A farmhouse kitchen makeover

last year

Hi everyone! I’ve been on the hunt for a place to get some other peoples opinions on a new project I’ve been planning.

My grandma has given me the opportunity and freedom to pick and choose colors and decor with a budget of $1,000 for her kitchen farmhouse styled kitchen.

Style wise she definitely gravitates towards farmhouse, country, cottage style looks with floral and greens.

Now a bit of background info for some questions I know I will get about the main wall with the window.
1.) The house was built in 1958

2.) The ac and ductwork got damaged over the years so they put in a mini split

2.) The breaker box is supposed to be moved to the house of the house eventually but they had to update it to a newer one for code but it was not put back flush into the wall so it does stick out.

3.) The main and only ceiling light switch is in the living room due to the old wiring location.

4.) My grandpa added wired and fed it through the attic space and just ran it down the wall to get lighting under the cabinet along with the stove fan and the light switch and outlet. Non of it has been ran behind the walls at the moment.

5.) there is no led paint in anything since my grandma added all the wood paneling and the cabinets were installed in like 2007 which she has painted twice since having them installed.

6.) the stove has its own return vent built in and takes any steam and pulls it down into a filter system so the range above it will be removed.

My main issue is I have two weeks to do as much work as I can for them while they are out of town on vacation.

And with that being said here are my main concerns/questions

Do I paint the ceiling white to make the space feel taller and have light reflect better. It currently does not match the living room which has old white ceiling wood panels that she wants to replace to match the kitchen bead board

Should I at some point move the upper cabinet flush to the wall or build boxes to hide the empty space? It feels like it makes the kitchen look smaller with that dead space.

I want to repaint the kitchen a very neutral while and then at some point continue the white walls into the living room which are currently natural brown paneling the same as the kitchen.
And with that should I paint the upper cabinets the same color white as the walls?

I figured if I did that it would make it feel a bit more cohesive or blend in better with the very non planned layout?

The lower cabinets has been a very pretty green color but I plan on stripping and repainting with an enamel paint in either a pretty green or maybe someone on here has another suggestion!
( the countertops are kind of on the darker yellow side with spots of brown)

And I’ve been thinking of maybe adding another smaller cabinet above the stove for some extra storage. Or maybe someone open shelves but I’m worried about dust.

Any recommendations or suggestions on curtains colors or prints for the garden window she has and the back door would be nice! I was thinking a white with a light floral print possibly? To tie in the green or whatever color I choose for the lower cabinets.

And I will be replacing the cabinet hardware and I want to replace the lighting to a flush mounted one under the cabinet by the stove.

So my list of what I will definitely be doing is this
Remove nails and wood fill
Remove caulk and re caulk around the counters
Strip and repaint cabinet faces and cabinets
Paint walls and trim
Change hardware
Replace the curtain rods and curtains

Possibly hang a smaller cabinet above the stove?
Paint ceiling white?
And get my electrician friend to possibly help hide the wires better or just replace the under cabinet light?

Let me know any thoughts of color choices for cabinets and hardware that’s my main concern for colors is the cabinets.

Featured Answer

KayLynn
Original Author

last year

These have turned out so good! We are putting the second coat on the back and letting them dry overnight before flipping and painting the fronts!

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Comments (210)

happyleg
last year
Just don't use too much red I like the sunflowers!
PRO
Flo Mangan
last year
Agree just touches of red. So inviting and red enhances appetite too🥰
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KayLynn
Original Author
last year
She has a lot of pioneer women plates and fiesta ware with red and all the other colors. And she is growing a bunch of other little plants in the window as well. She’s got a few pieces of decor I’m going to hang back up at the very end that look like this
liasch
last year
Look forward to seeing the final results!
Alice
last year
Hi KayLynn! How’s are things going over there?
KayLynn
Original Author
last year
I’m making a Home Depot run today to grab the paint gallons and some new screws for the hinges. They were in rough shape! Currently still stripping paint off the doors. The top cabinets had oil based paint on them but things are moving! I’ve got on wall caulk and ready to paint I have to get the window caulked around by the sink just to make sure everything is nice and smooth before painting!
Alice
last year
Great, moving along! Just checking in :)
KayLynn
Original Author
last year
Just a little update! We are almost done stripping the cabinets we have three left and it’s only one side each! I have the cabinet bases primed and ready for color and almost all the walls are prepped and ready to be painted! I ordered some stuff and it should be here over the next three days! Exciting things are happening!!
KayLynn
Original Author
last year
I’m excited to see these repainted smoothly! I have a few touch up spots with some wood filler I will need to do but other than that they are in really good condition!
Alice
last year
Great! Thanks for the update KayLynn! You’re doing a good job. Stripping cabinets or anything is not an easy task.
KayLynn
Original Author
last year
It definitely isn’t but I think it’ll make a huge difference on how they end up looking
Alice
last year
Oh for sure and a job that will last Grandma a very long time! Very exciting!
PRO
Flo Mangan
last year
Good job. What color did you select for cabinets?
KayLynn
Original Author
last year
Urban nature by behr. I’ll be doing both the upper and lower cabinets the same color too.
PRO
Flo Mangan
last year
Perfect!! Here is screen shot of this color. Good pick!!
KayLynn
Original Author
last year
And the walls and cabinets are painted! I have one more coat for the cabinet bases and we started priming the doors today! They will be painted soon which I will update asap. I’m loving it more and more!
happyleg
last year
Looks cozy! <3 For the fuse box do either white or cabinet color. Or Velcro art.
KayLynn
Original Author
last year
I might see if I can find something magnetic to make it in it. It’s supposed to be moved to a different location at some point lol
Alice
last year
Wow! Looking great! Thanks for the update!
Alice
last year
Would it be cool to paint her ceiling fan blades!! But sometimes I go too far out of the box 😂
Alice
last year
You still thinking of extending adding to the tops of the cabinets?
KayLynn
Original Author
last year
The ceiling fan is apparently being removed in the future or else I’d do something to it 🤣 I’m not bothered with the gap above the cabinets since it gives room to hide wires and I was able to paint the spots that were missed last time so it’s nice and uniform!
Alice
last year
I was going to say you probably are fine without doing all that to the tops.
Alice
last year
She has some pretty red cookware below in her cabinet. Maybe get one out when you’re done and place it on her stove :). Especially if you find a valance or curtains with a dash of red :).
Alice
last year
If I didn’t have cats here, I would replace my lower doors just under the sink with a farmhouse curtain. That’s just me, I love that look.
KayLynn
Original Author
last year
I love the lower curtains idea too but she has a dog and two younger grandchildren who would probably find cleaning products and try to make magic’s potions 🧪 😂
Alice
last year
Oh been there 😂 my grandson mixes all the wrong things together! Have to watch him constantly. If he walks out of the kitchen with his hands hidden, it’s on!
jayapple21
last year
last modified: last year
A couple of ideas:

1. Buy a piece of foam core at a place like Hobby Lobby or Michael's and cut it to the size of the electrical utility box (foam core is light weight). Paint it any color you like and glue the chicken/eggs sign to it or use double-face tape to attach the sign so that it can be removed later if desired. Glue some magnets on the back of the foam core and stick the 'new' art work on to the utility box. It will cover the box, be easy to remove, and it's something your Grandmother already loves.

2. Consider buying a red tea kettle for the stove. Make sure it's a whistling kettle 😊. Lots of choices on Amazon - just be sure and check the delivery dates.

3. If you're not sure what to put on the wall above the stove, something like these prints from Amazon would work well. The canvas ones are nice since they don't need a frame and they're inexpensive so if they got splatters it won't cause major grief but they may not arrive within your time frame. The unframed ones are very inexpensive ($16 for all 3) but they'd need frames which can also be inexpensive at Hobby Lobby or Michael's. On Amazon, look for CCZ Boho Farmhouse Kitchen Wall Art or something like that.

Your grandma is going to love the changes you're making!!!
happyleg
last year
Awesome!
Alice
last year
Very nice! What furniture cabinet paint did you get for those?
KayLynn
Original Author
last year
I picked out the behr cabinet and trim enamel in satin
Alice
last year
Perfect! Is that an oil or water base? I’ll have to try it!
KayLynn
Original Author
last year
Water based. It dries to the touch in 1 hour and for re coat it’s ready in 2. I sanded in between layers and wiped it with a tack cloth. Very easy to work with and very low fumes too! I used a brush to get into the crevices and then a cabinet foam roller to get a smooth finish
Alice
last year
Nice! Water base is easier and faster. You’re doing a really hood job :).
Alice
last year
Good lol not hood
PRO
Flo Mangan
last year
What a good person you are! Wonderful job! Very proud of you work!
PRO
Flo Mangan
last year
Auto correct changed that last sentence. I typed a very “pro” job.
Last Houzz update is.
PRO
Flo Mangan
last year
Last update is terrible.
liasch
last year
Wowzers! Totally impressive! What a professional job you are doing. What a lucky grandmother! It looks fabulous. I can’t wait to see it up in the kitchen.
jayapple21
last year
Oops! Just now went back and looked at your original posting. Didn't realize there will be a stainless backsplash and hood above the stove. Forget the idea of adding the plant art to that wall BUT if you need any art somewhere else in the kitchen area those prints might work well. 😊
KayLynn
Original Author
last year
Here is the final result! I’m hanging the window curtain in above the sink tomorrow before they get home!
happyleg
last year
Looking amazing! Clean & charming! A great job done well!
Alice
last year
Wow! You did an amazing job! Your grandma will be so happy! Looks so fresh. I’m glad you didn’t paint the ceiling :).
KayLynn
Original Author
last year
She was so happy when she got home she almost started crying and tearing up. She absolutely loves it!
Alice
last year
KayLynn I was picturing that! I’m sure she was thrilled 💗 you did a great job with her space, lots of hard work and it paid off especially for your grandma which is extra special! I guess the living room is next? I hope you post here on the same thread for your next adventure:).
happyleg
last year
Yes wonderful news! I can't wait!
KayLynn
Original Author
last year
I will absolutely post the next room when the time comes!
liasch
last year
Wow! What a super professional job you did. Her kitchen looks so welcoming and refreshed. You are to be congratulated! I’m sure you have all the reward you need in your grandmother’s emotional appreciation. Keep us posted on any new developments. Definitely the right decision to do the top and bottom cupboards the same.
liasch
last year
And perfect pick on the colour (which is always hard)… And the hardware.🥰🎉🎉