Quick and Affordable Kitchen

Score the look of a complete kitchen update with a $1,000 budget and a couple weeks’ time.

Photography by Lee Harrelson

Styling by Missie Neville Crawford

Before

The Kitchen

Problem: Neutral wallpaper and dark oak cabinetry made the room appear small and cramped. The kitchen did not reflect the homeowner’s personality.

Solution: A light, airy color palette (blue-green for the walls and cream for the cabinetry) echoes the homeowner’s love of the coast while making the room feel more open.

Dining Area

Problem: Formal drapes and blinds, left behind by the previous owners, lacked charm and personality.

Solution: Casual matchstick blinds with a painted circle motif (added to the window treatments by the homeowner) give beach-like appeal to the room. Pairs of white shelves frame both sides of the window, providing the perfect place to display collectibles.

Dining Light

Problem: A dated ceiling fan was out of line with the room’s new décor. The lighting also needed to be positioned with the dining table in mind.

Solution: A chrome warehouse-style pendant light hangs over the room’s new table to shed light on the informal dining area.

Island Lights

Problem: The island lacked proper lighting.

Solution: Cottage-inspired pendants provide ample illumination for cooking and other tasks.

Backsplash

Problem: Bare walls behind the range were exposed to cooking splatters and spills.

Solution: A natural-stone backsplash complements the preexisting granite countertops and protects the walls.

Cabinetry Paint and Hardware

Problem: Traditional oak panels and dark hardware did not suit the homeowner’s style, but her budget wouldn’t allow for new cabinetry.

Solution: The cabinets were primed and painted in a cream shade that blends with the rest of the kitchen’s palette. Satin-nickel pulls and matching hinges lend casual elegance to the room.

The Island

Problem: The island functioned well, but it didn’t contribute interest to the space.

Solution: The base was primed and painted blue-green, a shade darker than the walls. A glaze was added to give the piece a weathered look and to make the island appear as a separate piece of custom furniture. Satin-nickel towel bars, from the fashion plumbing department, provide a handy spot to hang dish towels.

Command Center

Problem: The homeowner needed a workspace to jot grocery lists, look for recipes, and drop her keys and cell phone when coming in the back door.

Solution: The doors of the top cabinets were removed to provide easy-access storage for cookbooks and kitchen staples. The same paint technique used on the island was applied to the cabinet’s interior. A docking station keeps the busy cook charged and ready to go.

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