Reader Redesign: Nobody Puts Kitchen In A Corner
Katie’s amazing kitchen makeover over on Making This Home had us at hello. Here’s her letter:
Your blog has been great fun to read, and I figured it was time to share the love by offering you a before/after of our kitchen. My husband and I moved from the US to Berlin, Germany. Our kitchen was 36 square feet. It had no counters, no drawers, and little storage. The last tenants kept a fridge in the living room with stuff stacked on it. But us? We tore the whole thing down. In the 36 square feet next to our kitchen, we built our own custom-fit cabinets. We had to use a lot of tricks like installing an oven/microwave combo unit so we could fit everything. And when Martin used the table saw, I had to hang out the window to catch the wood; we didn’t even have enough space in the house to cut! The hardest part, though, was following German quiet hours. They’re enforced by law! We couldn’t use power tools after 5:00pm or work at all on Sundays! Anyway, lots of luck with your website. It’s beyond fabulous. I even admire you for handling the heat. I went to college in Roanoke and quickly fled for cooler temperatures for the summer. – Katie
Isn’t that a fabulous transformation? And all with obstacles like quiet hours that are enforced by law and being forced to cut wood out a window! Gorgeous job Katie and Martin. Thanks so much for sending the delicious eye candy our way. Although you guys avoid hot climates you sure have one smokin’ kitchen.
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Amazing! It’s gorgeous! Great job Katie! I love it!
*FYI – last day for a giveaway on my blog! ;)
Enjoy the weekend!!!
Love the kitchen! A great use of a small space.
Wow! Normally I would think a white kitchen would make the space look bigger, but I love the way the chocolate wall behind the couch balances the dark cabinets. Fantastic job! And thanks for the tidbit about the German quiet hours. Makes me feel much better about ours!
Great makeover in such a small space.
I voted again.
Cute little kitchen! And to think I thought mine was tiny!!Love the dish shelves and lighting.
What a clever use of space.
Wow! This kitchen is adorable now! And I must suggest to others to click through to her blog like I just did and check out her current “Earthship/Tire House” digs. Completely fascinating AND environmentally friendly! :)
Wow, how to turn lemons into lemonade!! Fabulous transformation!!!
Suzanne
WOW. Small, but very efficient. very nice!
That looks fantastic! Germany don’t play – I kind of wish those quiet hour laws existed here. Your “Making This Home” link is broken…
Thanks, Jessy. The broken link monster got us again, but it’s all fixed now.
-John
I love Katie and her blog and have been following her for a while. I love what they’ve done with such a small space, and applaud their dedication to good living :)
Wow! That’s amazing!
I’ve been a fan of Katie’s site for a while now – I think it led to me yours actually. They sure did an amazing remodel!
And yes, I’ve voted for you guys today! I really hope you win!
I’m actually holding a giveaway for a monogrammed necklace some cool wall decals you and your readers might enjoy…check it out!
There is a website devoted to getting bloggers to vote for the underdogs – your participation in that BHG challenge is perfect for it – you should check it out — it could get you more votes!
http://underdogsunite.blogspot.com/
It’s amazing how removing one wall can give the room such an “open” look…. that looks amazing! And I love those cabinets!
Holy cannoli! That looks freaking amazing!
Very nice kitchen re-do! Love the title of the post…
HATE that we [hehe, did it again] are in second place again! What’s up with that?!
I have been voting faithfully. Only a few more days left… EEKS!
Lovely kitchen. Boo to second place! I have been faithfully voting, and am so thankful to ya’ll for the home inspiration you provide!
This is seriously amazing and makes me very thankful for my ‘little’ 10×10 kitchen.
I always love this remodel b/c it gives even the weirdest spaces hope! We’re in Germany too and I totally understand working around ‘quiet hours’!
We just finished our kitchen installation and are now on to the rest of the house. Such a process!
I’ve had my eye on Katie’s kitchen makeover for a while, but this is the first time I’m seeing the finished room. This totally proves that a lack of space is no excuse to have a drab, boring, poorly designed home. Most people probably would gotten discouraged by a 36 square foot kitchen. In fact, it probably would have been a deal breaker for most people. But look what some sweat equity got them! All I can say is Bravo!
I grabbed a clump of dark pink peonies and orange poppys from the farmers market on Thursday. Stuck them in my white pitcher…love it! Then yesterday my friend cut me a whole bunch of white peonies from her garden. Total score! I love fresh flowers in the house! This is the first time I’ve commented…sorry…lame blogger friend I am! I do read all your material though! Love it…keep up the good work.
I love it, but where is her stove-top? Did she decide to do without one?
It’s so tiny and cute, I want to eat it up. Amazing job Katie!
And the post title made me very happy.
Wow knocking down that one wall really opened up the space and it looks like it lets in more sunlight. What a great transformation in such a small space! Way to go Katie & Martin!
Fantastic use of space – great job!
A.MAZ.ING! All I can say is wow. I was wondering about the cooktop too though…
Thanks for sharing our space, John and Sherry. What a treat! We appreciate all the kind words people have left, too. Our stove is a two-burner flat surface. You can just see the edge of it on the “L” of the countertop. I don’t think we left out anything in a traditional kitchen… just had to make them smaller than usual.
Thanks again.
Katie
wow the original kitchen was TINY! What a change :)
This has to be my favorite kitchen remodel/make-over so far. I love that you kept the space warm with richer cabinets and finishes. Your open shelving at the end of the peninsula is so very practical in a tiny kitchen such as yours. Great job!!!
What a gorgeous transformation. Very rich and elegant.
Oh my word, that kitchen is GORGEOUS!