Ok, prepare to be wowed. Because when Lindsay sent her kitchen makeover pics our way we almost couldn’t believe our eyes. Here’s her letter:
Okay, okay. I’ve read your pleas to send in more before and afters! Admittedly, I am nervous to send anything your way because I feel it just won’t measure up to the stellar work you two have done. However, I am super proud of our low-budget kitchen makeover and wanted to share. This is our first house and we’ve never done anything remotely “handy” before. We learned a lot along the way (never knew what 1/4-round was before!), and if we had to do it again we would make a few changes. But overall, we are pleased. Just like your first kitchen re-do, we hope this one holds us over until we can make big changes. :)
We ripped out the linoleum and installed new 20″ tiles throughout the entire 1st floor, replaced the refrigerator and the microwave (and plan to replace the stove soon), primed and painted the cabinets a glossy white color, and replaced all the cabinet hardware with a much more updated pull. Overall, we are really satisfied with our budget makeover. We spent about $50 on primer and paint, $60 on hardware, $50 on hinges, $14 for laminate flooring that we used as a wipeable (and durable) shelf liner, and about two weekends worth of labor. Anyway, hope you enjoy our makeover in our first home. -Lindsay
Here’s the builder-grade before:
And the stunning and fresh after (thanks to some paint, new hardware, new appliances, and a few adorable accessories- love those green glasses and the rotating spice rack on the counter):
Thanks for sharing your mouthwatering kitchen makeover with us, Kelly! And if anyone out there is holding back their fabulous makeover pictures, let this be a gentle reminder that we have a serious before and after dependence. So please oh please oh please send ’em our way!
Oh and stick around for a step by step tutorial about painting your cabinets in a snap. If you can paint a wall you can paint your cabinets so stay tuned…
Tiffany says
Wow!! That is quite an amazing transformation! Nice work Lindsay! I’m loving the window cabinets and the sleek new hardware.
maya says
i do love the before and afters – and this one is perfect! i dream of a kitchen like that!
Kelli says
Lindsay, that looks so great! I love those new pulls. Also how the pops of green in the cabinets compliment the blue walls so well. Wonderful job!
Jennifer in GA says
absolutely gorgeous, lindsay! you should be SO proud!! i love the pulls (small details make a big difference!)… where did you get those?
michelle says
Looks great, very fresh and clean. If you’re not in need of a new stove immedeatly I would hold off and save up for a viking range in white and stainless (or something similar). I find most stainless ranges (I’m assuming this is what you were planning on purchasing based on your other new appliances)too heavy on the black accents and in new your new nice bright white kitchen it will look like a black hole.
Rachel says
Great job! I love that you mixed and matched appliances as well. It’s a really great look that you don’t see too often. Gorgeous!
Kim says
Wow! What an awesome kitchen! I am totally drooling over the glass doors and glossy white…. lovely.
elizabeth says
I have major kitchen envy! Love the glass doors and pulls!
Sarah says
Great job, Lindsay. My husband and I are currently wrestling with the options of painting, refacing, or completley replacing our cabinets. Your paint job is inspiring… and much more in line with our budget! Do you happen to know what kind of wood and finish was on your cabinets? … Looking forward to the tutorial, Sherry!
Abby says
This is great. We’re looking at painting our old cabinets soon, so I’ll look forward to the tutorial.
Jersey Girl in DC says
WOW!! That looks amazing!!! What a difference. I love the shades of blue, white, and green together!
jbhat says
Wow! It’s definitely a kitchen makeover to be really proud of. It’s like a completely different room. Congrats!
Meg says
I didn’t even notice the glass doors until the “after”. Beautiful! I also love the paint color on the walls. Do you mind sharing the name of the shade?
AliCherri1` says
Wow! It is amazing what paint can do to a space!
Stephanie says
This gives me so much inspiration for my kitchen! My husband & I plan on painting our kitchen cabinets, too. I am loving those drawer pulls as well!! Can’t wait for the tutorial guys!
Kerry says
I love it! I’m also eagerly awaiting the cabinet-painting tutorial for my 80’s-feeling dark, dark brown kitchen cabinets.
Lindsay says
Thanks so much for the post Sherry and all the kind comments from the readers. What an honor! :)
To answer some questions:
– Hardware is from http://www.myknobs.com
– I do not know what finish was on the wood, it was somewhat glossy, but the sanding took that sheen right off.
– The paint is Behr Viking. Our living room, which is directly across from the kitchen is Newport Blue, so Viking is just slightly lighter but generally the room goes together and feels like the same color.
I am excited to see the tutorial. It honestly is really easy to makeover your kitchen cabinets, I highly recommend it!
Gina says
lindsey – u kidding, right? i think your kitchen is GORGEOUS!!! Absolutely gorgeous!!!! Wow!!! that got me thinking about redoing my kitchen cabinets, they are the same color as your previous ones. What is the name of the white paint? any specific?
have you ever thought about putting tiles on your wall between counter and cabinets? Don’t get me wrong, i think your kitchen looks really good..
sherry/john — YES YES YES a tutorial would be wonderful!! :o) Can’t wait!!
happy halloween everyone!
RebeccaJaye says
wow that is so amazing!!! i love it, and the appliances are gorgeous!
im hoping to convince the family to redo the kitchen cheaply.. maybe this will be my leverage!
great job!!
Heather says
Sherry/John-
I would LOVE a tutorial on painting kitchen cabinets. I have wanted to do it, but I’m nervous! I have heard contradicting opinions as to whether to use latex or oil based paint for best (long lasting, scratch-resistant) results. Please DO TELL!
Gillian says
How much were the tiles you put in? Did you do that yourself? I am thinking about doing that DIY in our bathroom but am a little worried. Any hints/directions would be appreciated. Thank you!!!
noelle says
Sherry & John, I wanted to let you know that I randomly came across your website googling “painting your kitchen cabinets”, and let me tell you, I’ve been glued to your blog ever since!! :) Neat thing is, I actually saw you on HGTV!! I absolutely adore this kitchen makeover, as I am planning to paint my own kitchen cabs white.
Sherry, can you suggest a white paint that’ll do the trick? I’m looking for something stark white and glossy…perhaps, chalk white? Keep up the great work! You truly motivate 1st time home owners like myself! :)
-Noelle
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Noelle,
We’re so glad you found us! As for white kitchen cabinet paint, we love Benjamin Moore’s “Decorators White” in semi gloss (two coats of that after one coat of oil-based primer should do the trick- here’s a handy little cabinet-painting tutorial for you). Benjamin Moore’s paint is a bit pricey but for cabinet painting and serious jobs that have to go the distance, it’s really durable and long-lasting. Happy painting…
xoxo,
s