Incredible Kitchen Remodel in St Louis City: Breathing New Life Into an Old Home

Old homes. They creak, they groan, and they scoff at the idea of being square. The plumbing’s usually cast iron, the electrical is stuck in the era of fuse boxes, and you can bet no one even whispered the words “ADA compliant” when it was built. Remodeling a kitchen in an older St. Louis City home isn’t for the faint of heart—but it’s exactly what we love to do at Thompson Price.

Why? Because what these homes lack in convenience, they more than make up for in character, charm, and solid bones. And when the kitchen doesn’t quite live up to the rest of the house? Well, that’s where the real magic begins.

Before the Remodel: A Kitchen Stuck in Time

The kitchen in this particular St. Louis City home told a story—and not necessarily a good one. From the looks of it, the last remodel happened sometime in the late ’80s or early ’90s. Think creamy Corian counters, brass dresser-style cabinet pulls, and a bulky range hood finished in 2×2 ceramic tile that matched the backsplash.

The oven? A tiny 24” built-in unit that could barely fit a cookie sheet. The refrigerator was built-in too—complete with its original wood paneling and an oversized louvered top for ventilation. And the cooktop? Four gas burners awkwardly spaced on a surface that looked like it hadn’t been updated since acid-wash jeans were in style.

Despite the outdated elements, there were some redeeming qualities: quality cabinet construction, charming knife hinges, and hardwood floors that just needed a little love. But it was clear this St. Louis kitchen needed a full remodel—stat.

Existing Kitchen in St Louis Before Renovation

Completed Kitchen Remodel in St Louis City

Site Analysis: The First Step in Our 4P Process

At Thompson Price, every kitchen remodel in St. Louis City starts with our signature 4P Remodeling Process. First up: the site analysis. This is where we roll up our sleeves and measure everything—not just the kitchen, but adjacent spaces too. We assess plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and anything else that might impact the project.

We take tons of photos to help us accurately recreate the kitchen layout digitally. We also evaluate site access, delivery staging areas, and structural surprises that might be hiding behind those charming plaster walls.

And yes, we found a few.

Hidden Surprises (Because It’s an Old St Louis City Home, Of Course)

Once demolition was underway, we returned for a second look—and found a few unexpected quirks.

Surprise #1: The original range hood had been installed right in front of what used to be a gorgeous trio of windows. Hidden behind tile and drywall, they were a little rough around the edges (and a few panes were cracked), but they were well worth saving.

.Surprise #2: The island sink drain line didn’t meet modern plumbing codes. We’d need to reroute and upgrade it to a 2” drain to comply.

Surprise #3: The original vent ducting for the range hood exited the house in an odd location—and the opening was too low for today’s appliances. And finally, some of the original wood casing had been notched out for previous electrical work. Replicating or patching that trim would require a skilled touch.

Kitchen Design: Bringing Options and Expertise

Next, we moved into the planning and design phase of the remodel. One thing that sets Thompson Price apart is that we present two distinct kitchen designs, each fully detailed and permit-ready. These aren’t rough sketches or “free conceptual drawings.” They’re full-scale, buildable plans complete with photorealistic renderings, mechanical plans, cabinet specs, and finish options.

This homeowner chose to go all-in with our custom kitchen cabinets made just for their space. With soaring ceilings, we built upper cabinets to an impressive 54 inches tall, far beyond what most stock cabinet lines can offer. We also incorporated glass cabinet doors with illuminated interiors for that high-end, furniture-quality look.

If they’d opted to save a little on cabinetry, we had also mocked up an equally stunning version using Waypoint Cabinets in the dramatic 570F door style in Painted Black. Semi-custom cabinet lines like Waypoint are a great option for budget-conscious kitchen renovations in St. Louis City—but this client wanted the full custom cabinet experience.

Custom Features That Make This Kitchen Sing

Let’s talk features, because this remodel is full of them.

• Long, narrow kitchen island: With the sink and storage on one end and bar seating for five on the other, it makes excellent use of a tight footprint.
• Custom hood and blower system: Built to accommodate the quirky vent path through the brick wall, this sleek feature hides the ductwork behind the cabinetry. You’d never know it wasn’t original.
• Offset intermediate rails: On tall cabinet doors, a center rail is often necessary to prevent warping. We offset ours by one-third instead of dead-center for a more visually dynamic design.
• Tall double pantry cabinetry: We nestled this piece between two old window casings, maximizing storage and adding vertical drama.

Modern Comforts Meet Historic Character

We weren’t about to install modern cabinets and call it a day. Every detail in this kitchen remodel was chosen to elevate the space while honoring the home’s historic soul:

• Delta Trinsic faucet in Champagne Bronze with coordinating air switch and prep faucet.
• Zero-radius stainless steel sink that looks as sharp as it functions.
• Quartz countertops and full-height quartz backsplash, giving the kitchen a seamless, high-end feel that’s easy to clean.
• Smart under-cabinet and interior lighting with tunable white tones and remote controls—perfect for setting the mood any time of day.

A Kitchen Remodel Worthy of the Home

After all the design work, careful planning, construction, and finishing touches, the result was nothing short of spectacular. This St. Louis City kitchen remodel not only meets modern standards—it exceeds them. It celebrates the best of old and new, combining time-honored craftsmanship with cutting-edge design and smart technology.

Why Choose Thompson Price for Your Kitchen Remodel in St. Louis City?

Remodeling an older kitchen is never simple. From unexpected demo-day surprises to tricky plumbing and building code challenges, it takes a team with both experience and creativity. That’s where Thompson Price Kitchens, Baths & Home shines.

We specialize in kitchen remodels across St. Louis, MO and surrounding areas. Whether you’re working with a 100-year-old brick home or a mid-century modern ranch, our team of kitchen specialists, designers, and craftsmen are here to bring your vision to life—with less stress and more style.

Ready to Start Your Own Kitchen Remodel?

Your kitchen should reflect the way you live—and the charm of your home. If you’re planning a kitchen remodel in St. Louis City, don’t settle for cookie-cutter solutions. Schedule your free kitchen design consultation with Thompson Price and discover how our 4P process delivers peace of mind every step of the way.

Let’s make your kitchen as unforgettable as the home it’s in.