Before You Demo: Here’s How We Gave This Dallas Kitchen a Whole New Look — Without a Full Renovation

When You Want a New Kitchen Look—Without the Dust and DemO

A full kitchen renovation isn’t always the right move—especially when other goals, like buying a second home, are in play. And as an interior designer in Dallas, I can tell you that lots of our clients escape to their lake house/mountain house/beach house during our inferno-esque summers!

That was the case with one of our Dallas clients. They wanted a lighter, more elegant kitchen—but once we flushed out all the design and construction details, they decided they didn’t want to take on the expense or disruption of a full gut renovation and removal of a load-bearing wall, as they were about to dive into a new build vacation home outside the city. Instead, we focused on high-impact upgrades that gave the space a completely refreshed look and added everyday functionality.

Here’s how we did it—without ripping out the cabinets or moving a single wall:

A new hood, fresh paint, and elegant brass accents gave this space a whole new life—without replacing a single cabinet.

1. Painted the existing cabinets.

We took the dark, dated wood cabinets and painted them in Evergreen Fog — a soothing, sophisticated green that instantly lifted the mood of the room.

2. Streamlined the Cabinet Details

Out went the ornate dental molding and overly decorative trim. By shaving off those dated details, we gave the cabinetry a cleaner, more tailored silhouette.

Removing dated dental molding gave the cabinets a cleaner, more tailored silhouette.

3. Updated the Lighting

We removed an old ceiling fan and added a few more recessed lights to bring in better, brighter overall illumination.

4. Swapped the Stainless Hood for Custom Plaster

Instead of the basic stainless steel range hood, we installed a plaster hood surround in a soft, creamy white. Its modern traditional profile added architectural presence and charm.

The old stainless steel hood was replaced with a custom creamy plaster surround in a refined, modern-traditional shape.

5. Swapped Out the Counters and Backsplash

We replaced the dark granite counters with classic Carrara marble and installed a textured zellige tile backsplash that adds depth and a subtle artisan quality.

6. Softened the Window with a Custom Shade

A tailored woven Roman shade added texture and warmth while softening the hard edges of the space.

A woven Roman shade softened the space and layered in texture.

7. Refreshed Fixtures and Hardware

The old sink and faucet were swapped for a crisp white sink and an elegant brass fixture. Coordinating brass hardware replaced outdated handles for a warm, polished finish.

8. Maximized Cabinet Functionality

Design isn’t just about how things look—it’s about how they work. We addressed a pesky blind corner cabinet by adding a clever swing-out component from Rev-A-Shelf, making those deep corners easy to access. A few other lower cabinets also got upgraded with pull-out components to make storage more efficient and reaching easier.

Le mans component by Rev-a-Shelf

A Fresh Start—Without Starting Over…

This approach gave our clients the beautiful, updated, functional kitchen they envisioned—while keeping their long-term goals in sight.

Whether you're preparing to invest in a second home or simply want to avoid a full-scale renovation, thoughtful refacing can be a smart, stylish solution.

→ Curious what’s possible in your own kitchen? Let’s talk!