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The ground floor of this Massapequa home was small, dark and segmented, with an awkward kitchen — none of which suited the homeowners’ fondness for cooking and entertaining on a grand scale, says kitchen designer Michael Rosenberg, a partner in the Massapequa-based Showcase Kitchens South. 
With the help of Old World Custom Construction in Massapequa, he reconfigured the entire layout, and incorporated custom cabinetry, top-tier appliances, fine finishes and other dazzling details, to create a space that is warm, spacious and conducive to hosting large gatherings. 
What it takes: This kitchen was built from scratch and budgeted as part of a larger remodeling project with multiple rooms and substantial architectural work. To remodel a pre-existing kitchen of this size with customization, materials and appliances of similar caliber, Rosenberg says he would recommend a starting budget of $100,000. 
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Here are five fabulous features, plus designer tips for creating your own luxe look for less. 
<h3>Island countertop ($200 per square foot)</h3> 
Why it’s worth it: This custom poured-concrete countertop with an integrated prep sink offers the warm look of wood, with the durability and lower maintenance of concrete. Award-winning manufacturer JM Lifestyles used real wood to create the forms, then hand-colored the concrete in Reclaimed Plank with faux knotting to complete the effect. 
Do it for less: If you can’t afford both the high-end material and the wood look, pick one or the other, says Rosenberg. He estimates that a poured concrete countertop without the custom wood coloring could be had for $50 per square foot; a real wood countertop might run $80 per square foot. 
<h3>Appliances ($60,000)</h3> 
Why they’re worth it: This kitchen is tricked out with a suite of top-of-the-line Wolf and SubZero products, favored by serious culinary enthusiasts for their exceptional quality, scale and beauty. Elaborate extras include a wine cooler for the adults, a separate beverage station for the kids, a four-foot range and a steam oven. 
Do it for less: Be a smart shopper: If you can live without the exalted brands, you can find a similar appliance package for about a third of the cost. 
<h3>&nbsp;</h3> 
<h3>Perimeter granite ($90 per square foot)</h3> 
Why it’s worth it: The unusual texture of leathered granite is created by applying a flame to the surface, also known as a fired finish. Rosenberg engaged an interior designer for expert color selection; the effect of the Black Magna leathered granite against the white cabinetry is “a dramatic contrast that looks alive,” he says. 
Do it for less: Keep the dynamic palette but forgo the fancy finish to shave off about $15 per square foot. 
<h3>Cabinetry knobs ($38 each) and drawer pulls ($180 each)</h3> 
Why it’s worth it: Weighty 18-inch antique pewter handles and globe-style knobs of cut crystal are luxurious finishing touches befitting the elegance of the kitchen. “That’s the jewelry of the kitchen, the icing on the cake,” says Rosenberg. “It’s the wow factor.” 
Do it for less: Hardware of lesser quality would have looked and felt chintzy against this lavish custom cabinetry. But in a more modest space with stock cabinets, you could get away with fun, inexpensive substitutes, such as crystal-look acrylic. 
Dress up stock cabinets with budget-friendly bling. Try the Liberty Hardware Victorian Acrylic Round Faceted Knob with Chrome Base ($4.54), available at Hicksville-based MyKnobs.com. 
<h3>Flooring ($8 per square foot)</h3> 
Why it’s worth it: Italian porcelain tile was chosen for the radiant-heated floor because it offers the warm beauty of a wood floor, but it’s more durable and transmits heat better. “When you’re doing radiant heat, it’s important to use a material that does not shrink and expand,” Rosenberg says. 
Do it for less: While these won’t fool anyone into thinking you have Italian tile, there are laminate flooring options with a similar look for as little as $1 square foot — and they’re even suitable for radiant heating.

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High-end designer tips for a budget-friendly kitchen makeover

Designer tips for budget-friendly kitchen makeover

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BEFORE
Homeowners Nicole Thomas, 38, and her husband, Patrick, 39, bought their Jamesport house in 2014 after making the decision to raise their twins in Manhattan. “This is our second home,” says Nicole. “We live in the city, but we wanted to give our family a place to experience nature, too.” The couple did extensive renovations and spent their first night as a family on the North Folk property in December 2015. While the whole house was renovated, it was the master bedroom that really needed help. “The original master bedroom felt very dark,” says Nicole. “There was a chair rail, and we didn’t like the colors. It all felt very heavy.”
AFTER
Bringing in the beach: Nicole says she wanted the master bedroom to be more of an oasis, with beach blue tones and a relaxed feel. She brought in interior designer Debbie Gildersleeve from Renee’s, in Mattituck, after meeting Debbie’s sister while closing on the house. “Debbie’s sister was the real estate agent representing the sellers,” says Nicole. “And it was such a special home, and then we found out Debbie owns Renee’s, and we met her and she was just so down-to-earth and personable.” Together, Debbie and Nicole brought in ocean blues, rich reflective surfaces and lush textures. “We love the new look,” says Nicole. “The colors, the tile, the glass. It’s so relaxing, which is what a beach house should be.”
Sitting pretty: The most important part of the master bedroom, for Nicole, was that it feel like an oasis of calm. This new sitting area, with its overstuffed chairs and scenic view, hits all the right notes, she says. “My goal for this room is that I want to feel like I’m walking into the nicest hotel room every time I walk into my vacation house,” says Nicole. “And I love the light fixture Debbie picked out here.”
On fire: This renovation also shows that thrifty can be luxe. The room’s fireplace (not shown) originally came with a black-and-gold mantel, which to Nicole felt overwhelming. So she lightened the area up with some budget-conscious tiles. “We redid the fireplace in a beautiful earthy tile from Home Depot that we didn’t spend a lot of money on,” says Nicole. “But it looks like a million bucks. We’re still building our lives, and Debbie was very conscious about making something look and feel expensive without spending a lot of money. It’s hard to make a fireplace feel beachy, but we did. And Mike Alberti of Flawless Design did an unbelievable job with the molding, too.”
Soft and bold: Nicole also says she wanted to ensure the bedroom felt light and airy, while still embodying a lush aesthetic. “I love the simplicity of the furniture,” she says. “There isn’t a lot of it, but I wanted what was there to have a rustic beach feel, with antique-style mirrors.” Nicole says she is fond of the bedroom’s double doors, which create a bold entrance. “I love that the bedroom has two doors to open up and not just one. It makes it feel grand.” Additionally, she says she wanted to make sure the textures were comfy and welcoming. “The bed is my favorite thing ever,” she says. “That upholstered headboard is so, so cozy. And the white shag rug is the most comfortable thing you’ll ever put your feet on.” 
Sea and sky: Finally, Nicole says, she wanted to make sure the colors of the room reflected the colors of the area. The room’s previous maroon accents just weren’t working, so she and her team chose a rich Benjamin Moore blue paint to bring the outside in. “I love the color of the room now,” says Nicole. “It reminds me of looking at the sky or the ocean. It’s just so peaceful, and that’s important, because I wanted the bedroom specifically to be a tranquil oasis. Now, overall, this is the house we’ve always dreamed of.”

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