Home remodeling often starts with a single idea, a kitchen refresh, a bathroom upgrade, or a desire to modernize one space. But sometimes, when the right design vision and team come together, a simple renovation evolves into a complete home transformation. That’s exactly what happened in this San Ramon townhouse renovation, where thoughtful planning, trusted professionals, and inspired design turned kitchen remodel ideas and bathroom remodeling into a cohesive home remodeling success story.
Starting the Journey: Researching Kitchen and Bathroom Remodel Ideas
Marina Berezovsky knew it was time to update the kitchen and master bathroom she shared with her husband, Ron. Like many homeowners exploring kitchen remodel ideas and bathroom remodel ideas, she spent hours researching online, reviewing cabinet suppliers, design studios, and modern European kitchen brands. She wanted a space that combined elegance with practicality, and that reflected her personal style.
After carefully reviewing websites, Houzz portfolios, and social media pages, Marina narrowed her search to a few studios, including European Cabinets & Design Studios. Their visit to the showroom would become the turning point.
“We visited European Cabinets first, and after spending a couple of hours there, my husband said, ‘When are we starting? I don’t want to go anywhere else,’” Marina recalled.
That initial consultation set the tone for a renovation built on trust, clarity, and design expertise.
Expanding the Vision: When Remodeling Becomes Whole-Home Design
While the original plan focused on kitchen remodeling services and bathroom remodeling, it quickly became clear that updating just two rooms wouldn’t do justice to the rest of the home. Marina owned the beautiful china she wanted to display, but without adding bulky furniture to the dining room. The existing interiors no longer matched the modern aesthetic she envisioned.
As the design developed, the scope expanded to include:
- Flooring throughout the home
- Staircase and railing redesign
- Electrical updates
- Interior doors
- Two custom fireplaces
This shift from partial renovation to full home remodeling ensured visual flow and consistency across the entire two-story townhouse. Expanding the project early also saved time and costs compared to doing multiple separate renovations later.
“We realized that if we didn’t expand the scope, the kitchen and bathrooms would be so modern that the rest of the house wouldn’t make sense,” Marina explained.
Kitchen Remodeling: Where Function Meets Statement Design
The kitchen became the heart of the transformation. Completely gutted and rebuilt, it now features Italian-made cabinetry from Aran Cucine, combining the Terra collection in Stone Oak with Erika wall cabinets in Kashmir.
Key kitchen remodeling highlights include:
- Built-in LED under-cabinet lighting for optimal workspace illumination
- Stop-Sol bronze glass display cabinets for showcasing fine china and collectibles
- Motorized upper cabinets for modern convenience
- A bold Rosso coffee cabinet from the Bijou collection for a pop of color
To improve flow between the kitchen and dining room, a wall was replaced with a dramatic, floor-to-ceiling island housing ovens, a wine refrigerator, and a standard refrigerator.
One of the most striking kitchen remodel ideas was the floating breakfast high-top table that wraps seamlessly around the island, custom fabricated without visible legs. This feature not only enhances aesthetics but also improves daily functionality for family meals and entertaining guests.
“We didn’t know how it would hold, but the team figured it out. Watching the vision come to life was incredible,” said Marina.
The countertops, backsplash, and breakfast table were finished in Silestone quartz Calacatta Gold, with carefully aligned veining that flows continuously from surface to wall. Such attention to detail ensures that the kitchen is both stylish and practical, a key goal for any kitchen remodeling services project.
“It was Robert’s vision to wrap the breakfast table around the island, but it’s floating, there are no legs. We said, ‘How is it going to hold?’ And Robert said, ‘I don’t know yet, but we’ll figure it out.’ It was amazing how Robert, Boris, and Raul [Mendoza of Bay StoneWorks] worked together to turn the vision into reality”
The breakfast table, as well as the countertops and backsplash, are Silestone quartz in Calacatta Gold.
“Raul, in my humble opinion, is a genius. The quartz has veins, and the veins on the countertop continue in the same pattern onto the backsplash. It’s just gorgeous,”
When she was in the European Cabinets showroom, Marina fell in love with a glass door by Casali. She didn’t know where she was going to put it, but she knew she had to have it.
“Robert tried to talk me out of it. You know, most of the time, people are pushing you to buy things, the most expensive, the most fancy, the most comprehensive warranty. With Robert, it was the other way around. He said, ‘You don’t need it. Why spend money on this door if you don’t even have a place for it?’ At this point, anything they suggest I’ll do because I know it’s not just to make a profit, it’s what they truly believe is best for the project. My trust for Robert and Alexandra is unlimited”
They completely gutted the kitchen replacing the cabinets, from the Aran Cucine Terra collection in Stone Oak and Erika collection in Kashmir, countertops, all new appliances, and lighting. To display Marina’s dishes, they added a tall glass cabinet as well as glass display cabinets above the wall cabinets, designed with complimentary Stop-Sol bronze tint glass; the upper wall cabinets have a motorized opening and feature built-in LED undercabinet lighting. For a pop of color, they added a coffee cabinet from the Bijou collection in Rosso.
To improve the flow between the kitchen and dining room, they replaced a wall with a floor-to-ceiling island of built-in appliances—the ovens, a wine refrigerator, and refrigerator—and designed a custom built-in breakfast high-top, fabricated and installed by Bay StoneWorks.
“It was Robert’s vision to wrap the breakfast table around the island, but it’s floating, there are no legs. We said, ‘How is it going to hold?’ And Robert said, ‘I don’t know yet, but we’ll figure it out.’ It was amazing how Robert, Boris, and Raul [Mendoza of Bay StoneWorks] worked together to turn the vision into reality,” said Marina.
The breakfast table, as well as the countertops and backsplash, are Silestone quartz in Calacatta Gold.
“Raul, in my humble opinion, is a genius. The quartz has veins, and the veins on the countertop continue in the same pattern onto the backsplash. It’s just gorgeous,” said Marina.
When she was in the European Cabinets showroom, Marina fell in love with a glass door by Casali. She didn’t know where she was going to put it, but she knew she had to have it.
“Robert tried to talk me out of it. You know, most of the time, people are pushing you to buy things, the most expensive, the most fancy, the most comprehensive warranty. With Robert, it was the other way around. He said, ‘You don’t need it. Why spend money on this door if you don’t even have a place for it?’ At this point, anything they suggest I’ll do because I know it’s not just to make a profit, it’s what they truly believe is best for the project. My trust for Robert and Alexandra is unlimited,” said Marina.
Ultimately, she got her Casali door, using it for the walk-in closet, which is entered through the master bathroom. They also replaced the interior doors throughout the home with new doors from the Pail Decorati collection in Olmo Artico.
Bathroom Remodeling Services Designed for Everyday Luxury
The bathroom remodeling portion of the project focused on combining luxury with practicality. In the master bathroom, European Cabinets custom-designed a vanity using kitchen cabinetry from the Aran Cucine Masca Laccata collection in glossy Graphite.
“Boris introduced us to Alex [Chuikou of AADesignCA], and said he does amazing things with accent walls and fireplaces. The room was pretty much destroyed, but I showed him some pictures of the room before, our furniture, paintings, and even our duvet. He brought us some samples, and we chose one. While he was working, Alex completely closed off the room, he wouldn’t let us in. When he was finished, he brought us upstairs for a big unveiling, like in the movies. When he took off the sheet, I was overwhelmed with the texture, the look, the feel. Although we weren’t planning to do anything as fancy downstairs, after seeing that fireplace, we just knew we had to,”
Features include:
- Integrated handles for a sleek, seamless look
- Custom Cambria countertop in Daron
- Coordinated mirrors and wall cabinets for additional storage
The guest bathroom features a vanity from the BMT Bagni Fly collection, paired with matching wall storage and mirror elements, proving that thoughtful bathroom remodeling services can elevate even secondary spaces.
One standout design choice was the glass door to the walk-in closet from Casali’s Duepuenti collection, accessed through the master bathroom, both functional and visually striking. This highlights how bathroom remodel ideas can extend beyond fixtures to include architectural and storage solutions.
Fireplaces as Art: A Unique Remodeling Statement
In the master bedroom, Marina and Ron wanted to update an outdated fireplace without using traditional stone or tile. The solution came through a collaboration with AADesignCA, introducing a custom microcement finish imported from Italy.
This textured, sculptural fireplace finish:
- Extends floor-to-ceiling for a dramatic effect
- Mimics stone while remaining lightweight and durable
- Invites touch and interaction, making it a conversation piece
The success of this feature inspired a second fireplace renovation in the living room, reinforcing the importance of cohesive home remodeling decisions. Integrating statement pieces like fireplaces can elevate both design and perceived value in a remodeled home.
Flooring, Staircase, and Architectural Flow
Replacing flooring throughout the home with wide-plank laminate from Skema in Elite Grey Canyon brought visual continuity and enhanced light reflection. A stainless-steel handrail was added, but one of the boldest decisions came from removing the wall along the staircase.
The result was an open, airy glass railing that became a focal point of the home, making spaces feel larger and brighter. This is an example of how home remodeling can improve not just aesthetics, but daily life by enhancing movement and light.
“It completely changed the feeling of the house. We’re so grateful we were encouraged to take that step,” Marina shared.
The Role of a Trusted Team in Home Remodeling
A project of this scale requires more than just good design ideas, it demands a team you can trust. Marina praised designers Robert and Alexandra Berkovich for guiding the family through decisions, selecting materials, and coordinating contractors.
The right kitchen remodeling services and bathroom remodeling services can make a difference between a stressful renovation and a seamless transformation. Having experts manage logistics, sourcing, and installation ensures that the vision is realized without unnecessary stress.
“We were not only extremely impressed with Robert and his knowledge and integrity, but he also recommended a contractor, someone he trusts, and that was instrumental for us. Boris was very flexible, and at times, he and Robert would work behind the scenes to solve issues, and we didn’t have to be involved at all, which was great”
A Unified Result: More Than Just a Remodel
The result of this project is not just a collection of remodeled rooms, it’s a home that flows beautifully from one space to the next. Every cabinet, countertop, wall color, and fireplace complements the others, creating a sense of cohesion and luxury.
“We’ve heard people say they love the result but hate the process. For us, we loved both,” Marina said. “Everything flows, and we gained lifelong friends along the way.”
Whether you’re exploring kitchen remodel ideas, planning a bathroom remodeling project, or considering full-scale home remodeling, this story illustrates how thoughtful planning, expert guidance, and quality materials can transform a house into a dream home.
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