A Full Kitchen Remodel in Jacksonville’s Kernan Area
- Project Type: Full Kitchen Remodel
- Location: Kernan Area (Jacksonville, FL 32246)
- Build Timeline: 8 weeks
Some of our most rewarding projects begin with a returning client. When a homeowner trusts us with a second project, it means a great deal, and it raises the bar for what we deliver.
That’s exactly the spirit behind this full kitchen remodel in Jacksonville’s Kernan area. We had previously completed the homeowners’ master bathroom renovation, and when they were ready to tackle their kitchen, they came back to us. What followed was a collaborative, thoughtful design process that transformed a dated, cramped kitchen into a beautifully functional space, without altering the existing footprint.
The Starting Point: A Kitchen That Wasn’t Working
The existing kitchen was functional at a basic level, but it wasn’t keeping up with how the homeowners actually lived and cooked. Several pain points were clear from the start:
- Tight walkways and poor flow throughout the space
- Limited counter space for meal prep and everyday use
- Inadequate storage for a fully stocked kitchen
- No kitchen island, which was high on the homeowners’ wish list
- A large pantry closet that consumed floor space without delivering proportional value
- A hutch area that felt unfinished and disconnected from the rest of the kitchen
The Design Process: Working Through the Details
This project had one of the more involved design evolutions we’ve navigated, and that’s a good thing. It’s exactly what the design process is for.
Early conversations included the possibility of removing the knee wall separating the kitchen from the adjoining space. On the surface, it seemed like a promising way to open things up. But removing it would have triggered a cascade of costly changes: relocating the dishwasher, stove, and refrigerator, along with significant plumbing and electrical work. The scope and the cost would have grown substantially.
There were also differing opinions between the homeowners about pantry size and layout, which required careful listening and honest guidance from our team.
Ultimately, we landed on a revised plan that preserved the existing footprint while delivering on every core goal. No appliances were relocated. No walls came down. Instead, we focused on cabinet optimization, smarter storage solutions, and design choices that made the space feel larger, more cohesive, and far more livable.
Cabinetry: Two-Tone, Ceiling-Height, and Built-In
The cabinetry was the centerpiece of this transformation, and the two-tone approach gives the kitchen a custom, designer feel that you don’t often see in a standard remodel.
Main Kitchen Cabinets: Juniper
The primary cabinetry was finished in Juniper, a rich, nature-inspired tone that anchors the space with depth and personality. It’s a bold but sophisticated choice that works beautifully against the warmth of the Mystero Gold countertops.
Island Cabinets: Mink
The island was finished in Mink, a softer complementary neutral, creating intentional contrast and giving the island a distinct identity within the kitchen. Two-tone cabinetry is a hallmark of high-end kitchen design, and here it elevates the entire room.
Hutch Redesign
The hutch area received a complete overhaul. We adjusted cabinet sizes, removed dated glass elements, and, most significantly, extended the cabinetry to the ceiling. Ceiling-height cabinetry creates a built-in, custom appearance that makes a space feel finished and intentional. The result is a hutch that now looks like it was always meant to be part of the kitchen.
Pantry Conversion
The large pantry closet was replaced with a built-in pantry cabinet. This freed up floor space, improved the flow around the kitchen perimeter, and delivered a more cohesive, furniture-like appearance.
The Island: A Long-Wanted Addition
Adding a kitchen island was one of the homeowners’ top priorities, and it required more than just installing a cabinet. We ran new electrical through the floor to power the island properly and installed pendant lighting above it, giving the space a finished, intentional look.
The island countertop was matched to the main kitchen surface for a seamless, cohesive result. It now serves as the functional and visual heart of the kitchen, a gathering spot, a prep area, and a design statement all in one.
Countertops & Backsplash: Gold, Texture & Contrast
UMI Mystero Gold Countertops
The countertops throughout, including the island, were installed in UMI Mystero Gold with a pencil edge profile. The warm gold tones complement the Juniper cabinetry beautifully while adding movement and richness to the overall palette. It’s a surface that draws the eye without overpowering the space.
Backsplash: Two Zones, Two Styles
The backsplash design reflects the kitchen’s dual character. On the main kitchen side, the countertop material extends as the backsplash, creating a seamless, contemporary look. At the hutch, a Daltile Modern Textile White tile introduces texture and contrast, grounding that area of the kitchen with a distinct identity.
Appliances, Fixtures & Functional Details
Every element of this kitchen was chosen to work harder and look better. The upgrades extended well beyond cabinetry and countertops:
- New appliances throughout
- Wine cooler installed in the hutch, with dedicated electrical
- Delta faucet for a clean, modern look at the sink
- Garbage disposal with an air switch for a sleek countertop finish
- Under-cabinet lighting to brighten the workspace
- Under-cabinet electrical outlets for easy access without cluttering the backsplash
- An outlet inside a drawer for charging and small appliance use
- New can lights were added in the adjoining room for consistent, updated lighting throughout
- Bar top (calitop) cut down to improve traffic flow and walkway space
What Makes This Project Special
This kitchen remodel is a study in smart compromise. The homeowners came in with ambitious goals, more space, better flow, a real island, a more luxurious look, and we delivered on all of them without the budget-busting move of relocating appliances or tearing into the existing layout.
By redirecting design energy toward cabinet optimization, two-tone finishes, ceiling-height details, and quality material selections, we achieved the high-end, built-in aesthetic they were after, through craftsmanship rather than construction.
The homeowners love the result. They’ve already had friends and family over to see the finished kitchen, always the best sign that a project truly landed.