Tile Countertops, Oak Cabinets, and Terracotta Floors Disappeared From This Kitchen
Tile countertops, honey oak cabinets, Saltillo-style terracotta floors, and a projecting garden window gave this kitchen a distinctly 1990s appearance. Large soffits lowered the ceiling, cabinetry stopped short of the upper walls, and most of the original finishes remained untouched for decades.
Reddit user Rare-Mathematician97 chose a complete rebuild rather than a cosmetic update. Over four and a half months, the renovation raised the ceiling, removed the soffits, replaced the countertops and flooring, installed custom cabinetry, integrated new appliances, and transformed nearly every visible surface. Only the overall footprint remained largely unchanged.
Oak Cabinets and Tile Counters Defined Every Surface
Honey oak cabinetry covered nearly every wall in the kitchen. Pantry cabinets, appliance surrounds, upper cabinets, and lower cabinets shared the same raised-panel design and finish. White tile countertops extended across the perimeter, while matching tile continued up the backsplash.
Terracotta floor tile introduced another dominant surface beneath the cabinetry. Combined with the oak cabinets and tile counters, the kitchen carried a strong 1990s Southwestern appearance that remained consistent from one end of the room to the other.
Bay Window Created a Dedicated Breakfast Nook
Breakfast nook occupied a bay window extension at one end of the kitchen. Three sides of glass introduced natural light throughout the day and helped distinguish the space from the surrounding cabinetry.
Dining area already functioned independently from the cooking and cleanup zones. Remodeling efforts focused on finishes, storage, and structure rather than changing how the space was used.
Tile Countertops and Garden Window Sat Above the Sink
Tile countertops extended across the sink wall and wrapped around the double-basin sink. White square tiles covered both the work surface and sink surround, while oak cabinets provided storage above and below.
Garden window projected outward from the wall and increased the depth of the opening above the sink. According to the homeowner, grout lines in the tile counters collected crumbs and debris over time, making maintenance one of the reasons the countertops were replaced during the renovation.
Terracotta Floors Covered Nearly Every Open Surface
Terracotta floor tile extended throughout the kitchen and remained one of the room’s most prominent features. Oak cabinetry, tile countertops, and older appliances sat on top of a flooring material that covered nearly every visible section of the room.
Cooktop, wall ovens, refrigerator, and surrounding cabinets remained arranged around the original floor plan. Large soffits above the cabinets reduced cabinet height and left unused space between the cabinetry and ceiling, both of which would later disappear during the renovation.
Saltillo Tile Became One of the Most Debated Parts of the Remodel
Cabinets, countertops, appliances, and wall finishes disappeared during demolition. Saltillo-style floor tile remained visible across much of the room while surrounding materials were removed and the kitchen was stripped back to its structural shell.
Many Reddit commenters said the terracotta flooring was one of the features they would have kept. The homeowner chose to replace it along with the original cabinetry, countertops, and appliances, citing maintenance concerns and a desire for a different overall design direction.
Raising the Ceiling Started Changing the Kitchen Before New Cabinets Arrived
Removing drywall exposed framing, ductwork, electrical wiring, and plumbing throughout the room. Construction also created an opportunity to raise the ceiling and eliminate the soffits that had previously surrounded the kitchen.
According to the homeowner, raising the ceiling became one of the major structural upgrades completed during the remodel. The higher ceiling changed the proportions of the room before any new cabinets, countertops, or flooring were installed.
Walnut Base Cabinets and Stone Surfaces Replaced the Tile Counters
Tile countertops were replaced with stone surfaces and full-height matching backsplashes. Walnut base cabinets took the place of the original oak cabinetry, while brass hardware and a new sink completed the update.
Original garden window was replaced with a larger black-framed window. Several Reddit commenters said they preferred the old window, while the homeowner chose a simpler design that aligned with the new kitchen.
Countertops now extend across long uninterrupted work surfaces. Glass-front cabinets provide display storage, while upper cabinets extend to the ceiling after the soffits were removed.
Stone backsplashes continue across the walls instead of stopping below the cabinets. Under-cabinet lighting was added throughout the workspace.
Walnut lower cabinets were paired with painted upper cabinets, creating contrast across the sink wall. Brass fixtures and matching hardware continue throughout the kitchen.
Terracotta floor tile was replaced with wide-plank flooring, and taller cabinetry takes advantage of the raised ceiling completed during the renovation.
Custom Range Wall Replaced the Original Cooktop Area
Original tile countertops and standard cooktop gave way to a professional-style range, large stainless hood, and full-height cabinetry. Decorative patterned tile behind the pot filler creates a focal point within the larger field of white tile.
Tall pantry cabinets frame the cooking zone and add storage that did not exist in the original layout. Removal of the soffits helped the cabinetry reach the ceiling and created cleaner vertical lines throughout this section of the kitchen.
Integrated Refrigeration Changed the Appliance Wall
One of the most significant upgrades involved replacing the standard refrigerator with a fully integrated unit concealed behind cabinet panels. Storage on the refrigerator door remains accessible through internal shelving while maintaining a seamless appearance from the exterior.
Large pull handles, deep drawers, and floor-to-ceiling panels transform what was once a collection of separate appliances into a unified storage wall.
Sink Wall Comparison Shows One of the Biggest Changes in the Remodel
Tile countertops, oak cabinets, and a projecting garden window surrounded the original sink area. Grout lines covered the entire work surface, and the window extended beyond the exterior wall to create additional display space.
Renovation replaced those elements with walnut cabinetry, stone countertops, a full-height stone backsplash, and a larger black-framed window set flush with the wall. Several Reddit commenters said they preferred the original garden window, while the homeowner chose a simpler design with easier maintenance and more continuous counter space.
Finished kitchen combines walnut lower cabinets, painted upper cabinets, stone surfaces, brass hardware, and wide-plank flooring throughout the room. Ceiling-height cabinetry takes advantage of the raised ceiling, while long uninterrupted counters provide substantially more workspace than the original layout.
Layout remains similar to the previous kitchen, but nearly every finish changed. Oak cabinets, tile countertops, terracotta floors, soffits, and built-in appliances gave way to a brighter palette, expanded storage, and materials selected for easier daily upkeep.
All image credits go to Reddit user:@Rare-Mathematician97.