The Yorktown Project: Proof That a Kitchen Refresh Can Completely Transform a Home

We are SO excited to finally feature the Yorktown Project on the blog today. This project is near and dear to my heart for so many reasons, but especially because it highlights something I am constantly telling clients:

You do not have to spend a fortune to make a huge impact in your home.

Believe it or not, this was not even a full kitchen remodel — it was simply a kitchen refresh. And honestly? The transformation speaks for itself.

One of my favorite parts of this project was showing how thoughtful design choices, intentional layering, and a few impactful updates can completely breathe new life into a space without gutting everything and starting over.

We kept the original cabinetry and instead focused on enhancing what was already there. By adding new countertops, fresh paint, updated lighting, a new backsplash, and redesigning the vent hood, the kitchen feels completely transformed while still honoring the original footprint of the home.

We’ll also be sharing the before photos alongside the design concepts I created for the space so you can truly see the vision come to life.

Let’s Talk About the Kitchen

BEFORE: Kitchen

AFTER: Kitchen

Featured here:
Pendant Lights, Kitchen Nook Chandelier, Barstools, Kitchen Runner

Serene Quartz Countertop

Surfaces Granite (Bixby)

Instagram

Website

The kitchen is truly the heart of this home, and one of the biggest goals for this refresh was creating a space that felt warm, elevated, timeless, and custom — without the expense of a full renovation.

We kept the existing cabinets but gave them an entirely new life with paint and thoughtful material selections. One of my favorite additions was incorporating a beautiful wood cabinet element to add warmth, texture, and contrast to the space.

The combination of:

updated countertops
fresh backsplash
new lighting
redesigned vent hood
and carefully selected finishes

completely transformed the overall feeling of the kitchen.

It now feels layered, intentional, and inviting while still being incredibly functional for everyday living.

And honestly, this project is such a great example of how powerful a refresh can be when you focus on the right details.

The Statement Vent Hood

One of the standout features of this kitchen refresh was the redesigned vent hood. I truly believe a vent hood can completely change the look and feel of a kitchen, and in this project, it became such a beautiful focal point.

Rather than treating it as just a functional element, we approached the vent hood as a statement design feature that would anchor the entire space. The custom detailing, shape, and finish helped create that elevated, designer feel while tying together the warmth of the wood tones and the richness of the cabinetry color.

It instantly draws your eye when you walk into the kitchen and adds so much character and dimension to the room. Sometimes it’s these kinds of intentional design moments that make a space feel truly custom and thoughtfully curated.

If you’re considering a kitchen refresh, upgrading or redesigning your vent hood is one of those impactful changes that can make the entire kitchen feel more high-end without requiring a full remodel.

The Paint Colors

Another one of the defining elements of this home was the paint palette.

For the walls, we used Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee, which created the perfect soft, warm backdrop throughout the home. It keeps the spaces feeling light and airy while still adding warmth and depth.

For the kitchen cabinetry and living room built-ins, we selected Sherwin-Williams Retreat — and it truly became one of the stars of the project.

Featured here:

Sherwin Williams: Retreat

Benjamin Moore: Swiss Coffee

Retreat is such a beautiful moody green with blue undertones that feels rich, sophisticated, and timeless all at once. It pairs SO beautifully with natural wood tones, warm leathers, brass accents, and layered textures, which made it the perfect choice for this home.

The color adds depth and contrast without feeling overly trendy, and it instantly gives the home a more custom, designer feel.

One of my favorite things about this color is how versatile it becomes throughout the day depending on the lighting. It feels cozy and dramatic in the evenings but still fresh and calming during the daytime.

The Living Room

BEFORE: Living Room

AFTER: Living Room

Featured here:

Leather Sectional, Rug, Chair & Ottoman Set, and Coffee Table

In addition to the kitchen refresh, we also redesigned the living room space.

One of my favorite things to share in projects like this is the progression from before photos… to the design concept… to the finished result. It really allows you to see how thoughtful spatial planning and layered design can completely transform how a room feels and functions.

For this living room, the goal was creating a space that felt:

warm
collected
comfortable
functional for everyday life
but still elevated and beautiful

Through furniture selections, textures, lighting, styling, and custom built-in details, the room now feels cohesive, intentional, and inviting.

The combination of the Retreat built-ins, warm wood tones, leather textures, layered fabrics, and carefully curated styling moments created a space that feels both timeless and livable — which is always our goal at CMDCO.

This project will forever be one of my favorite reminders that good design is not always about completely starting over. Sometimes it’s simply about seeing the potential in what already exists and making thoughtful changes that create maximum impact.

Bringing Your Dream Home to Life

Whether you’re planning a simple refresh, new construction project, or full home remodel, Carissa Miller Design Co. is here to help bring your dream home to life with thoughtful, timeless design tailored to the way you live.