Domingo Kitchen Remodel (Santa Ana, California)

Overview

This project updated a Santa Ana kitchen while keeping the recently installed flooring. The client wanted to move away from the white cabinetry she already had, choosing a warm gray tone with brown undertones that tied beautifully into the brown-and-gray swirled floor. The goal was a refreshed space that looked cohesive, improved workflow, and stayed within practical limits by keeping the floor in place.

Project Goals

Keep the existing flooring intact and blend new finishes with it.
Replace white cabinets with a warmer gray finish.
Improve layout efficiency while retaining key appliances where possible.
Remove the double oven and add a range with microwave.
Manage timeline to finish in about one month.

Design and Implementation

Layout & Structural Changes

Refrigerator stayed in place for a better work triangle; a new pantry was added nearby.
Double oven replaced with a range and microwave.
Sink remained in the angled corner, requiring a custom sink base since RTA cabinets lacked a box.
Cabinet layout adjusted mid-installation: waste bin cabinet shifted for a more functional placement, drawer base relocated.

Materials & Finishes

Warm gray cabinets with subtle brown tones complementing the floor.
Patching of existing tile floor with limited spare pieces, seamlessly blended.
Mini brick glass mosaic backsplash pulling in browns and grays for cohesion.

Key Elements

Pantry addition for extra storage.
Strong visual unity between cabinets, flooring, and backsplash.
Adapted RTA cabinetry with custom work where needed.

Challenges

Limited spare flooring tiles required precise installation and acceptance of some seams.
Angled sink with RTA cabinetry meant custom fabrication of a sink base.
Trade scheduling created pauses, though the project still finished in four weeks.
Roll-out shelving backorder resolved by sourcing from a local vendor.
Pantry door clearance issue with ceiling fan fixed by switching to a compact enclosed fan; cost shared with client.

Outcome

The remodel wrapped up on time in exactly one month. The updated cabinetry, backsplash, and appliance changes gave the space a warm, modern look while working within the constraints of keeping the existing flooring. The client noted the project cost more than she first expected, but she valued Anna’s management of trades and connections with reliable subcontractors. The finished kitchen feels unified, functional, and personal; a space that balances everyday practicality with inviting style.

Client Testimonial

“What makes her different? At our house… 30 days from demo to finished perfection. Anna was in the house almost every day (a good 90% of the time). I can’t count the number of times she made minor adjustments herself. Finished product? A perfectly gorgeous and much easier to use kitchen.”