A fresh coat of paint can do wonders, but this tuxedo kitchen makeover took things a step further, transforming a bland, all-white space into a timeless and tailored showstopper. In this project, we turned a generic kitchen into a bold-yet-classic space by pairing crisp Chantilly Lace upper cabinets with smoky black lowers, creating that coveted tuxedo look. From oversized matte black hardware to a gleaming stainless steel apron sink and updated quartz counters, every detail was designed for both style and longevity. Here’s how we brought this stunning transformation to life.

Kitchen Makeover Design

When first meeting with our client, we realized how much she appreciated and valued the need for style that reflects her personality while creating a little drama and adding some creative choices to her home. To begin, we started with a design board to create a concept that we could work from.

Crisp Contrast: The Tuxedo Cabinet Look

This kitchen is totally timeless!

Here’s how we created that tuxedo style:

• Top cabinets painted in Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace white for a cool and crisp feel
• Bottom cabinets painted in a moody, smoky hue found in Benjamin Moore Almost Black for grounding contrast.
• Coordinated by painting the existing corner hutch to match the lower cabinets

**Note, the color of the lower cabinets that is displayed in the photos does not accurately display the Almost Black color.

Almost Black by Benjamin Moore

Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore

I love this pairing. It is so classic and definitely give a nod to the elegance of a well tailored tuxedo

Designer’s Perspective

Hardware that Adds Style and Substance

To really create a modern-classic design, we decided to use oversized matte black hardware for both the doors and drawers.

Hardware from Amazon

To ensure scale, we found a selection that was available in a variety of sizes. This allowed us to create a cohesive design, streamline our product selection, and achieve a modern edge with timeless appeal. The sleek structure is perfect for a tuxedo kitchen. The hardware we used is linked in the picture to the right

Here’s the breakdown of what size was used where

• 3.75″ for smaller upper cabinet doors
• 5″ for small lower cabinet drawers
• 7.5″ for larger drawers and all other cabinets

Backsplash and Counters: Classic Meets Fresh

We decided to use classic beveled white subway tile in keeping with a timeless design.

To assure fresh and clean lines for a modern appeal, we selected a white color for our grout choice. Stunning!

Here is a link to a beautiful beveled subway tile in crisp white.

We swapped outdated counters with a sleek new quartz surface with light veining.

Functional Beauty: Sink, Appliances, and Lighting

I often encourage clients to really evaluate their sink, light fixtures and appliances when they are considering options for a kitchen remodel, even if you are re-working much of what already exists. Taking the opportunity while you are in that mind frame and already planning a design just makes good sense.

Our client already had upgraded her appliances so they were in beautiful shape when we began this project, so we did not need to source this. In light of this, we were able to spend time and money on some other elements important to the overall design. As you can see, we swapped the sink for a sleek new design which added a touch of charm while maintaining a modern and polished look.

It was important to create as much light as possible. We changed out the dated, downcast light for a modern wood and metal fixture that would bring fresh illumination casted up and down. Note, we did paint part of this light in copper to match the new faucet and add richness to the design.

The fixture we used is featured here and linked below:

More Kitchen Transformation Inspiration

Here are some other great kitchen transformations from FunCycled.

Clean and Bright Kitchen Reveal

Classic & Farmhouse Feel Kitchen Makeover

Final Thoughts

I hope you have gleaned some inspiration and perhaps discovered some key takeaways for your kitchen! To see more kitchen inspiration, check out all of our KITCHEN MAKEOVERS.

Are you considering getting your kitchen cabinets painted (OR MORE!), follow these three easy steps to getting your FREE QUOTE today! If you are even remotely considering a kitchen refresh, I encourage you to CONTACT US today!

Thank you all for following along! If you’d like to get this blog in your email once a week, please sign up for our weekly newsletter by adding your email in the little box below my picture at the top of this page. 

If you’ve enjoyed this post, please like FunCycled on  Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest if you don’t already. Keep up to date on the newest finds, vote on colors and give your input on our creativity. We share fun tutorials, great before and after, and new design inspirations. 

We offer interior design, kitchen cabinet painting, and custom built tables, barn doors, and repurposed furniture. Thank you, again, for working with us and for taking the time to spread the word about what we do. 

Happy FunCycling Friends,
Sarah ; )

Exquisite Spaces. Sustainable Designs. Brighter Futures.

Note some of the the links provided are affiliate links, and I may earn from any qualifying purchases.

Hi Friends!

How’s your week going? Can you believe the Christmas is next week?? I know we can’t! It’s been such a busy season (as it always seems to be with work events, school for the kids, and church events). This year, I was able to be part of the lobby design at our church. We did a couple photo backdrop areas for families to take pictures. Here’s one of those:

Ohhhh… and my beautiful sister in law came for a visit over Thanksgiving so I can show you what it looks like as a backdrop with people! <3

This week, I wanted to share before and after of a kitchen makeover that we painted the cabinets on. Here’s the kitchen before:

We painted the cabinets with Benjamin Moore’s Advanced paint; color Simply White, and sealed it with a water based protective clear coat.

Ready for the afters? 

You can use our Contact Us form or check out other kitchen projects on our For Sale page. We’ll need to see a picture of your kitchen, a list of how many doors and drawers there are, and where you are located to email you an estimate. This change ups the value of your home and gives you a whole new look at a fraction of the cost of new kitchen cabinets!

Check out some fun new furniture for sale in our store now:

Please sign up for our weekly newsletter by adding your email in the little box below my picture. 

Happy FunCycling Friends,
Sarah ;)

If you like what you see, please like FunCycled’s Facebook page to keep up to date on the newest finds, vote on colors and give your input on our creativity. We also offer interior design, kitchen cabinet painting, and custom built tables, barn doors, and furniture. We can deliver for customers in upstate NY and also help you ship throughout the US. Send us a note with what you would like using our contact page. Or buy something that we’ve already designed from our online shop.

1. Hi Friends!

How are you? I hope all is going well and your savoring every minute of the summer in upstate NY. I absolutely love the warm weather and long, sunny days. I’m also thankful for the rain – despite how difficult it makes work for us. None of the paint wants to dry and all of it wants to drip down furniture! Even when I photographed this kitchen, it down poured the whole time! I’m just thankful for the rain for my gardens and grass. My yard was starting to resemble the sahara dessert. lol

I can’t wait to show you this kitchen! This whole house was all part of an interior design job that I’ve been working on over the past few months. I loved working with the home owner! She was hard working, kind, and trusting. A real treat for any designer! She already had a beautiful home that was over 200 years old and she had designed it beautifully about 13 years ago, but she wanted my help to bring in newer trends and colors. Here’s one example of her living room makeover. Simple, not overly costly; we moved some furniture in from other spaces in her house, changed the couch covers to white, changed out the carpet, and brought white into the space with a new clock for above the fireplace and decorations!

Here it is before:

After:

In the same way, the kitchen was already pretty! The cabinets had a timeless style and the counters are beautiful! They just wanted to update it from the beige, chippy finish.
Here it is before:


The homeowner wanted to do some of the sanding herself (remember? she’s a hard worker!), then we came in to finish up the sanding to give it a fine, professional finish. We painted the cabinets Stonington Gray (HC-170) by Benjamin Moore and the island Amherst Gray (HC-167) by Benjamin Moore. Then we sealed it with a protective clear coat. We also changed out the pulls on the refrigerator.

Ready for the after?
 

Would you like your kitchen cabinets painted? Use our Contact Us form to let us know! Just email us a picture of your kitchen, a count of how many doors and drawers, and let us know where you are located. Then we can send you an estimate for redoing them for you! It will up the value of your home at a fractions of the price of buying new cabinets!

Please also check out new furniture for sale on our website here or let us know if you could use some help with decorating. Please use our Contact Us form or stop by our store at 272 River Street, Troy, NY.

There is a box at the top right of this page to enter your email address to receive notifications by email when I post something new on this blog. Please sign up today!

Happy FunCycling Friends,
Sarah ;)

If you like what you see, please like FunCycled’s Facebook page to keep up to date on the newest finds, vote on colors and give your input on our creativity. Last but not least, let us customize a furniture piece for you. We create custom furniture and will deliver for customers in upstate NY and also ship throughout the US. Send us a note with what you would like using our contact page. Or buy something that we’ve already designed from our furniture for sale page.