Seattle, WA

Scarpello Kitchen

The Story

A transitional kitchen built for how the Scarpellos actually live.

What started as a bathroom remodel quickly turned into something bigger. With baby number two on the way and a toddler already pushing their kitchen to its limits, Brett and Keshia realized the room they used most was also the one working against them. They needed more storage, better flow, and a place where family life could actually happen. Budget was a priority, so we started designing within the existing footprint. But after our structural engineer confirmed the wall between the kitchen and living room wasn’t load-bearing, Brett and Keshia decided an open layout was worth the investment. The revised plan introduced a spacious island, an open-concept layout, and the foundation for a transitional style kitchen that balanced timeless design and the way their family actually lives. Demolition revealed a few surprises common in older Seattle homes, including framing issues, an aging subfloor, and outdated finishes. We addressed each one, then added upgrades this family deserved: dual skylights, a built-in pantry carved out of underused garage space, hidden coffee storage behind custom pocket doors, and refinished hardwood floors in a light blonde tone. The result is a calm, Scandinavian-inspired transitional kitchen that’s designed to work as beautifully as it looks.
Scarpello Kitchen 3 Scarpello Kitchen 2
budget home remodeling seattle

Features

Every great kitchen has a natural gathering spot, and with the Scarpellos, that starts with the island. Oversized by design, they can cook together, catch up over coffee, and give the kids a place to spread out (and do their homework!) after school. Hidden storage beneath the seating overhang keeps clutter out of sight and out of mind.
Coffee makers, toasters, air fryers, blenders, and microwaves each have their purpose. But, really, when they’re everywhere, does your kitchen feel calm? We designed this hideaway to make the mess disappear. It’s a dedicated home behind pocket doors so you can slide them open and slide them shut.
Overdone open shelving makes our team sad. It gives it a bad reputation and the reality is, less is usually more. We prioritized minimal open shelving for display and plants to give the Scarpellos some breathing room, breaking up closed cabinetry, bringing in life and color, and making the kitchen feel lighter.
The design leans into a calm Scandinavian aesthetic with soft, monochromatic finishes that let the architecture and craftsmanship take center stage. What’s this really mean? We used a simple, mostly one-color palette so the design stands out. The Scarpellos also wanted a full quartz backsplash for easy maintenance. No grout lines, stain and scratch resistant, and easy to wipe clean—perfect for a growing family.

Our Favorite Feature

Coffee Clutch Pocket Doors

Our favorite, hands down. Our client’s, too. Everyday clutter disappears behind these custom pocket doors, so the kitchen can go from morning family chaos to hosting guests in seconds. For the Scarpellos, the upgrade was exactly the kind of thoughtful design that makes their kitchen feel effortless long after this remodel. It’s proof that the smallest details are sometimes the ones you use the most.
“We had such a wonderful experience with our kitchen remodel. From start to finish, the entire process felt incredibly easy and low stress—even when unexpected structural issues came up during the initial demolition. The team handled every surprise with professionalism and calm, which made a huge difference for us. I was pregnant during the remodel, and honestly, it felt like such a small lift on my energy—that’s how seamless and turnkey the whole experience was. Now, with a newborn and a toddler, we get to fully enjoy this beautiful new space during such a special (and busy!) season of life. It truly feels like a gift to our family. We are so grateful and will always be thankful for how smoothly everything came together.”

Keshia Scarpello

The Finished Product