The Burbank Kitchen + Nook

Quick facts

• Location: Burbank, California
• Scope: Kitchen renovation + breakfast nook
• Timeline: 7 weeks
• Investment: $80,000 – $110,000
• Materials: Painted maple cabinets, quartz countertops, custom built-in banquette, brass hardware, porcelain tile flooring

The challenge

The homeowners, a family of four, had a kitchen with an oversized island that blocked traffic and a breakfast area that was underused. They wanted better flow, more seating, and storage for backpacks, shoes, and everyday clutter. The kitchen also needed to feel connected to the backyard, which the family used year-round.

The design choices

We reconfigured the island to a more practical size and shape, opening up the walkway to the backyard slider. The underused breakfast area became a built-in banquette with storage drawers beneath and a custom bench back with coat hooks.

• Cabinetry: Painted maple shaker cabinets in a warm white, with a walnut-stained island base for contrast.
• Counters: Honed quartz countertops throughout, with a waterfall edge on the island.
• Backsplash: Large-format porcelain tile in a soft gray, installed floor-to-ceiling behind the range.
• Nook: Custom L-shaped banquette with hidden storage, a round table, and a brass pendant overhead.
• Flooring: Large-format porcelain tile that extended from the kitchen into the breakfast nook and out toward the patio.
• Hardware: Aged brass bar pulls and knobs.

The friction (and the fix)

The existing island housed plumbing and electrical that had to be relocated. Rather than simply moving the connections, we used the opportunity to add a prep sink and a second dishwasher — both on the homeowner's wish list. The plumbing relocation added a few days but delivered functionality the original kitchen lacked.

The result

The kitchen now has a clear path from the garage to the backyard. The island seats three without blocking traffic. The banquette has become the family's default landing zone for meals, homework, and morning coffee. The project finished in seven weeks, on schedule and on budget.

Before and after narrative

Before: A kitchen dominated by an oversized island, an underused breakfast corner, and poor connection to the backyard.

After: A balanced kitchen with a rightsized island, a custom built-in banquette, and improved indoor-outdoor flow.

Begin the conversation

Want to reconfigure your kitchen around how your family actually lives? CaliFirst Remodel will prepare a written feasibility and budget review.