Before and After a $162,000 Kitchen Remodel

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed)
May 8th 2006 at 5:01PM

When a contractor or designer sets out to remodel his own kitchen, he can be up for quite a challenge. After all, he isn't likely to settle for anything less than perfection and probably has an exceptionally specific idea of what he - and also, in this case, his wife - wants. Howard Robbins took on his own home and, after 9 months and $162,000, walked away with a National Association of the Remodeling Industry Award in his region for the "best residential kitchen over $100,000." His kitchen was "outdated, inefficient and oppressive" (picture after the jump), but simple aesthetics aside, there were a few major changes that had to be made, something to take into consideration if you are looking to remodel. The ceiling was raised by 3 feet, eliminating dropped, panel lights, and one wall was pushed out, providing a roomier area to start with. Once the room was opened up, new appliances, flooring and, of course, accessories were added. The kitchen now has Decor ovens and cooktop, a Subzero refrigerator, a Miele dishwasher and, to meld with his wife's love and collection of Asian decor, bamboo accents and Japanese shoji screens, from Shigoto Ya Inc., were added, as well.

[Images Muffy Kibbey, SF Gate]

Tags: contractor, decor, design, designer, home, kitchen, remodel, remodeling, renovation

Filed under: Decor

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Reader Comments (Page 5 of 24)

Gloria May 13th 2006 8:26AM

The $162,000 'show off' kitchen is lacking personality, certainly doesn't say 'Hi, make yourself at home'.......more like 'Please remove your shoes or wear booties.... the party is outside'.

Janet Eason May 13th 2006 8:27AM

.....its nice. But no imagination. Looks like evry other kitchen, in America. How about putting the stove under a window. How about butting all the noisey equipement in its own sperate room (washer dryer, dishwasher, water heater), and usea mini-bar sink near the stove. Put your cabinets away from your cooking area/ island for you to eat your small meals. Imagine cooking and being able to look at something alse besides a wall.

Cheryl May 13th 2006 8:27AM

PS to my last comment...
Most cooking equipment can be "integrated" now to look like the cabnetry...it's there...you just can't see it. That's the beauty of it! :)

Mark Kiger May 13th 2006 8:29AM

Glad your remodeled your kitchen, your old kitchen was dreadful but I love the new kitchen it is so warm and inviting, If I had a home you could do my kitchen. Love everything about it

Donna May 13th 2006 8:29AM

The old kitchen was a mess and needed to be updated. The new kitchen is beautiful, but by looking at the picture I do not understand where a $162,000 went. Even so I think to spend a $162,000 just for a kitchen is going way over board.

Jason May 13th 2006 8:31AM

Sorry but the new kitchen, in my opinion, is just too "avant garde". It almost screams "Look how unique and different I am". I mean, those semi-recessed (hidden) objets d'art is just too pretentious for my taste. Let's not forget this is a friggin kitchen, not an art gallery. It's so cold and "SOHO". And I live in Manhattan.....I feel a kitchen should me warm and cozy and appetizing...I don't want to feel as if I have to wear a three-piece suit to get a cup of coffee.

Betty May 13th 2006 8:31AM

I've gone back to the before and after pics several times before I decided to comment. I honestly believe that the ceiling in the old needed raising, the cabinets redone maybe, and the old kitchen would have been fine. I would like to see the entire romm in the makeove, because I DEFINETELY DO NOT see $162k anywhere!! Nothing exciting in this makeover at all!!!

Jennifer Radice May 13th 2006 8:32AM

I sell realestate for a living, and have bought and sold many homes for a large profit. Way too much money spent....They could of sprnt less than half and acheived the same results. If the kitchen looked that bad, what did the rest of the house l;ook like....maybe they should of spent some in other places!! Just my opinion.

Jim Underwood May 13th 2006 8:33AM

Much to sterile looking for me, the old kitchen indeed needed some work but why make it look like a Operating Room in a Hospital?

Jeff May 13th 2006 8:33AM

If the kitchen looks this bad in before mode I bet the rest of the house looks this bad. Nothing like a 162k kitchen with the rest of the house looking like a dump.

shelevia May 13th 2006 8:36AM

What a wonderful job. The makeover is fantastic. I like it. Sucha big difference from the old kitchen to the new.

JR Ringlein May 13th 2006 8:36AM

Yeh...but, can she cook? Because...you got took!

teacehr May 13th 2006 8:36AM

The new kitchen looks un-family like. They must not want the kids to come in! The old one just needed noew window treatments and cabinets, clean the countertops, and the top of the fridge! Every house with kids needs magnets and pictures on the Refrigerator! That is why they exist LOL!

melinda May 13th 2006 8:37AM

I'd give anything if my current kitchen looked like the one in the "before" photo. These people obviously don't know what an "outdated, inefficient, oppressive" kitchen looks like. Their "after" kitchen is impersonal and cold, and I bet the kids aren't even allowed in there. Definitely not worth what they spent, unless that's what they were willing to pay for their nifty trophy. (Who awards these things anyway?)

Dorothy Tannis May 13th 2006 8:37AM

I am not a designer, but looking at the old kitchen the only thing needed to that kitchen was a good cleaning that included removing all that junk from the counter and refrigerator. Replace the cabinet doors, change the ceiling and "Viola". Much to much money spent on the new kitchen.

Lewis Ermer May 13th 2006 8:38AM

162 may seem like alot but look at all he did ceiling floor electric frig etc.. it adds up in the end,I think the cabinets did not cost more then 50,000..

Barry White May 13th 2006 8:38AM

As A contractor , I have to say, I could build a much nicer kitchen for less than $162,000 thats for sure . I believe the price may be a bit exaggerated .Just my
opinion.

Carol Dye May 13th 2006 8:38AM

The new kitchen is very sterile and the price is absurd. I just remodeled my kitchen with tile floor, new cabinets, new appliances, recessed lighting, under cabinet lighting, tile mural with imported backsplash tile, special mouldings for the cabinets and silestone countertops for under $60,000.

Bobbie Coe May 13th 2006 8:39AM

For 162K I could get a whole house where I live. I HATED the new kitchen....it is cold and uninviting. Wonder why somebody doesn't remodel a room in a trailer house or a 30K house. Why is it always the higher end properties ?

ELIZABETH FOLEY May 13th 2006 8:39AM

THAT KITCHEN IS NOT WORTH 162,000 I THINK HE WAS OVERCHARGED. THAT IS MORE THAN MY ENTIRE 2 FAMILY HOUSE COST IN '97. IT IS A VERY NICE KITCHEN HOWEVER THE COST IS RIDICULAS. I WONDER WHAT THE REST OF THE HOUSE LOOKS LIKE?

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