Back to Basics
1. Black granite countertops are easy to clean, have a sleek look, and tie together the dark accents in the room. Although the homeowners had to order the countertops to fit their space, the Lowe's price included development of a custom template for the kitchen's floor plan.
2. Usually used outdoors, these oversized wall lanterns are a sophisticated alternative to the hanging pendant lights found in many kitchens.
3. The homeowners painted unfinished in-stock cabinets with a rich grayish blue shade and added satin-nickel cup pulls and knobs.
4. White subway tiles for the backsplash provide a modern touch and seamlessly blend with the wall color. Subway tiles can lay horizontally, as shown here, or vertically for a different style.
Above the sink, the window frames were painted black for a dramatic counterpoint to the light walls
Good To Know
You can stick to your budget and still have the promise of payback. For a minor kitchen update, you can recoup up to 83% of the remodeling costs at resale.
Source: Remodeling magazine
Cost vs. Value Report (2007 National Averages); costvsvalue.com
Set the Bar
1. The homeowners can get creative with their chalkboard-painted wall, which offers the perfect spot for leaving notes or writing lists.
2. For a custom look, this breakfast bar is made from in-stock wall cabinets plus a toe kick underneath. Wall cabinets were selected because they are more shallow than base units. The homeowners installed the cabinets at bar height and built the toe kick using 2 x 8s and finished with strips of a side panel cut to size. When the homeowners ordered their countertops for the main kitchen workspace, they also had a template made for the bar.
A moulding ledge displays the couple's favorite travel photos. To find instructions and a list of materials and tools for building this ledge, go to LowesCreativeIdeas.com/May081.
Made To Entertain
1. A warming drawer in the stainless oven keeps appetizers toasty for guests.
2. The matching stainless side-by-side refrigerator is ideal for these homeowners, who prefer to stock bulk frozen items.
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After downsizing to a historic 1920s cottage, these music-loving homeowners found perfect harmony with a kitchen makeover. They bought a fixer-upper after their daughters left the nest, and they wanted to update the kitchen without spending a fortune. The couple chose mainly off-the-shelf products (with the exception of Special Order countertops) and created a space that's jam-packed with personality.
A microwave with an exhaust fan underneath is mounted over the range. This is a great space-saving solution for a small kitchen.
What They Did:
The Challenge: The kitchen's inefficient layout and outdated appliances provided little inspiration for the homeowners. They wanted to infuse the warmth of a European bistro into the room's new design and achieve a customized look.
The Solution: Open shelving and a harmonious color palette make the room feel larger. Sticking to their budget, the homeowners salvaged the hardwood floors underneath the tile and painted unfinished in-stock oak cabinets. They chose a suite of stainless appliances to bring the kitchen up to date. The new refrigerator was placed across from the sink for a better workflow, and improved lighting provides ample illumination in the work areas.
5 ways to get a custom look for less:
▪ Prepare. Developing a game plan from the beginning helps you stay focused and stick to a theme and color palette.
▪ Paint. By coating unfinished wooden cabinets with your desired color, you can get a bold look for a fraction of the cost.
▪ Personalize. Do-it-yourself shelving or a breakfast bar maximizes space and adds a one-of-a-kind, professional feel.
▪ Pick a suite. Choosing appliances from the same brand with the same
finish will give the kitchen a more cohesive appearance.
▪ Pad with finishing touches. Unique additions, such as a chalkboard wall or framed travel photos, make a kitchen anything but ordinary.
A Cut Above
Open shelving works well for filling awkward wallspace in a kitchen. These shelves were made from 1 x 12s and brackets painted to match the wall color. A Lowe’s employee can cut the wood for you.
"The kitchen is now the star in our house. We love it"
Shade To Order
The well-planned color scheme is key in this makeover. Choose the color for your cabinets, and use wall and accent choices to pull the look together. When planning a space, pick the color combination first, and then find products that carry out the theme. Here are a few selections (using Martha Stewart Colors available in the paint department) suggested by the Lowe’s Trend and Design team.
Good To Know
Valspar paint offers thousands of colors and exceptional durability. The colors shown below are mixed with Valspar Signature Colors premium paint.
 European Bistro
This kitchen’s palette is classic but dramatic. A cool-toned white plays off the industrial black and grayish blue, while subtle touches of soft gold warm the overall look.
 Cottage Chic
A fresh and inviting summery combo starts with grass green on the cabinets and light gray on the walls. Clean white and rich blue-green accents complete the palette.
 Arts and Crafts
Want warm and cozy? Go for brick red on the cabinets and beige on the walls. Butcher-block countertops can be used to contribute the deeper yellow as an accent color.
 Modern Retro
If you love the pop of a 1950s diner, use white on the cabinets and light turquoise on the walls. Accent with yellow and mint shades. Countertops could be white or natural-toned wood.
Are you one of millions of people who has a "lazy" inefficient toilet? If your toilet was installed between 1994 and 1999, it is wasting water and money. Find out how to stop flushing your money at LowesCreativeIdeas.com/LazyToilet. |
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