First let's take a look at the after and get a view of the entire space. Our kitchen is truly the center of our home.
It joins the family/breakfast rooms and open to the living/dining area through the large opening, plus the opening to the bedroom hallway in the back. So as you can see, it really is literally the center of our home.

The kitchen had good bones and nice maple cabinets, but that was all. The walls were painted white as you can see in the sliver of wall on the right, the cabinets were a blonde color and very flat looking and the counter tops were a beige leather textured formica. Put all that together with white appliances, sink and faucet and this was a really bland kitchen with zero personality. The minute the boxes were unpacked, I bought a gallon of Ralph Lauren Soul Chocolate and painted the kitchen walls. I wasn't blogging then so I don't have a picture of the white walls. This at least toned it down some so you weren't blinded as you walked in since there is a ton of light from all those huge track lights. (Sorry, this pic was taken at night and with a flash, so really bad.)

After painting the walls, I wanted to darken the color of the cabinets a bit, but I didn't want to have to strip them and refinish. I knew that Brie wax was used to darken the color of furniture, so I bought the darkest shade I could find and used it on all the cabinets. Immediately they looked 100 percent better and about 3 shades darker, plus the wax gave them some depth and personality. So much better. I have been asked about the wax a million times and I always tell everyone that has some grain in their cabinets, the grain will stand out much more with the wax, so try the inside of a door first to make sure that you like the results. There is no going back once you start unless you really do want to strip and start all over or paint. My cabinets are maple and very little grain, if you have oak it will definitely show all of the grain and sometimes that really isn't pretty.

The remodel was mainly confined to the island since it was the center of attention. (Remember how bad this looked with all the white, and that counter, sink and faucet couldn't be any uglier.)


We replaced the really cheap white shallow sink with a wonderful deep heavy stainless one that we had under mounted.
I found the faucet, soap dispenser and sink all on line at really fabulous prices. While we were at it we decided to replace the garbage disposer with a new heavy duty one. We took the old counter off with the sink, faucet and garbage disposer all in tact and it was given to Habitat. When the driver came to pick it up he said he wanted it desperately, he was redoing a house and this would be perfect for the island he was building. So, it worked out to be a blessing for someone else.

Now I love my kitchen and it doesn't look builder basic bland to me anymore.
This is also the place that I play the most, changing vignettes constantly.


This side and even the top of the fridge is part of my playground.

Before
After. It really doesn't look like the same kitchen does it? ( I thought about repainting recently, but after testing several different colors on poster board, I really think the chocolate is best.) I still want to change out those huge track lights for canned lights, but that is not at the top of my list yet.
Cost Breakdown of the remodel
Paint - Ralph Lauren Soul Chocolate $30
Corbels - Osborne Wood Products ( on line ) $29.99 ea.
Cabinet Hardware - Contempo Living ( on line ) $103.60
Stainless Sink - Contempo Living ( on line ) $130
(18 guage brushed finish, thick undercoated and rubber pad added for noise control)
Faucet - Overstock.com $89.99
Garbage Disposer - PlumberSurplus.com $159.99
(We decided to upgrade the tiny builder one to a Waste King 8000 1 horsepower)
Total $573.56 (Replacing the garbage disposal wasn't necessary, so we could have actually done this whole thing for a little over $400)
Since the granite was a gift, this was a really inexpensive remodel, Fabulous gift that made all the difference in my kitchen.
Don't miss the rest of the kitchen tours this week!

There will be two winners for this giveaway! Pfister generously donated a prize for this giveaway, so one winner will receive a free faucet worth up to $300, and a second winner will receive a $250 Visa gift card! To enter for your chance to win, just follow the steps below, and good luck!
Step 1: Follow the bloggers below on Pinterest
Step 2: Enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thursday, August 22
Friday, August 23
And now for the giveaway!

There will be two winners for this giveaway! Pfister generously donated a prize for this giveaway, so one winner will receive a free faucet worth up to $300, and a second winner will receive a $250 Visa gift card! To enter for your chance to win, just follow the steps below, and good luck!

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Fabulous details Marty. I love the hardware you added to your cabinets!
ReplyDeleteAmazing difference!!! Love the change!
ReplyDeleteGreat tour, Marty! I always love seeing your pretty kitchen vignettes!
ReplyDeleteYou. Have such a welcoming kitchen. One that says have a seat and stay for a while.
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome Marty. I love the new hardware. You really have a beautiful kitchen I can see it is the heart of your home.
ReplyDeleteKris
Beautiful Marty. Look what $400 a little work did for your kitchen. I like the chocolate and the wax was a perfect choice. Thanks Marty, your details are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI love it! Those are all smart and thrifty choices that made your kitchen beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful transformation. You certainly did a stunning job with your renovation of your kitchen. Such a beautiful and welcoming space.
ReplyDeleteSweet Marty,
ReplyDeleteI would love to be sitting at your kitchen island talking with you over a cup of coffee. You have made your kitchen a true reflection of your warm and welcoming personality. xo Kathysue
Proof you don't have to spend a fortune to make stunning changes to a kitchen! It's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful, warm kitchen! I really like seeing a kitchen with color, instead of all-white.
ReplyDeleteI have always loved your kitchen, Marty. You have made it beautiful!!! I really think the chocolate walls are PERFECT, I love them! Always love seeing your different vignettes too. Thanks for the tour! XO
ReplyDeleteyou know how much I love your home and kitchen Marty! Love that we both have the same bar pulls too! Your re-do on the island is perfect and the vignettes always pretty and interesting. :-)
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely kitchen. Mine is from the 1950's and PH's late wife picked out the wood. I like it..but have wished it was white because the kitchen is SO darned dark. Not good lighting.
ReplyDeleteNO window.
Ah well. One day..I hope I'm still here! :) Tick, tick, tick!
Marty, it is absolutely amazing what you did with your kitchen with so little money! Of course, that granite did make a huge difference, and I love the corbels and the way you painted them. Of course, my favorite thing to see in your kitchen is all of your wonderful vignettes. You always make it look so inviting with your decorative touches. Loved this tour. laurie
ReplyDeleteSo pretty Marty~ the new hardware is perfect!
ReplyDeleteMarty,
ReplyDeleteLovely. . .and yes it's all in the details!!!
I adore how you took a builders plan and personalized it to make it your home!
Years, many years ago, I cross~stitched a saying and framed it for my MoMa. . .
"The Kitchen is the Heart of the Home." Yours fits that saying, quite nicely,
especially being centrally located!
Your vignettes within the kitchen from atop the cabinets to the counters below
are exquisite!!! I enjoyed seeing your fridge side of the kitchen with the tour.
Thank you for sharing your lovely kitchen and home with us. . .always inspiring!!!
Fondly,
Pat
Your kitchen is always so pretty, Marty! I think that chocolate paint adds such a warm richness to the whole space.
ReplyDeleteIf you enjoy visiting linkies, photo challenges, and blog hops - or if you host one of your own - please consider visiting here:
ReplyDeletehttp://acts17verse28.blogspot.com/2013/07/do-you-love-linky-parties.html
Be sure to link your recurring hop under the day when it's normally posted.
And while you’re at it, stop by my weekly hop, Wordless Wednesday on Tuesday, to share your photos, and feel free to share my button… you’ll find the code on my sidebar.
Thanks!
♥
Your kitchen is my favorite place to visit whenever I go looking for inspiration, Marty! I love how you added your special touches and transformed it lovingly....what a big difference from before! I love how you change the vignettes in your kitchen and every time it looks beautifully different:) Love the corbels you added... they add wonderful character to your island! Thanks for always inspiring us! hugs, Poppy
ReplyDeleteYour kitchen always looks so warm and welcoming, Marty! I love the corbels on your island...don't know why I am just seeing them! :-) Thanks for the tour!...hugs...Debbie
ReplyDeleteYour kitchen is lovely, Marty. The new island really updated the whole look of the room. Thanks for sharing the tour and your pretty accents.
ReplyDeleteOne of the most beautiful kitchens in blog land! I love the cabinet color and pretty hardware. I agree, your island is fabulous and you always make the best vignettes on it! Thanks for sharing, dear Marty!
ReplyDeleteBig hugs,
FABBY
Great vision in revamping your kitchen island, Marty! You knew just what it needed ... a beautiful spot to showcase your amazing vignettes! And, I remember when you added the new hardware to your cabinets ... another fabulous choice! I look forward to seeing your seasonal goodies showing up on your counters in the near future!
ReplyDeleteMarty you have a fantastic kitchen. You have certainly paid attention to the details. I just love every last one.
ReplyDeleteMarty, I think you did an amazing job on your remodel - and it still keeps on changing, hee hee!
ReplyDeleteI decided to jump aboard and just posted my first kitchen tour too.
What fun - I am looking forward to reading every single one of those kitchens posted in that party!
Hugs.
Marty, I do love your style - you have a marvelous knack for vignettes - your white rooster is wonderful and of course I LOVE your cloches - beautiful tranformation to your kitchen - I appreciate you sharing,
ReplyDeleteKathy
Hey Marty, the Atta-Girl link doesn't work for Pinterest.
ReplyDeleteKathy
I came here earlier, but I was so caught up with the tour that I forgot to thank you for letting us in to see the details. Your kitchen was one of the things that drew me to this blog way back in the first place. I have always loved it.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteYou have such a warm and inviting kitchen Marty.. Love how you make small changes and the room looks new every time.. I know love and joy are shared there ..
So lovely! I think we have very similar colored granite, and I love how all your accessories mesh together so well-thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteOh Marty - I love your cabinet hardware and the corbels on your island are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteGood luck everyone! We're looking forward to giving out a faucet for the home tour.
ReplyDeleteMarty your kitchen is absolutely gorgeous! Wow what a transformation.I don't think I have ever seen the before photos.Thank you so much for sharing!
ReplyDeletexx
Anne
I have always loved your kitchen, Marty, and all the ways that you "play" in it. The before and afters are great. You made such a huge difference for very little money. I never knew that you had added wax to your cabinets. Does Brie wax come in a light and a dark version? Where did you buy it?
ReplyDeleteMarty, I love how your kitchen has so much of your personality in it! Such a great idea on the drawer handles that double as dish towel holders……I will have to use that idea!
ReplyDeleteI love your kitchen! The remodel touches are just fabulous! I love your styling with your vignettes!!!!!! ~Christy
ReplyDeleteJust lovely, Marty! You've done a great job of making it yours.
ReplyDeleteMarty you have done wonders with your kitchen. Thanks for all the great tips and advice. So smart about getting a remnant pc of granite. It really shows off so well on your island too. You've really added so much character and charm to your space :)
ReplyDeleteI love your kitchen updates! Beautiful. So glad to be a part of such a wonderful group ;)
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Jamie @ somuchbetterwithage.com
Wow!! This house look fantastic and spacious from inside. All the things are properly arranged and great color combinations are used in every room. I hope its also look beautiful from outside.Please share some outer pics also so that i just take some idea of roof designs.Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteroofing Maryland
All the custom closets are nicely designed, and I respect the skills of that carpenter who made also remember the color of rooms. He made it perfectly with great color combination. I would like to suggest this with my father, so they also fix this kind of custom closets New York. Hope they like my suggestion and implement it. I've often thought about how practical that would be! Although a laundry room can sometimes get a little messy, but it would be a breeze to put things away!
ReplyDelete