They Replaced the Dark Gray Cabinets and the Kitchen Took on a Walnut Look
Most homeowners would have kept this kitchen. The layout worked, the materials looked modern, and there was little reason to start over.
Stefan Gheorghe decided to remove the dark gray kitchen that came with his apartment and replace it with a custom walnut design built around floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, hidden storage, and a redesigned island.
Instead of updating a few finishes, he removed the entire kitchen and rebuilt it from scratch. These photos show the original space, the demolition process, and the walnut kitchen that replaced it.
Most Homeowners Would Have Kept This Kitchen
The original kitchen already included features many homeowners add during expensive renovations, including a large island, designer lighting, built-in wine storage, premium appliances, and custom cabinetry.
Nothing was wrong with the original kitchen. The decision came down to design preference. The dark gray and black palette never felt right for the apartment, so Stefan decided to start over.
Most of the cabinetry, island components, storage units, and appliances were reused in another property. Only a few elements remained, including the Foscarini pendants, selected Siemens appliances, and the Liebherr wine refrigerator.
Walnut Cabinetry Replaced the Dark Gray Design
After months of planning and production, the first cabinets finally arrived. The difference was immediate. Instead of dark gray fronts and black cabinetry, the new kitchen was built around walnut surfaces, floor-to-ceiling storage, and a redesigned layout.
The renovation was never intended to recreate the previous kitchen. The island, storage zones, appliance placement, and overall composition were redesigned from scratch, making it clear that this was a complete transformation rather than a simple update.
Floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, a revised island layout, and larger storage zones changed the appearance of the room long before the renovation was complete. Even at this stage, the kitchen looked very different from the dark gray design that came with the apartment.
The Marble-Clad Island Became the Centerpiece
Wrapped in black marble-look stone with subtle white veining, the island became the centerpiece of the new kitchen. Waterfall edges and a larger footprint created a strong contrast against the walnut cabinetry while drawing attention to the center of the room.
Pull-Out Pantry Storage Was Built Beside the Appliances
Rather than filling this section with fixed shelves, we added a full-height pull-out pantry unit next to the Siemens oven and microwave. The system uses sliding shelves that move forward with the cabinet door, bringing everything into view at once.
Integrated LED lighting was installed inside the tower to illuminate the shelves when opened. The pantry provides dedicated storage for dry goods, bottles, and everyday kitchen items while keeping the main cabinetry wall clean and uninterrupted when closed.
The Same Stone Was Extended Across Multiple Surfaces
Rather than limiting the stone to the island, the same black marble-look surface was extended across the countertops, backsplash, and side panels.
The stone also extends up the side of the cabinetry and into the recessed section beside the coffee station. Using one material across the horizontal and vertical surfaces created a stronger architectural effect than a standard countertop-and-backsplash combination.
The subtle white veining remains visible throughout, connecting the island, work area, and surrounding cabinetry into a single composition.
Floor-to-Ceiling Cabinet Fronts Completed the Design
The final cabinet fronts transformed the kitchen wall into one continuous surface from countertop to ceiling. The added height increased storage while giving the walnut cabinetry a stronger architectural presence.
With the waterfall island, black stone surfaces, integrated appliances, and retained Foscarini pendants in place, the kitchen renovation was finally complete.
Hidden Appliance Storage Was Integrated Into the Cabinet Wall
Push-to-open doors finished in the same walnut material conceal a dedicated storage section for small appliances. Keeping coffee machines, blenders, toasters, and other countertop items behind closed doors helps maintain a cleaner appearance across the main work area.
When closed, the storage blends into the surrounding cabinetry and reads as part of the continuous cabinet wall rather than a separate feature.
The Finished Kitchen Looks Nothing Like the One That Came With the Apartment
The final design combines walnut cabinetry, black stone surfaces, and light oak flooring throughout the open living area. Floor-to-ceiling cabinet fronts conceal storage, appliances, and pantry space behind continuous walnut panels, allowing the kitchen to read as part of the architecture rather than a collection of separate cabinets.
At the center of the room, the island was redesigned around a large walnut dining extension connected to a raised black stone preparation surface. The integrated dining section creates seating for four with Igloo chairs from Calligaris, while the retained Liebherr wine fridge remains built into the island. The original Foscarini Aplomb pendants were also kept and incorporated into the new design.
Concealed LED lighting beneath the cabinets and along the toe-kick highlights the walnut surfaces after dark, while the combination of black stone and floor-to-ceiling cabinetry creates a completely different appearance from the original kitchen.
While the Foscarini pendants, Liebherr wine refrigerator, and selected Siemens appliances were retained, almost every other part of the kitchen was redesigned.
From Dark Gray to Walnut: Which Design Do You Prefer?
Looking at the before-and-after photos side by side, the transformation goes far beyond a color change. The original kitchen combined dark gray cabinetry, black surfaces, and a lighter wood island extension. The new version introduces walnut cabinetry, floor-to-ceiling panels, integrated storage, a redesigned island, concealed appliance zones, and LED lighting that changes the appearance of the kitchen after dark.
The biggest difference comes down to materials, layout, and overall design direction. One kitchen relied on dark gray cabinetry and black surfaces, while the other uses walnut cabinetry, floor-to-ceiling storage, and integrated lighting throughout the space.
What do you think? Did replacing the original kitchen improve the space, or would you have kept the dark gray design that came with the apartment? Let me know which version you prefer in the comments.