When I first walked into my friend’s apartment, I couldn’t shake the feeling that an 80-year-old had been living there with her. The space felt dark, dated, and uninviting—especially the kitchen, which was the biggest offender. The backsplash was terrible, and the outdated door handles were impossible to ignore.

I envisioned something entirely different: a charming French bakery-inspired kitchen. To bring this vision to life, I installed floor-to-ceiling tile, swapped out the hardware for stylish new handles, added elegant lighting, and installed an over-the-stove chimney exhaust. These changes completely revitalized the space, turning it into a bright, inviting kitchen full of character and warmth.