Good Change

The saying goes that, “the only thing in life that is constant is change”. Having said that there is another saying the states, “the more things change the more they stay the same.” At first glance those ideas seem to contradict each other, and you might find yourself wondering which one is true. Are we always changing, or are we staying the same. The truth is that both things are happening at the same time. I like to think about these ideas through the lens of decorating. Kitchen design has shifted again and again over the years. Colors have changed, countertops have changed, and door styles have changed. Yet one thing remains the same. Every home needs a kitchen. The kitchen is the constant, and the style of the kitchen is the part that keeps changing. If change is constant, then we have the opportunity to make that change good, and that is something we can do constantly, especially when it comes to decorating. Let’s peek into kitchen makeover in an Arlington courtyard villa model, a transformation that proves change can be a very good thing, somewhere in the heart of The Villages.

  •  Oak Cabinets
This model originally came with dark oak cabinets, but the homeowners were never fond of the heavy grain or the dated look. They were ready for a change, and updating oak cabinetry is one of the best investments you can make in a home. It lifts the entire space, brightens the mood, and instantly brings the kitchen into the present.

  •  White Cabinets
The homeowners wanted a white kitchen, and that choice is always a classic. A white kitchen feels light and bright, and it is often considered the cleanest and most welcoming look for a space where everyone seems to gather. White kitchens are the steady choice; they are the one design decision that does not create panic when trends come and go. You may see green cabinets or bold blue kitchens popping up on Instagram or Facebook, but in real life most people choose white when they are the ones writing the check. Light warm woods without grain are making a comeback. Maple cabinets in light stain are very desirable as well.

  •  Lower the Bar
The homeowners made a great choice when they decided to lower the bar in the kitchen. The raised bar was originally designed to hide the mess of daily life, but the reality is there is only so much you can hide behind a six-inch lip. A coffee mug maybe, but not much else. Once the bar was cut down and transformed into one wide, beautiful slab of granite, the homeowners gained an impressive amount of usable counter space. Now when they come in from the grocery store, they have a large flat surface to set everything down until it can be put away. When they entertain, there is plenty of room for food service and comfortable seating. The island becomes the true workhorse of the kitchen, ready for meal prep, hosting, sorting, serving, and everything in between. It is the kind of change that makes everyday life easier and gatherings a whole lot more enjoyable.

  •  Drawers Glorious Drawers
Since the homeowners were purchasing all new cabinets, they made some significant changes in the way the kitchen performs by choosing more drawers than basic cabinets. Drawers can be large for pots and pans, or they can be made of varying sizes to fit the needs of the homeowners. Why are they requesting more drawers, you ask? Drawers are easier to use because you can open a drawer fully and see everything in the drawer without having to get down on your knees and look back into the cabinet. The previous homeowners had installed pullouts in the existing cabinets but so much space was lost because the lower cabinets had the style bar in the middle to accommodate the door. Drawers provide more space and more function. They are always a great investment in homes that are in a fifty-five plus community.

  •  Taller Upper Cabinets
We raised the upper cabinets from thirty-six inches to forty-two, and that one change made a remarkable difference. The extra height adds more storage, and the taller cabinets make the entire kitchen feel more customized and more expansive. They draw the eye upward, and when a kitchen looks taller and larger, it instantly feels more valuable. The homeowners also chose to add glass to the upper cabinets for display, which creates a beautiful focal point. Glass is perfect when you want to showcase pretty pieces. If you need those cabinets for everyday storage, it is better to skip the glass. Glass is for the items you want to admire, not the ones you want to hide.

  •  What type of Cabinet Door
When purchasing white painted cabinets, it helps to be mindful of the type of door you choose. White cabinetry is always painted, and when it comes to painted finishes, I always recommend an MDF door rather than a wood door. Painted wood can expand and contract with changes in humidity, and those shifts often leave visible joint lines in the corners that look like small cracks. When that happens, the installer will usually remind you that it is simply the nature of wood, not a defect. MDF (medium density fiberboard) doors are built the same way as wood doors, so the look is identical, but the material is smoother, accepts paint beautifully, and does not tend to expand and contract the way wood does. As an added bonus, MDF is usually less expensive. Wood doors are wonderful for stain, but they are not the best choice for paint. This topic surprises many homeowners, and it often sparks a lively debate. But there are plenty of videos and resources online that confirm exactly what I am describing. Choosing the right door material makes all the difference in how your white kitchen will look for years down the road.

  •  Granite Countertops with Full Backsplash
The homeowners chose a beautiful granite, and they carried it right up the wall as the backsplash. A full granite backsplash creates a seamless, elegant look, and it also means there is no grout to maintain, which is always a welcome bonus in a busy kitchen. The granite received a fifteen-year seal that comes with a guarantee, giving the homeowners both beauty and peace of mind. It is one of those upgrades that looks stunning on day one and stays that way for years.

  •  Wainscot on Island
Finally, the homeowners added white wainscot to the island. This style of wainscot uses framed beadboard, and it always looks especially charming on an island. The white finish ties the island back to the rest of the kitchen, creating a clean visual connection that makes the whole space feel lighter and fresher. The island now looks polished and perfectly at home in its new surroundings.
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