Lexington, KY High-End Kitchen Remodel in Lansdowne
Transforming a Traditional 1960s Lexington Kitchen
The original layout separated the kitchen into several smaller zones. A breakfast table occupied one side of the room, the refrigerator sat inside an adjoining storage area, soffits visually lowered portions of the ceiling, and the cooking area relied on a traditional freestanding range.
The homeowners wanted something substantially different: a brighter, high-end kitchen with better storage, larger work surfaces, modern appliances, and a layout that made the entire room feel intentional and connected.
Stak Construction completely reworked the space while keeping the character and quality of the surrounding home in mind.
Project Details
- Location: Lansdowne neighborhood, Lexington, KY
- Home: Established home built in 1962
- Project type: High-end kitchen remodel and layout redesign
- Main features: Reconfigured kitchen layout, opened adjoining storage area, relocated refrigerator, dedicated cooktop and custom vent hood, double wall oven, large contrasting island, custom white cabinetry, quartz countertops, brass hardware, tile backsplash, recessed and pendant lighting, soffit removal, electrical updates, drywall and detailed finish carpentry
Before: A Kitchen Divided Into Smaller Areas
The original kitchen was functional, but much of its available space wasn't being used efficiently.
A breakfast table occupied a large open wall, while the refrigerator was tucked into a separate storage area off the kitchen. The cooking area used a traditional freestanding range, and overhead soffits made the cabinetry and ceiling feel more enclosed.
While the sink already had an ideal location by the large windows overlooking the backyard, the rest of the layout gave Stak an opportunity to rethink how the homeowners cooked, stored food, entertained, and moved through the room.
Reworking the Kitchen Layout
Rather than rebuilding the new kitchen around the old appliance locations, Stak reorganized the room around the way the homeowners wanted to use it. Working together with them, our team was able to learn how they move about the space, how often certain areas were used, and what was lacking for cooking and hosting.
The former breakfast table wall became a dedicated cooking zone with a new cooktop, extensive cabinetry, countertop space, and a custom vent hood that now serves as an architectural focal point.
The old freestanding stove was removed entirely. Instead, a separate double wall oven was incorporated directly into the new cabinetry, creating a cleaner built-in appearance and separating baking from the main cooktop area.
The sink remained beneath the existing windows, preserving one of the strongest features of the original kitchen while everything around it was updated.
Bringing the Former Storage Area Into the Kitchen
Another major improvement came from the space that had previously housed the refrigerator.
Stak opened the former storage area so it became a true extension of the kitchen rather than a separate room. The refrigerator was moved into the main cabinetry near the former oven area, making it much easier to access while cooking and allowing the former storage room to become usable kitchen space for prep that could stay out of the main line of sight.
That change allowed the new design to take advantage of square footage that already existed within the home instead of increasing the home's footprint.
Removing the Soffits and Building Up the Cabinetry
We also removed the original ceiling soffits, allowing the new cabinetry to take advantage of more storage space and give the kitchen a taller, more finished appearance.
New white cabinetry was installed throughout and finished with detailed crown molding and warm brass hardware. Glass-front cabinets and specialized storage areas add variation while maintaining the traditional character to keep in line with the general feel of the home.
A Large Contrasting Island at the Center of the Room
One of the biggest additions and our favorite improvement is the oversized center island.
Rather than matching the surrounding white cabinetry, the homeowners selected a deep blue finish for the island, creating a strong focal point in the otherwise light kitchen.
A large quartz slab with prominent gray veining provides extensive space for food preparation, serving, entertaining, and everyday gathering. Pendant fixtures above the island and brass-toned hardware carry the warmer finishes used throughout the kitchen.
Quartz, Tile, Lighting, and Finish Work
White quartz countertops continue throughout the kitchen, while the light diagonal tile backsplash introduces pattern and texture without competing with the countertops.
Stak also handled the electrical and lighting changes required for the redesigned room, including recessed lighting, island lighting, appliance connections, and the changes associated with removing the existing soffits and relocating kitchen functions.
Detailed crown molding, cabinetry trim, drywall repairs, painting, and carefully finished transitions help the remodeled kitchen blend in with the rest of the home rather than looking like a new kitchen simply inserted into an older house.
The Finished Lansdowne Kitchen Remodel
The difference between the original and completed kitchen goes far beyond new finishes.
An underused breakfast wall became a dedicated cooking area. A separate storage room became part of the kitchen. The refrigerator was brought into the main workspace. The old range was replaced by a cooktop and built-in double ovens. Ceiling soffits disappeared, cabinetry gained height and storage, and a large center island created an entirely new place for the homeowners to cook, gather, and entertain.
This finished kitchen combines the traditional character of the home and neighborhood with the storage, appliances, workspace, and high-end finishes expected from a modern custom kitchen.