Cindy Sapio’s coastal-themed kitchen has been minimally updated since the Galveston home was built in 1996. The white and aqua color scheme, with the granite countertops and stainless appliances and cabinet and drawer pulls, gives the kitchen a modern and timely appeal. Photo by Jennifer Reynolds

Suzanne Dues doesn’t cook much but she loves her kitchen and all the memories it houses, she said. Photo by Stuart Villanueva

Chris and Whitney Uhler hold their children, Ava, 4, and Ethan, 1, in their remodeled League City kitchen. The Uhlers bought the house last year and gutted the entire structure to fit their style. Whitney Uhler, who grew up watching her mother bake, said the kitchen is her favorite room in the house. Photo by Stuart Villanueva

The kitchen in Janet Leggett’s historic Galveston home is small but the open-concept family room and dining room add spaciousness. Photo by Stuart Villanueva

Victoria Schatte pours milk into a bowl while cooking Swedish pancakes with her mom, Dawnelle Schatte, in their Friendswood home. The Schattes remodeled the kitchen last year. Photo by Kelsey Walling

Linley Palmer watches her husband, José, and daughter, Elena, cook in the remodeled kitchen of their Dickinson home. Her son, Fisher, is the official taste tester in the family. Photo by Jennifer Reynolds

Leslie Russo’s newly remodeled kitchen has just a touch of contemporary design and also features plenty of storage. Photo by Kim Christensen