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Sunday, August 29, 2010

Baby Steps to a Kitchen Makeover!

We have been in our home 3 years now.  It is a small home, but one I love and feel I could retire in one day.  But the kitchen I don't think I could grow old with.  The house is 18 years old and really shows it's age in the kitchen.  The cabinets were a honey oak stain and the counter tops are a lovely shiny (in most spots) hunter green Formica.  We were fortunate that the previous owner put in new black appliances, so that we didn't have to invest in new ones. 

I had a big plan for this space.  It has taken baby steps but I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Bare with me as I take you through this agonizing makeover..




Notice the fluorescent lighting and blah fixture!

Let the painting begin!  There are tons of tutorials available so I won't mess with a good thing!

The hinges got a new coat of paint to match the new knows and pulls.

Rust-Oleum Hammered finish spray paint worked beautifully! 

The cabinets were finally done and put back on.  This took me 3 weeks to complete!
I don't know how the makeover shows do this in a weekend, but it sure didn't come that easy.
Cabinets were painted a creamy off white then distressed to give that worn look.

Ugly lights came down!

Ceiling had to be repainted and patched up.




New rubbed bronze knobs were installed
New lighting installed!


View from the garage door.



Detail of the distressing
I love how the off white paint brightens the room and makes it look larger.

Here is what is yet to come:

  1. Install a pendant fixture over the sink to replace the fluorescent light

  2. Black Galaxy Granite Counter tops

  3. Tumbled tile back splash

  4. Crown Molding

  5. New tile floor

  6. Maybe repaint the walls a fun bright color?
Let me know what you think and any suggestions you may have!
It has been a very slow process but I am very happy with how it looks so far.

I am linking up with
Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Mondays!
House of Grace for House of Grace for Twice owned Tuesdays!
It's so very Cheri for Spotlight Yourself Wednesday!
Bobbypins Boardwalk for Bobbypins Boardwalk Bragfest!
My Backyard Eden for Make it yours day!
Decor Mama for Frugal Friday!
It's a Hodgepodge Life for Hodgepodge Friday!
Chic on a Shoestring Decorating for Flaunt it Friday!
My Romantic Home for Show & Tell Friday
504 Main for Tickled Pink!
The Girl Creative for New Friend Friday
Under the Table Dreaming for Sunday Showcase
The DIY Showoff for DIY Project Parade
Savvy Southern Style for Before & After's!

61 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow! Isn't that satisfying? The white completely transforms the space. It's nice to be able to have stopping places along the way before you reach the light at the end of the tunnel, to enjoy the progress you've made.
Inspiring post!

Susie @ Step inside my home said...

Lacy, Just love what you've done so far to your kitchen. I too have the same Honey Oak stained cabinets, and haven't decided what to do with them. The distressed paint looks great! Very impressed with your work. ~Susie

PAT said...

A beautiful makeover. I love the white. Had the oak cabs in our former home on the farm and always thought about painting them white, never got around to it. What a difference it makes.

Unknown said...

I think your cabinets look FABULOUS!!!! I would so love to do this in our kitchen. But I am way to chicken. Can't wait to see the rest! :)

~Liz

Martha said...

A lovely new kitchen! I like everything you did!

gena said...

Looks just wonderful ! The decorating shows make it all looks so easy, don't they ? I can see how much hard work you've put into the Kitchen and it was definitely worth it !

Thanks for sharing,
gena
www.thehouseonlavenderhill.blogspot.com

Allison Shops said...

Wonderful makeover! The hardware is perfect. I love distressing - can't go wrong with it. Nice job!

Atticmag has started a new Link party each Friday called Giveaway Friday!, a convenient place for bloggers to come post about their giveaway(s) each week.

It's simple; after you put a link up to your giveaway, link back to Atticmag/Giveaway Friday on your blog. I hope you'll join us the next time you have a giveaway!

We're kicking it off with a giveaway of our own - kitchen backsplash material. So if you haven't already left a comment to win, drop by!

Swinging by from BNOTP,
Allison
Atticmag

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Your makeover is just stunning. I love the white cabinets. They look wonderful and the new light fixtures are fabulous. You did such a great job. Hugs, Marty

lynns said...

I love how your kitchen is coming along. We painted ours white about 3 years ago and installed the Black Galaxy granite counter tops. I am still in love with them. I love the little coppery flecks that glow. Do you plan to change out your sink? I had a stainless that I swapped for a double black volcanic granite and I love it, too, because it give me a continuous line down the counter top. I only have one counter, so I wanted it to look as long as possible. Nice kitchen!

Andrea @ The Dawley Fam said...

This looks great! Was it hard or a total pain to paint the cabinets yourself??? We are paining ours white, and got a quote of $700 for someone to do it for us, inside and out including cleaning, priming, sanding, caulking, and painting. Is it worth it to do it yourself or would you pay someone if you had to do it again?

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Just those few changes made a huge difference. I love those new lights.

Anita Diaz said...

This is seriously incredible!! What a makeover! If only people would use creativity and effort like that instead of gutting everything and sending it to a landfill, the world would be a lot greener, lol! You did such a great job. I love the cabinets, and the black accents just make it perfect. Plus the green, I love! I have black appliances too. I do not like stainless at all.

Anonymous said...

Hi Lacey! Oh, what a difference a little paint and elbow grease makes! Your kitchen looks wonderful. I know you're enjoying it!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Needles Everywhere said...

It is truly fabulous. I really admire how you are making your vision a reality. Those fixtures are really nice, and what a difference the cabinets make. Love it.

Tammy said...

Looks great. And having completed a total gut kitchen reno last year I understand how agonizing it is. Hang in there it will be done soon enough and then you'll find another room to tackle. :)
tammy

KimMalk said...

Lacy, it's gorgeous! You must love walking in here. I love your new light fixtures, what a difference, your kitchen looks like it's from a magazine. <3 the tray on your counter, too.

Lindy said...

Lacy - great job. Looks so gorgeous! Very nice distressing. I used that same paint on my doorknobs 2 years ago and they still look great.
I was surprised to see your "to do" list it looks so done. I'm following for sure.

Tammy @BeatriceBanks said...

Love it! What a transformation already. Really love your cabinets! Wow. I have black granite, two different houses now and I have to say I hate it. It shows everything, even water spills. If I ever have a choice, I'd pick a more neutral tone. But it's pretty and really looks great with white cabinets.

Anonymous said...

This is amazing and you have no idea how your kitchen inspires me. It's so bright and inviting. Beautiful job! I'm so happy to be your newest follower!

Vanessa said...

That is so gorgeous! What a transformation! I especially love the lights you put in and think they really just "make" the space. Your hard work paid off big time! Thanks for sharing it with all of us,
Vanessa
http://southerninmyheart.blogspot.com
P.S. I just showed my kitchen too! :-)

Pamela said...

What a wonderful make over! I bet every morning you just can not wait to run in there and smile!

niartist said...

Lacy, what a great job! I just love the way this turned out! It's really beautiful, and something I think I can do too - which makes it even more inspiring! I have to know, where did you get those lights?!?!?!? They're perfect for my foyer! Thanks for sharing, and as always inspiring!
Artie
P.S., stop by and let me know what you think of my little video I did of my house. I hope you like it - would love to know what you think!

Debbie~ said...

I looove the WHITE, it makes it look so bright & beautiful! I can hardly wait to see what you do next!!! Debbie @ Cottage Hann~Me~Downs

Julie said...

Such a great update!! If you're still looking for a paint color, a pale gray might look nice!

- Brittany aka Pretty Handy Girl said...

That is looking great! I love, love, love your window treatment. And the cabinets look 100% better. Thanks for sharing.

Brittany
http://www.prettyhandygirl.com

Susan said...

Wowsers. What a dramatic improvement! You have done a truly awesome job. Love the white cabinets and the light fixtures, ooo lah lah! Great job! Susan

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Wow, what a transformation! It doesn't even look like the same kitchen. Beautiful!

AntiqueChase said...

Were you painting those on your dining room table??

I painted the cabinets in my last house.. My friend told me, "You can do it, it will only take you a day"... it took 2-3 WEEKS.. like yours!!

Irma@CosasBellas said...

STUNNING!!!

Great job!

Nita Stacy said...

I love your kitchen redo so far. The light fixtures are great. The things you still have to do sound wonderful too. I want to redo my kitchen...you have definitely inspired me.

Olivia said...

OH wow, excellent job! I love your cabinets, I too painted mine white. I still need to attach some knobs. Yours look excellent. I bet you are soooo excited to have those cabinets redone. Yippeee.
Hugs,
Olivia

stefanie said...

its looking so good, brighter, prettier and fresher!!!

Unknown said...

Visiting from New Friend Friday. Your make-over is amazing! Makes me feel like it's something even I could do! :)

Unknown said...

You (and hubby) have done a wonderful make over. I especially like the new lights in the ceiling.
Bravo!

Leah said...

What a HUGE difference! I too love the lighting. Good light fixtures do to a room what the perfect pair of earrings do for an outfit.

Unknown said...

What a fabulous transformation and I love the distressing on the cabinets.

Decor To Adore said...

What a fantastic kitchen makeover!

Laura said...

Beautiful! I wanna do that so bad! I need much more white in my life...whit doors, white trim, white kitchen cabinets!!

Turquoise and Trine said...

I love what you did! Your kitchen looks like mine - the cabinets and green countertop. I have the same thing! Check out my kitchen updates on my blog: thriftydecormom.blogspot.com

Your newest follower,

Lori

Unknown said...

The changes you've done have made a big difference already! Great job.

My Dream Canvas said...

This is beautiful. I am hosting a 50 dollar CSN Giveaway on my blog. I would love for you to stop by. Thanks Anu!

The Inspired Nest said...

Thanks for all the nice comments. Andrea, I would pay someone to do it if I had the opportunity to! I am very critical of my work and would love to have a more professional finish on my cabinets! Niaartist, the lights came from Lowes! They were only $39 and a so easy to put up and very bright!

Thanks again! Lacy

All That Glitters said...

your kitchen is gorgeous!!!

Anonymous said...

wow, you have done a great job in giving a makeover to your kitchen, it looks absolutely fantastic, no one could say it was an old kitchen that had a make over, great make over tips at AboutCabinets Blog

Anonymous said...

I surely enjoyed this project. I wanted to share with you that I have included it in my August bookmark post on my blog. Thank you for the inspiration, my friend.

Holly Lefevre said...

It is just lovely! We recently did a remodel of our kitchen - a mini remodel - I just added furniture feet to the bottom of the cabinets - love that!

Your kitchen loos marvelous...love the lighting too!

Gloria said...

Greetings! I am over from Jan's... Wow, what a beautiful kitchen, BUT, you know what I really love? Your accessories in the kitchen! I love your platter that you have displayed and all of your other things. Everything looks so pretty. You did a great job with the cabinets and I love the new door handles too! They look fabulous. Great job!
Best regards,
Gloria

Gloria said...

P.S. Forgot to say: Love your new light fixtures too!
gv

Olivia said...

That is very impressive! I love the distressing on the cabinets. Great job!
suchakingdom.blogspot.com

bro said...

I just stumbled on your blog. Wanted to tell you that I think you did an amazing job on your kitchen! It looks so beautiful. Before, it looked common. Now, it is welcoming, warm and stylish, yet classic! Great job.

Nita Stacy said...

Love, love, love your white kitchen.

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Lacey, it already looks so good. Love how much brighter the room is. The lights are gorgeous. When you get the granite that will be the icing on the cake. Thanks for sharing this at my party!

Toocutedobs said...

Holy moly Batman what a re-do. Fantastic! I had been looking at that hammered finishing paint just the other day! So you guys going out for Thanksgiving---because that kitchen is too pretty to cook in you know.

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Your kitchen looks great! I love the white paint and the new lights!! Just perfect for warming up the space and really making it feel welcoming!! Well done! :)

Anonymous said...

It looks beautiful, Lacey!

bj said...

OMGosh..it looks like a brand new kitchen. Just beautiful. Ya'll did a wonderful job. I love those light fixtures...(the next thing we have to do to our 50's kitchen).
hugs, bj

Bonnie@Creative Decorating said...

Just stopping by from Kim's B&A party! This turned out great! I love the distressed cabinets. I am doing the same thing over the next 10 days! The hubby took down our fluorescent light and I have holes to patch and then paint! I am painting my hinges and knobs ORB also. My cabinets are honey oak, too and will be off white with glazing except for the penninsula. It will be black. You have inspired me to just jump in there and do it!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

It is looking fabulous. I love the white cabinets and the new hardware. Your light fixtures are just stunning. Such a pretty kitchen. Love your accessories also. Hugs, Marty

Rose H (UK) said...

Kim sent me here!
What a fabulous transformation :o)
I've been trying to pluck up the courage to paint my cupboard doors too...maybe after Christmas.

An Oasis in the Desert said...

I love the new look. Congratulations on all that you've done & good luck on all the future plans you have. We redid our kitchen several years ago & absolutely love it. I've blogged about it & it's so much fun to hear the feedback. Enjoy & keep up the good work.
CAS

Lisa Montsion said...

Such a beautiful kitchen.

lisa