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.
Aren’t they just the most stylish things you’ve ever seen? I had to have that wallpaper too, somewhere around 1994 or so. Wallpaper was still a desirable thing back then. I’ve about changed my mind on all things wallpaper these days, but I still like a pretty paper in a certain spot. So, I was married to someone else during that time and my ex and I decided to update this awful kitchen to something more up to date and exciting in 2002. Those painted and glazed cabinets were just coming into vogue in the showrooms and my first exposure was at the Home Depot Expo in Atlanta, a great place to get inspiration. Since I was keeping the almond appliances, I decided to paint them a close match to that and then do a glaze on top. My ex was also quite handy with the tools and built new doors from scratch, as well as added LOTS of wood moldings and extra bling to the space & this was done with his expertise. You won’t recognize it now…..
New beadboard doors, hardware, granite tile countertops, tumbled marble backsplash, sink & faucet and WOWIE, what a kitchen now. It was a dream kitchen to me and took a long 6 weeks of hard work to complete, working every day on it. You can see the island that was built for this space, which is now residing in my laundryroom. It was too pretty to leave behind.
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.
Sigh….I did love that kitchen, but it was time to move on to Birmingham and we are very happy in our current home, me and hubby. My current kitchen is pretty with white cabinets and a tumbled tile countertop and backsplash, but I would love to do a little update in there too. I may end up adding some rope molding along the top of my crown molding & painting to match the cabinets. And, I’d love to do a dark granite countertop one day, along with a Silgranite sink (granite composite) and that beautiful oil-rubbed bronze faucet. I don’t want to do a total renovation, just a couple of things.
I know many of us are looking to update kitchens, old and new, so hopefully you got some inspiration from this oldie but goodie of mine. I did love that kitchen!
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I am in love with beadboard….I adore those cabinets. So glad you took pics before you left them behind.Dianntha
Well, this is just stunning! When are you going to write a book? I need step-by-step info. 😉
What a fabulous kitchen make-over!
Love all the little touches like the three panel windows from the old door and the resin pieces.
Have a great day!
Sandy
oh Rhoda, the kitchen is so nice, I know you hated to leave it, but oh well – now you’re on your next chapter! Thanks for sharing, I do so enjoy your blog! Annie100
I love that kitchen too! Nice work!!
Hi Rhoda,
You did a great job on that kitchen! The cabinets look totally different!
Thanks for all the tips on granite tile. I may go with that when we finally replace our counter tops.
I love all you touches and extra little details you added. All of it together really makes it all come together!
diane
OH MY, how I remember those cabinets. I had those in my first home in the late 80’s. It was the thing to have. I also did wallpaper, with ducks on it. I truly don’t miss that style.
But I have to say, you did a wonderful job at the remodel. I wouldn’t have wanted to leave that behind.
CIao
Rhoda….BEAUTIFUL transformation! I love the beadboard in the cabinets. The island fits perfectly in your laundry room now…I don’t blame you for bringing it.
Oh Rhoda! I love your kitchen. I wish I had one just like it! You created a huge difference from your older one to this one. Love all the beadboard! Just love it all!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia:)
This was just beautiful! I loved looking at the before/after pictures. Your Majolica and the bunnies stole my heart.
I loved this of course, but was blessed by your the legacy that your parents have passed down even more. Living in NC, I am still in awe of the beauty…
Stop by when you get a chance. I have an award for you.
Hugs!
Kat
Rhoda,
This is just amazing! Love your kitchen and all the details. I know you must have been so proud of that job. Beautiful kitchen for a beautiful lady!
Enjoyed seeing your parents’ home and garden tour, too, and am so glad your family got to spend time together. Those veggies looked scrumptious, and I wanted to take a nap on your daddy’s swing, too! What fun to have a mountain retreat!
I’m on a borrowed computer that has “issues” so I’m signing in this way instead of by my handle.
Love to you, sweet lady!
Sheila (The Quintessential Magpie)
oh wow, you know pics like that simply amaze me, a real transformation…I bet it took a lot of hard work though but as you say truly worth it, particularly in the saving in dollars
great post, really inspired me, which is good as we are about to embark on a family bathroom makeover, we were quoted $20,000+ for a new fit for a basic suite and basic tiles and we so don’t want to invest that as we will probably move on from the cottage in a few years to something a bit bigger and with an ocean view
I’ve been mulling it over for weeks, deciding what to do and what colours to go with, today I bought the accessories, tomorrow I buy the paint, Sat and Sun we get to work, although I’m hoping it won’t be too long a job, I always say that!
anyway your post today came at just the right time to make me think, yeah, I can makeover this place for like a pinch of the price of a new one, and a lot less hassle
cheers
Sarah
Nice kitchen Rhoda, I had that same sink in my old kitchen. I love what you did with the mural, it looks like the real thing, I may borrow that idea 🙂
I have the bun feet on my cabinets and love the look.
Nice post,
Kathy 🙂
ps love your new banner !!!
Kathy 🙂
Rhoda, what a fabulous job!!!
We’re flipping a house right now so I know the amount of work remodeling can take. And the time!! Every little detail just seems to take forever.
That’s just beautiful, Rhoda! And really, still in style, too…timeless 🙂
Bella
HOLY COW! It’s GORGEOUS!! I am about to totally remodel my kitchen….I want yours! Completely stunning!
~melody~
WOW, Rhoda, that is an amazing transformation, especially considering how little money you spent. I love it.
I have to say I had those same “before” cabinets in one of the places we lived in the ’90s, too. They were really popular for awhile, and now I can’t remember why? Ha.
The details in your kitchen really made everything look custom and fabulous. You are so talented! -Julia