A Modern Bethlehem, PA Home Remodel Highlights White Oak
In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, this custom home remodel by Laslo Custom Kitchens tells a story of craftsmanship, balance, and warmth. Every space, from the kitchen and bar to the baths, mudroom, and laundry, features cabinetry that feels unified, refined, and connected. Rift-Cut White Oak in a Sesame stain becomes the common thread, complemented by painted finishes in High Reflective White and Evergreen Fog.
This full-home millwork project showcases Laslo’s hallmark approach: thoughtful design, precision craftsmanship, and materials that never go out of style. Each detail, from the proportions of an inset door to the curve of a molding, was carefully considered to create an interior that feels both modern and timeless.
Kitchen: Furniture-Inspired Detail and Natural Warmth
At the heart of this home, the kitchen pairs simplicity with sophistication. The island’s X-patterned end panel adds architectural detail, merging modern geometry with classic design influence. Finished in Sesame-stained Rift-Cut White Oak, it feels more like furniture than cabinetry. It’s grounded, tactile, and built to last.
Around it, High Reflective White perimeter cabinetry keeps the palette light and balanced. The Grothouse wood countertop adds another layer of texture, while the farmhouse sink offers function with character. Matte black hardware from Top Knobs provides quiet contrast, emphasizing form without distraction.
Inset construction and crisp framing beads showcase Laslo’s precision. The kitchen feels composed and enduring, not trendy, but thoughtfully built for daily life.
Homeowner Experience
The homeowners describe their experience with Laslo in their own words:
“We hired Laslo’s for all of our millwork — kitchen, dry bar, 3 bathrooms, built-ins, and our laundry room. The craftsmanship of their custom millwork is unmatched. The attention to detail was superb and the quality was beyond our expectations. Everyone gives us a compliment when they see our kitchen & island!! We are so happy with the end result! You get what you pay for and Laslo’s was worth every penny!”
Their feedback reflects what’s visible in every space. It’s a home where design, precision, and personal care come together beautifully.
Design Continuity Throughout the Home
The home’s cohesion comes from the consistency of craftsmanship and tone. In the living area, built-ins finished in the same Sesame stain create a natural flow from room to room. The mudroom introduces a chevron-patterned bench back, blending beauty and practicality.
Even secondary spaces reflect Laslo’s standards. Hardware, proportions, and finishes stay consistent, creating subtle harmony from entry to kitchen to bath. Every decision, from paint color to grain alignment, supports a unified design that feels intentional rather than matched.
Baths: Textured Calm and Lasting Design
The bathrooms continue the story with vanities that balance structure and softness. Rift-Cut Oak cabinetry in a dull finish highlights the wood’s natural character while maintaining a smooth, modern feel. Matte fixtures and stone surfaces introduce contrast and calm.
The primary bath feels serene and symmetrical, while the secondary baths bring variety through open shelving and vertical framing details. Each space feels connected, sharing the same care in proportion, texture, and tone.
Laundry and Utility Spaces Elevated
In the laundry, Evergreen Fog cabinetry from Sherwin-Williams brings a touch of color without breaking the home’s rhythm. The painted finish pairs beautifully with the Sesame tones used elsewhere, and the brick floor in a Chevron pattern brings warmth and durability.
Inset cabinets, molding, and hardware mirror the main spaces, creating a sense of continuity. The result is a utility area that feels refined rather than purely functional. It’s another example of Laslo’s belief that every room deserves attention to detail.
Laslo’s Legacy: Craft and Community
For more than four decades, Laslo Custom Kitchens has designed and built cabinetry that defines craftsmanship in the Lehigh Valley and beyond. Every project reflects a commitment to precision and purpose.
Laslo also believes good design should make a difference. Through a long-standing partnership with Make-A-Wish® of Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia, a portion of the proceeds from every project helps grant wishes for children with critical illnesses. Since 2016, Laslo’s clients have helped make more than a dozen wishes come true, turning dream kitchens into dreams fulfilled.
The Bethlehem project reflects both sides of that mission: craftsmanship that lasts, and kindness that reaches beyond the home.
White Oak: A Material That Endures
Rift-Cut White Oak continues to define thoughtful home design. Its straight grain and soft tone bring warmth to modern architecture, while its versatility allows it to pair easily with painted finishes and natural stone. The Sesame stain keeps the oak light and approachable, emphasizing grain rather than gloss.
Heading into 2026, oak remains one of the most requested materials in cabinetry for its timeless beauty and ability to adapt. In this home, it’s not the star but the anchor. It’s the element that holds everything together quietly and confidently.
Project Products
Wood Species: Rift-Cut White Oak
Stain Finish: Sesame (Dull)
Paint Colors: High Reflective White (Sherwin-Williams); Evergreen Fog (Sherwin-Williams)
Hardware: Top Knobs
Countertops: Grothouse
Sink Type: Farmhouse apron front
Fixtures: Matte black finish
Conclusion
This Bethlehem home captures the essence of Laslo Custom Kitchens: craftsmanship built on trust, precision, and care. The Rift-Cut Oak cabinetry creates a natural rhythm through every room, while details like the X-panel island and chevron mudroom bench add visual interest without distraction.
Beyond the wood and finishes, the project represents something more profound: connection. Through Laslo’s partnership with Make-A-Wish®, every cabinet built helps support families and children across Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
This home feels calm, cohesive, and genuine. It’s a true reflection of Laslo’s belief that great design doesn’t just fill a space; it fills it with purpose.
Contact the design team today to schedule a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What makes Rift-Cut White Oak ideal for kitchen cabinetry?
Rift-Cut White Oak provides a clean, straight grain that suits both modern and transitional designs. Its subtle pattern creates a calm, architectural look that pairs easily with other materials like stone or metal. Because it’s both durable and adaptable, it’s a favorite for high-end homes.
2. Why was Sesame stain selected for this project?
Sesame offers a soft golden tone that enhances the wood’s natural character without darkening it. The color brings warmth while remaining neutral, blending seamlessly with white and green-gray accents.
3. Why combine custom and stock cabinetry?
This home features a mix of custom and stock cabinets, balancing design flexibility with cost. By finishing and detailing both types consistently, Laslo achieved a unified look across every room.
4. How does inset cabinetry differ from other designs?
Inset cabinetry sits flush with its frame, creating a sleek, built-in look. It requires precise alignment and fine tolerances, resulting in cabinetry that feels handcrafted and enduring.
5. How does Laslo ensure consistent finishes?
All finishes are mixed, matched, and applied in Laslo’s controlled facility. Each cabinet is checked under multiple light sources to maintain color and sheen consistency across every space.
6 .Why does Laslo partner with Make-A-Wish?
Laslo donates a portion of the proceeds from each project to Make-A-Wish® of Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia. This partnership connects the joy of design to meaningful impact, helping grant wishes for children with critical illnesses.
7. Will Rift-Cut White Oak remain popular?
Yes. The balance of natural warmth and versatility keeps Rift-Cut White Oak in demand. It blends easily with modern palettes and feels timeless rather than trend-driven.
8. Can Rift-Cut Oak finishes be customized?
Absolutely. Laslo hand-applies all finishes, allowing control over color, texture, and sheen to suit the light and tone of each home.
9 Where can I learn more about Laslo Custom Kitchens?
Visit Laslo Custom Kitchens to explore projects, learn about their Make-A-Wish partnership, and view more handcrafted cabinetry from their Lehigh Valley workshop.