation story is just around the corner.

Project Materials & References :

M A T E R I A L S :

Countertops – 3cm Saratoga Silver honed granite
Floor Tile – Daltile Perpetuo 12×12 in Timeless White matte and Elegant Beige matte
Backsplash – Arizona Tile Flash Series 5×5 in Ivory

C O L O R S :

Kitchen Cabinets – Behr Midnight Blue
Walls – Behr Silverdrop
Ceiling and Trim – Sherwin Williams Greek Villa
Playroom cabinets & beadboard – Sherwin Williams Chatroom