This handsome dark wood kitchen with its’ espresso stained shaker style doors, modern linear hardware, granite countertops, glass backsplash, and shiny stainless appliances blends traditional with modern. Keeping the same footprint as the original golden oak kitchen, this dark wood kitchen breathes new life into a 25 year old home. Removing the two narrow upper cabinets on either side of the stove opened up the workspace and made the fan hood wall the focal point of the kitchen. Built in appliances like the coffee maker, under counter microwave and warming drawer add a modern, sleek touch and keep small appliances from cluttering the countertop. A small bar sink was added to the counter beside the refrigerator in order to create a separate work zone with access to dishes, the microwave, and the fridge, thus leaving the primary work zone free for the head cook! Frosted glass doors were added to the uppers beside the fridge to lighten up the darker cabinetry and to add interest. Function was improved with the addition of many more drawers and pullouts so there is no more digging in the back of cabinets. The pantry in the eating area was replaced with a custom designed unit that looks like a separate piece of furniture with its’ stainless steel serving counter, drawers and glass fronted display cabinet. Since it is more functional it actually holds more than the original 4 door pantry! The addition of this dark wood kitchen became the keystone for the updating of the entire main floor.