Young House Love

Home Decorating, DIY Tutorials, & Shenanigans

  • Shop Our House
  • Our Previous Homes
    • Our Richmond House
    • Our Beach House
    • Our Duplex
  • Before & Afters
    • Our Current House
    • Our Previous House
    • Our Beach House
    • Our Duplex
    • Our First House
    • Our Second House
    • Our Showhouse
  • DIY & Decorating Tips
    • Most Popular
    • Home Improvement
    • Painting
    • Cleaning & Organizing
    • Crafting & Art
    • More . . .
  • Podcast
    • Getting Started
    • Show Notes
  • Shop
    • Our Fav Home Finds
    • Our Lighting Line
    • Our Books
    • Book Club Picks
    • Black-Owned Businesses

Young House Love » Reader Redesigns » Reader Redesign: Makeover Magic

| By Sherry Petersik | May 28, 2010 | 56 Comments

Reader Redesign: Makeover Magic

When Bonnie sent us her charming kitchen before and after pictures we just had to share the goods. Here’s her letter:

I’ve been enjoying YHL for the last year. My husband and I bought my grandparents home this past November and have had so much fun renovating it! We turned the place upside down and within about five weeks we got this outcome. We were on a really tight budget, so most everything is from Ikea, thrifted or made by us. We drew tons of inspiration from Young House Love and referred to your ‘how to’s’ quite often! My readers really enjoyed our kitchen before & afters, so I thought you might like to see them too! And you can find more info on my blog (and see more photos too). We live in Franklin, NC, somewhat close to Virginia! We love the south and we love all the inspiration you provide, so thank you! -Bonnie

Here’s Bonnie’s dated kitchen before:

Bonnie RR Pic1

Bonnie RR Pic2

And here it is after her totally affordable DIY transformation:

Bonnie RR Pic3

Bonnie RR Pic4

Bonnie RR Pic5

Bonnie RR Pic6

Isn’t that lovely? We adore how light and airy it feels (even with the same appliances and cabinets). And that eating nook is fantastic- along with that heartstoppingly beautiful turquoise stove nearby. Plus all the charming touches like the art and accessories really make it feel even more inviting and airy in there. Oh and here’s a handy source list from Bonnie:

  • Countertops: VÄRDE
  • Wall color: Valspar low-voc in ‘swiss coffee’ #7002-16
  • Fabric for the curtains: Tea Types Writing by Timeless Treasures
  • Curtain rod: DEKA curtain wire with clips
  • Lights: Fado pendant light & Calypso ceiling lamp
  • Shelving: FÖRHÖJA wall shelf & VÄRDE wall shelf with hooks & VÄRDE wall shelf & BESTÅ shelf unit
  • Accessories: egg crate & blomster candelsticks & SLOM jars & DROPPAR spice jars (seen here) & SEBASTIAN bar stool (seen here)
  • Thrifted: ball jars, fire king jadite green bowls, green glass vase, & frames
  • DIY: cabinet door knobs, frames, wall painting, bench cushions & curtains

Didn’t Bonnie do a great job? We love her work-with-what-you’ve-got spirit. She certainly saved a pretty penny by keeping those cabinets and appliances while opting to switch out the counters (for affordable Ikea options). Plus all of her thoughtful accessorizing really took the entire space to the next level. Gotta love major makeovers like these that don’t require tons of gutting and spending. What do you guys think? Any favorite items like that great round pendant above the table or those sweet homemade curtains above the sink? Do tell.

More posts from Young House Love

Filed Under: Reader Redesigns

Hanging Some White Faux Wood Blinds In The Bedroom
Fab Freebie: Maine Attractions

Comments

  1. Avatar for ErinErin says

    May 28, 2010 at 2:06 pm

    GORGEOUS! I love how light and airy it feels! Great job, Bonnie!

    Reply
  2. Avatar for EmilyEmily says

    May 28, 2010 at 2:07 pm

    So pretty. Inviting & relaxing.

    Reply
  3. Avatar for KateKate says

    May 28, 2010 at 2:16 pm

    I think they did a great job! One question – where is the table from? I love it! I’d be interested to know if it was bought new, repurposed from the house, or a Craigslist find. (It might mention it on the blog but I went back several pages and wasn’t able to find the post).

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      May 28, 2010 at 2:25 pm

      Here’s hoping Bonnie stops in with answers for everyone soon! Stay tuned…

      xo,
      s

  4. Avatar for Laura GenterLaura Genter says

    May 28, 2010 at 2:24 pm

    I have a question too! What product are the floors? and were they on-the-cheap?!

    Reply
  5. Avatar for {The Classy Woman}{The Classy Woman} says

    May 28, 2010 at 2:26 pm

    Fantastic job, it feels so cozy and airy!

    ~Karla

    Reply
  6. Avatar for bonniebonnie says

    May 28, 2010 at 2:27 pm

    hi everyone! so excited to share this with you today, thank you so much sherry & john!

    @kate: the table was a (very) lucky find at an antique action- we snagged it for $250!

    @laura: the floors were affordable! and, though they aren’t tile, they sure do look like it- and boy are they easy to lay (we’re talking one afternoon, here). they also hide dirt and bread crumbs like a champ. we got them at our local lowe’s store- here’s the link! http://tinyurl.com/338s22a

    Reply
  7. Avatar for SarahSarah says

    May 28, 2010 at 2:34 pm

    Very nice! I especially like the shelves flanked by the two tall shelving units. Very cool. And she has the owl teapot set from Anthropologie! Awesome.

    Reply
  8. Avatar for Jessica @ How SweetJessica @ How Sweet says

    May 28, 2010 at 2:38 pm

    Beautiful. So fresh looking!

    Reply
  9. Avatar for LaurelLaurel says

    May 28, 2010 at 2:41 pm

    Beautiful, but oh that stove is just gorgeous!!! Truly a treasure!!

    Reply
  10. Avatar for Kate @ Domesticating KateKate @ Domesticating Kate says

    May 28, 2010 at 2:44 pm

    That is such a great makeover! The kitchen is super cute (love those butcher block counter tops), but let me just say this: that turquoise stove completely steals the show. I’m in LOVE with it. Did you paint it that color, Bonnie? It’s so unexpected, but perfect!

    Reply
  11. Avatar for LorenLoren says

    May 28, 2010 at 2:47 pm

    LOVE the breakfast nook. With serious lusting, ‘I’d like to eat there every morning, wonder if I could I could fit that into my tiny kitchen’ love. Looks wonderful.

    Reply
  12. Avatar for LauraCLauraC says

    May 28, 2010 at 3:02 pm

    My personal favorite is that fun blue Kitchen-Aid peeking out in the corner! Great job Bonnie!

    Reply
  13. Avatar for kristenkristen says

    May 28, 2010 at 3:08 pm

    Bonnie (hoping you stop by)-
    Are those wall stickers? They look great! Subtle but a really great detail!

    Reply
  14. Avatar for DeniseDenise says

    May 28, 2010 at 3:12 pm

    Bonnie, I enjoyed visiting your blog and think it’s wonderful that you are renovating the house that once belonged to your grandparents. We live in an old farmhouse in Bryson City, NC that’s not too far from Franklin. Great job on the kitchen!

    Reply
  15. Avatar for MelissaMelissa says

    May 28, 2010 at 3:25 pm

    Amazing job! I love the penguins on the shelf, so cute! The entire room is so bright, love it!

    this is off topic, but I just want to say I love the name Clara you picked out for your baby girl, so classic! =) We recently moved to VA Beach a little over two months ago. We are officially Virginians! haha

    Reply
  16. Avatar for ChristineChristine says

    May 28, 2010 at 3:29 pm

    SO light and airy!! I love the sunny window over the sink with those yellow cafe curtains. And that “HOT” over the fireplace is perfect.

    Reply
  17. Avatar for liz @ bon temps beignetliz @ bon temps beignet says

    May 28, 2010 at 3:36 pm

    Lovely! I definitely see the YHL style touches here and there.

    Reply
  18. Avatar for pjpj says

    May 28, 2010 at 3:37 pm

    beautiful…love the yellow curtains and rug. and I adore that they left the beautiful white appliances. Looks so fresh and sunny.

    Reply
  19. Avatar for KymberlyKymberly says

    May 28, 2010 at 3:37 pm

    Oh I love with counter tops. I actually have the same ones sitting in my garage waiting to be installed.

    Reply
  20. Avatar for LaurenLauren says

    May 28, 2010 at 3:40 pm

    I love that eating nook! So beautiful! And I just now noticed after looking at it more carefully-is that a stenciling on the wall? It’s subtle but adds such great detail!

    Reply
  21. Avatar for Ann MarieAnn Marie says

    May 28, 2010 at 3:51 pm

    It looks so nice and airy!

    I just have one question – Is there a design painted on the far wall (pantry/dining wall)? I see a light-colored design on that wall — Just curious!

    Reply
  22. Avatar for DD says

    May 28, 2010 at 4:10 pm

    and another blog gets added to my love list <333

    Reply
  23. Avatar for KimBKimB says

    May 28, 2010 at 4:19 pm

    i absolutely LOVE the table. what a treasure find at an antique auction!

    Reply
  24. Avatar for Ashley @ The Design ThiefAshley @ The Design Thief says

    May 28, 2010 at 4:22 pm

    Bonnie, I love your kitchen! It feels so bright and open! I really like your dining nook! It’s so artful!

    Reply
  25. Avatar for CaroleCarole says

    May 28, 2010 at 4:37 pm

    Very nice! It’s hard to resist a white kitchen, especially when paired with the light colored wood. very cottage-living (and that’s a high compliment!)

    those big-eyed owls on the shelves are adorable! I wonder, are they vintage?

    Reply
  26. Avatar for bonnie @ going home to roostbonnie @ going home to roost says

    May 28, 2010 at 4:42 pm

    hi lovelies! oh, you are all so sweet!

    a quick note, if you’re interested, you can see the full house redesign here! http://tinyurl.com/3776o8y

    @kate: i found our stove in that color! what a steal, right? we got it here: http://www.freemangas.com/

    @lauren & kristen: yes! i made some stamps and used them to create the ever so faint mural on the wall! our walls are knockdown texture, so i couldn’t use wallpaper. so i went crafty!

    Reply
  27. Avatar for bonnie @ going home to roostbonnie @ going home to roost says

    May 28, 2010 at 4:54 pm

    hi carole! found those darlings at anthropologie! it was a few years ago, so not sure if they still have them?

    Reply
  28. Avatar for sarasara says

    May 28, 2010 at 5:34 pm

    Seeing this makeover has got me super excited about finishing my house! I think I might steal a couple ideas from this one :) I also went to Bonnie’s wesbite to see the rest of her house and WOWWWWWW, I found so many inspiring ideas there too. Thanks YHL for bringing all these great ideas into my life!

    Reply
  29. Avatar for Malerie @postscriptedMalerie @postscripted says

    May 28, 2010 at 6:05 pm

    Bonnie’s Going Home to Roost and YHL are two of my all time favorite blogs! What a surprise to see this- love seeing you all together today! ;)

    Your home photos never get old Bonnie, I love them even more each time I see them!

    Reply
  30. Avatar for RabbitRabbit says

    May 28, 2010 at 6:10 pm

    OMG I love the “HOT” above the stove. I grew up with a wood stove in my living room, and my parents used to always say “HOT” when we got too close to it as toddlers. Ahh memories!

    Reply
  31. Avatar for MonicaMonica says

    May 28, 2010 at 6:14 pm

    OMG! Bonnie, have you shared your craft genius on your blogsite for those stamps? I’m LOVING those!

    Reply
  32. Avatar for bonnie @ going home to roostbonnie @ going home to roost says

    May 28, 2010 at 8:26 pm

    hi again! i just wanted to shout out a few links to some of the projects from the kitchen makeover!

    thrift store frames: http://tinyurl.com/3xgsetu
    painting your own cabinet knobs: http://tinyurl.com/38xsulu

    for the full home makeover visit: http://tinyurl.com/2w4zotb
    and even more photos can be found on flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bonnieforkner/

    xoxo! bonnie

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      May 28, 2010 at 8:29 pm

      Hey Bonnie,

      Thanks so much for dropping in with all of your answers and info! We’re so glad everyone is loving your amazing kitchen makeover as much as we are!

      xo,
      s

  33. Avatar for bonnie @ going home to roostbonnie @ going home to roost says

    May 28, 2010 at 9:12 pm

    hi dearies! with so many inquiries about the wall stamps, i think i’ll try to explain it here! call me crazy?

    *WALL STAMPS*
    materials:
    paper & pencil
    soft 1/4? foam (like this: http://tinyurl.com/3afwt5q)
    hard 1/2? foam (like this: http://tinyurl.com/34vkt7q)
    an exacto knife or rasor
    desired paint color
    small roller
    permanent spray adhesive

    start by sketching out your design with a pencil on regular paper. make sure to bare down pretty hard as you’ll need the lead to transfer later on. turn your design over and place it on your soft 1/4? foam. using a spoon, rub all over your design until it has transferred onto the foam. after your image has transferred, use an exacto knife to cut out the design. using a permanent spray adhesive, spray your hard foam board and the wrong side of your cut out design and place it on the hard foam. let completely dry. after your design is firmly in place, you can use a small roller to roll on your desired paint color.

    does that make sense? let me know if you have any questions!
    xo, bonnie

    Reply
  34. Avatar for AbraCatAbraCat says

    May 28, 2010 at 9:22 pm

    This is lovely– well done!

    Reply
  35. Avatar for summersummer says

    May 28, 2010 at 10:56 pm

    i’m loving the jadeite and mason jars. and the swallows are pretty pretty. great job!

    Reply
  36. Avatar for Maureen@Notes on a Visual Life[email protected] on a Visual Life says

    May 28, 2010 at 11:06 pm

    I love the the shot of the table and shelving. So bright and airy. Lovely collections and zero-packaging organization. Nice work, Bonnie!

    Reply
  37. Avatar for JessicaJessica says

    May 29, 2010 at 4:23 am

    Stunning!!!

    Reply
  38. Avatar for jbhatjbhat says

    May 29, 2010 at 7:50 pm

    So fresh, so lovely! Well done, Bonnie and co.!

    jbhat

    Reply
  39. Avatar for CommaHappyCommaHappy says

    May 30, 2010 at 11:53 am

    I LOVE the shelf of aqua/turquoise jars. Too cute!

    Reply
  40. Avatar for SERCANSERCAN says

    May 30, 2010 at 4:26 pm

    beautiful…love the yellow curtains and rug. and I adore that they left the beautiful white appliances. Looks so fresh and sunny.

    Reply
  41. Avatar for clareclare says

    May 30, 2010 at 5:16 pm

    Hello from England!

    Inspired by Bonnie’s kitchen design I bought the tall Varde Ikea shelves yesterday and spent today chopping them in half and fixing to the kitchen wall to sit either side of a large wall clock.

    I’ve been wanting to create this effect for a while, but thought I might have to get shelves custom built as I all the shelves I could find were too large for the wall space available. The Ikea solution was so easy to do, looks great and cost only £25 … so I thought I would stop by to say thanks Bonnie and YHL!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      May 30, 2010 at 5:46 pm

      That sounds amazing! Congrats on your fab DIY job!

      xo,
      s

  42. Avatar for BrandieBrandie says

    May 30, 2010 at 7:29 pm

    Great makeover! I’ve often wondered how the laminate that looks like tile would look over a whole floor (I’ve only seen small sample boards) – it looks amazing in this picture!

    Reply
  43. Avatar for HilaryHilary says

    May 30, 2010 at 10:02 pm

    I really like the swallow design. I read through the comments hoping to find out what they were. I really like how subtle the design is. I also love that she didn’t take out any of the existent cabinets and still had amazing results. Sometimes, working with what you’ve got can pay off!

    Reply
  44. Avatar for bonnie @ going home to roostbonnie @ going home to roost says

    May 31, 2010 at 8:39 am

    @clare: how fun! i’m so happy to have inspired you, and your kitchen sounds simply darling!!

    @hillary: thank you! did you find the instructions for the swallows? they are a few comments up, i hope that helps!

    xo, bonnie

    Reply
  45. Avatar for Katelyn Likes ThisKatelyn Likes This says

    May 31, 2010 at 12:08 pm

    Wow! Huge difference! I can’t stand that border-trim-wallpaper at the top of the walls. Ugh!

    Reply
  46. Avatar for CarmenCarmen says

    May 31, 2010 at 11:28 pm

    Beautiful! I love it all! I love simple makeovers like this and if I can ever afford it, I am totally getting butcher block countertops from Ikea. ;)

    Reply
  47. Avatar for SusanSusan says

    June 1, 2010 at 10:17 am

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE this re-do, great job Bonnie!!

    Can you tell us where you got the owl pots/jars what not? Looks like anthropologie, but I want them… real bad.

    Thanks! :)

    Reply
  48. Avatar for RisRis says

    June 1, 2010 at 10:45 am

    I love how light and airy it looks!

    Reply
  49. Avatar for HeatherHeather says

    June 1, 2010 at 10:49 am

    The “Hot” above the wood stove is too cute!

    Reply
  50. Avatar for bonnie @ going home to roostbonnie @ going home to roost says

    June 1, 2010 at 11:40 am

    hi susan! thank you so much! yes, i got the owl tea set at anthro, but i don’t think they carry it anymore! boo. i’ll keep my eyes peeled!

    xo, bonnie

    Reply
Newer Comments »

Stuff We Love

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

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…
*This site contains ads and affiliate links*
See our disclaimer & privacy policy to learn more

Latest Finds

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

SHOP OUR LIGHTING

Young House Love Shades Of Light Capiz Chandelier

GET POSTS BY EMAIL

We’re Digging

Traditional Rug
The “Magic” Rug
Smokeless Solo Stove Firepit
Smokeless Firepit
Woven Storage Ottoman
Storage Ottoman
Subtle Pink Rug
Our Bedroom Rug
Blue Air 211 Air Purifier
Our Air Purifiers
Faux Potted Olive Tree
Faux Olive Tree
Kohler Memoirs Toilet
Our Favorite Toilet
Soft Striped Rug
Soft Striped Rug
SEE MORE OF OUR FAVORITE FINDS > >

  • About
  • FAQs
  • Press
  • Contact
  • :)

© 2023 Young House Love ® · Disclaimer · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use · A Fun Wordpress theme on Genesis Framework · Hosted by Liquid Web