Embracing the Oak - Lakeville MN Kitchen Remodel - A Case Study

May 19

People tend to have a negative connotation when it comes to red oak because, well, it was used absolutely everywhere in the 90’s and early 2000’s and it was all very orange! I think there just weren’t as many options available for new construction homes back then. But the truth is, oak is a beautiful wood, and when done correctly can be absolutely gorgeous and timeless.

This kitchen is a perfect example of updating the horrendous golden orange oak of the 90’s that we have all come to hate. This home had raised panel oak cabinetry that had lived its life. Cabinets were falling apart, the hinges and drawer slides weren’t working properly. It was time for an upgrade. A common challenge with remodeling is where to stop and start and how to blend the new in with the old. That was a huge consideration for this project. We knew we wanted to update the kitchen, but how was it going to fit in with the rest of the home.

original kitchen from the 90's with outdated golden oak cabinets and tile floors — The original kitchen featuring orange oak cabinets.

When thinking about the design, I took inspiration from the homeowners existing craftsman style furniture which is all so incredibly beautiful. I knew I wanted to bring some of those features into the kitchen space! You will see details like oak wood cabinets, shaker style doors, mullion glass doors, and arch toe kick details.

craftsman style furnishings — Gorgeous craftsman style oak furniture used as inspiration for the cabinet details in the kitchen.

Aside from the aesthetic characteristics of this kitchen, we also improved functionality by improving the usability of the appliances and incorporating better storage options throughout. We opted for a cooktop with separate wall mounted oven and microwave for ease of use. We added a spot for the TV as well as a double basin sink and new faucet with an integrated sprayer. For functional storage, we added in a double trash pullout near the sink, rollout trays in the pantry, pullouts for spices and trays as well as a pullout for access to the corner cabinet. We also added inserts in the drawers for knives, utensils, and silverware.