After being repeatedly outbid while house hunting, a young family in the San Francisco Bay Area decided to shift their strategy by setting their sights on more affordable homes that would require some work. The lower price tag meant that they would be able to put more money towards crucial renovations. Eventually, they found a midcentury, ranch-style home with admittedly “very little curb appeal” in San Bruno. After the purchase, they sought out Ayesha Sikandar of MA Dimensions for a complete renovation. Transforming the cramped, dated kitchen into a functional, modern space was their top priority.

$25,000 Cabinets	$3,000 Countertops	$2,500 Backsplash
$3,000 Flooring	$2,500 Lighting	$2,500 Plumbing Fixtures
$9,249 Refrigerator	$2,699 Cooktop	$5,559 Oven
$1,639 Hood	$2,299 Dishwasher	$1,966 Tax on Appliances
$30,000 Labor
Grand Total: $91,951

The home was built in 1956 and hadn’t been updated since. “Everything about the existing home—and especially the kitchen—was dated,” says Sikandar.

The kitchen was originally close to the garage, which made it feel disconnected from the rest of the house. Sikandar flipped the kitchen and relocated it toward the back, allowing anyone in the kitchen to look out on a lush lawn perfect for their young daughter to run around on.

The family favored a clean, modern aesthetic and wanted an open floor plan living space. Sikandar enhanced this vision by raising the ceiling height with trusses to create a vaulted ceiling. She also inserted clerestory windows for increased light and views. Outside, a new wraparound deck gives the kitchen an indoor/outdoor connection via glass folding doors.

Because the kitchen would be the focal point of the living space and where they predicted they’d spend much of their time, the family decided to splurge on top-of-the-line cabinetry by Cucine Lube, an Italian company. The glossy panels are crafted from acrylic and glass dust to form a light and sturdy material that is “as luminous as glass.” In addition, the panels are easy to maintain; resistant to water, heat, stains, and chemicals; and designed to be in contact with food.

The clients also decided to invest in high-end Wolf and Sub Zero appliances instead of going with mid-range models. And while these decisions put them significantly over their original budget, they were purchases they didn’t regret.

To help keep the rest of the budget in check, they chose to balance their expenses with quartz countertops and engineered hardwood flooring. The homeowners were also able to save some money by choosing more affordable, folding glass doors from Panoramic Doors. Despite having gone over their original budget, the homeowners couldn’t be happier with their decisions: they love to cook and watch their daughter play in the yard, or entertain friends and family in the new, light-filled space. “Wherever you sit, you always feel like you are a part of any conversation that is going on,” they say.

More Budget Breakdowns:

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A Designer Couple Revamp a Tiny Seattle Condo For $13K

Project Credits:

Principal Designer: MA Dimensions, Ayesha Sikandar

Builder/General Contractor: David Cao

Structural Engineer: Saabco Consulting Inc., Mohammad Sabir

Countertops: Corner Stone Home Design

Cabinetry Design/Installation: Bay Area Cabinetry