Client Kitchen Makeovers

Hello!

It’s been awhile since I’ve shared some client kitchen makeovers, so I thought I’d share some of them here with you.  It’s always fun seeing the transformations, and who doesn’t love a good before and after, right?  I’m still working on furniture pieces as well, but have gotten hung up on the top of one of the dressers.  I sanded the top all the way down to the bare wood, used a wood conditioner, and stained it.  But the stain was way to red.  So I had to go back to square one on that, and I just needed a break from it, you know?  It’s so close to being done though!

Anyway, let’s get back to the projects that are actually finished, shall we?  Well, my portion of the project is finished anyway.  

Client Kitchen Makeover #1 – Floors and Doors

This kitchen is another example of one that needed a bit of a lift.  The homeowners had already refinished the floors, but it just made the maple cabinets look a bit orange.  So, we needed to give the doors a fresh look to show off those gorgeous hardwood floors.

But the cabinets are solid and the kitchen functioned just fine – no need for a total gut job.

The homeowners haven’t decided if they’re going to replace the counters just yet, so we went for a classic white (Benjamin Moore’s White Dove) along with a black island (Benjamin Moore’s Black).

Sorry for the color differences in the photos – I took them on two separate days.  This photo was taken after I installed all of the hardware from D. Lawless Hardware.

Client Kitchen Makeover #2 – A Touch of Fixer Upper

This kitchen was really fun because my part of the work was towards the end of the remodel, which is always fun.  There is still more to be done (backsplash, walls to be painted), but as you’ll see, many of the bigger projects have been done.  Here’s where it started:

Again, high quality cabinets, but the homeowners were ready for something completely different in here.

Not just a cabinet makeover, but new floors, appliances, counters, etc….

This makeover turned out beautifully, and I love all of the new finishes that they’ve added.  One of the big changes was changing the angle of the island.  They took the existing cabinets, and repositioned them so that the island was straight vs. angled.  I think this makes a huge difference in the look and feel of the kitchen, as well as the function.  Plenty of room for barstools, and a larger work surface too.  They also had it trimmed out with a shiplap look (as well as the end cabinets), which really made a huge difference in giving it a custom feel.

You can see the shiplap detail at the end of the island in this photo.

The new stove looks sleek and updated too – and more shiplap detail on the end cabinets.

Never underestimate the power of new kitchen hardware!  These pull really give the kitchen a modern look – a nice contrast, while also drawing in colors from the floors and countertops.

The other big change in here is making the counter on the left with the sink, one single level, vs. a two-tiered bar.  Oh, how I love the effect that change has!  It really opens things up (and leaves me wishing I could have one single level instead of a two-tiered bar in my own kitchen).  They also added wood-look tile, granite counters, and more beautiful hardware from D. Lawless Hardware.  One of my favorite recent kitchen makeovers. 

Customer Kitchen #3 – Mid-project Update

This last customer kitchen makeover is going to be a big transformation once it’s all done, but you can see that I stepped in mid-way through the project.  It’s an oak kitchen that is getting a complete overhaul.  New floors, backsplash, painted cabinets, wall color, etc…  Here’s where it started.

I came in after new counters had been installed, but the new floors hadn’t been installed yet, so there is still more work to be done.  Try to use your imagination – I’ll be sure to share the finished kitchen once everything is in place.

The island is a contrasting gray with a stone treatment added (molding still needs to be installed).  The walls are going to be a dark gray, and a tumbled marble subway tile is going to be added, along with a new tile floor.  It’s kind of nice doing my work when I don’t have to worry about messing up the floor, but I love seeing a project like this come together with all of the pieces of the puzzle.  But we’re moving in the right direction.

So, there you go.  I hope you’re not too tired of my kitchen makeovers – I know it’s a lot of white kitchens, but I do enjoy doing them, and am constantly learning.  I’ll be sure to share some new products I’ve been experimenting with, and finding great success!  

If you’re looking to give your kitchen a life, you can check out some of my tutorials below.  A great guide for anyone looking to tackle their cabinets is this one – How to Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets Like a Pro.

Are you painting oak cabinets?  Check out this post, with tips on dealing with the special challenges oak brings.

Or, if the whole thing is just too overwhelming, and you live in the Dayton/Cincinnati, Ohio area, contact me for a free estimate!

Have a great day!

Jenny