Honey oak cabinets have had a legendary run, but for most kitchens, this finish does not stand the test of time and often makes your kitchen stuck in the past. We recently took on an oak kitchen that was structurally solid but aesthetically… well, outdated and dark. By trading the dated tiers for a seamless, one-level white quartz counter and swapping the “builder-grade” vibe for the moody, sophisticated depth of Benjamin Moore Lafayette Green, we completely redefined the heart of this home. If you’ve been staring at your own cabinets wondering if professional paint and some fresh backsplash tile can actually save you money over a full gut, grab a coffee. Because this transformation is proof that you don’t need a sledgehammer to get a designer finish.

Here’s where we started:

The Power of Paint: BM Lafayette Green & Simply White

When it comes to high-impact transformations, never underestimate the “power of the brush.” For this project, we leaned into one of our absolute favorite, fail-safe color combinations: the marriage of a soft, warm white with a deep, soulful green. By anchoring the lower cabinets in BM Lafayette Green (HC-135) and lifting the uppers with Simply White, we achieved a “Tuxedo” look that feels intentional and grounded rather than just “painted.” This isn’t just a fleeting trend, either—this specific pairing of organic, forest-inspired tones and creamy whites is a classic aesthetic that truly stands the test of time. It provides enough drama to make a statement, but enough warmth to ensure your kitchen still feels like the coziest room in the house ten years from now.

Lafayette Green – Benjamin Moore

Simply White – Benjamin Moore

When you have a lighter color on the top of your kitchen and a darker or more bold color on the bottom, the effect is referred to as a “Tuxedo Kitchen.” What people may not realize is that employing this technique can actually make a kitchen look bigger. Here’s a comparison of the kitchen side by side.

Subway tile is a classic for a reason, but if you’re looking to incorporate design that moves beyond a standard look, the secret is often found in the orientation. We decided to ditch the traditional offset “brick” pattern in favor of a vertical offset, and the impact was immediate.

By flipping the green subway tile on its end, we created clean, continuous lines that draw the eye upward, tricking the brain into thinking the ceilings are much taller than they actually are.

It’s a simple geometric shift that gives an affordable, standard tile a high-end designer edge, proving that you don’t need a custom-made mosaic to make a modern architectural statement.

Here’s one of our top picks for green tiles for your kitchen. I love the dark emerald green!

2″ x 8″ Porcelain Tile

The Finishing Touches: Why We Chose White Quartz & Brushed Gold Hardware

To bring the whole look together, we focused on the “jewelry” of the kitchen: the brushed gold hardware and the white quartz countertops. There is something incredibly sophisticated about the way a warm metallic pop sits against the moody depth of Lafayette Green—it’s an instant elevation that makes the entire space feel curated rather than just “refurbished.”

Here are some of our favorite picks for this combo

We paired this with a crisp white quartz that effectively bounces light around the room, providing a clean, durable surface that bridges the gap between the dark lowers and the bright uppers. This combination is our top recommendation for anyone wanting a high-end, designer finish; the quartz offers the look of marble without the high-maintenance “stain-anxiety,” while the gold pulls provide that final, polished touch that makes the cabinetry truly sing.

This before photo is a good example of how a ledge/half wall between the kitchen and dining area keeps things closed off & cuts the work area short.

By taking that ledge down, the sight-lines have been opened and our clients have gained additional counter space which can now be used in a variety of ways.

For additional kitchen inspiration, check out these transformations from FunCycled.

Blue & Gold Kitchen with Open Shelves

Clean and Bright Kitchen Reveal

Classic & Farmhouse Feel Kitchen Makeover

Kitchen Makeover Ideas: Warm Taupe Cabinets with Black Island for a Timeless Look

Final Thoughts

I hope you have gleaned some inspiration and perhaps discovered some key takeaways for your kitchen! To see more Green & White kitchen inspiration, check out our design picks for your kitchen. Follow the link below:

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.

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.