Even though it's my firm belief that you can never really label a room as "done", it feels amazing to have completed this giant project!
Giving this room a makeover has been one of my absolute favorite projects to date. It was pretty crazy! Today I'm here to share all the details.
First off (yeah, you know what's coming), a little walk down memory lane. Remember this kitchen??
The wood walls, ceilings and cabinets made it feel smaller than it really was. The layout was squished and impractical (when we looked at the house, the fridge was squeezed in between the stove and the window, and there was a washer and dryer in the kitchen). When we bought the house, we were given a magazine of historic homes from the 1980s, and most of the homes looked identical to how this one looked when we found it. It hadn't been updated in a good 30 years. We like to think that made us soul mates. Yes, soul mates with the house. :)
Today the kitchen feels larger, brighter and happier…most definitely happier.
One of the first big choices we made was to remove all of the upper cabinets and to install open shelving. We've been super happy with this choice! I love the white subway tile all the way up the ceiling, and I personally enjoy seeing our dishes at a glance all at once. It's convenient.
Changing out the door for a door with windows made a big difference in the light in the room. You can also see here that the window above the sink is now twice as big. That was one of those (rare) projects that actually cost less than I thought. In the future, I won't hesitate to get window quotes because the impact a larger window can have on a room is just incredible!
We had to relocate the washer and dryer, but it was completely worth it to free up this wall for the fridge. We added a few shelves here, and use this wall to store our rolling cart that we often use for food photos.
When we decided to paint the lower cabinets a bold color, there was a lot of debate (admittedly, mostly inside my own brain) about which color to choose. Around here yellow often wins. I'm so glad it won this time. I can't imagine them any other way.
The addition of the barn door was incredibly helpful. It was a practical choice because previously the door swung out into the kitchen and all the way into the dining room. It was awkward. So the sliding door solved the practical problem, but it's also incredibly charming. I would definitely recommend it and do it again in my own home.
Thanks for taking a look at our crazy before/after experience! Let me know if you have any questions. It was so much fun.
Stay tuned, because tomorrow we'll be sharing the before/after video tour of our kitchen space. It's probably my favorite video we've ever made, and I can't wait for you to see it! xx. Elsie
Credits // Author: Elsie Larson. Photography: Sarah Rhodes. Photos edited with Stella from The Signature Collection.
DIY Links: Window Ledge Plant Shelf, Woven Rag Rug, Vertical Kitchen Organization, Hanging Vase DIY, Magnetized Mail Holder, Concrete Counter Tops.
Source List: Paint Colors—Trim/Ultra White by Valspar, Walls/Paramount White by Valspar, Yellow/Golden Meadow by Valspar. Barn Door/Rustica Hardware. Let me know if I've missed anything!
This is so inspiring! I adore that fridge-my husband and I are hoping to buy a mid-century remodel soon and I’d love to find a retro fridge like yours for the kitchen. Where is the fridge from?
Thanks!
Kristen
akristenrunsthroughit.blogspot.com
Thanks for listing the DIY links at the bottom, uber helpful! As I was scrolling I was trying to remember if I’d seen the tutorial about the rug but you answered it for me.
I love that you used yellow for the cabinets. I think it looks so good with all of the white and then the darker counters.
Love the job you did,especially the larger window and door with windows in the kitchen. The wall storage cannister are neat. In that vein, take a look at www.clingerclip.com for a product that holds cannisters are potted plants. If you would some, I would be pleased to send at no obligation. Just sharing a clever idea. Stratton Pritchard
Amazing! Could you please tell me if the sliding barn door is a DIY or purchased somewhere!? Thank you!
I just can’t get over this transformation! It’s gorgeous!
It’s from Target 🙂 -Jacki
This is so beautiful! Could you tell me where the rolling cart is from? It is just perfect for a space without a kitchen island! xo
pretty awesome!!!
can you post a tutorial how to install the sliding barn door? i want to change the doors in my kitchen for ages now, but i don’t know how to build them… 🙁 would be really great!
I love the yellow! I’m toying with cabinet color in my house. Right now all pictures of my kitchen looks like you are in a bad seventies made for tv movie. But soooonnnnnnn. I’m not sure I’m an open shelving person either but every time I see it, I love it.
It so crazy how similar your kitchen is to mine! same colors, same-ish dishes even! We refinished the 1955 metal cabinets, kept the yellow counter top and did open shelves with recycled glass dishes.
Gorgeous kitchen! I just moved into an old house with no counter space and am looking for a kitchen cart just like that one– where did you find it? It’s so cute!
xoxo Justine
Can you talk a little about the open shelving? did you use the existing wood from the shelving cabinents? did you make the open shelving or was is purchased!
I love it!
Hi Laura! You can find it here: https://abeautifulmess.com/2014/05/window-ledge-plant-shelf.html
-Jacki
Can you tell how you did the plant shelves in the window? Awesome!
Gorgeous reno ladies, I love it!!
Hi Viviana! They are concrete countertops. Here’s the tutorial: https://abeautifulmess.com/2014/01/concrete-countertop-diy.html 🙂 -Jacki
I’m really curious about the brick walls! Is that real? Did you tear off the wood to get to get it??
I can’t believe that this is your STUDIO kitchen…you are the luckiest crew to be able to work – and eat! – in such a cheerful environment!! Of course, you all are also the creative force BEHIND this environment…kudos!!
www.StyleIsMyPudding.com
I second the oven question. I love it! What brand is it?