Finished Modest, Budget Kitchen

16 years ago

Hi all: My kitchen was done last summer/fall, and I've only gotten around to taking representative photos now. We had a very strict budget of $15K or less and stuck to it-mostly because we acted as our own GC's. This forum was so tremendously helpful during the remodel and I thank everyone for your hints and advice! I'm really not good at staging, and this is a very simple, modest remodel with no fancy accessories compared to all the gorgeous kitchens posted here, so I'm almost hesitant to post. But I wanted to show those who have modest budgets how I was able to pack as much storage and efficiency into my small galley kitchen as possible -- even with a lower budget. We initially wanted to perhaps reface to save some money, but in the end, we realized that, to get the efficiency and storage we desperately needed, not to mention a dishwasher, we had to start from scratch. Our family is really enjoying our new space -- and having a dishwasher (finally) is the best part!!

Details:

Cabinets and moldings: Kraftmaid maple, toffee stain from buycabinets.com

Pullout Trays: Kraftmaid pullouts from ebay

Sink: Ticor single basin sink from galaxy tools (also from ebay)

Hardware: Top Knobs Somerset Cup Pulls, Nouveau Suitcase Pulls and Knobs from myknobs.com

Disposal: 3/4 HP batch feed disposal from WasteKing

Lighting: Kichler pendant and flush mount ceiling fixture in satin nickel from lightingdirect.com

Undercabinet lighting: WAC fluorescent lights from local lighting store

Flooring: Marmoleum sheet flooring in Umbra (love this floor!)

Countertops: Verde Butterfly granite with eased edge

Appliances: K/A dishwasher; GE Profile bottom freezer r/f w/o icemaker; Frigidaire SpeedBake gas range; Existing GE microhood

Backsplash: American Olean Subway tiles from Lowes; grout in oyster grey

Paint: Benjamin Moore Crown Point Sand

Cushy cupboards shelf liner from ebay

Before:

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After:

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Before:

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After:

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Before (floor):

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After (floor):

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Cabinets to the ceiling add lots of storage!!

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Extra pullouts for flat storage of microfiber cloths, dishtowels and placemats:

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One side of pantry stores mops, brooms, stepladder and dustbuster:

{{gwi:1735129}}

Other side of pantry with some pullout trays is very convenient:

{{gwi:1735131}}

Appliance garage doubles as a message center/charging station and tiny grommet in the side hides phone wires:

{{gwi:1735133}}

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Comments (48)

joanie_b
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Looks beautiful to me!
You did a fantastic job and shouldn't be shy about what you accomplished - it's wonderful.
Enjoy your beautiful, new kitchen.
cpang74
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
It looks wonderful! You did a great job. I really like your hardware-very nice!
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tgpdd
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
That's beautiful. I'm just starting out on our own modest, budget kitchen remodel, so I found it inspiring!!! Thanks for sharing.
pbrisjar
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Awwww, I liked that pink (?) oven. ;)

LOVE the idea of the extra pullout for towels, etc. Hubby and I may be having a conversation...
Circus Peanut
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Ooh, I love seeing before and afters, and yours is so gorgeously done. It's super helpful to actually see inside the cabinets - thank you for the peek! I love your bin pulls - where did you find them/what brand are they?
Circus Peanut
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
LOL pbrisjar! I forgot to mention the pink oven. I hope you saved it for salvage or selling to other vintage appliance freaks like me?
wisrose
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
amsunshine, terrific job, like that utility closet. There are many, many of us that cannot afford a big fat kitchen. I still have 1950 cabinets, yuck, but I did put a new tile floor and a silestone counter top in which helps make it livable but still no dishwasher. Never had a DW in all my 52yrs, sure would like one tho, so I am happy for you! I noticed you took out tile for the marmoleum, I think you made the right choice.
amsunshine
Original Author
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Yes, indeed --- the oven was a mauve-ey pink! The original General Electric from 1954. We did give both it and the KitchenAid cooktop to friends of ours who wanted them. The oven was on its last legs, but the cooktop still worked great.

The cup pulls are Top Knobs and I purchased them from myknobs.com. However, after I had already bought mine, I found out that kitchenkelly got hers from directdoorhardware.com and they were cheaper there. Grrr! Oh well, I really love them. Just wanted to pass along the information that the latter site seems to have lower prices.

Thanks for all the kind words!
joann23456
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
It looks terrific, and what great inspiration for my upcoming, modest, budget kitchen remodel. It's well-designed and attractive, which is exactly what I'm hoping for.
raehelen
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
It's beautiful and very well-done.

OMG, what is this world coming to when a $15,000 kitchen with some DIY is considered modest and budget!!! :>)

Yup, we sure had sticker shock when we started our reno!

We have Butterfly Blue granite, and I'm surprised at how different it is compared to the Butterfly Green. Our 'blue' is where your white is, and your 'green' is a sagey brown on our counters, which read more grey than black.

Love the rooster too!
amsunshine
Original Author
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
LOL -- raehelen -- we had major sticker shock, too! I had no less than 15 bids on our kitchen, and all of those KD's told me it couldn't be done on our budget. I finally gave up on using a KD or a GC and decided to take on the challenge myself. Very gratifying in the end, but man -- things are expensive!
luvnola
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
amsunshine it's beautiful!! There is no need to be so modest and worried about posting photos! My budget is even less than yours and we took ours to the studs! We too are the GC and the demolition crew and everything else all rolled into one. We are NOT DIY people (except for demo)so it has been a challenge, but fun! Although today I will need no less than 1 and 1/2 bottles of wine as I have talked to the guy installing the cabinets, tile, etc at least 12 times. ARGH! What has he put in wrong NOW!!!

I digress. At any rate I hope my kitchen turns out as beautiful as yours! GREAT JOB!!
vwhippiechick
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Very nice job. Ours was done without a KD or GC, but couldn't have done without my DH! ;-)
pugger
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Well Done!!
bklyn2pok
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Lovely kitchen! Ours was also a diy with a $15K budget. It's amazing what can be done with lots of determination and elbow grease. I love your use of space in the pantry for mops, brooms, dustbuster.
Happyladi
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
It looks great, thanks for sharing. It looks as nice as a lot of much more expensive kitchens and it's good to see that it can be done for a reasonable amount of money.
amcofar
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Very nice! Beautiful granite. I love your pantry--it looks oh-so handy. We also spent $15K on our kitchen re-do. Enjoy your great new kitchen!
footballmom
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I have the same Christmas glasses! Did you get yours from Arby's too? It looks amazing! ( I mean the kitchen. Love the granite ant the backsplash.
sholt576
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
It looks great, and I'm glad you posted. Every time I see someone with a 'modest' kitchen express hesitation at posting, I really want to comment about it. There are truly all manner of budgets represented on this board, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who hopes that everyone feels free to post their finished product.

Enjoy your space!
fran1523
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Very nicely done. It's sleek and inviting. Glad you and your family are enjoying the new space.
dd70
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
That was peachy oven you had there! I am really impressed with your kitchen, It's great. You stuck to your budget and you created a wonderful space. I hope you have many years of luck with it. It's a job well done!
lynninnewmexico
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Your budget may have been "modest" but the results are nothing short of fantastic! Your new kithcen is gorgeous! The new granite counters look like a million bucks and set off the cabs wonderfully. Love the black appliances in there and the utility side cab for the broom, etc. is very nice.
rosie
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Great job, AM. This is a very valuable post. 15 bids--whew! My favorite part is your floor. Simple. handsome, comfy, and--just magine!--no seams...
grannysmith18
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
What a wonderful kitchen. It hardly looks modest. It's great - you really did an amazing job. And I'm a sucker for touches like the grainte window sill. Also, thanks for the idea about the grommet in the cabinet for the phone wires. I've been thinking I'll need to drill a hole in my granite, but I think what you did would be better for me.

Kudos.
mama2c
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
You shouldn't be hesitant to post - your kitchen looks fantastic! It reminds me of the galley we remodeled in our last house - I think we have similar taste. Galleys can be a little tough for storage but they're great for cooking - everything close by. Love the marmoleum!
kitchenkelly
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
That is amazing amsunshine! You must be thrilled. I love many things but I LOVE the granite on the window ledge and the flooring.

Congrats!!
jejvtr
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
What a lovely kitchen, very impressive esp given your budget- hats off to you for doing it w/o KD & GC - what a wise person. You should be teaching them now!

Enjoy your new space
lily1342
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Here's another one here with the opinion that your budget remodel definitely does NOT look "budget"!! Those cabinets are gorgeous and I LOVE the marmoleum floor, your faucet, the sink, the hardware - it all goes together so perfectly. The black appliances look great with your granite too. Thank you for posting your pics. It's wonderful to see a kitchen done for $15K turn out so lovely.
amsunshine
Original Author
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Thanks all -- you are too kind. Those of you who have already finished your kitchens have been an inspiration to me as I've lurked around these boards on my kitchen quest! :-) Your homes are all so lovely.

footballmom -- some of those Christmas glasses are from Pier One, and then, when we broke a few, I found some identical ones on ebay. Don't know where the ebay ones were from, but we love them for the holidays!
clax66
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Your kitchen looks gorgeous! And I love how efficiently you have designed it. I'm so glad that you DID post your photos! I am inspired when I see the "after" photos of real homes - ie the kind I live in! - rather than photos of multi-million mcmansions in magazines:)
karenfromknoxville
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Hi,

Your kitchen is beautiful! And just amazing what you were able to do on a modest budget. My cabinets will also go to the ceiling and I love all your additional storage space. I noticed where you added a grid or grill to increase the coffee mugs/glasses that could be stored. How did you do that? Does that grill fit in the cabinet holes that are already there or is it a seperate unit?

I just loved your kitchen and thought it was so economical the way you used your space. I hope I can do the same! Thanks for your help!

Karen
cat_mom
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Very nice job!!!
amsunshine
Original Author
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Hi Karen:

That grid is actually a shelf organizer from Container Store, and the link is below. The cabinet is 18 inches wide, and I used just the shorter part of the expandable shelf shown in the link and discarded the expanding part - it fits perfectly. I also have another one of these, but expanded, in one of my 27 inch cabinets. I wanted to add a couple shelves to my cabinets, but without the extra weight, or the pricetag, of extra shelves from Kraftmaid. HTH!

Here is a link that might be useful: Upper Cabinet Organizer
oldhometara
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Beautiful kitchen!
The old pink oven in your before pix made me smile.
Hope you're enjoying your lovely kitchen (including the dishwasher - I too was w/out a dishwasher for a long time - isn't it nice to have one?).
Congrats on doing such a great job!
arleneb
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Great job!! I agree with all the comments above . . . I'm glad you posted. You're an inspiration!
cheri127
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
You were so brave to be your own GC. I wish I had the guts. And you did a great job; your kitchen is beautiful!!!!!!
lilyj
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
amsunshine, you should be so proud to have produced such a lovely kitchen without spending boatloads of money. It's very inspirational to those of us who are attempting to do the same. Can't wait until I can post my new $15,000 kitchen. (and hopefully not a penny over!)
Buehl
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Your kitchen is wonderful!
sholt576
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Nice job! I love the pink oven in the 'before' pic. How amazing is that? I'm sure you didn't love it, but it has way more class than what you find in a 70's kitchen.

You say you love your new floor... what do you love about it?
amsunshine
Original Author
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
sammi2 -- I love how beautiful and unique my floor is, first of all. I love that it is soft and warm underfoot, unlike tile -- and not "sticky" like vinyl, if you know what I mean? It has a soft, brushed feeling underfoot. I also love that it is super easy to clean -- no grout lines and no indentations where dirt can accumulate. Really, it's easier to clean and keep clean than any floor I've ever had, vinyl, tile or wood, even. Not to mention it is a green product, which makes me feel even better about choosing it. And did I mention how pretty it is? At least I think so. :-)
judydel
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Beautifully put together. Love the color of the cabinets with the black counters/appliances, coupled with the white subway.

Thanks for the tip on hiding the phone wire! DH and I were just discussing what to do with the phone a couple of days ago. We don't use wireless phones because of the health issues. And I want to be able to talk from the breakfast bar but I didn't like the options my husband had posed regarding placement of phone jacks, etc. (DH works for the telephone company.) Your idea is priceless. Thanks!
gsciencechick
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
This is gorgeous, and a real inspiration to those of us with modest budgets. DH wants to paint the cabinets, but after seeing yours, I really want new ones!
megaul
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
amsunshine,

We're in the middle (or more accurately, the first third), of a budget remodel of our galley kitchen. I hope it turns out as well as yours. You did a wonderful job.

I especially am drawn to your window sill as that would be a great look in our galley. Might I ask, how is the granite attached to the sill? And, did the fabricator do a template at the time they did the counter top template?
amsunshine
Original Author
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
megaul: The windowsill is "attached" to the sill in the same way the countertop is "attached", i.e., using the same glue or epoxy the fabricators/installers used to attach the countertop below. Does that answer your question?

They definitely templated for it when they did the template for the countertop. At that time, I specified how much I wanted it to extend past the sill lengthwise on either side. I wanted the sides of the sill to be flush with the edge of the molding, so we measured out how much overhang I wanted both ways, using the dimensions of the molding I had already selected. Make sense? So if you want that look, make sure you know the dimensions of your window molding before templating. Also, when you select your slab(s), make sure you have a pretty good idea of how big your sill is going to be, and if you want to allow for overhang, so you know if you have enough material for the sill, in addition to your counters. HTH!
louisianapurchase
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Awesome remodel! And so glad the pink oven found a home!!!
kkupstate
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Beautiful job! Really great to see a kitchen can be done for a reasonable amount of money. My husband and I are often dismayed when people tell us we can't do our kitchen and we have a similar budget.

How did you like working with buycabinets? I was hesitant to use them, but am intrigued!

Thanks!
amsunshine
Original Author
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I really liked buycabinets. The people I worked with were very professional and responsive. They were patient with me while I tweaked a few details in my design, and gave me very quick, updated quotes. When my cabinets arrived, there were a couple minor things that I needed like additional drawer cushion stops, etc., and they got those to me quickly. The one problem I had was with my trash pullout -- I had ordered a full height pullout, and KM manufactured it wrong -- put the glides too low and put in a tiny wastebin instead of a full-sized wastebin. This was KM's fault, not buycabinets, but buycabinets was very quick to work with KM to get the new cabinet to me (which KM manufactured wrong, again!), and then the 2nd new cabinet to me, as quickly as possible. All in all, a very satisfactory experience for us.
karenfromknoxville
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Hi AMSunshine,

Thanks for the link to the Container store and your expanding shelf. I saw all sorts of goodies I could add to my kitchen on that link.

Thank you again and enjoy your new kitchen! It looks great!

Karen

Finished Modest, Budget Kitchen

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