Quick note: if you missed the update to last week’s post that went up a few days after it was originally published, you can catch up on that here.
When we moved in, one of the subcontractors wondered why we didn’t tear out the old cabinets, mismatched appliances, and pink laminate counters and redo the kitchen before moving. If you’ve followed us for a while, you know why: we prefer to live in a space for a while before changing the layout or doing major upgrades like replacing cabinets or countertops. In our last house we waited three years before our big renovation. Living somewhere lets us figure out what’s truly functional and what’s just a guess about how we think we’ll use the space.
Waiting also lets us save for a larger renovation while making small, affordable updates that improve how the kitchen looks and functions in the meantime. These Phase 1 changes serve as low-risk trials for ideas we might use in the full remodel. For example: will we like open shelves or would upper cabinets be better? Let’s hang temporary shelves and live with them before committing. Or: does the table feel right in this spot with a pendant over it? We can swag a light over the table rather than relocating ceiling wiring until the full renovation.
These small experiments help us decide what we want later. Below are the five updates we made recently. For “spot the difference” fans, here’s a photo that shows all five changes in one frame:
And here’s a picture from two months ago showing how the room looked after three weeks of living here:
Did you catch all five? Here we go.
1. New Hanging Pendant Light
The kitchen originally had an off-center ceiling light. When we had to replace the drywall we added recessed lights and had the original fixture box moved to the center of the room. That gave us a capped box we could use later, so a few weeks ago we decided to swag a pendant over the eat-in table. Instant gratification.
Because the light hangs over a table, we could choose a fixture that hangs lower than a semi-flush or flush mount. We picked a white woven string globe similar to one we already loved in our son’s room. Its size helps anchor the dining area without feeling heavy thanks to the airy white material. It also provides a soft glow, so we don’t have to rely on the recessed lights for every meal.
2. Painting The Dishwasher
We didn’t replace appliances before moving in because we plan to choose them as part of the eventual renovation. The black dishwasher looked out of place next to a white stove and refrigerator, so we used appliance enamel paint to transform it. This is a quick, low-cost Phase 1 update that makes a big visual improvement.
We sanded the surface, taped the controls, and used a brush for tight areas and a foam roller for the large panels. Going from black to white required several coats, so patience is key. The white we used is cooler than the cabinet white, but it’s a huge improvement for about $15 a quart. In the future we may re-paint the dishwasher to match the cabinet color or add a thin painted panel if needed.
3. Swapping Out The Cabinet Knobs
The original painted wood knobs felt large and a bit country. We tried a set of brass knobs we had bought for another piece of furniture and loved them on the cabinets. The metal knobs feel weightier and more finished, which immediately upgrades the kitchen’s tactile experience. They offer a bit more contrast now, but once we paint the cabinets the overall look will feel cohesive.
4. Hung Floating Shelves
Removing the soffit meant losing the upper cabinets, which reduced storage but opened the room visually. The exposed vent and old wiring from a removed exhaust fan looked unattractive, so we added floating shelves both to disguise that area and to provide functional storage.
We initially planned two shelves on each side but realized that would overwhelm the wall and complicate bracket placement because the window is off-center. Instead we positioned brackets into studs and tucked them where objects could hide them, trimmed the shelf bottoms, and used leftover plywood from a previous project to keep costs and store trips down. The shelves store frequently used items—kettle, strainer, mixing bowls—and the natural wood tone ties into the floor and chairs. Sherry clear-sealed them with a water-based sealer so they won’t yellow over time.
5. Framed Our Teil Duncan Painting
We finally framed a Teil Duncan painting we bought six years ago. Using simple trim and cardboard spacers we created a float-style frame that makes the artwork feel more finished and substantial. The blonde wood frame ties the piece into the room and highlights how framing can transform art.
We used basic materials from a local hardware store and cardboard to establish a consistent gap so the canvas appears to float. The result makes the art feel finished and coordinates with the rest of the kitchen’s natural wood accents.
Those are the five changes. There’s a sixth that’s in progress and will make a bigger impact: we decided to paint the cabinets mauve and embrace the existing counters for a tone-on-tone Phase One look. We tested swatches and liked a deeper mauve that matches the counters, so we’re proceeding with that plan. With only seven cabinet doors it’s a quick project and already looks promising.
These small updates—new light, painted dishwasher, brass knobs, floating shelves, and framed art—have refreshed the kitchen while we plan a larger renovation. They’re inexpensive changes that help us learn what works in the space and make living here more enjoyable in the meantime.