I think they thing I like the least is that the side of the fridge is gray. Suggestions? I'm afraid to paint it ... I think it would peel. I already have a chalkboard or I would put one there.

It looks great! It must feel so good to have saved so much money, although it's obvious you put a lot of work into DIY.

I can't believe the deals you got at Restore. Maybe I'll check to see if we have one near me.

What a wonderful transformation, striking and elegant;
I actually like the fact that the side of the fridge is grey, and not black, it disappears and makes the counter run look more open, I had to go have another look at your pictures to see the side of the fridge since it didn't strike me the first time.

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Thanks, and yes, it was a tremendous amount of work but worth it!

About ReStore .... I'll go several times and walk out with nothing and then bam, that one great find that makes all those trips worth it! I've gotten tons of great, really cheap, things there. The chandelier in the kitchen was $5 (it was shiney brass, nothing a little spray paint couldn't fix!), the lamp on the bar was $3, the sink was $50.

Very nice kitchen. I do agree with you about the side of the fridge. Usually the fridge is housed instead a box instead of just free standing, that would take take of the grey side. Other than doing that, I dont think I would do another chalk board but perhaps accessorizing that end of the counter with something to take away all that grey.

Very nice. There was a previous poster here who was upset because the side of her SS fridge was black!

May I ask what kind of paint you used on the cabinets?

I have volunteered at Restore for 4 years. They will never get rid of me, it is such a fun place to be. Glad to hear about someone using our resource. Few realize the wide range of remodeling items available. You will find the stores across America. They use their sales for the Habitat homes. Here is a link for you to find the closest one to home.

Here is a link that might be useful: Search Habitat Restores

Very pretty kitchen. : ) Amazing that you did all that yourselves!

WOW! I LOVE the black cabinets! I also applaude you for keeping those cabinets out of a landfill and reusing them. Your stainless steel sink is a work of art and must be a joy to use. WOW! Good job!

I think you did an amazing DIY and achieved your goal! You do good work.

Thanks all. The cabinets were painted with BM Satin Impervo in oil base, the color is just their standard black. I sanded lightly, primed the doors with rustoleum auto primer in charcoal and then painted two coats, 24 hours apart, with a foam roller. I didn't have the option to spray prime the cabinet bases but since most of the touching and bumping takes place on the doors, I figured I'd be ok. So far so good and it's been 9 months. At first the paint was really shiny and I nearly cried but the guy at the paint store assured me that it would flatten down in a couple weeks and I should avoid doing anything to them in the mean time, including handling them unnecessarily. I left them totally alone, didn't touch them and sure enough, now they are a nice very low sheen satin. After that two weeks had passed I faux distressed the edges with Chinese Red rub 'n buff. I love 'em. They are not at all shiny like they look in the pix. If you've not done anything like this before, I suggest visiting your local ReStore and picking up a few scrap cabinet doors that are the same material as the ones you are planning to do (mine were laminate finish and take finish different than regular wood). In my area these are $1 to $2 each. They make great practice pieces.

Once we fit everything in, we had a cabinet maker come in and make custom pieces to fill in the gaps. I shopped around and found a local shop that was very inexpensive. I got 3 custom units built for less than $200.

The counters are made of walnut hardwood flooring, purchased at a liquidation place for around $100.

The gray refrigerator didn't bother me. However...if it's bothering YOU... You could get some of that peel and stick stainless steel (I've linked it below)

Here is a link that might be useful: hgtv market place page for peel & stick stainless steel film

Great job! Any chance of a closeup of the counters and cabs?