I love your kitchen and everything you've done so far! It's got a lot of personality and oh, my, what a lot of functional improvement. Thanks for letting it all hang out!

You have brought it a long way already. Frankly, you had me with the border removal alone ;).... I love all the touches you have put in and how you integrated the stove. I am always a sucker for open shelves too....
While the current island is cute, it is just too long. I bet your new island really dresses things up too with its new look. Hopefully there is a new home for your old island in your house. It would make a great craft/gift wrap center in the bsmt if you don't have another use for it.

"Our new cabinets were still the cheapest you can buy at the big box hardware stores. "

My heart just skipped a beat, and I thought "Yay! I won't be the only one!" Appliances are similar, too, although mine are bisque.

Your kitchen looks great--love the blue and lime-green textiles. My ideal new accessory was going to be a lime-green KA mixer. I found a gently used red one for a great price, so I'm going in a slightly different direction.

Thank you for posting your progress--I'm looking forward to the finished kitchen pictures.

Is that a small coffee maker beside the fridge? Have you considered a coffee station on the microwave counter? Especially if you are entertaining, that would keep the coffee drinkers out of the cooking, prep, clean-up areas. If it's too crowded, the slow-cooker could be moved closer to the stove.

In addition to cookbooks, you could put cups, coffee canisters, etc. on the open shelves. If you're a busy mom, and end up reheating your coffee several times before you can drink it--the microwave is right there, too!

What a great improvement!! I love how you have added the elements to make it like your open market; a great idea. Congratulations.

I like your doors (very nice), decorative molding on the sink base cab, bold wall color, and the blue and green accent pieces. Even the corn picture has blue and green! I wish we had your doors...
I think you should keep your eye out for a blue and green canister for utensils.
:o)

Yes, very nice changes, indeed. How long did you have to live with the bakery wallpaper? It would have made me hungry! And you are so right - enjoying cooking in your new kitchen is like the Hokey Pokey - That's what it's all about :)

I like the laminate you chose! Great bold use of color and added functionality to your kitchen. I'd have no problem enjoying cooking in there... I don't blame you for being happy with the outcome. My kitchen before this I did as cheaply as possible. I enjoyed many years of cooking and raising my boys in there. You deserve to stand proud!

Fantastic job!! I like Bee's kitchen too.

I love your kitchen and I love how you resolved the 'floating stove' situation. I think you have a decorative flair that many would envy. Actually, I was wondering if you would come and accessorize my kitchen. he he just kidding- sort of.

I can honestly say that I enjoy cooking in there... and I guess that's what really matters, right?

Absolutely right!! But who wouldn't love your new kitchen?

I love the dark chocolate up high, with the white below. It's bright and light and warm and cozy all at once, with a lot of pop. I know you were inspired by Bee, but this is a different look, and your own.

It's fun looking at your pictures and seeing the hangdog expressions of the the bits on their way out. I'll look forward to seeing the evolution as new bits get added.

Whoa - what a big difference you've made so far! just removing the wallpaper and adding the cab beside the stove makes a huge difference!

HD and the other one have some great ceiling fans - I think 'L' has the better prices. might just be my area tho. And you already have the wiring up there for it! watch for sales. I have one of those fans that 'rocks'. Actually, I have several that do that. They tell me the blades 'just' need balanced.

when you change out the flooring it'll really top off your kitchen.

you have to be absolutely thrilled so far! thx for posting it (and don't forget to repost when the floor is done... and the fan is in etc). You give hope to others - like me!

Wow - what an amazing difference - I love it! Your choices are inspiring - I really like the chocolate brown wall and the white cabinets. I love your open shelves, too.

It's looking great!

I love the towels and potholders. Where did you find those?

I love it all! The ogee edge really makes the counters look even fancier. The chocolate brown is gorgeous.

I agree on moving the coffee station to the microwave area.

Great job! Can't wait to see more!

Great job! I love the changes and the ogee edge used. The kitchen is updated, brighter, and pretty. I hope to one day have lighter happpier cabinets also.

I just looked at your pix again and think you labeled this post wrong. I don't think this should be called a "budget" remodel. It looks just as nice as ones without the word "budget" in the title. You may have done it on a budget, but the outcome is not reflective of it ;)

Love the changes that you made with the open shelving and the extra ccounter/cupboards that you added.
Love the brown walls with your countertops. Very eye-catching.

A Budget Beauty! I think you did a great job. It's a great improvment.

Nancy

Looks great! I love the combination of brown walls with the white cabinets, and how you opened up the microwave wall by using the open shelving. And your countertop is beautiful! Thanks for the inspiration for other DIY's like me.

makeithome--you certainly did make it home! It looks fantastic! I love your countertops with that ogee edge against the crisp white cabinets! I love how you anchored your range and created more countertop space--which, as you know, by the range is premium!

I also think moving your coffee maker over to the microwave area is a good idea, but maybe that is because that is what we did! LOL. Seriously, it really works well for us--especially when we have guests. They don't feel like they are in the way, and they aren't! :^)

Very pretty and much more functional! You did a great job of adding style and function and the best part is it didn't cost an arm and a leg to do it!

Can you show me your new light over your sink? I am on my 4th attempt to put something over mine that is subtle and low profile and I am ready to give up. Actually I have told my DH and contractor to forget the light but seeing yours makes me think maybe yours would be the perfect fit...=)

Am I seeing texture on your walls or is that just the way it is on the photos? You should probably name your paint choice because it looks fantastic and you are bound to get requests for it.

I wonder if instead of using the term budget maybe we should say obtainable??? Where there's a will there's a way, money can't buy style!

I think it looks great!! Congratulations!

Thanks so much for the feedback everyone!!!

I don't have time right now to address everyone's posts individually (I have to get my butt off this couch and into the shower because we're heading to a party soon), but I will try to answer some questions quickly:

The paint color on the walls is BM Clinton Brown. I got it mixed in Aura and it went on beautifully.

Never ending- Yes, the walls are textured! We had some imperfections in the old plaster that would have caused just regular paint to look horrible. So, I bought some "linen" textured wallpaper and put it up first and then painted over it. I also used a semi-gloss paint to purposely highlight the texture a little bit. I love it, as it adds a certain amount of warmth to the room. As for the light over the sink, that was there when we moved in, but I saw the exact same fixture at HD. Pretty sure it's under $10 :) It's just a globe, but I will try to get a pic for you later.

I know I should move the coffee maker. I used to have it by the micro in the beginning, but that's because before the reno, that was the only outlet I had to use. The one by the fridge had the fridge plugged into it!! I guess I just moved it because I didn't like having so many things plugged into that one outlet... the micro, the toaster and the coffee maker. However, it does make logical sense and it is kind of a pain to make coffee in the corner I have it in now.

The towels I found at B,B&B and the potholders I found at Target :)

And I found some Robins egg blue fiestaware containers that I am dying to get into my kitchen. I can't justify them now... but they are already on my christmas list, haha. :)

I give the kitschy food art an A+

Good job!