Kitchen Makeover and Update

14 years ago

last modified: 14 years ago

I need some advice on how to make the best remodel of this 1986 kitchen without breaking the bank. I am thinking of creating built in seating where bay window is now and creating a coffee/wine bar across from that where I placed my own hutch (it replaced an old desk area that was a waste of space). Kitchen dimensions are: 10'9" (sink side) with 6' window; Bay Window is 6' in length, 10' total area. Oven/Refrigerator/Pantry side is 18.5' in length. Total width of kitchen is 10', which leaves about 6' between cabinets that are standard 24" depth. Ceilings are 8'. Also, I'd like suggestions on color schemes for cabinets/floors/backsplash/etc. I'd like to keep the paint as is, because it connects with family room. I'd love some kind of old world/mediterranean/Mexican feel with very modern amenities. Which cabinet manufacture is best bang for the buck? Please help!

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Paint to Perfection

14 years ago

last modified: 14 years ago

If it were me, I would paint the cabinets and replace the hardware rather than replacing all the cabinetry which is extremely costly. Then I would invest most of the budget on new hardwood floors throughout (uninterrupted), new counter tops and new furnishings. I am not crazy about the the strip of gold inside the recessed ceiling area. It draws your eye up to the ceiling and I think the windows may be too low for a built-in seating area leaving no comfortable area to really lean back. It could be awkward. As for the "old world/Mediterranean/Mexican feel" you can do that with furnishings, accessories and maybe the backsplash since you already have a strong color in there, right? I envision a dinette set that is rustic and beefy with a sideboard to match to use as your coffee/wine bar.

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Comments (11)

Teresa Long
14 years ago
We renovated our house two years ago and used the Thomasville line from Home Depot. The contractor we used was their installer for our area. We have been thrilled with our results. They also have several other lines, priced for different budgets. We worked with one of their kitchen/bath cabinet designers, she as really easy to work with and helped us with our layout.
Teresa Long
14 years ago
A painted cream finished with some antiquing would look nice and granite counter tops,also through Home Depot. Good luck on your project.
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AviationFan32
14 years ago
last modified: 14 years ago
if you want new cabinets consider getting stock or semi custom.have you looked into rustolem?u can refinish cabenits with it for the counter i would do either a hi deff laminate counter or go to a stone yard and they sometimes have leftover stone from other projects and u can buy them for less than the cost of a new slab. or u could do granite tile for the backsplash diynetwork.com has a peal and stick tile it has real tile but it does not require thinset saves money
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Ellen McKenna Design
14 years ago
last modified: 14 years ago
Look into Cabico cabinets, the Espresso line. I have compared pricing to Thomasville at Home Depot and the Espresso is a much better value and better quality. A banquette in the window is a great idea, the opposite wall needs a new layout. How about removing the cabinets that the microwave sits on and widening the opening into the dining room too.
rlitwino
14 years ago
Check out Ikea for cabinets. You can do an entire kitchen for under 3k and they aren't of bad quality. But you can always paint your cabinets and change the knobs for a new feel and save that money to put into counters. I'd go for silestone over granite. You could do a terra cotta tile floor to bring in that ethnic feeling you're looking for. And definitely put in some lighting under the cabinets if it isn't there already. Not expensive to do, but it has a dramatic effect on the feeling of the space. Good luck!!
User
14 years ago
Paint the cabniets it will give the Kitchen a whole new look with new counter tops. I painted mine and it looks completely different. Heard Home Depot was great for counter tops and if you wanted to go with new cabniets I also heard they were reasonable. I really would repainted the cabniets and save your money for emergencies. Matter of fact on another note, I just remodled my bathroom and just about "broke the bank". If I had to do it all over again I would just keep what I had and just installed a new shower insert.
betsyweisberg
14 years ago
House in Santa Lucia Preserve · More Info

Paint the cabinets- white and bring your old work Mexican theme in with rugs, color and print in the banquette. Try home depot for a nice durable countertop. More pix to come.....
User
14 years ago
I would keep the tile floors, paint the cabinets a neutral color and replace hardware with a bronze finish type that's really chunky and rustic. Bring in color and the Mexican/Tuscan look with colorful rugs. I would replace the countertops, the tile looks dated. I would also consider painting your ceiling to something creamier rather than the stark white. The white just sticks out like a sore thumb with the gold paint and wood tones and floors which are all warm toned. Good luck and you have a great space to work with.
Patty Eades
14 years ago
I would paint the cabinets white to bring in your white shutters..w/new hardware and countertops...open wall to dining room, remove red cabinet/chest ..replace w/new built in matching cabinet to include built in microwave, paint entire ceiling above kitchen area in existing gold paint, and put money into uninterrupted wood floors.. even in den and dining room.....banquette could work if done correctly...nice area, love blackboard!
Alice Cornejo
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you for all of your great comments & suggestions! Were my existing cabinets of good quality, I would certainly just paint; however, they are falling apart & mot functional. I want to remove the ceiling soffit yo get a little extra space below cabinets. I had considered opening up wall to dining room & putting in hard wood floors or new tile throughout (but...this is pricey!), so I'm happy to see that suggested!