When Kathleen moved back to New Orleans, she hoped to find a home rich in charm and possibility, one she could restore and make her own. She found exactly that in an Arts and Crafts raised basement bungalow in Uptown New Orleans. While the house had the character she craved, the kitchen told another story. The cabinets were old, broken and cheaply built and the layout did not function well for everyday living.
This wasn’t Kathleen’s first renovation. Having completed more than twenty home projects, she was no stranger to what a kitchen remodel requires. A friend referred her to Singer Kitchens and when she visited our showroom, she immediately felt at ease. The kitchen displays there helped her easily imagine how new cabinets and countertops might look in her own space.
Defining her Vision
Kathleen’s priorities for her new kitchen were to keep the design simple & symmetrical while honoring and preserving the original New Orleans character of the house. She also wanted to feel confident that her investment would hold its value over time.
For her new kitchen cabinets, Kathleen selected a classic shaker door style that honored the Arts and Crafts details of her bungalow. To balance tradition with a fresh update, she chose a white painted finish paired with a warm brown stain. A penny tile backsplash added a fun, personal touch.
Thoughtful Design and Smart Solutions
Ben, her designer at Singer Kitchens, worked alongside Kathleen to bring her vision to life. He admired her eye for detail, while she appreciated his ability to listen, respond, and never miss a question.
He helped her reimagine the dysfunctional layout. The refrigerator was located in the laundry room, and the range sat awkwardly by itself. By relocating the range, he created a more functional plan with space for a pantry cabinet and a properly placed refrigerator.
Kathleen wanted doors on all of the base cabinets, and Ben suggested adding rollout trays behind some of them. This gave her the symmetrical look she preferred while adding the organization and storage she needed. To make the kitchen feel even more personal, Ben designed a row of glass cabinets to showcase Kathleen’s treasured pottery collection.
A Kitchen That Reflects Her
Kathleen’s Uptown Arts and Crafts kitchen is now simple, symmetrical, functional, and full of character, exactly as she imagined it. “I was surprised how easily and quickly the space was transformed”, she said. With Ben’s expertise and attention to detail supporting her, Kathleen created a space that reflects her taste, her style, and her love of her historic home. The end result is a kitchen that perfectly captured Kathleen’s vision. “Anytime anyone asks, I am going to tell them to go to Singer Kitchens”.
