I’m doing something I’ve never done here on the blog. I’m posting in the evening. Why, because I’m just too excited to wait. I have no idea how this will effect views but it doesn’t matter. I just can’t keep it to myself any longer!
It’s hard for me to believe this day has finally come. I have been anxiously anticipating the day I could type this blog post. I don’t know about you but I LOVE a good kitchen renovation. Kitchens just might be one of my favorite rooms to redo. What I love about them is that you don’t always have to spend a lot of money to make big changes, just some elbow grease and a little creativity.
Our kitchen at the new house was quite the beast! I love the size and the fact that the cabinets are solid wood but that’s about it. Sadly, the kitchen looked like an 80’s flashback and not the good kind. It was missing cabinet doors, had old appliances, outdated counter tops and the lighting, well, left much to be desired. The first thing we did before we moved in was to give the kitchen a deep clean. I think I scrubbed every surface . . . twice!
Once it was clean we decided to do a little reconfiguration. We took the floor to ceiling cabinet that housed the old wall oven out and put our fridge in it’s place. We also removed the stove top and counter top from the island and replaced it with a butcher block top. Next we took out the cabinet above where the old refrigerator went and my awesome husband built a custom vent hood for the new range in it’s place. There doesn’t seem to be anything that man can’t do. I throw a wonky drawing at him and he brings it to life!
With a little paint, planking and decor we were looking at a brand new space!
Here’s a reminder of what the kitchen looked like before-
Here’s where we are today-
We replaced all the hinges and cabinet knobs and pulls with new, rubbed-oil bronze hardware. The hardware did make up a large chunk of the kitchen budget but details really matter in a kitchen.
We were able to use a couple of the doors from the cabinets we removed to replace missing or damaged doors throughout the kitchen. For the others that were missing, we lucked out and were able to have a few made to match the existing doors. This saved us a lot of money! I ordered them unfinished and painted them to match.
On the right side of the kitchen we decided to remove the cabinet doors from up above and display some of my favorite dishes and serving ware. It opens the kitchen up on that side and makes for a brighter space. We removed the laminate back splash and gave the wall a nice coat of paint.
The butcher block top hangs off the island on one end for now. Soon there will be a built in bookshelf underneath to house our microwave and cookbooks.
We took the cabinet out above the sink and ditched the florescent light. We reused the crown molding that we removed to cap off the top of the cabinets. This allowed much more natural light to flood the room. It also makes the cabinets look taller which gives the appearance of higher ceilings.
I may break down eventually and add a window covering to the window above the sink but for now I couldn’t bare it. I am a lover of natural light and this big window is just too nice to cover. If I’ve got to do dishes at least I can look out into a sunny, private yard!
We haven’t changed out the sink faucet just yet. I’m patiently waiting for my beautiful cast iron sink to go in before we do so. Patience is a virtue . . . I think that’s how it goes. Hopefully I’ll have an update soon and I’ll be able to say we have a new sink and faucet!
If you’re wondering if we swapped out the counter tops, we did not. It’s actually just paint. Yes, you read correctly. It’s paint! I’m dying to share that little gem of a tutorial with you but that’s a post for another day. 😉
We plan on tiling the back splash in the future but I couldn’t see doing that until we make a more permanent counter top choice, as any new counter top will not have the back lip on them. For less than $30 the painted planking works great! It was an easy afternoon project and it covered the old laminate back splash perfectly. I think I’ll keep it a while.
We completed the whole kitchen for around $500 not including the new range. Kitchen makeovers don’t have to be expensive. Work with what you have. It’s amazing what some paint, new lighting and hardware can do!
It feels nice to be able to breath again. We’ve worked a little here and a little there in the kitchen for months. I finally feel like we’ve reached a stopping point and we can take a break and enjoy it for a while. We still have a ways to go. We hope to get the ceiling planked sooner than later and we still have a little work to do on the sink and island. For now, we rest!
Kitchen Source List:
Wall Color- Dove White by Benjamin Moore
Cabinet Color- Fieldstone by Benjamin Moore
Butcher Block Top- Ikea
School House Pendant Lights- Home Depot Online
Bronze Cabinet Hardware- Lowes
Striped Dish Towel- World Market
Jute Rug/Runner- Pottery Barn
Ceramic & Copper Canisters- Thrift Store
White Ceramic Mugs- Target
Glass Pie Sign- DIY
Glass Drying Rack- Wold Market
Black Hooks- Home Depot
Green Glass Dish- World Market
Glass Dish Soap Dispenser- TJ Maxx
Wood & Metal Bookend- Hobby Lobby
Glass Bottle Vases- Target
Old Wooden Crate- Antique Store
Milk Glass Vases- Antique & Thrift Stores
White Ceramic Pitcher- TJ Maxx
Faux Greenery Plants- Ikea
Marble Cutting Board- Homegoods
Spring Wreath- DIY
Large Glass Jug- Thrift Store
Galvanized Metal Coffee Tray- Pottery Barn
Kristi says
Oh my goodness! It’s absolutely STUNNING!!! LOVE the cabinet colour and those lights are amazing! It’s perfect Amanda!!!
Amanda says
That mean so much Kristi, thanks girl! I’m a sucker for those old school house lights. 🙂
I just found your blog. When I read your blog’s name, I just had to laugh – and then stop by. I don’t know what the rest of your home looks like, but your kitchen is stunning – and you are inspiring! Congratulations!
Thank you so much Shelley! I’m happy you found my little corner in blog land and so glad you stopped by. 🙂
Amanda seriously! so BEAUTIFUL! I think my favorite is the open cabinets and the hooks for the mugs. You guys did an incredible job and the color the cabinets is so pretty! Enjoy every minute in this kitchen.
Thanks Deb! You’re always such an encouragement. I think those might be my favorite things too 🙂 Its been so great sipping coffee in my almost finished kitchen and not a construction zone!
This looks so amazing! I’ve been following you for quite awhile, I love everything you’ve done!!! Thanks for sharing and for inspiring!
Awe, thank you so much Rebecca! Thank means so much. Thank you for following along and leaving words of encouragement!
Your kitchen is just beautiful. I love every little detail!
Thanks Roxanne! 🙂
Oh my gosh, Amanda! It looks so amazing! I can’t believe you have even more you want to do to the space! You guys did a phenomenal job. The cabinet color is absolutely gorgeous and everything flows together so nicely. It’s lovely!
Thanks Sarah! You’re so encouraging. I’m in love with the cabinet color! I keep asking myself where else I can use it lol.
This is seriously beautiful!! LOVE the cabinets. Such a gorgeous job decorating too 🙂
Thank you so much Lindi!
Wow! Love the color you painted the cabinets. The kitchen looks so fresh and welcoming now. Can’t believe you pulled this off for $500! Good for you! My favorite is the open shelves, what a visual difference! Can’t wait to check out your other projects!
Thanks Carol! It’s amazing how much paint can transform a space. So happy you stopped by 🙂
Thats amazing….you did such a great job! I love it!!!
Thank you so much Kimberly! 🙂
Beautiful!! Is there anyway you can do a post on the painting of the kitchen cabinets? Currently looking at homes and I can’t find a kitchen I love so I know I’ll have to paint the cabinets! This is so budget friendly! Where do I start?
Yes Victoria! I’m actually in the process of writing a post on painting cabinets. It’s something I’ve wanted to share for a while. I’ve painted more cabinets than I can count so, I’ll be sharing my favorite paints, products and tips that make it easy and look professional. Hopefully that will be on the blog by the end of April, maybe beginning of May. It’s such a cheap update and makes such a huge impact. 🙂
Incredible job on your kitchen reno! The cabinets are gorgeous now, and that range hood- swoon! <3 your decorating style!
My goodness you made that kitchen livable. It seems inviting and with the lighter color seems brighter. Great job and a great inspiration. Thank you. I can’t wait for your next article 🙂