How should I brighten up my kitchen? Part 2

11 years ago

Continued from Part 1 here:

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg011851238702.html

Finally, the kitchen and DR are finished! I absolutely love, love, love how everything turned out. So what stayed in the kitchen? The countertops, floor and cabinets. What did I change? Ceiling and wall color, removed cabinet above sink and added a light, removed decorative trim on the hood vent, added all white dishes to my glass front cabinets and installed a new faucet. I changed out the artwork for black and white pictures I was using upstairs.

Also, you will notice I changed the backsplash. We did not do tile as we know eventually we will put in new countertops. What I did was about 40 minutes worth of time and cost absolutely nothing. I found this embossed wallpaper in an upstairs closet when we moved in, so I just cut a few pieces to fit and painted with scrubbable white paint.

The Before: {{gwi:1744960}}From House
{{gwi:1564827}}From House

The After: {{gwi:1744962}}From House
{{gwi:1744964}}From House
{{gwi:1744966}}From House
{{gwi:1744968}}From House
{{gwi:1744970}}From House

In the DR I moved my china cabinet to the other wall and instead of displaying all my different patterns, I chose one pattern and used it for display. I also brought in the antique chest of drawers from the foyer to use as a sideboard since the wood tone matched closer to the wood tone in the black furniture as opposed to the previous buffet table I had in there.

The Before: {{gwi:1564833}}From House

The After: {{gwi:1744974}}From House
{{gwi:1744975}}From House
{{gwi:1744976}}From House

LR is still needing to be painted, but I was able to sweet talk DH into letting me purchase new furniture for the LR. I ordered a sofa and two chairs, all with white slipcovers (a must have with all my pets and their hair). I am going to sew covers for all my existing throw pillows in blacks, greys and whites. I will keep everyone posted on the LR progress once we start.

Here is a link that might be useful: How should I brighten up my kitchen? Part 1

This post was edited by Sharimac on Fri, Mar 1, 13 at 17:31

Comments (16)

springroz
11 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Lovely change!! I am so glad you did not do any major changes....I think it looks great.

Nancy
breezygirl
11 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
You are amazing. You begin a thread to freshen up your kitchen and dining room, and in barely a month you've completely transformed your space. I'm in awe. You accomplished so much! And it all looks great! Congratulations on all your hard work. ((Now I slump off to my kitchen that resides in the same state of incompleteness it did 15 months ago when we moved back into the house.....embarrassed.....))
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Sharimac
Original Author
11 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
A couple more photos using different camera.
{{gwi:1744977}}From House
{{gwi:1744978}}From House
bellsmom
11 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Sharimac
The difference is stunning. The kitchen and DR are still consistent with the house, but much lighter and cleaner of line.
I love your new backsplash. It buys you time to think and accomplishes a lot at the same time.

I am SO pleased that you and your husband are happy with the results of all your hard work. THAT makes me smile.

Thank you very much for keeping us updated.

This post was edited by Bellsmom on Fri, Mar 1, 13 at 17:40
Gooster
11 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
It's amazing what you were able to accomplish in just one month. The time you took to complete a significant transformation, on your own, was less time than it takes most of us to decide on a paint color!

I look forward to seeking progress on the living room.
cawaps
11 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Wow, it looks so much brighter! Great work!
sis2two
11 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
That is just lovely! It looks entirely different from the first photos. I've been waiting months for my changes but hopefully soon... Your cabinets look great with the wall color you've chosen.
Mick Mick
11 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Nice. I am also very happy you didn't make huge changes.
badgergal
11 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Way to go!
The cosmetic changes ( and more) you made are fabulous. You truly did brighten up you kitchen. Your dining room looks fantastic too. And you accomplished all that so quickly. Congratulations.
bellsmom
11 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I looked back over your pics this morning with pleasure, and I just thought of something.

Can the light over the island be lowered? More light on the front of the cabinets would really make the room feel lighter.

Can't tell from the pics if dropping the light puts it in the way or not. The chandelier style is the problem--there is so much metal below the bulbs that getting the bulbs where you would like them just may not work.

Not a big project if it will help.
hlove
11 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Wow, what a difference! It looks so much brighter and better shows off the cabinets, which really look beautiful now. The paint colors are great.

Thanks so much for showing us your updates! I, too, can't believe you accomplished all of this in such a short amount of time...and so well!
nosoccermom
11 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
WOW! Thanks so much for sharing this transformation from start to finish.
islanddevil
11 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Wow what a difference paint makes! So much brighter. Love your ceiling!
gr8daygw
11 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Fabulous makeover. Great job!
lascatx
11 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
SO much better and brighter. Another testimonial for the power of paint.
Bunny
11 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Way to go! Nice work!!!