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Young House Love » Reader Redesigns » Reader Redesign: Lighten Up

| By Sherry Petersik | April 14, 2009 | 46 Comments

Reader Redesign: Lighten Up

Julie’s kitchen makeover is nothing short of miraculous. Here’s her letter:

I found your blog through a Real Simple blog I subscribe to and look forward to the evenings after I put my one & two year old toddlers to bed so I can soak up some of your swank. We just sold our house and had some great photos of our kitchen and I realized we’d done a lot to improve it over the last few years so I thought I’d share the before & afters. We had a grease fire so we replaced the counters, microwave and oven. We also discovered a leak in our dishwasher so we replaced the floors & dishwasher. We got the counters from Home Depot- they’re formica that looks like granite (called Jamocha Granite, sparkle finish, waterfall edge). The tile backsplash is also from Home Depot (one of the less expensive porcelain tiles they sell). The wall color is Sand Dollar and the cabinet color is Antique Lace (Porter Paint). We bought Mohawk wide plank floors and did the kitchen, dining room, 2 bathrooms and the foyer for $2000. BTW we sold our house within 48 hours after we put it on the market and had four offers!  Yipee! I’m saving my money so I can contact you all after we’re in our new house. I’d love to have you help us spice up the new pad! – Julie

kitchen-makeover-before-picture

kitchen-makeover-before-and-after

Here’s the budget breakdown:

  • Cabinet and wall painting $700
  • Kitchen Floors $500
  • Counters $2000
  • Appliances $2000
  • Backsplash $300
  • Curtains $50
  • Faucet $80
  • New pulls $100
  • Grand total = $5730

Isn’t that an insane transformation? We love that some paint on the cabinets along with a new counter, backsplash and appliances took this room to a whole new level. Thanks a million for the fabulous eye candy Julie! So inspiring.

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Comments

  1. Avatar for ErinEvelynErinEvelyn says

    April 14, 2009 at 11:03 am

    Molding atop the upper cabinets is GENIUS! That’s possibly my favorite kitchen DIY trick! Amazing kitchen redo, Julie!

    Reply
  2. Avatar for cyndicyndi says

    April 14, 2009 at 11:19 am

    Stunning!

    Reply
  3. Avatar for LizLiz says

    April 14, 2009 at 11:33 am

    Wow Julie, the kitchen redo is fab!! Nothing beats a classic white kitchen, and you did a really gorgeous job.

    Reply
  4. Avatar for Anna OAnna O'Reilly says

    April 14, 2009 at 12:33 pm

    Wow! This kitchen is gorgeous!

    Reply
  5. Avatar for JessicaJessica says

    April 14, 2009 at 12:36 pm

    Kitchen makeovers, especially with painted cabinets, make me terribly excited. My husband and I are giving the kitchen a fresh coat of paint and want to paint our cabinets as well, so I was a bit curious about the $700 that went towards paint jobs. That seems a lot higher than we were thinking. Actually, a lot higher.

    Julie, if you’re reading, does the $700 include the cost of the molding and professional application? The makeover looks gorgeous!

    Reply
  6. Avatar for NatalieNatalie says

    April 14, 2009 at 12:38 pm

    Holy cow, that is fabulous!!

    Reply
  7. Avatar for LyzzLyzz says

    April 14, 2009 at 12:40 pm

    I love a clean white kitchen and this one is absolutely gorgeous! For such a great price, too.

    Reply
  8. Avatar for CrystalCrystal says

    April 14, 2009 at 12:56 pm

    Hello, I am new to blogging and I am finding all of these great sites. I hope I can figure out some of the gadgets and widgets soon.?

    Wow, great transformation. Makes me want to paint my new cherry cabinets (don’t think my husband would like that ;)

    Enjoy your day!
    Crystal

    Reply
  9. Avatar for KellyKelly says

    April 14, 2009 at 1:06 pm

    oooh love! Great job! Hey – where are the pulls from? That’s a great price!

    Reply
  10. Avatar for TracyTracy says

    April 14, 2009 at 1:11 pm

    I love that backsplash! Thanks for sharing the specifics so we can ‘mack on your style’. :-)

    Reply
  11. Avatar for SarahSarah says

    April 14, 2009 at 1:13 pm

    It looks amazing! We keep going back and forth about whether to paint our old cabinets or replace them. Your before and after is swaying me toward the paint.

    Reply
  12. Avatar for SSMSSM says

    April 14, 2009 at 1:21 pm

    I just want to say THANK YOU! I believe that this single post has convinced my husband that we need to either paint our cabinets white or rip them out and get new ones. Thank you for showing my husband our cabinets do scream 1980!

    Reply
  13. Avatar for the BLAH BLAH BLAHgerthe BLAH BLAH BLAHger says

    April 14, 2009 at 1:59 pm

    DANG – what an AWESOME remodel!

    Reply
  14. Avatar for HeatherHeather says

    April 14, 2009 at 2:39 pm

    Very inspiring kitchen redesign. One question – why did it cost $700 to paint the walls and cabinets?

    Reply
  15. Avatar for LisaLisa says

    April 14, 2009 at 2:52 pm

    I had to do a double take to make sure you didn’t totally replace the cabinets. The added top molding made such a difference. I’m not sure I would have thought of that!

    Reply
  16. Avatar for MichelleMichelle says

    April 14, 2009 at 2:56 pm

    It looks great, but I’m wondering how the paint came out to $700? Did they hire someone to do the painting and that was the cost with labor?

    Reply
  17. Avatar for CarrieCarrie says

    April 14, 2009 at 3:07 pm

    This kitchen makeover is amazing! We are trying to decide if we should paint our cabinet doors as well. I am so nervous about it, but after seeing this change, I know it will look great. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  18. Avatar for RobinRobin says

    April 14, 2009 at 3:19 pm

    Wow. Your before kitchen is my now kitchen and your after kitchen is soooooo what I want to do. Thanks for the inspiration.

    Reply
  19. Avatar for SandySandy says

    April 14, 2009 at 3:35 pm

    Fantastic transformation!!!

    Reply
  20. Avatar for Anna SeeAnna See says

    April 14, 2009 at 3:45 pm

    Holy Moley! I feel like taking a paintbrush to my cabinets right now!

    Reply
  21. Avatar for HollyHolly says

    April 14, 2009 at 3:45 pm

    Amazing! And you moved away from this kitchen?? :-)
    I’m currently in the process of remodeling my kitchen, and I’m going from white cabinets to black cabinets… hope it turns out as gorgeous as this transformation!!!

    Reply
  22. Avatar for HollyHolly says

    April 14, 2009 at 3:47 pm

    Can you tell us where Julie purchased the pulls on the drawers and cabinets? This is exactly what I’m looking for…

    Reply
  23. Avatar for DrakeDrake says

    April 14, 2009 at 3:59 pm

    We recently painted an old jelly cabinet white to be our new pantry. Looks fabo too.
    http://thisranchhouse.blogspot.com/2009/04/new-pantry.html

    Reply
  24. Avatar for BetsyBetsy says

    April 14, 2009 at 4:02 pm

    The kitchen looks wonderful!! I love the molding idea… going to have to try that on our cabinets. Also.. where did you find the valance… it is VERY cute!

    Reply
  25. Avatar for KarinKarin says

    April 14, 2009 at 4:14 pm

    Beautiful job!! I am looking at re-doing my 1970’s kitchen on a budget and am just amazed at how gorgeous painted cabinets can turn out! You really did a wonderful job and ditto on the comment regarding the crown molding at the top of the cabinets.

    Reply
  26. Avatar for Denise T.Denise T. says

    April 14, 2009 at 4:32 pm

    The granite-like formica counter tops sure fooled me. Congrats on selling your house so quickly.

    Reply
  27. Avatar for GillianGillian says

    April 14, 2009 at 5:10 pm

    This post is perfectly timed. I just put an offer on a house and the kitchen needs some work (very similar to the one above) I love this inspiration!! Thank you! PS Where is the reader from? Just trying to get a cost estimate based on region. I am from Northern VA.

    Reply
  28. Avatar for christelchristel says

    April 14, 2009 at 5:27 pm

    I love how the tv changed! Big and chubby to slick and skinny! hahahah =)

    Reply
  29. Avatar for JulieJulie says

    April 14, 2009 at 5:45 pm

    To answer a few questions…
    The $700 for painting the cabinets was the cost to hire someone to do the painting and crown molding. We were told by friends who painted their’s to hire someone to do it because the sanding can be very tedious and ours did turn out better because of the time they spent on this step.

    The pulls are from Home Depot and the knobs from the Habitat Restore.

    I had a seamstress do the curtains. I waited for a 50% off sale at JoAnn’s and purchased this Robert Allen fabric. He has some AMAZING fabrics!

    We live outside Nashville.

    Reply
  30. Avatar for Erin K.Erin K. says

    April 14, 2009 at 6:47 pm

    I’m wondering where Julie found the cute valance for over her kitchen sink….

    Reply
  31. Avatar for Erin K.Erin K. says

    April 14, 2009 at 6:47 pm

    ah, nevermind! I just read the above comment! sorry!

    Reply
  32. Avatar for Brent CBrent C says

    April 15, 2009 at 2:56 am

    Very nice, I really like that my kitchen has EXCACTLY the same builder cabinets and even the same stove! Plan to do a similar redo, very glad to see how my idea will turn out =)

    Reply
  33. Avatar for Beverly FergusonBeverly Ferguson says

    April 15, 2009 at 6:49 am

    When potential buyers see stained trim or oak cabinetry, it appears dated because it is! We all get used to seeing current trends and images in the media and can’t help but internalize them. When clients see dated decor, they also can’t help thinking what else about the house is dated…heating/plumbing/roof, etc…big ticket items. You did a fabulous job in making your kitchen appealing and I am sure you had no problem re-couping your expenses and then some. My only thought is that your window treatment could have used another valance on the rod to make it look full and luxe, otherwise you have your finger on the pulse of what most of America finds appealing. I’ll almost bet that you didn’t want to move after doing the kitchen over.

    A good paint job is everything, especially with oak. Oak has a pronounced grain which translates through the finish coats. It is best to spend the money for a pro to come and spray the cabinets. The last thing you want is a sloppy paint job w/brushstrokes and drips showing. It is short money for good results.

    Reply
  34. Avatar for YvetteYvette says

    April 28, 2009 at 3:21 pm

    Ok, first of all your blog has me in trouble with my husband! I am addicted to it and every day I am emailing my husband new ideas!!! The newest thing on my honey-do-list is a kitchen update. This after kitchen is AMAZING and I want to do something similar. I’m just afraid if we paint our cabinets white it will be blah with our white corian countertops and white appliances. If I had tons of $$$ then I would want dark cherry/mahogany cabinets, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, but for now I want a temporary solution. Can you give me some advice??? I’d love to send you some pictures of our existing kitchen and some pictures of other rooms in our house so that you can get a feel of our style. Should we paint them white or stain gel our ugly oak cabinets???

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      April 28, 2009 at 3:27 pm

      Hey Yvette,

      We have just the thing! We actually offer decorating advice and we’ll review your pics and tell you what we think in a jiffy. Here’s the link to get you started:

      https://www.younghouselove.com/design-advice/quickie-decorating-chat/

      Happy decorating!

      xoxo,
      Sherry

  35. Avatar for YvetteYvette says

    April 28, 2009 at 3:35 pm

    And speaking of color…Its time to paint the exterior of our home too. Do you give advice on exterior paint colors? We have a boring beige sided home and I have no idea what is fresh and trendy when it comes to exterior colors. I want to stand out from all the cookie cutter homes on our block but need to get it approved through our HOA too. Can we add this to our chat? Any advice is greatly appreciated!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      April 28, 2009 at 3:40 pm

      If we have time to tack on the subject of exterior paint colors during our chat we’d be happy to toss out some ideas! We’re all about a fabulous before and after, so you just have to send us some awesome after pics in return!

      xoxo,
      Sherry

  36. Avatar for NancyNancy says

    June 9, 2009 at 5:21 pm

    Love your kitchen. We are redoing ours, have already had cabinets painted antique white. What kind of counter top material did you use?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      June 9, 2009 at 5:39 pm

      Hey Nancy,

      We recall that Julie actually went for an extremely convincing granite-looking laminate counter. I’ll shoot her an email to see if she can pop in and supply more info. Stay tuned…

      xo,
      Sherry

  37. Avatar for JulieJulie says

    June 9, 2009 at 5:57 pm

    Nancy, we got the counters from Home Depot- they’re formica that looks like granite (called Jamocha Granite, sparkle finish, waterfall edge).

    Reply
  38. Avatar for KathiKathi says

    December 4, 2009 at 10:28 pm

    I just don’t see how on Earth it was so expensive to do this. Paint is like $10. a can. I don’t like stone countertops, and the look is very bland. I would have scrubbed down the finish on the cabinets and given them a very pale varnish. The edge details are dated, but it may be something that can be sanded down or modified. I prefer woodgrain to plain paint. It looks very sterile.

    Reply
    • Avatar for ChristiChristi says

      August 27, 2012 at 9:24 pm

      Kathi, I think the home owner was going for something more 2010, not 1989. Sounds like you are describing “pickling” which has been out of style for decades. Nobody likes wood grain any more and they go to great lengths to disguise it so that the look is more current. The only issue for me is the cost ($2000 for laminate counter tops and $700 for paint). But if she can afford to pay someone $700 instead of fooling it with it herself, then more power to her. But I can not figure out how Formica countertops were more than $500 installed. But I don’t see how anyone would not like the “after” as it is current, clean looking and attractive.

  39. Avatar for christychristy says

    December 4, 2009 at 10:46 pm

    Wow that is totally amazing!

    Reply
  40. Avatar for bungalowblissbungalowbliss says

    December 4, 2009 at 10:51 pm

    Ca-razy! I can’t believe the difference for such a relatively small investment. The moulding on the cabinets makes a huge impact. Excellent re-do!

    Reply
  41. Avatar for MeganMegan says

    September 22, 2012 at 6:30 pm

    Such. A. Beautiful. kitchen! I love everything about it. We just purchased a home and my new kitchen needs a makeover STAT! We are going for painting the cupboards and walls, new counters, and stainless steel appliances so your before/after pics have really helped me envision how beautiful it will be! I also love your new floors. What color are they? I want a dark laminate for my living room and kitchen and your floors are just what I’m looking for. Thanks for posting this!

    Reply
  42. Avatar for StaceyStacey says

    July 28, 2013 at 9:55 am

    For those that can’t wrap their brains around the cost of the laminate counters…I just had an estimate done fo replace my counters with Formica laminate and it was about $1000. That was without a specialty edge like the one in the picture. I also wonder if there is more counter area in the kitchen beyond what is shown in the pic. Also, labor cost does vary; perhaps that Home Depot had a slightly higher installation fee?

    I am more amazed at how they only spent $2000 on appliances. I am appliance shopping, currently, and having a hard time finding a set of appliances less than $3500-$4000.

    The revamp looks amazing!

    Reply

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John and Sherry smiling against pink backgroundHey, we’re John & Sherry. We’ve fixed up 7 homes, written books, designed products, started a podcast, and then downsized & moved to the beach! Here you’ll find over 3,000 DIY projects & home updates. More about us…
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