Design Dilemma: My Kitchen Needs Help!
See how you can update a kitchen with new countertops, light fixtures, paint and hardware
Houzz contributor & founder/ principal designer at KitchenLab | Rebekah Zaveloff Interiors. We're a Chicago based interiors firm specializing in kitchens & baths – the rooms which often begin as the focal point of many of the projects we design & manage. We create a link for our clients between the design process & the construction process which is often missing & we offer tailored interior design services for adjacent rooms or whole houses depending on the scope of the project. We love to mix styles and make our spaces feel like they "grew there" and were collected over time. We also offer e-decorating services through our company Design in a Bag.
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When we received this Design Dilemma from Houzz user Christina (including this snapshot from move-in day) I understood why she was looking for help. As it is for many homeowners, a full remodel isn't in the cards right now. And she's been living with this kitchen (minus the moving boxes, of course) for five years out of fear of spending money on little fixes that she might not like.
Christina is sick of the wallpaper border, mauve blinds and pink countertop. She would love a black-and-white kitchen with a modern, vintage-eclectic style. But "I'm debating on where I start," she writes. "What do I invest in first, great countertops (black)?? ANY advice is appreciated. My poor home needs help! "
Okay, Christine, it's time to plunge headfirst into this facelift. There are a lot of ways to get big bang for your buck without a full kitchen remodel, especially if you're open to new countertops. Read on for 8 quick fixes you can start on now.
See Christine's original question
Christina is sick of the wallpaper border, mauve blinds and pink countertop. She would love a black-and-white kitchen with a modern, vintage-eclectic style. But "I'm debating on where I start," she writes. "What do I invest in first, great countertops (black)?? ANY advice is appreciated. My poor home needs help! "
Okay, Christine, it's time to plunge headfirst into this facelift. There are a lot of ways to get big bang for your buck without a full kitchen remodel, especially if you're open to new countertops. Read on for 8 quick fixes you can start on now.
See Christine's original question
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No. 1. The biggest liabilities in this kitchen are things that can be fixed good old DIY style: Get rid of that wallpaper border and pink window treatments that match the countertops.
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| No. 2. You have classic white kitchen cabinets, and that's a plus. Even if they're not your chosen style (raised panel vs. Shaker) or material (I'm guessing thermafoil instead of wood). Who cares? They're white! I can guess that there are lot of people out there currently bemoaning their '70s honey oak cabinets as we speak. No. 3. Now, change that countertop. Go for a classic honed black granite rather than a polished granite. No. 4. And while you're at it, paint the walls. Offset the crisp white cabinets with a deep neutral such as a taupe like this, or go for a light gray/blue. Whatever you do, don't stick with white walls: It can look drab when you're looking for a change. |
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Black and white never goes out of style. If you want a classic black- and-white kitchen, go ahead and change out those countertops!
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If granite isn't in the cards budget-wise, consider an alternative like this terrific charcoal gray color called Medea from Corian.
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| No. 5 and 6. Change out that light fixture for something more vintage and architecturally interesting. And add a cute vintage chair to that naked looking desk area in your kitchen. Accessories like lighting and chairs can add so much style. Don't underestimate the power of a single well-chosen accessory. |
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by Pottery Barn
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| These timeless vintage Tolix chairs are the perfect complement to a black-and-white kitchen. If you're afraid of it going out of style, don't be. The French-bistro look has been around for a very long time and doesn't appear to be going out of favor anytime soon. |
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Schoolhouse pendants are a perfect accent. Go for a bronze finish to add drama as opposed to a silver finish like chrome or polished nickel.
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If you want a slightly different look, there are lots of pendants out there, and each one will slightly change the look of your kitchen. From schoolhouse vintage, to industrial modern ...
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... to farmhouse chic.
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| Here is another fabulous black and white kitchen to encourage you! No. 7. Change out the hardware for a fresher look. |
by Gracious Home
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Vintage and classic oil rubbed bronze knobs.
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Or go a little more vintage glam with crystal.
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Or have some fun with this black and white beauties from Anthropologie.
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| No. 8. Add a subway tile backsplash. This suggestion requires a bit more commitment: Hire someone to install a classic white subway tile backsplash. White subway tile is the cheapest thrill out there. It can be ridiculously inexpensive, and installing tile is actually easy. I've done it myself so I'm telling the truth here (though my husband did do the cutting of the few tiles that needed it). Go for white subway tile with white grout, or ... |
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... go for charcoal grout to get that complete black-and-white palette.
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Subway tile can come in a few different sizes, but the classic size is 3x6. If you want to mix it up a bit go for a 2x6 for a different look. I hope you find these suggestions helpful and that we see your "After" pictures on Houzz soon!
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See Christine's original question and join the discussion
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More: 15 Quick Kitchen Fixes
Next:
See Christine's original question and join the discussion
Post your own photo and Design Dilemma!
Browse thousands of kitchen photos
More: 15 Quick Kitchen Fixes
Ideabook updated on Oct. 4, 2011.
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(Re the 3rd lighting pic: For an additional source option, Christina may also wish to check out 'Barn Light Electric Company'.)
Another super easy, quick way to update the look of the cabinets is to deal with that soffit. Yes, definitely get rid of that wallpaper border. Then paint the soffits the same white as the cabinets, put up a nice size crown molding where the soffit meets the ceiling, and maybe also put some accent molding where the cabinets meet the soffit. It will instantly give the illusion of height to your wall cabinets that people prefer now, particularly if your walls are a different color than the cabinets/soffit/crown.
A word of caution though if you replace countertops but keep the current cabinets...if you install stone tops, it will be very difficult to save those tops if you want to replace the cabinets later. If you find someone actually willing to uninstall/store/reinstall stone tops while you replace cabinets, they will probably charge at least a couple thousand $ and be unwilling to be held liable for any damage/breakage to your walls/cabinets/tops. So potentially, you could spend several grand on new stone tops + $2000+/- for uninstall/reinstall + several more $$$ when they accidentally break part of your top & you must replace it. Stone color/pattern varies between lots, so matching new to old could be challenging. Also, you would probably not be able to make any changes to the current layout of your kitchen if you try to re-use those tops, so you had really better like the current configuration of your cabinets. If you plan to replace the cabinets in the next 5 years, you'd be better off spending < $2000 on some upgraded black laminate tops for now to rid yourself of the pink(!) , and saving your $ for new cabinets w/ new stone tops to be installed at the same time later. That way you can really remodel that kitchen to suit you when you are ready to tackle it fully.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10194960/
that would work in the kitchen as well as knobs - on a budget! http://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/products/fintorp-knob__0120568_PE277231_S4.JPG
Also, if you can't afford granite right now, change the laminate. You can diy for pretty reasonably. Huge improvement will be noticed by removing the border & painting as many have mentioned. Good Luck!