Ruthy’s kitchen makeover immediately caught our attention because the style of her home — and therefore the kitchen — is something we don’t often see around Richmond. Their Tacoma, WA, mid-century modern house brings a refreshing Pacific Northwest vibe that felt both familiar and unique. We especially appreciated their bold choice: dark lower cabinetry with no upper cabinets at all. Here’s Ruthy’s account of the remodel and why it works so well for them.
Hi John and Sherry! I wanted to share some details about our recently remodeled kitchen. We fell in love with the open floor plan of this mid-century modern home…
…but we weren’t fans of the original cabinets and countertops.
Now that it’s done, saying I love being in the kitchen is an understatement — I actually enjoy cleaning it.
We decided to use IKEA cabinets. The main reason was that IKEA offered the flat-front look I wanted (not shaker style) at a price that fit our budget — we spent about $2,500 on the cabinets. I was initially nervous about leaving the walls without upper cabinets, but replacing upper cabinets with deep, well-organized drawers has been a great choice. Drawers make everything easier to access and keep the space feeling open and streamlined.
I had my heart set on quartz countertops, but our kitchen runs long — we needed a lot of surface area — and quartz would have pushed our budget too far. After researching alternatives, I chose acrylic countertops. Reading about other homeowners who were happy with similar surfaces helped me decide. We found the best price locally through a major home improvement retailer and went with their Allen + Roth brand at about $33 per square foot, which balanced appearance and cost effectively.
The sink was another debate. I preferred stainless steel, while my husband Andy wanted an integrated sink. Research showed strong opinions on both sides, but we went with an integrated sink and have been very pleased so far. It cleans up easily — a magic eraser for occasional scuffs and a weekly spray of bleach keep it bright and fresh. So far the integrated option has proven practical and low maintenance.
Your posts on appliances and countertops were a huge help during our decision-making. Thank you! — Ruthy
This kitchen really stands out. It’s a bold move to skip upper cabinets and choose deep, dark lower cabinetry, but in this mid-century modern setting it reads as intentional and refined rather than heavy. The expansive backsplash becomes a focal point precisely because there’s nothing above the counters to compete with it. The exposed range hood is a striking architectural element on its own, framed by the wide open wall rather than cramped in between cupboards.
One of the strengths of this remodel is how functional and clean the outcome feels. Replacing traditional upper cabinets with thoughtfully planned drawers creates a more ergonomic workflow and keeps everyday items within easy reach. The integrated sink adds to the seamless look and simplifies daily maintenance. The dark cabinetry anchors the space and contrasts beautifully with lighter surfaces, while the long countertop run provides plenty of workspace for cooking, prepping, and entertaining.
Design details like the planked accent wall and the carefully chosen cabinet hardware complete the look, adding texture and a hint of mid-century character. These small touches make the kitchen feel thoughtfully layered rather than one-note. Whether your taste leans toward mid-century modern or you’re exploring darker cabinetry options for a contemporary home, Ruthy’s kitchen shows how a bold design can be both attractive and highly functional.
If you’re curious for more photos and a detailed review of the IKEA cabinets they used, Ruthy has additional pictures and a full write-up on her blog. We appreciate her sharing this project — it’s a great example of how smart choices and careful budgeting can result in a stylish, livable kitchen that reflects the home’s architecture and the owners’ preferences.