80's Kitchen Warps into the 21st Century

Tate was contracted by a homeowner in Sandia Heights to modernize their kitchen while keeping with the vibe of the ABQ Foothills. The project focused on converting the original kitchen from the 1980's into one of modern beauty while maintaining the earthy tones and southwest feel of the rest of the home and neighborhood.

Project Details:

• Location: Sandia Heights, Albuquerque, NM
• Project Type: Kitchen Remodel
• Scope: Full Demolition & Reconstruction
• Features: Semi-Custom cabinets, granite countertops, can lighting, marble backsplash, and stainless-steel appliances

The Vision

The customer was only the second owner of the home since it was built in the 1980's. The home was a classic case-study of a home in a great location with great bones, but it was stuck in time from previous generations. The homeowner was nervous about how to modernize the kitchen without losing the charm and feel of a home in Albuquerque's Sandia Heights neighborhood. Our design and construction team came up with a design that checked all the boxes.

The goal of this remodel was to open up a closed off space that was boxed in on all four sides only a narrow walkway in from the dining room and modernize the design and increase its functionality.

Before the Remodel

The existing space featured:

• Outdated finishes and fixtures
• Closed off space from the adjoining rooms
• Poor lighting throughout the room
• Poor working space on the counters
• Sheet vinyl flooring and laminate countertops

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‍The Transformation

The remodel began with a full demolition down to the framing, including removal of a full wall of cabinetry which was replaced with a free-standing island. The single surface mount light was removed and replaced with 6" flush can lighting strategically located in between the exposed structural beams to not only provide a well lit kitchen, but to also intentionally eliminate any shadows cast by persons while trying to do prep work on the counters. The sheet vinly flooring was replaced with 18"x18" travertine, providing a light and reflective surface to reflect light off of, making the space feel even lighter and brighter.

Perhaps the hardest and most carefully thought of material used in this kitchen was the granite. Not only was the granite selected by Tate's designer, but our designer accompanied the customer to the granite distributor's slab showroom so that the exact slab could be hand-selected. The exact slab used was carefully selected so it could play off the cherry red of the solid wood cabinets, tan of the travertine floors, brown of the wood beams, yellow/orange hue of the tongue and groove ceiling planks, and the multi-color existing stone wall.

Key upgrades included:

• Semi-custom kitchen cabinets
• 18x18 Travertine floor tiles
• 3cm granite counters
• Marble mosaic backsplash
• Stainless-steel appliances

The final result is a clean, modern kitchen that is brighter, larger, open, and more functional while maintaining a natural and neighborhood appropriate design.

‍Materials & Finishes

We selected materials designed to combine durability with a modern yet southwest foothills feel, ensuring the kitchen will remain functional and trendy for years to come. Care was taken to modernize the finishes by mixing matte black and gold hardware and lights fixtures with cherry cabinets and natural granite counters over travertine floors. The hardware combined with the travertine immediately brings a feel of modern, simple, and crisp lines, while the cherry cabinets and granite counters mixed with the existing exposed wood ceiling elements maintains the high desert feel one would expect in Sandia Heights.

Featured Materials

• Kingsbridge Cabernet cabinets
• Nile River granite countertops
• Crema Royal dia Diamond Polished Marble Mosaic backsplash
• 18x18 Antique Capri Honed travertine floor tile
• SW6126 Navajo White wall paint

‍Craftsmanship & Attention to Detail

Successful kitchen remodeling requires more than just updating hardware and appliances. Careful planning and thoughtful consideration of the next steps ensured every step was taken with purpose, and taken only once.

Throughout this project, attention was given to:

• Tile layout (we remodeled the entire home and had to keep tile joints consistent from one room to the next as there were no transitions or internal stopping points)
• Proper tie-in with the existing ceiling after demolishing a floor to ceiling wall
• Lighting placement and functionality
• Careful selection of specific granite slabs

Every detail was carefully executed to deliver a finished space that not only looks beautiful, but performs reliably for everyday use.

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The Finished Result

The completed kitchen now feels open and is no longer isolated from the rest of home. It feels as if it is original to the home and was always meant to be.

By combining modern materials with carefully selected features that prevent any one item from standing out from another, this home feels modern but mature.

Ready to Transform Your Kitchen?

Whether you’re planning a simple update or a complete redesign, Tate Construction delivers thoughtfully planned renovations built around quality craftsmanship, communication, and long-term value.