One well known fact is that redoing a kitchen brings one of the the biggest bangs for the buck. I think I would have to totally agree with that. Most kitchen renovations I see on TV are done for $25,000 or more. Well, prepare to be amazed at what you can DIY for less than $3,000. My old kitchen in Georgia was built in 1985 and had all the original appliances, as well as the Euro-style cabinets that I just insisted on having when the house was originally built. The house building was overseen by my preacher dad, who also happened to know a thing or two about building. This was the first house (and only house) I lived in when I was a single girl in my late 20’s. It was an exciting time, to get my own house for the very first time and I lived in this house for 20 years, from single to married. But, back to those oh-so-trendy Euro cabinets. Why I fell in love with them, I’ll never know…but, I did…and the kitchen looked like this.
Another view BEFORE
And AFTER
That 3 paned window you see was actually cut from the top of an old door and added in for a pretty new detail. Lots of molding and corbels made up this redo. That rectangular piece above the sink was a lightweight resin piece that I painted & glazed to match the cabinets and then just hung up on nails.
Same thing for those 2 pieces above the cubby, they are plaster pieces. The cubby used to have those two small doors on it and those were taken off to make this cute little display space. Those square pieces were free standing pieces mounted with liquid nails for security. You can see from the befores and afters that plywood boxes were added to take the cabinets up to the ceiling in 2 places with crown molding added. This really added some needed architectural interest in this otherwise bland kitchen. He was very handy with the tools and did an outstanding job. I have no doubt that this was one reason the house sold when it did. She fell in love with this kitchen!
Lots of beadboard and extra rope and other molding was added. Made a world of difference.
I used a Ben Moore color called Vellum as the base color, then added Ralph Lauren Teastain glaze to them, wiping most off with a wet rag. Glazing is really not hard, just takes a little time, but is a very forgiving process. Seeded (looks like old) glass was added to the doors.
I loved murals, but didn’t want to pay for one, so I took a cue from Donna at The Decorated House blog (she’s SO creative and gave us all many tips on faux painting over the years that I’ve known her online) and printed these fruits that I found online off on paper and decoupaged them directly to the tumbled stone. No one ever knew that they weren’t handpainted. This is granite tiles with an edging installed. I won’t even go into how hard this was to do, but I’ve heard there are improvements out there now on granite edgings. Using granite tiles really saves a LOT of money over slab. Of course, I’d love to have slab now, but would consider doing granite tiles again in my current house. This color was called Giallo Espirito and was a great color. Couldn’t even see crumbs when it was dirty. I’ve just heard about a new granite tile product with built-in bullnose edging that is as easy to install as regular tile. Go here to read about Benissimo granite tile systems. One of my online friends, Kat in Washington, just did this in her kitchen if you want to take a look at her DIY project. It really is beautiful.
I loved these fleur de lis knobs that I special ordered from HD Expo, as well as the bin pulls. I added these cute little feet from a bed post project that was laying around the house…they really aren’t feet, but I made them work. I might have to add some feet to my current cabinets too, since I’ve seen them out there lately in other kitchens and still love them.
Closeup of the glazing and knobs. Painting and glazing cabinets is really not a hard project, just takes some time and effort. I primed the base of the cabinets well for the first step, put on 2 coats of the creamy paint, then after all was dry, went back with the glaze and added that. Brush on the glaze with a paintbrush & keep a damp rag handy to wipe most of it off. The glaze helps keep it wet longer so you can work with it.
Sink was a Kohler sink and very nice in an off-white shade. I started a trend with this Price Pfister Marielle faucet at the time and lots of my decorating buddies went out and bought the same one. It now comes in oil-rubbed bronze and when I do a little redo in my current kitchen, I’ll probably get the same one in bronze. I loved that faucet!
A few fleur de lis tiles were added along the black/cream border for a lot of detail.
Sue says
Rhoda,
That is a seriously gorgeous kitchen makeover. I loved Donna’s kitchen too. You gals are really amazing.
Hugs,
Sue
Angie says
Great post!!! I so enjoyed seeing your gorgeous kitchen. I have been wanting to reface my cabinets for a while and also do a glaze on them. After seeing your cabinets, I may go ahead with the project. I would love to have the beadboard fronts like yours. What kind of beadboard did you use? It looks like the grooves are pretty deep which makes me think it was the tongue and groove kind and not the sheets. I have the sheet beadboard as my backsplash and it looks different. I also love the tile backsplash. I just LOVE it all. I will be showing it to my husband when he gets home from work!
Julie says
You did an amazing job! I think that you can do a lot if you have even the most simple skills! I really enjoy the before and after posts that people do. Thanks for sharing that.
mrsjones6 says
You did a fabulous job, Rhoda! Kitchens have been on our mind around here. We are part finished, but will soon tackle the counters and cabinets. You have shown us some fabulous ideas!
Don’t you just love to look back at old photos and see how your style has changed (and grown) over the years? You have such a gift for putting a room together. I always enjoy and look forward to your projects.
Sher's Creative Expressions says
Oh. My. Goodness!!! What a transformation. Amazing ~ absolutely amazing. What a wonderful job you did on your last kitchen. I tell ya, as Mary Carol would say, “it’s all in the “details” isn’t it?
THANK YOU SO MUCH TOO FOR TELLING US ABOUT BLOGLINES!! It sure makes it easier to keep up with my blogging buddies.
Blessings,
Sher
Mim says
WONDERFUL redo on your kitchen. Must have been hard to leave it behind.
Girl do I need your help on redoing my kitchen here in Virginia.
We bought a 1960’s split level which has it’s original cherry stained cupboards. Can you imagine?!!
I am thinking of doing beadboard backsplash’s, granite countertops, and painting the cabinets a nice pearly white, as they are solid and good.
Thanks for your inspiration today.
Mim
My Thrifty Victorian Home says
Absolutely gorgeous darling!!! Wow! I’d love to make my kitchen look like that. I guess that will have to wait till our little water issue is fixed. After all that is about the only place that is functional right now! Loving catching up on what you’ve posted while I’ve been away!
Blessings to you and yours,
LivingTheLife says
What an incredible transformation…I love it when you can do something so awesome and with such impact for very little money. Not that $3,000.00 isn’t a lot of money…but considering the fact that would have cost you OH! so much more if you hadn’t done all the work yourself! Hear that…It’s a round of applause for a job…’well done’…Thanks for sharing. Makes me want to go out and buy some of that paint and stain and give my tired ole kitchen an update…before I sell it…in a few months…but then again…I DO hate to spend too much money and time…when somebody may come in and NOT like what I’ve done!
Blessings…
Teresa
justabeachkat says
Just gorgeous! I know you enjoyed it and it probably helped you sell it when the time came.
Hugs!
Kat
Kristi says
You did a fantastic job! We have done something similar in our current home. We did upgrade the original 1984 appliances, but we painted/glazed the cabinets, replaced hardware, replaced the floor, added solid granite countertops… I could go on… but we only spent around $6,000.00 but also alot of elbow grease! I love the accents – I got some great ideas, thanks!
Sugarplum Cottage says
Looks like a profession renovated it. I simply love beadboard, everything is amazing. Hugs, RoseMarie
Self Confessed Lamp Tramp says
What a Fabulous kitchen redo…you inspire me! I seem to be constantly thinking of my next project…thanks to you and other creative home divas!
Ally0005 says
Love this kitchen would love my kitchen to look like this.
I posted pictures of my laundry room on my blog. The walls are sage green but it doesn’t look like it in the pictures.
Thanks for your sweet comment on my blog.
ocean mommy says
LOVE LOVE LOVE the Fleur de lis hardward! Just beautiful!
This makeover was absolutely stunning! Good job. 🙂
stephanie
Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality says
Thank you ALL for the great comments on this post. This really was a fun redo (after it was over, of course) & I was very proud of that kitchen. If you (or your hubby) are handy in the least, you can take these ideas & run with them.
Kelly asked about the lights on top of the cabinets & Kelly, I don't see anyway to contact you, so here you go. Those lights were simply 2' fluorescent lights that were plugged in end-to-end and then hardwire on a lightswitch under the counter. My ex was a master electrician, as well as carpenter, so that came in handy too.
Angie asked about the beadboard & I posted back to her, but will include it here too. That beadboard is the regular sheet beadboard that is sold at HD or Lowes & was cut to fit the doors. We also added it to the walls in there too. There is slick beadboard out there that is white & doesn't look as good to me, so look for the rougher version that has to be primed & painted.
I'd love to add some beadboard around this house too. I think I need me a table saw & a mitre saw!
Rhoda
Nancy says
You are one hard working gal, Rhoda! That kitchen turned out beautiful. And for under 3,000, your a good shopper! Now, I spotted a cherry creamer and sugar bowl, I think….Please put My name on those…If you ever sell them I will buy them…they are beautiful! Blessings, Nancy
Buzzings of a Queen Bee! says
Amazing renovation! Way to go! I love the idea of just changing out the cabinet doors instead of the whole thing. So inspiring!
-Carrie
Ms. Tee says
This is just beautiful. You did a great job! 🙂
The Berry's Patch says
Wow Rhoda, its’ absolutely beautiful! All your hard work payed off. Can’t wait to see what you do with your current kitchen. 🙂
The Decorated House says
Aaah…brings back memories!
You did a fantastic job with that one. It reminds me of a lot of good times we had with so many projects, helping and waiting impatiently for big reveals! 🙂
Donna