He Spray Painted the Orange Oak Cabinets an Almost-Black Blue and the Kitchen Took on a Custom-Built Look
Many kitchen remodels start with demolition. This one started with paint. In a transformation shared by Instagram creator @danielitolindo, the original orange oak cabinets received a dramatic update with Railings No. 31 by Farrow & Ball, an almost-black blue that completely changed the look of the space.
New Lambeth Knurled brass hardware from RH, bright countertops, a marble mosaic backsplash from Floor & Decor, and updated pendant lighting over the island completed the makeover.
The kitchen still has the same layout, but the combination of dark cabinetry, brass hardware, bright surfaces, and layered details creates a completely different atmosphere.
Orange Oak Cabinets Dominated the Original Kitchen
The original kitchen featured rows of orange oak cabinets across the perimeter and island.
The warm wood finish covered much of the room and became the dominant visual element. Combined with dark countertops and a traditional backsplash, the cabinetry created a heavy appearance that drew attention away from the kitchen’s generous size and functional layout.
The space offered plenty of storage and workspace, but the finishes felt dated.
Railings No. 31 Gave the Cabinets a New Identity
The most dramatic change came from the cabinet color.
Railings No. 31 by Farrow & Ball replaced the orange wood tone with an almost-black blue finish that shifts between deep navy and charcoal depending on the light. The darker color adds depth and highlights details that previously blended into the wood grain.
The same cabinet doors remained in place, yet the kitchen took on a completely different personality.
Lambeth Knurled Hardware Added a Luxury Detail
The new hardware plays an important role in the transformation.
Burnished brass Lambeth Knurled knobs from RH create strong contrast against the dark cabinetry. Their warm metallic finish stands out on every door and drawer front while introducing texture and visual interest.
The combination of dark paint and brass accents gives the cabinetry a furniture-inspired appearance.
Bright Countertops Changed the Balance of the Room
The new countertops introduced contrast throughout the kitchen.
Large white surfaces brighten the space and provide separation between the cabinetry and backsplash. They also help reflect light across the room, preventing the darker finishes from feeling overwhelming.
The contrast between the countertops and cabinetry became one of the defining features of the remodel.
Marble Mosaic Tile Added Texture Across the Walls
A marble mosaic backsplash from Floor & Decor brought another layer of detail to the kitchen.
The pattern introduces movement behind the counters while the lighter finish helps brighten the wall surface between the cabinets. Instead of disappearing into the background, the tile adds texture that complements both the brass hardware and the almost-black blue cabinetry.
The backsplash helps tie the major finishes together.
Pendant Lights Brought Focus to the Island
New pendant lights above the island strengthened one of the kitchen’s most important features.
The fixtures help define the island as the center of the room while adding another decorative element above the bright countertop surface. Their presence creates balance between the upper and lower portions of the kitchen.
The lighting contributes to the more polished appearance without overpowering the surrounding finishes.
Every Finish Now Works Together
No walls moved and no cabinets were replaced.
Instead, the transformation came from a series of carefully selected upgrades that work together as a complete design. The almost-black blue cabinetry established the new direction, while brass hardware, bright countertops, marble mosaic tile, and pendant lighting completed the look.
Together, those updates turned a kitchen defined by orange oak into a space with far more contrast, depth, and character.
What do you think of this makeover? Would you have painted the original oak cabinets, or would you have started over with brand-new cabinetry?
All credits go to Instagram creator @danielitolindo.