This email from Laurel-Dawn sounded like a common situation. You find yourself in a cookie cutter home, dying to put your own personal spin on the house so it doesn’t look exactly the same way that the builder left it. Well Laurel-Dawn and her husband definitely turned a common kitchen into something spectacular. Here’s her letter:
“I live in a super simple home. It’s what my mom calls a “tract home” which I personally hate, but I guess it’s true. I live in one of those neighborhoods where all of the houses look the same and it’s hard to put a personal stamp on things. I dream of someday updating a home with a lot of style from the get-go. Until then, I’m changing every surface of my abode, room by room, until it feels like me (and my husband too, I guess!?) Anyway, my dad helped me redo the kitchen and it’s my favorite space in our house. Here’s the before…
… and the during…
… and the after…
Thanks so much for the opportunity to be featured!” – Laurel-Dawn
Isn’t that amazing and borderline mind-blowing? Our favorite parts are the decorative corbels on the island and the rich wall color with the crisp white cabinets (and of course we love that she worked with what she had and just painted the original cabinets). You can peruse more pics and details over on her blog too. And if you’re in the mood for more of their home’s transformation, you should check out their dining room makeover. We’re obviously on a kitchen kick lately (go figure) but it’s a really cool update too!
Laura says
It’s beautiful! Any chance you could provide the source for that pastry dome on the island? I’ve been looking for something like that forever! Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Hopefully Laurel-Dawn will drop in with that info or you can pop over to her blog for it!
xo,
s
Miriam says
Hello
They’re beautiful your houses.
But where I live you can not put the oven above the cooking plate.
Do not you put hood?
Thank you.
I do not speak English and this is translated with translator
Miriam
YoungHouseLove says
Here’s hoping Laurel-Dawn will stop in with some info for ya! I believe that’s a vented microwave (it has a vent hood built into the bottom that sucks up odor and redirects it up and out through a hidden duct in the upper cabinet).
xo,
s
heather says
Hi Miriam,
What language do you speak?
Heather
Ashley says
Sometimes I get depressed looking at the before and afters, because our apartment sucks so much more than the befores, and there is NOTHING I can do about it. But they make good fodder for my inspirations folder, at least. :-D
When I first saw those bar stools, I thought they were the same ones I had seen on clearance at Target awhile back. Looks like they still have these, and they’re quite a bit cheaper than the Pottery Barn ones:
http://www.target.com/p/Andres-Rectangle-Saddle-Barstool-Espresso/-/A-13518908
YoungHouseLove says
Great find!
xo,
s
Katie@Paisley Print Shoes says
LOOooove the light cabinets and the stools!! Wow!
patricia says
This is the best redo I’ve ever seen. WOW what a gorgeous kitchen. I’m in awe. The corbels are GORGEOUS. Love love love it.
Elisa @ The Self Life says
Looks awesome! Love all the little touches they put into it!
heather says
Hard to believe from the before’s right now, but that layout is almost exactly the same layout we’re doing when we renovate out kitchen. Same placement of appliances – even the window and sink are in the exact same spot. Our finishes will look entirely different but the layout is spot on. It’s nice to see it in a finished setting.
Christin says
Wow! I didn’t think the before was all that bad, but the after is seriously beautiful. Well done!!
Rachel says
That backsplash is gorgeous! I love it!
Nessa@{CasaBraaflat} says
love the cabinets and the stainless steel. i am getting new stainless appliances this weekend and i cannot wait. seeing this makes me even more excited.
sidenote: working on potty training today so I could use a few prayers or at least good potty karma sent my way! sorry i couldn’t resist.
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh, big day! Lots of good potty training well-wishes headed your way!!!
xo,
s
Ashley J says
Laurel-Dawn, please tell us where you got the backsplash! I am obsessed!
Laurel-Dawn McBurney says
Thanks for the amazing complements YHL readers! Wow, you guys are an awesome bunch! Laura, I got the pastry dome from Pottery Barn a few years ago, but I’ve seen them everywhere lately! Try doing a shopping search for a “cloche” and I’m sure you’ll come up with a ton of different shapes and sizes! As for the base of the pastry dome, it is just a wood charger from Target!
Ashley J, the backsplash was a lucky and super cheap find on Overstock.com, and so was the sink and faucet! Here is the link to the tile:
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/SomerTile-12.5×12.5-in-Morocco-2.5-in-White-Porcelain-Mosaic-Tile-Pack-of-10/4798935/product.html
They run out fast and then usually re-stock these beauties, so get them while you can! Also, I got a few cases with multiple breaks in the tiles, but in all, it was super successful, so just make sure you order 3-4 more sheets than necessary.
Allyson says
I used to live next door to Laurel’s sister. I love her blog!
Laurel says
Crazy! My name is Laurel Dawn! It’s rare to meet another Laurel, and absolutely unheard of to find another Laurel Dawn!!!
YoungHouseLove says
Wow- that is amazing!
xo,
s
Stacy says
I’m loving the dark colored walls and light cabinets. Gorgeous redo!