I spent most of last week covered in paint, with drop cloths and drill bits at my feet. I would sip coffee with Mister in the morning, and as soon as he left I would get down to business. Here is what I was working with:
(usually we have all the doors on…)
Let’s Review:
- Huge 1940’s built in cabinets.
- Tiny “galley” style space with lots of storage but that looks… really cramped.
- Basic, ugly, melamine bottom cabinets that do not match the top cabinets what so ever.
- White 1980’s organizational panels on the backsplash that are being underused because you can buy no accessories for them.
- Bee stencils. Fucking everywhere. Driving me crazy, all the time.
What I did:
- Painted the walls & built ins.
- Painted the backsplash & backs of the cabinets in a high contrast colour.
- Replaced all hardware on all cabinets.
- Installed chalkboard (used chalkboard paint to turn it from green to black)
- Wallpapered over bottom cabinets.
- Pulled out old organizational system, repaired & painted backsplash.
- Installed hanging pot rack from ceiling.
What we got…
I’m in love with it! I love the blue (the backs of all the cabinets are painted out blue too), the fresh paint on the cabinets makes them look new again, and the hanging rack for the pots & pans means that cooking is so much more fun! The wallpaper wasn’t as difficult as I thought it would be (pattern repeats are tricky-ish though) but I would definitely do it again. The biggest moment of sheer terror hiccup was finding out there was another ceiling above ours that was preventing the anchors for opening when we were trying to hang the pot rack. Luckily with some violent smashing about, they finally worked.
And the chalkboard? Makes meal planning actually a lot of fun, so we’re sticking to it much closer than before. Go buy a chalkboard for your kitchen. It’s endlessly charming.
All in all, the makeover was under $200 and took about 4 days of work with drying time for paint and a short attention span.
What do you think, sirs?
pinkjellybaby
It looks lovely! well done!
pinkjellybaby´s last blog ..Sparkly
Libby
bee-utiful!
bees? in the kitchen?! that would have drive me nuts, too. i think you guys did a wonderful job & all for under $200 – i’m impressed!
Libby´s last blog ..perhaps the last blog post title i had would be appropriate for this post, too.
Alana
I LOVE the blue. So pretty!
Alana´s last blog ..A Pink Giveaway Extravaganza!
Sara
Great job, it’s darling! I love the colors you chose! Our kitchen is about the same size, maybe a little smaller, so so now I’m on the hunt for a hanging pot rack!
Sara´s last blog ..My husband is strange: part 2
mandy
Kyla, it looks absolutely fantastic! It looks like a whole new kitchen. You did a fabulous job! I love the colors and and the chalkboard, how much fun is the chalkboard!?!
(The bees would have driven me crazy too.)
mandy´s last blog ..Things I Want Them To Know
Becka
AHHHH! I LOOOOVVVEEE it! I wish so much that I could have kept our pot rack but there is just no possible place to hang it in this place. I cannot wait till we own a place and can do massive kitchen surgery like that. I love the wallpaper and the chalkboard. We need a chalkboard, like now.
Becka´s last blog ..Tuesdays With Nate…
Ashley
It. Looks. AWESOME!
Congrats on a badass kitchen.
Ashley´s last blog ..22. Visit the main Chicago Museums (Museum of Science and Industry)
Elle D
lovely! not to mention under $200?! must make it that much more gratifying, well done!!
♥
Elle D´s last blog ..surf’s up
Lauren From Texas
GORGEOUS! great job
Lauren From Texas´s last blog ..Foodie.
Kimmers
I love it! It looks absolutely beautiful, great job! That was definitely a $200 well spent.
Kimmers´s last blog ..Enter the "crisis" part of my quarter life crisis
Sarah
Gorgeous! I love that you were able to add some colour and pattern without making everything look cluttered and messy. My fella would be so jealous of your knife set, by the way. He cannot and will not wrap his head around the fact that I only ever bothered to buy two good knives. I think it’s slowly driving him crazy…anyway, bang up job! You can redecorate my kitchen any day!
Sarah´s last blog ..Baby, it’s cold inside
erin
THIS IS PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!
you did such a good job! i am in love!!!
erin´s last blog ..snap, snap, snap
Megan
I adore it! It actually makes the room look larger. Love the blue … and the cabinets look amazing!
Megan´s last blog ..Ready
Miss Dallas
so cute! I have to know what kind of wallpaper you used on the bottom cabinets. I think it’s a project I might be able to handle for my kitchen!
Miss Dallas´s last blog ..An evening with pirates, popcorn
Jossie Posie
I love it! I’m collecting awesome decorating tips for the move in November and I think wallpapering the kitchen cabinets will have to be added to the file
Jossie Posie´s last blog ..What 20sb means to me: my Vlog
Jill Pilgrim
It looks gorgeous Kyla! Very fresh and pretty!
Jill Pilgrim´s last blog ..LIVE FREE OR DIE!!! And Other Stuff About My State of Residence
hillary
Oh lady! It looks fantastic. I love the idea of a chalkboard in the kitchen (and daily specials! how cute are you?!) The paint colour you chose is gorgeous. The whole project just turned out so well. Well done, you!
hillary ´s last blog ..And I Wanna Think About All The Little Things That Piss You Off About Me
san
What do I think???
I think, could you please come over and makeover my kitchen?
Pretty please.
Angie
Ohh I wanna decorate so bad! I wish we owned so we could paint. We are allowed to but we would have to paint back to the original off-white when we move out, so it seems pointless to me.
Your kitchen is sexy. +100 pts for being organized with the chalkboard.
Angie´s last blog ..Stop being self-conscious, Angie.
phampants
I LOVE your kitchen
phampants´s last blog ..20SB Vlog – What Does 20SB Mean to You?
Lacey Bean
So cute!!! I love the chalkboard. And the blue paint. And everything!
Lacey Bean´s last blog ..The many uses of Post-It Notes
Shelley Greenberg
WOW! Super impressed. You need to get this on design*sponge before & after ASAP!
Shelley Greenberg´s last blog ..Me on EAD: Our invitations: the Design.
Elle Bee
Oh Kyla, you did such a beautiful job! $200 for that much of a difference is very impressive. You’re kind of my hero.
Elle Bee´s last blog ..Brightsand Lake
Erin
This is lovely! I’m so proud of you for doing this all yourself. We are actually treating ourselves with painters this year to come do the trim outside our house, and do some repairs and painting inside. I’m so excited!
Erin´s last blog ..Speechless
Renee
I’ll buy you a plane ticket if you come redo mine now!
Renee´s last blog ..Video Blog Day WOOOO!
misterzig
LOVE it! Makes me want to finally work on my kitchen. Hm… loving the chalk board a lot! will have to figure out where I can put on in my one kitchen.
misterzig´s last blog ..A Question of Morals…
AshleyD
It looks soooo good! I love it! The blue looks fabulous and the chalkboard idea is so cute. I bet you’re so glad to finally be finished!
Marie
Looks fantastic! You did an AWESOME job!
Why where there bee stencils? So odd…
Marie´s last blog ..Bchele
Doniree
I think it’s gorgeous! How much pride to know you did all that and it’s YOURS!
Doniree´s last blog ..NYC: I came, I saw, I ATE, I conquered
Kelly
Oh My God it looks great!!! Nice work!
Kelly´s last blog ..Playing Catch Up
Maggie
wow it looks fantastic!! wanna come help me with my house makeover (when I buy one that is)
Maggie´s last blog ..Velika Gospa and Embracing My Heritage
Deanna
Oh man! It’s adorable! I just got engaged, and so I’m excited about when my man and I get a house of our own to decorate and do pretty things like this.
It’s a bit of hard work, but you feel SO good after you’re done, and you love the space you’re in even more. Beautiful job!
Deanna´s last blog ..The One About Dreamy
Jenn
Very cute! I love the cabinet doors!
sara.jane
Oh my! I love it so much! You are very talented Kyla
When Jon and I finally get to buy a house I will fly you here to remodel for me—okay?! Thanks!
sara.jane´s last blog ..oh dear…
rachel
absolutely SPECTACULAR!! come do my kitchen next?
rachel´s last blog ..20SB Video Blog Day!
steph anne
Wow, what a great transformation!! I absolutely love it and how calm/soothing it looks in your kitchen. Anndddd I love the damask wallpaper! What’s your next project now?
steph anne´s last blog ..Amazon Stone
Mrs. Priss
Ummm, this is pretty much my dream kitchen. The cupboards… are you SERIOUS? You did that by yourself and didn’t need to hire someone? You’re my hero, seriously! I am so inspired right now!
Lindsay
Oh my goodness, this is fantastic! When I buy a house I’m totally flying you out to California for renovation projects.
Lindsay´s last blog ..Ball of Nerves
adriana
Oh wow, I love it! Amazing work! I’d have thought that you had someone come do the work… Very cool.
adriana´s last blog ..Finally booked!
Kate
KB, this is gorgeous! You may have to help me later this year with some wallpaper wrangling in our downstairs bathroom.
Kate´s last blog ..5 Good Things About Today
MinD
I am seriously in love with your kitchen. You did a fabulous job. It looks great, and it makes so much use out of a small space.
MinD´s last blog ..Have a few extra dollars? Maybe you can help.
Andrea
Amazing job! I also have a small, galley kitchen and can’t figure out how to make it work for me. This is inspiring! I especially love the pot rack; I’ve been wanting one but don’t feel competent enough to hang anything from the ceiling. Also, I rent, so I can’t destroy anything too badly. You’ve done great!
Andrea´s last blog ..The One Where I’m Almost a Ninja
Andhari
You’re so creative. I like all your DIY home prettyfying projects, most people are just being lazy and hire someone to redecorate usually. Not you! You’re so inspiring.
Amy --- Just A Titch
Looks fabulous! Wonderful! And no more BEES! Hurrah!
Amy — Just A Titch´s last blog ..Couldn’t Agree More…
Amber from Girl with the Red Hair
Beautiful!!! Looks SO great! I LOVE the chalkboard idea, I will definitely have to do that!
Kate
Wow, such great work and SO affordable! Kudos!
Stefanie
What a great kitchen! I absolutely adore it.
Stefanie´s last blog ..I am in love.
Mermanda
::CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!:: Encore! Encore!
Looks fab. And very “you”.
Mermanda´s last blog ..Our engagement portraits
erika
Love it! Super chic!
erika´s last blog ..A Happy List
Elly
Oh cuteness – all the work you put in REALLY makes a difference! It looks really brilliant – yay for you!
Elly´s last blog ..He’s Harmless, Honest.
Erin
Very nice! Bee stencils? I was wondering what those were… My response: Really, bee stencil-er? Really? Is that a good idea?
Erin´s last blog ..20 SB Vlog Day #3
Mel
oh, i LOVE it!! i am inspired. we are tackling our kitchen at some point in the next few months.
Mel´s last blog ..just breathing
katelin
kyla i love it! seriously you are so crafty, it’s awesome!
katelin´s last blog ..The wolves are taking over Hollywood.
Shop Girl*
oh Kyla, it’s perfect!!! I can’t believe you did this yourself–it looks like your kitchen was on one of those fabulous reno shows!!! Wanna come do mine? haha
And thank you for the invitation to come teach in Manitoba… after the ridiculous job interview I went to today you have no idea how tempting that is. haha! The Hubster and I actually talked quite seriously about moving your way before he found his grown-up job as there are teaching positions available there… but I think it would be hard to be so far from my family. *sigh*
brandy
This looks absolutely stunning!! Well done love- what a lot of hardwork you put into it and it sure has paid off. I love the chalkboard idea and the blue paint is so darn pretty!
brandy´s last blog ..A Happy Revolution
Janie
It’s beautiful! Love the blue!
Janie´s last blog ..The internet is our friend! (and haters know where to stick it)
Lauren
So pretty! I adore it!
Awmb
This is the most charming little kitchen I’ve ever seen! Good job Ky! The dreams have stopped where I wake up and am in utter shock that I haven’t painted, but I think this fall will be good for projects like that.
Awmb´s last blog ..Now and then, but maybe not later.
Phil
Oh dear, where to begin… I guess I should start with saying I completely adore the newness! Upon first glance, I loved the old, but seeing the subtle changes you made to make it more modern makes me love it even more! The blue looks fantastic, and I love the playfulness of all the color. Also, the magnetic knife holder is great, and I love the way you can hang the pots over the stove! All in all, I’m so inspired!
Phil´s last blog ..I’ll Vee Your Log
Margarita
Wow, I absolutely LOVE the after!! It’s gorgeous and you did it at such a good price too! I think the wallpaper is my favourite
Margarita´s last blog ..Open For Business
stephen taylor
love the white… white white everywhere!!!
Nora
I freaking love it. The cabinets, the wallpapered one, everthing. Can I come visit now???
Nora´s last blog ..Lilies & Love Giveaway
erin - heart in ireland
wow, that is amazing! i wish i had those crafty skills!
my roomie and i had a chalkboard in the kitchen and we loved it! yay for chalkboard paint!
erin – heart in ireland´s last blog ..camping
Steph
It’s so darling! I love the pot rack; I’ve always wanted one! Also I love the new knife holder. Great use of space. We have a tiny kitchen too, so I may have to look into that. Any counter space we can free up is always good
Steph´s last blog ..I finally scored some good deals!
bodelou
ooooo pretty. i admire that you were able to do it all so quickly. my home improvement tasks take FOREVVVER
bodelou´s last blog ..back in the saddle
brookem
i think it looks fabulous! and so cool that you did it all on your own! i love the wallpaper on the front of the cabinets! very nice lady!
Alyssa
So awesome!!! That inspires me to finally do the little bit of finishing on my craft room and get to posting about it!
Alyssa´s last blog ..So this one time
HollyLynne
Woah! I was just admiring this on Design Sponge . . . didn’t realize it was YOURS!! Fantastic work! It is beautiful!
HollyLynne´s last blog ..Theme Park Proof Makeup
Allie
It’s beautiful!!! You have such an amazing sense of style.
Allie´s last blog ..Ode to Wegmans and Pat Conroy
shaina
oh kyla…this is just perfectly sweet and serene. i adore it!
fabulous job girl.
<3
thanks for sharing the before and after pictures.
shaina´s last blog ..
Mandy
I love it! It looks stunning, and I especially love the blue.
Jessica
Oh my gosh Kyla you guys did a great job! It looks amazing and so cozy.
Jessica´s last blog ..A shorts scandal
Andy
I think… I’ll contract you as my interior designer.
Andy´s last blog ..Oh God.
Molly
It looks wonderful! You guys did a great job maximizing the space!
Molly´s last blog ..But I do care, really!
made sweet
wow. wow. wow. it really is beautiful. makes me want to do something amazing in my house.
made sweet´s last blog ..Fire Island
Je
I have never seen wallpapered cabinets, nor would have I ever thought of it, but OMG does it look FAB!! Congrats. You have an awesome eye for design.
Je´s last blog ..Excuse me while I kiss the sky
MJ Molas
LOVE it! So cute!
MJ Molas´s last blog ..Paris Romance Inspiration Board
wishcake
Okay, Kyla? I don’t think I can physically handle that gorgeousness of this kitchen. I can’t even handle it. It is too perfect, and now I’m horribly jealous and ridiculously impressed all at once. Heehee.
And to be featured on Design*Sponge? Can I just “SQUEEEE!” real quickly?
It’s makeovers like this that make me excited to own a home someday. There is only so much I can do with a rented duplex. Ah, well.
Lovely job! You are my hero.
wishcake´s last blog ..on who I am (at the moment)…
Kaci
Ummm LOVE it! Way to go, I’m happy for you!
Kaci´s last blog ..BABIES!
SoMi's Nilsa
I love the transformation. And Design Sponge? One of my favorites! I feel so inspired looking at their features. You deserve all the accolades!
SoMi’s Nilsa´s last blog ..Bridal
Talia
Your kitchen is truly charming and beautiful!! I love the creativity and colors you put into it. The wallpaper on the cupboards is to DIE for. Seriously, awesome idea!! I just love makeovers– it’s so inspiring to see what others have created and done.
Talia´s last blog ..Coming Home
E.P.
Gorgeous! I’m totally impressed that you made SUCH A DIFFERENCE for so little month! Nice work, lady!
Melanie
Ummm, this is awesome.
Melanie´s last blog ..Shooting stars are my fave
sohobutterfly
Only $200!! You`re a design superstar!! It looks fantastic.
sohobutterfly´s last blog ..It’s about time I made this announcement…
vivacindy
this is so gorgeous! i know im late reading, but i was out of the country for a month and my reader was FULL. (found you on design sponge)
please please can you tell me the name of the paint that you used? im about to paint my living room turquoise and I love this one!
thanks! and again, love the kitchen!