Dsnine, thanks for the positive comments .... I have spent about $2,500... the new crown has been made and is included in cost but I am waiting for contractors to install.... so I would have to include whatever fee installation will be .... it is such a refreshing update .... I love my kitchen all over again!!!

P.S. I had backsplash left over from kitchen and I am having it installed over laundry counter in the next couple weeks

What an incredible transformation!! I love it!

Thank you!!! When I walk into the room I have to stop and catch my breath ... it feels wonderful

That is an incredibly great new look for only $2500. Great job!

Looks wonderful! The only change I would consider is removing the valance from the window over your sink. Leave it bare or add a Roman blind mounted close to the ceiling so it can be pulled up and clear the glass and not shadow anything.

Thank you so much for the updates! It looks amazing. You did an awesome job.

I am looking at a new window treatment for my kitchen window...... the first is a valance I have had ..... second is fabric I am considering for a Roman Shade..... any suggestions?

Don't limit yourself to just a valance. I have a stained glass window over my kitchen window. Look on Google Images for kitchen window treatment ideas. Some may jump out at you!!1

Some used jewels that create prisms when the sun shines in. Some used stained glass windows hung in front of the window. Some made plant shelves with herbs.

The window treatment is where you can go wild....let your hair down. Doesn't cost a lot to do and is easily replaceable. Each treatment can make the kitchen go in a totally different direction.

https://www.google.com/search?q=kitchen+window+treatment+ideas&client=safari&rls=en&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi09oD7xfrfAhVHL6wKHXEdCe0QsAR6BAgCEAE#imgrc=_

I like the Roman shade but in your kitchen I’d consider a solid fabric or a small, subtle print instead those chunky stripes. They’re not bad but it feels very ‘picnic’ to me.

I love the fabric for the Roman shade.

Could you add a photo of your window with nothing on it, just to see?
I do like ticking stripes, some buffalo check, and plain fabric with a coloured trim but I’d leave that window bare if it was mine. If you have glaring sun, I would add a lined Roman shade mounted up at the ceiling, not the level you have your rod, and I know you are just doing a mock-up. I would want to raise a blind when the sun is gone so that I can see the grills on the window.

My custom cabinet crown arrived today .... I have to wait for installation but wanted to get your thoughts on whether you all think this is a better option crown than the old crown I painted and painted to get a good match....the new crown appears to match well (cabinet makers used same paint color and sheen but it is difficult to get a perfect match due to aging process) Middle picture shows old crown ....excuse open cabinet doors ...I had to prop the 8 foot length of crown somewhere...:-)

You have done a great job with minor changes. Please change the ceiling fixture also to completely eliminate the "nautical" theme in the light fixtures. Also avoid anything that looks "Victorian" (the brackets above the door) or "Kountry" (the current valance and some decor).

I second the "get rid of the vines and stuff on top of the cabinets", as well as the lettering. That dates it a lot.

I take a strong stand on not having a lot of "decorative stuff" in the kitchen - esp on top of the cabinets-- where it will get greasy and dusty.

I like the roman shade. The neutral color is nice- but consider the possibility of adding some bold color instead. Since it's just a shade, if you get tired of the color you can change it out.

Thanks Jake...I do have flat LED ceiling lights ordered to replace nautical ceiling lights.....backordered .....the valance is temporary ....my window just seems naked without something....until I decide....I need to add paint around window .... and above cabinets and tile since what is there is just primer.....when old crown is down I will add paint before new crown goes up....I might just stick with the off white I have or might go a shade or so deeper...suggestions?

I think you can consider updating the light fixtures. Replace the pendant lights with something more modern(or whatever more refreshed to your taste), removing the wallpaper and add new backsplash will make a huge difference.

I do like the new crown! I would not use a different shade of paint above the cabinets, as that would just draw attention to that space, I think.

I would choose a thinner stripe for the roman shade, where the stripe is a smaller part of the pattern (not bold alternating, but smaller stripes accenting a solid background)

Have you thought about maybe painting the window frame? That would be a good place to bring in some fun color! However it would be a major step to cover the wood.

Wow. The new countertop in the laundry room is fabulous. A little thing makes a big difference. Agree that a new window treatment or nothing would work.

Fabric swatches for Roman Shade

Maybe the bottom one? Can we see it back a bit?? They are all kind of the same. The middle one may go with the tiles the best.

Echo, get rid of the wallpaper and the stuff on top of cabinets. I'm sure it looked great when it was first put there. I would add color, looks like you like red. Yellow would be great too. I'd put some pretty colorful pottery on top of cabinets. I'll get some pictures.

I do love green walls with white cabinets.

Here is a picture of my window without any window treatment .... second pic shows the view of our current blizzard .... which occurs here in Upper Michigan regularly until May!!!

I like the top and bottom Roman shade swatches the best. I think the top is more simple but if you’re feeling the kitchen is too plain the swirls are really lovely.

Dsnine, this is a closer shot of top one .... I am leaning toward that right now but I have a few more samples to arrive yet.... thanks so much for your help!!!

I like the pattern of this one ^ the best, but it seems that the colors in the bottom one may pull the cabinets and tile together better. Might help to see the quilt dot one down by the tile.

I think I like the match with this pattern the light cross pattern seems to pull in the tile color some

Mjm, your updates are looking fabulous! Love the new pendants over your peninsula and sink. I can't wait to see what the new LED ceiling lights will look like! Silestone Pietra in your laundry is looking nice... I'm also very excited to see the new back splash in this location.

Well, both the quilt dot and swirly vine swatches seem to work with both tile and cabinets colors. I still like the dot best (cause I just like polka dots) but I think either one would look great.

Still waiting on ceramic backsplash in laundry but I changed out all lights in kitchen .... crown will be changed when contractors get to my project ( takes so long) ...... but things are pulling together .... thanks everyone for all your positive energy and the great suggestions!!!

The new crown molding went on today ....my kitchen update is complete .... aside from some paint ......

Before......

After.....

Love all of your updates! It looks like a new kitchen! And I am jealous of your laundry room! Someday mine will get a facelift! Would you mind telling me where you got your laundry room Light Fixture? Enjoy your kitchen! It really does look fabulous!

Thank you for your kind comments Deborah B.... I wasn’t sure about the new crown molding but it is a refreshing change ....not necessarily better but updated. I bought the light on Amazon...... Kichler 42386MIZ Lacey Semi-Flush 3-Light, Mission Bronze.... I love the light.

Remove the rugs, the wallpaper and the clutter (especially atop the cupboards) and you’re golden.

stunning transformation!!

Mjmeehan- it looks fabulous! What a wonderful facelift you got for your sweet home. I’m so happy for you. It really looks refreshed and new. I’m sure you’re newly in love with your kitchen.

Thank you so much RedRyder....and for all your great suggestions along the way...big THANKS....it feels to me that you are that friend next door that helps with all my "should I do this?" questions! so much fun :-)

Mjmeehan, Wonderful transformation! Enjoy your fresh new look :)

Did you remove the faux vines, wallpaper and the word sign?

Beautiful update! Enjoy your lovely kitchen and most of all, your retirement!

@mjmeehan- is your laundry room countertop Silestone "Pietra" and do you have cream or white cabinets? I am interested in installing, but worried its too gray/white for cream cabinets. Thank you, your spaces look great!

Your ideas to remove wallpaper and put up a backsplash will transform that kitchen. If you wanted to do something else in addition to this, putting in new light fixtures would add pizzaz.

Caralyea, my laundry room countertop is Quartz Aria....my cabinets are cream and the Aria has white, gray, black, and cream.... it blends very well with my cabinets and I love it. I was thinking of putting it in my Kitchen also but I can not justify replacing my current counters which are in great shape and putting $17,000 in to a new counter at this time just because I "like it lots" :-)

Thank you for replying! I have a sample of the LG Aria as well, and I really like it....similar to Silestone Pietra. It looks beautiful in your space!

Wow..you have a gorgeous updated kichen..so clean looking and fresh. You made some good cabinet decisions 15 years ago and now that has paid off. way to go..enjoy your retirement!!

jkst....Thanks..my splurge when we built way back when..... custom cabinets...BEST decision ever... I still love the painted maple and I am enjoying my refreshed kitchen... I have to admit it has been tough adjusting to retirement! I worked 45 years and I was at loose ends for a bit! But now I am in the process of redoing my daughter's old bedroom into a craft room ( she moved out 12 years ago....didn't take me long! ) :-) Pink walls are gone! :-)

Try less expensive changes first. I would remove the Laundry sign, the vines above the cabinets, and the dark area rugs. Replace the rugs with more colorful ones. Perhaps paint the walls a new color. The cabinets are great and the Corian can last much longer. If the other changes I suggested aren’t quite enough for you, then change the counters.

mjmeehan, I somehow missed it when you showed the final update in February; it looks so clean and fresh! Congratulations -- what a difference just a few changes made!