Congratulations on your new home.
You can paint the backsplash tiles with special tile paint. Have seen pretty good results. Also have heard very positive things about the rustoleum transformations.
New light fixtures, under cabinet lighting (DIY stores and Ikea)... et voilá... new kitchen. If you have some money left to throw towards updating the floor...

LOLOL to Amy Baker and dramitr!!!! I had one of those and I so so so hated it!!! you cannot imagine the joy of seeing it go!!! I lived with it for years!!!! the only way to get rid of it? a power tool! and underneath mine was a window that was actually painted shut. so you can see where we started from :)
you are lucky though, maiperez, you have lots of light and with a little paint and whoopdeedoo your kitchen will look great!

Okay I need you to be patient with me - a power saw to cut it out? Or a drill or something?!? I swear I will do it exactly as it's explained ;)

@mousemaker, the new Whoopdeedoo! Available at your local DIY store for next to nothing. And it is so versatile! :-)

You need to shop at Ikea with that budget. I love Ikea on any budget PLUS people have websites up that show you how to modify Ikea stuff to make it look totally cool.

@mousemaker @amybaker LOL!!! I ttly agree Those wavy things are SOO wrong!!!! LOL!! Thanks for your input! Me and amybaker would definitely love to hear how you got rid of them :D

okay well after I have pulled myself up off the floor from laughing!!!! the wavy horrid thing came out when my kitchen was redone. it was all gutted and stripped to the lath. oh carolins!!!!! I thought I was going to die laughing!!
yes whoopdeedoo!!! it IS versatile! :) maiperez I really needed a laugh today so i'm so glad I found your post. I hope you know I wasn't laughing at you or anything, it just happened that we all found your wavy things funny!

by the by :) I really like your bowl of fruit. it's very arty :) you notice I have no helpful suggestions. I am just here for comic relief :)

I swear, those wavy things must have been the work of a cabinet maker decades ago who had a bit too much brandy at the end of the day. He made a 'whoops' cut in his last piece of trim...and decided the best way to hide it was in a scallop.

The rest, as they say, was history!

Have fun with the kitchen! We just bought an old house and refurbished the kitchen (it's a college rental). It. Was. So. Much. Work. But well worth it. Our cabinets had been painted about 20 times; hinges, handles and all. If I were you, I think the suggestions for the Rustoleum cabinet transformations are an excellent idea. They're great for painting or restaining cabinets. I would also remove the scalloped trim as it's pretty dated.

You may want to consider butcher block as an inexpensive and yet nice-looking counter top. We purchased cherry through Lumber Liquidators, but Ikea has less expensive ones. We just don't have an Ikea within 3 hours. We bought a very nice stainless sink from MR Direct. It was much higher quality for a lower price than the big box stores. Shop on Amazon for a faucet- I got a 300.00 faucet for 70.00.

If new tile is out of your budget, you could always glue some beadboard paneling over the old tile as a temporary fix. It looks great- and when you're ready for that nice new back splash you can just rip it all out. It would probably cost you 20.00 for the beadboard.

If you don't hate the handles- just spray paint them to match your new cabinet color. Spray paint is amazing! :) Remove the fluorescent ceiling light and add something more to your taste.

I attached a pic of the butcher block, new sink and faucet and the beadboard. Not finished yet- but getting there. We also bought a suite of Frigidaire appliances on Black Friday for 1350.00 for everything- so keep your eyes open for appliance deals.

Oh I really, really wish I did have a helpful suggestion as to how you could remove those things without damaging the cabinets. Depends on how they are attached I guess. Ask Ironwood Builders, you can find him somewhere here on Houzz. He knows a lot about Whoopdeedoo things. Well, he just knows a lot!

Here's Ironwood's link. Be mindful that it would be the 'other way around' approach. I don't know if he has time to answer your question. But you could try... :-D
http://www.houzz.com/pro/davidironwood/ironwood-builders

Or better yet: just do a help! cry about how to remove it in a new discussion. You'll attract the builders with lots of useful tips!

I would check to see if the scallops are a separate piece or part if the face frame of the cabinets next to it. Guessing the are a separate piece.

Look for the joint. If its screwed up, you are in business! Grab a screw driver and remove.

If its nailed up, look and see where the nails are going to/from. A pair of wire snips may be handy if they are small trim nails. A small pry bar and a piece of cardboard to wedge it against is likely the best option, but assess which way to pry first.

Cabinets can abet painted. My best advice is to tint your primer and don't rush. My bathroom has four coats of patience on them. But they look great.

You have a nice kitchen to remodel. I must really be old but I like the ornate wood above the windows. It fills in the space and may look blank if you remove them? With a thousand dollars you can refinish the existing cupboards your self. There are some good suggestions in the above comments. Replace the back splash with standard white or biscuit color ceramic wall tile. The tile costs $12.80 for 80 tiles. Price new counter tops. Both Lowes and Home Depots will come and give you an estimate for about $40.00 which they apply to the bill if you order one. Or you can get an estimate by calling with the measurements because all of their products are on line these days. I have worked with quite a few folks over the years that need to save money and do most of the work them selves. I would just respectfully suggest not to rip anything out unless you have a good back up plan. Good luck!

Well I hope you have more of a budget than we did with our first house:-) but here's some super cheap ideas. Live with it for a while to decide what's really important to change. start with small things to get DIY experience. Painting cabinets is a big job, especially to prep it right so that the paint doesn't chip later. Explore options to work with what you have first. A coat of a stain and Poly mix (MinWaX?) could deepen the color much easier than paint. your cabinets do match the Winsor Chairs and table you have anyway.

The backsplash could be brighten with a grout sealer/paint that comes in a shoe polish like bottle. It is white and repels mold and mildew. I bet a little white acrylic or latex paint would do about the same.

You can hide the scallops with a fabric valance.
I'd establish my style ideas and find the accent pieces like tea towels and linens to add my color scheme. They can change with the seasons and are cheap.

@mousemaker your too funny :) Btw the pic is from the listing with furniture and design from previous owners I'll make sure to let them know you like the fruits lol! ;)

@extrahorizon thanks!! Love your DIY ideas and kitchen :)

@deberino thanks!

@mottles murals and ceramic tiles: thanks! This was helpful!! :))

@kathleen MK thanks!! The picnis actually from the listing when we bought it so it was the previous owners style ;) this was great info..I'm definitely inspired

I had one of those scallop-y things over my sink years ago. It helped SO MUCH to get it down. My husband asked, "Do you want to save this for the next owners?" I replied with something like, "Well, you can save it if you want to, but I promise you that they're NOT going to want it!". Trust me, you'll be so happy when it's down.
Also, I agree with kathleen MK about living with your kitchen for a little while. Since you're on a pretty tight budget, I think a beadboard backsplash would be economical as well as give you a classic look: also works really well with your windsor chairs. I think that it would be good for you to decide in what order you want to take on these projects:

Get new ceiling fixture(s)
Paint cabinets & install new hardware
Create new backsplash
Finalize color scheme & choose main colors that you want to emphasize
Decide on countertop & install

These things can all be done over time & with whatever your budget allows.

I think that you should remove all the doo-dads on top of the cabinetry - it's giving the space up there a snaggle-toothed look. Instead, if you want to put a cohesive display up there, group it tightly in the corner, kind of above your knife block. I mentioned in someone else's post how my neighbor did this. Its so attractive & so easy.
She put a woven wicker basket up there, kind of tilted so that the inside of it shows. She put in a pretty tea towel, with colors she wanted to incorporate throughout the room. Finished out with some faux fruit, cheese & loaf of bread. You can get all these things at Hobby Lobby, Michael's, etc. YOU should use objects that YOU want to display.
Maybe you could begin with the white pitcher & what appears to be a bottle of wine, already up there; you could create a super look by beginning with just those 2 items. Make sure that whatever you choose shows up well & vary heights, texture & materials. Also, most vignettes tend to look best with odd-numbered objects in them.

@donnasd thank for your suggestions!! The furniture is actually the previous owners furniture and doohickies ontop pf the cupboards are theirs too...so I'm lookin forward to when they remove it for more of an "empty pallet" to work with :) I definitely appreciate the things you pointed out on what to change...I'm sure this will be an ongoing long process but I'm lookin forward to taking all these suggestions to play! I'll make sure to post a pick of the finished results! :))

Definitely would love to see the finished area!

I had one of those scallop things that I "subtly" kept mentioning to boyfriend. I even used blue tape to mark off a graceful low arch so he could saw the waves away. Well... he took off for a couple months on his motorcycle! I woke up one morning, pj's still on, put on heavy hiking boots, a face mask and used a jigsaw to cut along the tape line. I took a picture of me standing on a ladder, in my jammies and safety glasses and boots and emailed it to him. It wasn't perfect but it looked a heck of a lot better! He thought so too! Arghhhhh!

My cupboards were stained brown and I painted them cream... lovely with new hardware. He liked that too, after complaining I should keep the wood "real looking".

losthirzonlisa, would love to see that picture :-D

GBP of Doodle Noodle Designs 1. Remove the scalloped valance leaving the top. Look at it carefully. You might be able to knock it out with a hammer. 2. Live with the cabinets for a while. Buy new hardware to refresh them. 3.The back splash is bad. Go to Home Depot and look at options and get advice about whether you can lay something on top of what is there or if not how to remove and what fits your taste and is easy to put up. 4.It is worth the money to get someone to remove the existing ceiling fixture and replace it if it is not in your skill set to do it yourself. 5. Get some stick on floor tiles to cover the floor. 5. Consider painting your table and the chairs(a different color) to brighten it up and give it a more modern color scheme.

You want to update the look for as little $ as possible, right? Consider lightening the grout lines of the tile back splash. Besides the scalloped trim, you'll probably be happier without the shelf over the windows. The cabinets look to be in good shape, so you could change the entire look by replacing just the doors & painting the boxes, if needed. If you keep the white appliances, I'd go with white cabinets. When you paint the walls, paint the window trim the same color (even if you keep the oak cabinets). There are refinishes for counter tops, too, if you just want a different look that you know will be temporary. I once used the spray-on granite finish on some stained Formica in a bathroom that lasted for years. My niece has used the decal "wall words" in her kitchen for dramatic effect, if you like that sort of thing. If you can't remove the trim, you could paint it and add some lettering to change it up. What bothers you the most about the kitchen as is? Posting more pix when you get in will help us help you and an inspiration photo helps a lot, too, so that we can tell what your style & goals are.

You could start by removing the scallop molding over the windows and installing new shades or fabric valance for color/pattern. The backsplash can be painted. I have painted an ugly backsplash with paint made specifically made for that purpose. White appliances would look great with cabinets painted white and new hardware. Home depot is a good resource for paint and kitchen hardware. Bring the existing hardware with you to match the size, so you don't have to drill new holes. The walls can also be painted to contrast the white cabinets. Maybe a new sink or faucet could also be replaced. What about updating lighting? You have two great windows with wonderful natural light and the cabinets look like they are in good shape. I think your kitchen can be updated with lots of paint and stay well within your $1000.00 budget. Look through houzz painted kitchen cabinets for your inspiration for colors that inspire you. Best of luck.

The scallop molding over the windows is more than likely attached to the shelf above and to the cabinets on either side. All you need to do to take them down is pull them down with the opposite side of the hammer ( you know, the side you pull nails out with) or a small crow bar. Once you get one spot out it should pull right out.YOu may have minor repairs to fill the holes where it was attached. We had one over our kitchen sink and it was a amazing how much better it looks with it taken down We had a painter pull it down when we painted the kitchen. It really only took about 5 minutes, and will update the look of your house instantly! Good luck!

so are we all ready to vote now? :) thumbs up or down on the scallop? :)

I'd rid of the scallops but might replace with a smaller shelf on decorative metal brackets that hang planter baskets(in the garden sections.) then you could hang a tiered wire basket for fruit and maybe a hanging basket of herb plants.The shelf could display a large serving piece or Picnic basket hiding paper goods. Functional Decor.

maiperez- how do you feel about your floor?

Congratulations on your first home. Take a breath, and relax. You dont want to make ANY decisions that are going to haunt you later. Give this some thought, after all you are going to be there for a while right? I would clean everything very well and get rid of the "gingerbread" on the windows. Get yourself new pulls, and knobs for now and keep saving to increase your budget. The kitchen is not BAD, just not your style. I would say you need to have a clear idea of your design style before you attempt anything. I have changed my kitchen 3 times now in 6 years! Mostly on shoestring budget like yours. This time, I got on Craigslist and contacted local, independent carpenters that were needing work. To my surprise, I had all 32 doors, and 16 drawers made and stained mahogany for 1000.00 ( with new hinges included). I didn't have a design style then. Now I do. I am almost finished and LOVE LOVE LOVE my little kitchen now. Soon I will be posting the before, before and after pics..lol. Best to you, it's great fun, and maddening all at once!

Cabinets are a big job - why not leave them and invest in a new counter and backsplash and floor. Maybe a pretty chandelier over your table and some fresh flowers on the tabletop.

Congratulations on the purchase of your home. Your kitchen budget can go far with some creative DIY work. Oak cabinets are a big investment, why not change the hardware and paint them out. Remove a few cabinet doors and paint the insides a fun color and display a collection of dishware or use it as a bar. Save the cabinet doors and make a note or recipe board from them. Display near a cute stool or bench you repurpose. PAINT first and live with your color before you do anything rash. The floor may look better after another deep scrubbing or with an area rug over it. Enjoy your home. Fellow budget decorator. ;-)

First remove the scalloped valances they date the kitchen, usually the are screwed into the adjoining cabinet. Open the door of the cabinet next to the valance and if you see screws in the wood frame you can back them out and remove the valances. Install some crown molding along the top of the cabinets. If the budget allows get new countertop, backsplash and hardware, this will really do a lot to bring your kitchen into this decade. If the cabinets are in good condition I would not paint them, as the paint will chip and in a short time it looks rough. If you can't afford a new tile backsplash right now remove it ,repair the wall and paint.

I just found your discussion, and I don't see ( maybe I missed it) where anyone asked YOU, what styles YOU like, or colors you like? That is part of your decision to make this kitchen you own too.
Seems like you now know to remove the scallops ( LOL) It can be replaced with a straight board to match the cabinets, if you paint, be sure to do every step carefully or they will chip and you'll have a mess... I see the need for coloring the grout, they have grout paint pens for that, I've never used, but they look easy.
For added suggestions, I feel we need to know what you like, do you want it funky.. painted bright colors? Cottagy, traditional, modern ?? What is the condition of the current cabinet finish? is is ok if cleaned? if so, a new counter top in a darker color would really set off the cabinets and white tiles. They have some nice looking wilsonart or formica type ones, that look so close to natural materials, at a great price.... check out the special order selections at home depot or Lowes... the ones that they have in stock generally look to splotchy to me, but that's MY taste not yours. After you've decided on the above, then the next step in my opinion is the paint, window treatments and decor.... but the basics need to be done or decided first. ... check out my new kitchen, yes , it's a total redo, but the color of cabinets appear simular, I have white subway tile with white grout and oiled slate wilsonart counters.... and their acrylic sink is fabulous ( $300 installed for the sink though) and it has to be done at the factory when they do the counters. ... I agree, handles if you want updated for color only, spray paint ... you can always replace those later when you have $100 extra down the road.
Maybe it's my old eyes, but I can't tell condition of anything,.. cabinets, flooring.. some close up photos would help... good luck and keep us all updated on your journey!

I redid tiles. First clean with CLR, let dry, paint primer, let dry one day, repeat primer & drying time, then paint tiles and grout with good quality paint. Turned brown flowered tiles into modern white ones & worked well. Good luck on your Reno.

Try taking the cabinet doors off and removing the scalloped window trims. When you have the open cabinets see how they look and what color they inspire. I inherited faux wood grain laminate cabinets in a very large kitchen that had a similar overall traditional look like yours. We took the cabinet doors off to paint them and realized we preferred the upper cabinets OPEN. They felt charming as open shelves. Everything was painted a pale celadon green. New handles for lower cabinets. We replaced the cabinet doors under the sink with a very pretty, country linen curtain. This added to the charming cottage feel and cost virtually nothing. Our counters were a curved chopping-block laminate ! What a horror. We left them because they were in good condition, lots of linear feet and with the light green cabinets, it didn't offend us any more. We added some IKEA under cabinet task lighting strips which helped a lot. And we replaced all the old white appliances with mid-range SS ones. This dramatically updated the feeling of the kitchen. We also tossed all the chochkes (fridge magnets, kitchen witches, lazy susans) that cluttered up the room. The only thing we had done by a pro was wall-paper removal but next time around, I think I would even tackle that myself. Good luck.

yes under cabinet and over cabinet lighting makes a huge difference. they have decent priced ones at menards and probably other home stores. You may want or need to replace scallopps with a straight board depending of what is left when you take that down. How much DYI on the cheap do you want to go? Perhaps even a thin veneer/ or very thin wood could be cut and just cover the scallopps, then no deconstruction... just a off the top of the head idea :)

Can you give us photos of the rest of the kitchen? sink area, other end of dining area? What kind of table do you have or want? What size is the space?

That scalloped thing over the window is from the 1950s, Get rid of it. Then paint, paint, paint.

Paint those cabinets! Especially if the insides are in decent shape. I've done it many times with good results. I go to Home Depot or Lowes, pick the painted cabinet door I like, then take the door to the paint department, and ask them to color match it. If you want a more antique look, you can go over the paint with a glaze. Buy new hardware, and don't forget the hinges. If they are visible, you have to either change of paint them. Good Luck!

sorryiguessihavetopaymoneyorsomethingtobeabletocommentotherwisemyspacebaqrlookslikethiswhichmakesmygeniusnessnullandvoid

You may have to move the microwave and take out the micro shelf as it protrudes way to far into your cooking area over the stove and eventually the heat and trapped steam from cooking will ruin the shelf and adjacent cabinets. Put a micro with vent and lite made to go over a stove or just replace with a vent and put the micrwave elsewhere, The scallop trim should be fairly easy to remove-just look for seams and screw/nail holes and patiently start prying, pulling,unscrewing--keep bandaids handy. Good luck on your new house.

Check this painted kitchen out. https://www.houzz.com/discussions/goodbye-90s-kitchen-dsvw-vd~424707

Check out the tile clearance isle at Menard's, I got glass mosaics on clearance for $2.29 a sheet and did my whole kitchen for less than $40 (my first tiling job, I was so proud, I even went on to do the fireplace). I agree painting the cabinets is a good idea, maybe a fresh white or cream? And if you have one in your area, check out Habitat for Humanity ReStore, you can find LOADS of bargains, tiles, counters, cabinets, lights, you can find hardware for as little as .25 a knob (a little spray paint and it's brushed nickel!). Good luck, and congrats on the house! We got our first just over 2 years ago and it's a great feeling, isn't it? Fixing it up is SO much fun...oh and one more suggestion...PINTEREST!!! You can find ANYTHING on that website, I have boards for decorating every room in my house! It helped me build my own desk last week out of a dining table I got at Goodwill and a coffee table I had in my garage! Great pictures and ideas! Good luck!

wow Marcia! a handywoman and cat lover all in one!!!! good for you!!!!

Thanks mousemaker!!! My kitten is the newest member of our family just over 2 weeks ago (Simon). As for being a handywoman, I've been single for over 20 years so if I need something done, I have no choice but to do it myself...sure can't afford to hire anyone! Besides, that's half the fun! :) I've been spending the last couple of weeks (thanks to the weather, I'm indoor bound) making as many SCRATCHING POSTS as I can! Luckily I have lots of leftover carpet from when our house was built!