Wednesday, September 28, 2011

{before & after: my kitchen reno}

Finally! I've got pictures of my kitchen renovation {that was officially completed this summer} to share with you. We've lived in our home for 4 years now, and it took a while to get this reno complete. Our goal was to freshen up the space on a budget: we want to sell this home in the next couple of years so only a 'mini-reno' was required. We painted our old oak cupboards right before we moved in, but we put up with the disintegrating laminate counters & floral backsplash tiles for far too long!

Before I show you the space all new and improved, I have to show you the befores {it wouldn't be any fun without them, would it?}. Please keep in mind, the photos were taken when the former owner of the home was living here! {We snapped pics on our home-inspection rounds}. Cue the dramatic music ... duh duh duh DUH!


What did I tell you? So, before moving in, we at least changed the floors and painted all cupboards. We got rid of the box lighting above as well.


So we were in a limbo phase for quite some time:


But I still saw this in my face every day:


Not pretty. We knew we had to be patient and save up for new granite counter tops {our only real splurge} so we didn't want to put up a new backsplash until then. We took Tommy Smythe's advice {ate noodles for dinner for a month} and were able to get those shiny new counters :) We did the tiling ourselves after installation and chose an inexpensive subway tile:


My first time tiling and it was a blast!! I love those little spacers :) So, again the BEFORE:


And AFTER:


The eating area:



And now:




I love my new goose neck faucet and soap pump! It's the little things :)







In order to stay on a tight budget, it really had to be a labour of love, but I think it was worth it! We did all the cabinet painting ourselves, laid the backsplash tiles, and kept all the appliances that came with the home. The hardware was all from Lee Valley Tools, the faucet and chandelier from Home Depot, and the only 'big ticket items' were the pot lights and stone counters {though opting for granite was substantially lower than marble}. The artwork is my own painting - my twist on an old vintage poster. And all in all I think we got the best bang for our buck!

42 comments:

Allison Egan said...

Just stunning! Perfect job on the tiles - wow - and I love the touch of glam that the chandelier and vintage print bring! Amazing makeover!

xo Allison
Spicer + Bank
www.spicerandbank.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Beautiful! I love the chandelier and the subway tile. Small touches that make the room in the end. Well done.. such a great transformation!

Ângela Varela Cunha said...

Hy Nancy, incredible how a little white and gray, change everything up, hã? Fantastic! I´m a interior designer and also a blogguer in Portugal, with made love for this two colors. I also did in my all house, what you did to your kitchen, and I'm featuring it in a weekly post, that I called "Our home, befeore and after" If your up to it, and want to see more renos in white, gray and black, go and chek it out. By the way, I dig your office chair, I have one! Love www.blancointeriores.blogspot

Ângela Varela Cunha said...

Hy Nancy, incredible how a little white and gray, change everything up, hã? Fantastic! I´m a interior designer and also a blogguer in Portugal, with made love for this two colors. I also did in my all house, what you did to your kitchen, and I'm featuring it in a weekly post, that I called "Our home, befeore and after" If your up to it, and want to see more renos in white, gray and black, go and chek it out. By the way, I dig your office chair, I have one! Love www.blancointeriores.blogspot

Ângela Varela Cunha said...

Hy Nancy, incredible how a little white and gray, change everything up, hã? Fantastic! I´m a interior designer and also a blogguer in Portugal, with made love for this two colors. I also did in my all house, what you did to your kitchen, and I'm featuring it in a weekly post, that I called "Our home, befeore and after" If your up to it, and want to see more renos in white, gray and black, go and chek it out. By the way, I dig your office chair, I have one! Love www.blancointeriores.blogspot

Designwali said...

wow you did such a great job! it looks fantastic!

Karen said...

Your patience paid off! Well done.

Beatrice@craftybeeblog.com said...

That looks stunning! It made a huge difference to have the cupboards painted. My parent's kitchen looks a little like this and I am trying to convince them to paint them. Did you just prime and paint or did you use special cupboard paint? Your kitchen and eating area look fantastic. Enjoy the space!

Paola Burke said...

It looks great. First time I'm writing. Yesterday, no kidding I spent 2 hours on your blog. I saw all the posts you did. I'm love!!!
Good job

Wendi @ Classic Chic Home said...

This is an amazing transformation! I love to see a beautiful kitchen created on a budget. My favorite area has to be the small writing nook - the accessories are gorgeous!
It's a stunning makeover, Nancy. I'm so impressed...
~ Wendi ~

Pomeline said...

You have so much talent, congrats on a great reno! Also, that pink lemonade is my favourite drink ever :)

Vanessa@decor happy said...

Great job Nancy and hubs! You splurged on the right things. Love the classic subway tile and glam chandelier (from Home Depot of all places.)

Marissa Waddell said...

Wow, Nancy-- the difference is day and night! I am super impressed. I especially love the glam black countertops.

Marissa
www.roost-home.blogspot.com

Lesley Rials Napper said...

The difference is incredible- you guys did an amazing job!! It looks beautiful!

Jen @ RamblingRenovators said...

Spectacular transformation, Nancy! You definitely did get the most bang for your buck. Great tiling job - I like that you carried the tile around the window (its the little details!).

Barbara Matson said...

I am glad you finally posted about this! You room looks even better in person! Hey, what about your other room you just added glitz and glamour to???

Are you doing the tour on Thurs or just the gala party? I am car pooling with Sari and if you want to join us, we'd love it {we aren't doing the tour though}

Steph | glitter and goat cheese said...

Oh my goodness, that chandelier! Your kitchen came out gorgeous ... LOVE that subway tile, and the way it goes all the way up on the sides of the window!

Amanda Rapp Design said...

I love it all! I've always believed renovations can be done on a budget and still look beautiful!! Great Job!

Andrea Johnson said...

You did such a great job Nancy!! It looks awesome, you must feel so proud when you walk in there everyday.

Andrea xo

Kerry said...

What a stunning transformation! I love every single detail of it!!

Holly Gruszka said...

Isn't it so great to enjoy the kitchen space once it's all made over? It looks so great - the countertops and backsplash make such a HUGE difference. Fantastic - enjoy it!!

Danielle Hardy said...

WOW NANCY!!! it looks so perfectly amazing. Well done.. Those noodles were worth it :)

Emily V. said...

Lovely! It looks so beautiful!

linette said...

Bravo, belle réalisation, j'aime faire avec un petit budget. A bientôt.

Linda @ theLENNOXX said...

What an AMAZING transformation!! T

That box lighting was horrible, and the cupboards looked so much fresher after you painted them.

The black granite counter tops works perfectly with the white subway tiles too! Well worth the money.

Also, I adore the way you styled your kitchen and dining table, looks like magazine shots! You guys did an amazing job!

Have a great day Nancy!

Laura said...

Nancy, you've got the eye that's for sure. If you could see potential in that old kitchen with the hanging blue paper bell! LOL

Wonderful job and I love all the details and accessories!

Now it's time to eat good food in your beautiful kitchen - and not noodles anymore ;)

Brandi@ Flights of Whimsy said...

Oh so pretty and for so little money! You were jealous of my fridge but I'm jealous of your whole kitchen! The desk nook is especially cute!

Unknown said...

AHHHH it's so lavish and sophisticated! You did a bang up job! Adore :)

P.S. I love this... said...

Looks beautiful!! Kudos to you doing the tiling yourself. I'm so anxious to retile my kitchen but I'm so nervous about the undertaking and worst yet, not being able to finish it and having to hire someone. Do you remove the old tiles as well? How did you do it? Sorry for all the questions. =(

Marcus Design said...

Thank you every one for your kind comments!! I so appreciate it :)

PS I love this ... We did remove our tiles ourselves (with a metal tool meant for removing tiles, kinda looks like a fork - bet you can buy it at Home Depot). And then we actually had someone come in to repair the drywall underneath before we put on the new tiles! Once that is done it's easy peasy from there!!
Nancy xo

Lisa said...

You guys did a fabulous job! I love subway tiles, so classic. And all on a budget I'm sure you'll be reaping the rewards once you go to sell. Congratulations!

Dayna @ Inspiration for Decor said...

FANTASTIC! Huge props to you and your husband, the room looks amazing. A total transformation. Those before shots were a little scary (the light box - ack!), so must totally love the space now!

Amber B (Simple Dwellings) said...

Wow- great job! I love the before and afters. It's amazing what you guys did! You must smile everytime you walk in there now! :)

Sarah MacMillan {Prairie Perch} said...

It looks so good, Nancy! All that hard work paid off. You have one fabulous kitchen! Now, all you have to do is enjoy it!

hong kong property said...

great job!! i really like white kitchens:D

christine, just bella said...

Wow, Nancy!! It looks incredible. I love the little phone station in the corner. Amazing job!

Tobe | BIA said...

helloooooooo, nurse! nancy, the kitchen is fab - looks like all of that hard work was well worth it!

Alex {Things That Sparkle} said...

It looks incredible! You must be in love!

Wallpaper said...

Amazeballs is all I can say!! love it all :)

Lauren M. said...

I absolutely LOVE your kitchen!! The before and after is amazing...doesn't even look like the same place! Great choice of colors as well.

Myers Maison

algomasdemi said...

I just found you blog and I'm addicted! Love the wall colors do you mind sharing the paint choices?
Thanks

Eno said...

That's a really good update, based on the limited budget. I would recommend a crown moulding and small light valance to give the upper cabinets a more custom look.
Keep up the good work.

Cheers,

www.paradakitchens.ca

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