Before and After: Light and Airy Kitchen

A very well thought out and budget conscious kitchen remodel. My favorite details are the cabinet paint colors and the glass backdrop.

After two years of living with a dreary kitchen, it was finally time for Lindsey Ellis Beatty, Decorating Editor, who shares the space with her husband and two boys. After spending an entire year researching, compiling tear sheets, and planning the space, Lindsey devised a manageable renovation plan.

"I know that anything requiring construction cannot be easily changed, so I played it safe and spent money wisely." Having saved in other areas, Lindsey was able to invest in white quartz countertops, dark, easy-to-mop hardwood floors, and a new tongue-and-groove ceiling - all materials that will hold up well over time. 

Being experienced in the remodeling process, Lindsey ordered all of her paints, fixtures, and appliances before construction even began to prevent delays waiting on products to arrive.

Raising the existing cabinets to the ceiling gave Lindsey space to install the floating shelves above the countertops. That extra space is so smart!

Mindful of her need to save money but not one to cut corners, Lindsey kept the kitchens original footprint and placement of appliances.  She designed a new custom pantry with double doors that echo the look of the refrigerator. The extra storage space now houses the microwave and helps anchor the refrigerator against the wall.

As for the breakfast nook, Lindsey continued to work on a budget. She found the camelback sofa at a yard sale for $25. Having saved so much on the sofa, she reupholstered it in a bright coral. 

So, what are your favorite parts of her new kitchen?

Found via Southern Living

Sources:

Wall paint: Seed Pearl (27-32)         Cabinetry paint: Hardwick White         Ceiling Lights: Clark Ceiling Light         Sink: DOMSJO Double Bowl         Faucet: Ashfield (529-7YPS)         Barstools: Vapor barstools         Range: Professional Series (PRG304GH)         Hood: Professional Series (HPWB30FS)         Refrigerator: GE Energy Star Side-by-Side Refrigerator with Dispenser         Backsplash Tile: Encata Glass Mosaic Herringbone in Everest         Countertops: Zodiaq Quartz in Snow White         Cabinet Hardware: Nouveau III Collection         Sconces: Serge Single Sconce         Curtain Fabric: Smokebrush in Silver         Sofa Fabric: Beach Strie (BST3)         Chair Fabric: Alan Campbell's Zig Zag (AC302-16)         Table: Eero Saarinen Style Tulip Table         Side Chairs: Louis XVI (FC010-4) by Zentique         Art: 1 2 3 4 5 6

Saving Space in the Kitchen

Thanks, House Beautiful

Last night I asked my dad a very serious question. "Pa", I said, "if I'm a take-out dinner wife, will you disown me?" 

The kitchen is a place full of potential. Some people (like every other girl in my family) have the patience and ability to create that potential. Me? Well, I longingly smell their food and eat their leftovers. It doesn't take much space to create those delicious masterpieces but for some reason we have it in our minds that a lot of space is needed. I came up with a few tips for opening up a smaller kitchen:

• The Right Color. Softer colors allow light to bounce around a reflect, creating more depth and life to the room. Darker shades absorb light and will only make the room look smaller. Whites, pale blues, soft yellows, and light grey's would be great choices for kitchens. Try to stick with a one or two colors for simplicity and cleanliness.
• Declutter. The task may be daunting, but if everything in the kitchen has a specific space it will make for a much smoother system. Try to have uniform containers if things like cereals need to be kept out, avoid knick-knacks and other decor around the tops of cupboards and on fridges, and put away appliances when you are finished. Extra shelving within cupboards can be added to most effectively use space.
• Emphasize Light. If you are lucky enough to have windows in your kitchen, emphasize the light it provides by keeping the window uncovered, clean, and freshly painted. Allow the kitchen to become a focal point. Under cabinet lighting is a practical addition to add to any kitchen. In the photo above, mirrors are used as the backsplash to create the illusion of more space.
• Multiple Purposes. Try to only purchase necessary things in regards to food and furnishings. Meal plans can be planned ahead to use the same ingredients multiple times throughout the week, saving on money and space. Consider how the furniture you have or are looking to purchase can double up in purpose - coffee table as kitchen table, bench seating with storage inside, a roll away island that can be hidden away when it's not in use.

Do these tips help? What unsolvable problems do you have with your kitchen?

Thanks Tidy Stuff and Great Interior Design

By the way, my dad's response to my troubled question was simply, "that would get boring, expensive, and unhealthy". Which I translated to "you better not".