We talk a lot about what professional-grade products can do. This Lake Forest kitchen is the proof.

Every single product in this transformation was sourced through Emerald Fern Finishes — our own Rose Hill Cabinet line, our tile, our flooring, our plumbing, our hardware, our lighting. All of it. And what you're looking at is what happens when you stop buying renovation products from a big-box store and start sourcing from a distributor who actually understands construction.

From This to That: The Before

The before is familiar. If you've renovated a home built in the 90s or early 2000s, you've seen this kitchen: honey oak raised-panel cabinets, white laminate countertops, tile floors that don't coordinate with anything, fluorescent-adjacent lighting, and a layout that closes the kitchen off from the rest of the house.

This family wanted open. They wanted dramatic. They wanted a kitchen that looked like it belonged in a magazine — and they wanted products that would hold up for the next 20 years. That's exactly what Emerald Fern Finishes delivers.

The Products That Built This Kitchen

Rose Hill Cabinets — White Shaker

Our own proprietary cabinet line. The first Black-owned cabinet brand of its kind. White shaker profile, solid plywood box construction, dovetail drawer joints, soft-close on every hinge and drawer. No particleboard. No shortcuts.

In this kitchen, Rose Hill runs the full perimeter, a floor-to-ceiling pantry tower with crown molding, a dedicated microwave nook, and glass-front upper cabinets with interior lighting flanking the range. The cabinets don't just look built-in — they are built in, because that's how they were designed.

MSI Q-Quartz — Black with Gray Threading

Professional fabricators have trusted MSI stone for years. Now you can source it directly through us. This black quartz with dramatic gray and gold threading runs the full perimeter and caps a generous island — a statement surface that would read as natural stone to anyone who didn't know better. Quartz durability, stone aesthetics.

Marble Herringbone Tile Backsplash

Behind the range, marble herringbone tile runs floor to hood. Natural stone variation. A classic pattern that earns its place in any kitchen at any price point. Under-cabinet lighting makes it glow at night. We carry this in stock — no 12-week lead time, no custom quote required.

Mohawk Hardwood Flooring

Out with the tile, in with Mohawk hardwood. A warm plank tone that runs from the kitchen through the adjacent living room — which is exactly how you make a main level feel twice its actual size. Consistent flooring across open-concept spaces is one of the highest-impact moves in any renovation, and Mohawk delivers the quality to back it up.

Top Knobs Hardware, Ruvati Sink, Savoy House Lighting

The hardware is Top Knobs — polished silver bar pulls, consistent across every door and drawer. The sink is a Ruvati single deep undermount, centered in the island, paired with a pull-down faucet. Pendants are Savoy House, clustered over the island in a warm, modern grouping that anchors the whole space.

Why This Matters Beyond the Kitchen