A “Taxing” Kitchen Gets Transformed: The 2024 Extreme Kitchen Makeover
Tax season is no joke. For CPA John Obrock and his wife, Jodi, who are owners of a full-service accounting firm, it’s a time when spreadsheets, late nights, and looming deadlines take center stage. Kitchen remodeling brings its own kind of stress—a juggling act of decisions, timelines, and logistics. But when John and Jodi won the 2024 Extreme Kitchen Makeover at the Friends of St. Catherine Laboure Gala, they were determined to manage two ‘taxing’ challenges at once! How did this dynamic couple manage both tax season and a total kitchen remodel? The answer lies in teamwork, vision, and a little inspiration from their community.
Jodi had dreamed of a new kitchen for decades. Their dated, dark cherry cabinetry made the space feel heavy. She longed for something lighter, brighter, and more reflective of her family’s style, but she didn’t want to settle for a cookie-cuttter white aesthetic. When the family emerged as the winning bidders on the Extreme Kitchen Makeover at the Friends of St. Catherine Laboure Gala, the Obrocks decided to dive in. With a keen eye for design, stacks of decorating magazines, a little help from her daughter’s Pinterest boards, input from a decorator friend, and a trusted Swartz Kitchens & Baths designer, she envisioned a space that balanced brightness with warmth and personality.
Numbers Meet Noteworthy Design
The Obrocks partnered with designer Rick Light and McNaughton Homes to create a kitchen that balanced timeless design with a fresh twist. The space exudes modern sophistication while maintaining the warmth and intimacy of a family home, transforming what was once a dark and dated room into a luminous haven of form and function.
The transformation begins with a carefully curated palette that replaces the heavy cherry cabinetry of the past. Coleson Maple cabinets from Masterpiece in a Shortbread stain line the perimeter, radiating warmth, while the Dove White island and custom wood hood provide a striking, crisp contrast. The interplay between the two finishes creates a dynamic yet harmonious effect, allowing light to dance across surfaces and envelop the room in an airy glow.
Photo credit: Bryan Beers
One of the kitchen’s most captivating features is a bespoke cabinet with peek-a-boo mesh panels. This artful detail adds texture and intrigue while offering the perfect showcase for Jodi’s carefully curated collection of white pottery. The soft filtering of light through the mesh lends a gallery-like quality, elevating the cabinet from mere storage to a design statement.
Photo credit: Bryan Beers
The island, with its impeccable proportions and clean lines, anchors the space with effortless grace. Quartz countertops from Classic Rock Fabrication, create seamless look that harmonizes beautifully with the cabinetry.
Photo credit: Bryan Beers
Above the range, a painted hood in Dove White takes center stage, blending functionality with understated elegance. The galley-style layout has been meticulously designed to maximize efficiency, ensuring that every detail serves a purpose without compromising on style.
Photo credit: Bryan Beers
This kitchen is more than a room; it’s a reflection of the Obrocks’ vision and the expert craftsmanship that brought it to life. It’s a space where memories will be made, meals will be shared, and everyday life will unfold amidst timeless design and thoughtful details. Reflecting on the process, John and Jodi expressed gratitude for the seamless coordination between McNaughton Homes and their vendor partners. “Everyone was so skilled at their individual crafts, and the result is a kitchen that feels uniquely ours,” she said.
Your Chance to Win; It All Adds Up!
The Obrocks’ experience proves that even during the busiest seasons of life, there’s room to dream big and make it happen. Whether you’re an accountant balancing tax season or just someone longing for a fresh start, the Friends of St. Catherine Laboure Gala offers a unique opportunity to transform your home—and support a worthy cause.
Mark your calendars for the 2025 Gala, happening on February 8, 2025. You could be the next winning bidder for the Extreme Kitchen Makeover. Continuing the legacy of Christian McNaughton, every dollar raised goes directly to supporting the children of St. Catherine Laboure School. As Mark McNaughton has said, “We’re not just home builders; we’re community builders.” Together, with generous supporters like Jodi and John, we’re creating transformations that go far beyond kitchens. Indeed, the gala has become a cornerstone of giving back to school children in Central Pennsylvania. Whether you’re eyeing a kitchen upgrade or simply want to enjoy an unforgettable night, this is one event where everyone wins.
A “Taxing” Kitchen Gets Transformed: The 2024 Extreme Kitchen Makeover
Tax season is no joke. For CPA John Obrock and his wife, Jodi, who are owners of a full-service accounting firm, it’s a time when spreadsheets, late nights, and looming deadlines take center stage. Kitchen remodeling brings its own kind of stress—a juggling act of decisions, timelines, and logistics. But when John and Jodi won the 2024 Extreme Kitchen Makeover at the Friends of St. Catherine Laboure Gala, they were determined to manage two ‘taxing’ challenges at once! How did this dynamic couple manage both tax season and a total kitchen remodel? The answer lies in teamwork, vision, and a little inspiration from their community.
Jodi had dreamed of a new kitchen for decades. Their dated, dark cherry cabinetry made the space feel heavy. She longed for something lighter, brighter, and more reflective of her family’s style, but she didn’t want to settle for a cookie-cuttter white aesthetic. When the family emerged as the winning bidders on the Extreme Kitchen Makeover at the Friends of St. Catherine Laboure Gala, the Obrocks decided to dive in. With a keen eye for design, stacks of decorating magazines, a little help from her daughter’s Pinterest boards, input from a decorator friend, and a trusted Swartz Kitchens & Baths designer, she envisioned a space that balanced brightness with warmth and personality.
Numbers Meet Noteworthy Design
The Obrocks partnered with designer Rick Light and McNaughton Homes to create a kitchen that balanced timeless design with a fresh twist. The space exudes modern sophistication while maintaining the warmth and intimacy of a family home, transforming what was once a dark and dated room into a luminous haven of form and function.
The transformation begins with a carefully curated palette that replaces the heavy cherry cabinetry of the past. Coleson Maple cabinets from Masterpiece in a Shortbread stain line the perimeter, radiating warmth, while the Dove White island and custom wood hood provide a striking, crisp contrast. The interplay between the two finishes creates a dynamic yet harmonious effect, allowing light to dance across surfaces and envelop the room in an airy glow.
Photo credit: Bryan Beers
One of the kitchen’s most captivating features is a bespoke cabinet with peek-a-boo mesh panels. This artful detail adds texture and intrigue while offering the perfect showcase for Jodi’s carefully curated collection of white pottery. The soft filtering of light through the mesh lends a gallery-like quality, elevating the cabinet from mere storage to a design statement.
Photo credit: Bryan Beers
The island, with its impeccable proportions and clean lines, anchors the space with effortless grace. Quartz countertops from Classic Rock Fabrication, create a seamless look that harmonizes beautifully with the cabinetry.
Photo credit: Bryan Beers
Above the range, a painted hood in Dove White takes center stage, blending functionality with understated elegance. The galley-style layout has been meticulously designed to maximize efficiency, ensuring that every detail serves a purpose without compromising on style.
Photo credit: Bryan Beers
This kitchen is more than a room; it’s a reflection of the Obrocks’ vision and the expert craftsmanship that brought it to life. It’s a space where memories will be made, meals will be shared, and everyday life will unfold amidst timeless design and thoughtful details. Reflecting on the process, John and Jodi expressed gratitude for the seamless coordination between McNaughton Homes and their vendor partners. “Everyone was so skilled at their individual crafts, and the result is a kitchen that feels uniquely ours,” she said.
Your Chance to Win; It All Adds Up!
The Obrocks’ experience proves that even during the busiest seasons of life, there’s room to dream big and make it happen. Whether you’re an accountant balancing tax season or just someone longing for a fresh start, the Friends of St. Catherine Laboure Gala offers a unique opportunity to transform your home—and support a worthy cause.
Mark your calendars for the 2025 Gala, happening on February 8, 2025. You could be the next winning bidder for the Extreme Kitchen Makeover. Continuing the legacy of Christian McNaughton, every dollar raised goes directly to supporting the children of St. Catherine Laboure School. As Mark McNaughton has said, “We’re not just home builders; we’re community builders.” Together, with generous supporters like Jodi and John, we’re creating transformations that go far beyond kitchens. Indeed, the gala has become a cornerstone of giving back to school children in Central Pennsylvania. Whether you’re eyeing a kitchen upgrade or simply want to enjoy an unforgettable night, this is one event where everyone wins.