Sometimes the best projects are the ones closest to home. This kitchen renovation combined technical precision with design sensibility, turning an outdated space into a modern, functional heart of the home.
Before: The starting point for a complete transformation.
The project started with demo—stripping everything down to the studs to address underlying electrical and plumbing systems. Like refactoring legacy code, sometimes you need to go back to the foundation to build something that lasts.
The rebuild phase required careful planning and execution. New cabinets, countertops, lighting, and flooring all had to work together as a cohesive system—not unlike architecting a multi-tier web application.
The custom wood countertops presented unique engineering challenges. I chose rubberwood—a sustainable, durable hardwood that's often overlooked but offers excellent workability and strength. At around $200 for the material, it was an economical choice that didn't sacrifice quality. The 2.1-inch thick slabs required routing on the underside to accommodate an undermount sink—creating a recessed pocket that allowed the sink to sit flush despite the beefiness of the material. Every offcut was saved and repurposed: smaller sections were precisely fitted into the sink's accessory rails, transforming wasted material into functional counter space extensions.
The routed underside: precision cutouts for the undermount sink installation.
Final preparations: cabinets in place, ready for the custom countertops.
Applying the food-safe finish: Real Milk Paint's Half & Half Tung Oil with Citrus Blend.
The finishing process mattered as much as the construction. I used Real Milk Paint's Half & Half Tung Oil with Citrus Blend—a food-safe finish that blends Pure Tung Oil with biodegradable, food-grade citrus solvent. The thinned viscosity allows deep penetration into the wood grain while maintaining durability, and the natural citrus aroma made the application process far more pleasant than traditional finishes.
Organization and functionality: every inch optimized for efficiency.
From concept to completion, this renovation reinforced a key principle that applies to both physical and digital projects: attention to detail at every phase produces results that stand the test of time.
Custom backsplash detail: the finishing touch that ties everything together.
The finished kitchen: clean lines, modern finishes, and optimized workflow.