Before I get into the Christmas decorating, which I’m scrambling trying to finish, I wanted to go ahead and share before and after shots of my kitchen. Oh, how that space has changed. If you weren’t here at the beginning, you might not know how BAD it really was. Well, it was extremely dated, dirty and ugly and nothing short of a gut job would do. How happy I am that we did gut the space and start over.
If you’ve been with me through all of this process, you’ll remember this pic. Dated pine 70’s cabinets and this kitchen was filthy disgusting. I couldn’t wait to get them out of here. We closed up that door above that went into the living room and that was the best decision we made too. That gave me room for my open shelves and to extend the lower cabinets and countertop all the way to the windows.
AFTER: It’s a whole new space and I could NOT be happier with my kitchen. It truly is a dream kitchen to me. It has everything that I need and it’s all handy and just the right size.
Sink side before. Dated laminate butcher block, nothing in this kitchen could be saved (except for that old fridge, it’s now in my storage room downstairs).
AFTER: Lighter and brighter and my Ikea cabinets are the bomb. Love, love them!
Another disgusting Before shot, those lower cabinets were falling apart, they were so bad.
Here’s a shot from the same angle as the Before pic. Amazing the difference!
And now, it’s a whole brand new kitchen with Kashmir White granite countertops and a Metallic Gray Blanco granite sink. You’ll notice that I finally got that window painted.
And another view of the dishwasher and fridge. My cabinet installer did a great job building in the fridge and I love how it turned out.
Looking back to the dining room, this is the only door coming in here now and it works just fine. I adore my new kitchen! In fact, I adore my whole house. I added my cute little chalkboard by the door. That was a yardsale find, actually a mirror that I painted with chalkboard paint. It will come in handy for grocery items.
Those open shelves made from salvaged wood that I got from Southern Accents in Cullman, AL are such great statement pieces in here. I’m so glad I saved them from 2 years ago and finally got to use them in my new home. That subway tile is exactly what I wanted too and I’m really happy with all my choices. Planning a kitchen from scratch can be quite intimidating and I really tried to make classic long-lasting choices and I sure hope I did.
My coffee station is to the left of the sink.
Did you notice I painted my island? I thought bringing in the gray in the rug and countertops would be a nice balance and I really like the color (which is Timbermine by Dutch Boy, in case you are wondering). And I finally figured out the best way to place it in here, all the way against the windows. I like it a lot and can still get into my large bank of drawers and the fridge to the left.
The chevron runner is from Ballard Designs.
That green pottery piece on top of the island is a bean pot and was a gift from a reader and it came from Celebrating Home. She let me pick out what I wanted and it’s a cooking pot. What sweet readers I have! Thank you, Leah! I have barely had time to start cooking again, I’ve just been grabbing what I can from the grocery store, but soon I’ll be back to cooking meals again.
My bunny chef will be on guard on the island.
And looking back towards the pantry (which I love, love), this kitchen is all I could ever dream of. Truly, it’s very functional, has plenty of storage space and I adore it. It’s the nicest kitchen I’ve ever had.
Here’s the post on the breakdown of all the kitchen costs, so check it out for all the details. It was a very affordable kitchen renovation!
Thanks for sharing in this renovation journey with me, it’s been so much fun having all of you along for the ride! I can hardly believe I’m actually in here now, but it sure feels good.
Don’t forget our Holiday link parties start on Tuesday and Layla’s up first with mantels! Since I don’t have a mantel, I’ll be showing you my dining room sideboard all decked out!
Monday at 3 pm EST, I’ll be doing a Google hangout with these fun bloggers and we’ll all be sharing ways to use cloches from Wayfair. It’s all about the Holidays and how to make them fun and festive!
Debbie says
I love your Ikea kitchen. Your coffee station looks so cute and functional. Where did you buy the shelf for your coffee station?I am sooooo happy for you. What a wonderful home.
Rhoda says
Debbie, that was a yardsale find from a few years ago.
Annette says
Your kitchen looks so nice, all your hard work and waiting paid off. I like the undercounter lighting, I’m sure it makes the kitchen cozy at night. Really a good job!
Centsational Girl says
Wow Rhoda, your hard work really shows ! I love how this space is so fresh and reflects YOU! Bravo my friend on an amazing remodel!
xo
Kate
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says
It looks SO much better! What an amazing transformation! It’s so beautiful now!
laura @ the shorehouse says
It looks *amazing*, and you deserve to have a gorgeous kitchen — you’ve worked so hard!! Call me crazy (you wouldn’t be the first person, lol) but the original pine cabinets didn’t look terrible? Or did they just photograph well?? I know they’re not your style but I would have loved a shot at recycling them if I was in your ‘hood…but then again I’m obsessed with recycling in what I will admit is a slightly maniacal way. 🙂
ILona McFerrin says
Thank you for sharing photos and description of your beautiful kitchen. It is cozy and airy. Cabinets are very well planned. I love the pantry. Open shelves are beautiful and tastefully decorated. Wishing you the very best in your new home.
Rhoda says
Laura, the old top cabinets were in good condition, just incredibly dirty. There was so much roach filth behind these cabinets that it was SO disgusting. But I did keep several of the upper cabinets to recycle down in my laundryroom, so you will indeed be seeing them reused. I will definitely be painting them. The bottom cabinets didn’t fare as well and they truly were falling apart and nasty, so I didn’t want to try to save them all. They were pretty far gone for that. No comparison to my new Ikea ones as far as functionality and looks!
laura @ the shorehouse says
Ah yes, I do know of the ‘inherited dirt’…I think it is the worst kind of household dirt!! Honestly I had cabinets that I thought looked OK when we bought the house…and I literally had to clean them for days. DAYS. Ugh. And don’t even get me started on the bathroom cabinet. I think I ripped that out with my bare hands. 😉
That’s exciting those upper ones can be reused! I love the height and I know they will look amazing with a swipe of the Rhoda Paintbrush! Now I can’t wait to see yet another room.
molly jo says
Laura I felt the same but only because they are so MY style. But when Rhoda disclosed the roaches, condition etc she did the right thing. Plus this is an awesome kitchen and really is more her style. Glad the uppers are to be recycled somewhere, I just love knotty pine. Great Job on the WHOLE house Rhoda, has been a great ride following along.
Linda@Coastal Charm says
Rhoda,
You should be happy and proud…it looks outstanding!!! You did a wonderful job picking out everything for it. I have that same little green flower pot (I keep pens and pencils in mine). Looking forward to see how you have been decking your new halls.
Blessings,
Linda
Amber says
It really is beautiful! Sorry if you’ve mentioned this before and I missed it but where did you get your cabinet hardware? Specifically the cup pulls? I’m going to be replacing mine soon and have been on the hunt! 🙂
Rhoda says
Amber, all the cabinet hardware is from Ikea.
Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse says
Hi!
I’m thinking about ikea-ing my kitchen… since mine is currently worse than your before kitchen and I must say your post is truly inspiring. You did such a good job that you nearly convinced me!
Beth Morrow says
Beautiful job…love seeing all the before and after pictures.
Edith P. says
Beautiful job Rhoda. I really like the cabinet in gray to match your rug and the way you positioned it against the windows, it sure opened up the floor space.
But, ummmm, that tower of bowls sitting on your glass shelving – doesn’t it make you a wee bit nervous? Maybe they’re plastic and not as heavy as they look.
Rhoda says
Edith, no worries, those are plastic bowls!
Chelley Black says
I saw a picture of your kitchen on Pinterest and thought, “Oh, that looks like my sink!” I have the same sink in dark brown and LOVE it! Congrats on your reno. It looks gorgeous!
Judy Clark says
Rho:
I am so happy for you. You and your Dad did an amazing job on that kitchen.
To the reader that said something about those pine cabinets not being gross. Oh yeah, they were really gross. You had to see them in person. Well done friend.
Sachi says
Wow! What a stunner! I can’t wait to see the breakdown on pricing also. Sometimes it seems impossible to create a kitchen cost effectively but you have proven that it can be done! Thanks for sharing!
Kate says
It’s lovely! Beautiful! But we didn’t get any shots of the dishwasher and fridge…. Also, you started out with hardwoods. Did you replace them or were you able to salvage them?
Rhoda says
Kate, I just added a couple more shots of the fridge and dishwasher. The original hardwoods were thin veneer and damaged, so instead of trying to match the whole house to those, I chose to tear them out and get engineered hardwoods all throughout the house for continuity.
Missi at havoc-to-heaven.com says
Rhoda – I am just blown away. Since I was in the original kitchen, I am overwhelmed by the changes. You did such an amazing job!! I love every bit of it!
Monica Converse says
Truly SPECTACULAR!
kathy says
I keep scrolling back and forth between the before and afters. It’s an amazing transformation. I love it!
P.S. I always forward your blog to my husband so he can see the progress you’ve made:)
Jerri C. TN says
You have reached the ” WOW” factor. LOVE!!!!!
Lana says
Hi Rhoda,
Love your kitchen. Amazing what you can do with Ikea. I think the granite counter tops really make the whole kitchen look high end. No one would ever guess it was Ikea. You must be so Happy to be in your home and settled in.
Marie in Va says
Hard to believe it is the same kitchen!
LOVE all of your choices!