This kitchen transformation truly deserves the term “jaw-dropping.” Emily sent a detailed account of her renovation, so below is her story in her own words, edited for clarity and flow. Her experience is a great example of how thoughtful planning, a mix of DIY work and professional help, and smart shopping can turn an outdated space into a stylish, functional kitchen.
We bought this house as a foreclosure a little over two years ago. The purchase price left us room in the budget to pay for updates without too much strain. The home was built in 1987 and the interior hadn’t been changed since, aside from several layers of wallpaper layered over the original paper—an all-over floral pattern that felt very dated. Because I love cooking and spend a lot of time in the kitchen, that room was my top priority. The countertops were old Formica, stained and lifting from the cabinets, and the whole space felt tired rather than charmingly vintage.
After hours of browsing design sites, I fell in love with the bi-color cabinetry trend. It offered a hint of modern style without going so bold that it might hurt resale value. I wanted a fresh, contemporary look that would still appeal to future buyers. Rather than replacing the cabinets, we repainted them—an economical choice that preserved good stock cabinetry and delivered a high-impact change.
To save both money and waste, we had the cabinets professionally repainted instead of purchasing new ones. We hired a contractor for much of the heavy lifting and systems work to save time and avoid friction—this also protected our marriage, haha—but we handled some of the finishing touches ourselves. One of the biggest DIY wins was installing whitewashed plank walls to hide the remnants of my first attempt at wallpaper removal. That decision ended up being a favorite feature and added texture and warmth to the room.
The plank wall project took two Saturdays with my husband and me working together. It’s a moderately easy weekend project for anyone comfortable with basic carpentry and a nail gun. The result covered the old wallpaper traces and created a cohesive backdrop for the new cabinetry.
Thankfully, the wallpaper debacle turned into a design success. Instead of being a problem, it became the reason we added an element that defines the room.
Another major savings came from buying appliances during an IKEA kitchen sale. We purchased a dishwasher, a five-burner range, an exhaust hood, a microwave, and a wall oven for under $4,000. A decision I’m especially happy with was having the cabinetry built to surround the refrigerator—creating that built-in look instantly elevates the room and makes it feel complete and custom. We also painted one wall with chalkboard paint; it’s playful and relaxed, and the ability to write notes and doodles adds personality to the space.
For the backsplash we chose classic subway tile—a budget-friendly solution that looks timeless. We were able to source tiles at about $0.21 each (roughly $1.61 per square foot), which kept costs low while delivering a clean, bright backdrop for the counters. The countertops themselves were our main splurge: quartz by Cambria in the Torquay color. We chose quartz for its low maintenance and because it resembles Carrara marble without the upkeep concerns.
The dining table came from a Restoration Hardware Outlet: the 96-inch table’s list price was $1,395, but we bought it for $600. Curtains and many textiles were sourced at IKEA, which keeps the space feeling cohesive and affordable. The chandelier is from West Elm and gives the dining area a little bit of quirk—exactly the touch of “funk” this room needed. The result is a cozy dining area with sheer panels for privacy and a layered, inviting look.
Emily’s kitchen remodel is a strong example of how mixing well-chosen splurges—like quartz countertops and a quality dining table—with smart, budget-conscious choices—like repainting cabinets, buying sale appliances, and using subway tile—can produce a high-end result on a modest budget. Thoughtful built-in cabinetry, practical low-maintenance materials, and a few DIY projects gave the space a polished, expensive look without breaking the bank. Emily shares more photos and project details on her blog if you want to explore further. Thank you, Emily, for sharing your transformation. Now tell us: what’s your favorite part of this renovated kitchen? My top picks are the dining table, the counters, and the painted door and trim details—those dark-painted French doors and the little window sash above the sink really pop.