When Alexis sent photos of her stunning kitchen makeover, we were thrilled. Here’s the note she shared with us:
I love your blog and read it daily. My husband and I bought our house a year ago and are slowly redoing every room. You’re a huge inspiration. I wanted to share our kitchen before and after… we’re currently working on the adjoining family room where the fireplace is, but we aren’t quite there yet!
The dark wood cabinets, knobs and chair rail molding made the kitchen feel much smaller than it actually is. The photo I sent isn’t even a true “before” since we had already removed the maroon wallpaper that made the space darker. We painted the cabinets, replaced the appliances, added a backsplash and new countertops, but one of my favorite parts of the makeover was very affordable. I bought those cork squares and hot-glued them to the old laminate to create a custom cork board in the desk area. It keeps all my lists off the desk while keeping reminders visible. Here’s a quick source list for curious readers:
Paint: walls are Butter from Restoration Hardware; cabinets are semi-gloss White by Benjamin Moore. Hardware: knobs and pulls from Restoration Hardware. Flooring: we replaced the varied first-floor surfaces (carpet, vinyl, oak) with vertical bamboo. Appliances: new stainless steel Kenmore appliances. Countertops: Silestone at Home Depot and butcher block on the island. Backsplash: simple white subway tile. Pendant: West Elm (we converted it from corded to hardwired).
Hope you enjoy the transformation at least a quarter as much as I enjoy your site. —Alexis
We enjoyed it—and then some. Here’s the undeniable before:
And here’s the cheerful, fresh after:
The transformation is both appetizing and inspiring. Alexis did a fantastic job creating a light, modern kitchen—especially with that clever cork pinboard in the desk area and the attractive pendant light over the dining table. What stands out most to you? Let’s play a little game we like to call “Pick Your Favorite Part.”