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My almost finished budget facelift with lots of pictures

11 years ago

The many beautiful kitchens I've seen here have been an inspiration. My granite isn't as exotic as many, but I'm very happy with it. You helped with so many decisions, I don't think my kitchen would have looked the same without you. Because of a broken dishwasher, self cleaning oven which was broken too, we decided to do a budget update. Initially new granite countertops, BS, floor and window treatments were planned. It is because of this site, we decided to have the cabinets painted, but the styles of the doors were horrible. My doors were changed to thermafoil, with a company who told me what BM paint to use on the boxes. I was going to quit this facelift the day before contractor started because of the soffits, this site gave me the encouragement to continue. I feel as though I have a functioning kitchen, with enough (if anyone ever feels they have enough) space. Thank you for helping me have a kitchen I can be proud of!

The style of my house is a ranch, off the kitchen is the entranceway, DR, Den, and mub/laundry room (which has a door).

If you can help me figure a new table I would appreciate it: I prefer not to use wood because DH does work at KT, I'm afraid scratches on glass would drive me nuts. I've thought of making up a granite/formica bestalt slate table, will change fan when I figure out the table. I love the chairs I now have, but realize they don't go, should I consider staining/painting them?

Changes made to old kitchen:

Cabinet above cooktop was raised for OTR microwave

Drawer was made under cooktop

Cabinet above refrigerator was extended

Pullout drawers were made in all lower cabinets

High hats were added to soffits

Under counter lighting

Granite:New Venetian Gold

BS:Jeffery Court Pearl White Beveled Subway Tile (HD)

Floor: Mohawk Bamboo Strand (Costco)

Faucet: Grohe Bridgeford Pull Out

{{!gwi}}

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Comments (17)

gardenamy
11 years ago
WOW - huge difference! What a great transformation! Looks so warm and inviting....and BIGGER! Would love to know details of your window treatment. ENJOY!
andreak100
11 years ago
What a nice update. You must be so thrilled. I'll bet your smiling every time you go in to the new kitchen. Congratulations!
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ccombs-the granite is called Neptune which I've not seen anywhere else but I think there are some characteristics of your granite-Delicatus- as well as some of the Juperana family. Thanks for the comments--I know this is not near the scale of most remodels shown on this forum but I do think it suits us.
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Well, this is dropping and so it's time to take a moment and thank everyone for their feedback. I got a big kick out of everyone's comments. It's interesting to look at the photos through someone else's eyes (in a manner of speaking). I appreciate all the kind words and compliments. I can't wait to have our shelves in. Then the pendant and hood will both look better and less "stranded". I can also then get things put in their "right places" and get some additional color into the room with displays of my pottery collection (a growing thing). I really appreciate all the help BEFORE the big reveal. If I had been left to my own devices I would have had stools at the end of the stove run out in the way of the aisle. I would have missed out on soapstone. I would have never heard of NeverMT. I would have lower cabs instead of drawers and pull outs everywhere I could. I would have done uppers instead of open shelves. I never would have shopped around for cork flooring. I probably would not have heard of Schoolhouse Electric (this impacts my front and back porches and my carport as well). I would have never driven all the way across the state to get my Domsjo and Numerar from IKEA. I would not have ZONES. I would never have dared to sink my fridge in the wall so it was flush with the counters. I would undoubtedly have a 4x4 square backsplash (but I hear those are coming back "in"). :) I have learned a ton here. I have seen a lot of really cool ideas. I will have some more of them before I am done. I will have a charging station and a pet center in my back entry way if it kills me. This forum is filled with great people. While we don't ALWAYS get along, who does? I don't get along with my family all the time. I don't see eye to eye with my coworkers all the time. This community has been very helpful and welcoming. I hope to pay some of the kindness back with DIY knowledge in the future. Got a DIY question? Hit me. Thanks again to everyone! Ne
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sdionnemoore, I posted the pictures in the decorating forum - hope they help! Judy, the instructions from Jenn- Air are not that great! Lucky DH installed our last doors so he was helpful explaining things to the cabinet installer. The custom panels were made large enough to cover the outside stainless trim (old house they were smaller and that trim showed - I like it this way better). The door require a 1/4" backer board, which they veneered to be finished on the exposed edge. These side into the Stainless "grooves". I am not sure if the drilled the holes for the handles through the custom door AND the backer board - or if just through the custom doors. I think it was just through the doors but I will ask when the installer returns this week. I think they had to either screw or glue the custom panels onto the 1/4" backer board. Everything is nice and tight, no wiggle at all. Hope these pictures help. phoggie, I hope to be posting a few photo's of the house in just a couple days! I'll be posting them on the building forum, and I know I'll direct a few over on the decorating board as well! I am almost unpacked - needs lots of decorating, blinds, etc... but I'll get there! Thanks again everyone, your comments mean so much - especially about my mistake edge on the island!
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cakelly1226
11 years ago
It's so pretty! I love the transformation!
deedles
11 years ago
Wow, that's so nice! It's a beautiful kitchen.

I think your granite looks great in there. What about some different tile on the table you have?

Love the window shade, too! Where did you find that?
Bunny
11 years ago
ilene, you did a beautiful job. What a transformation!

I did a budget facelift also, keeping the old boxes and same footprint. So glad I was able to get a new look without breaking the bank. I think yours is fantastic.
Ilene Perl
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks for the nice comments. The shade is from Budget Blinds. It's a Roman Bamboo shade, with a liner (otherwise it's transparent). I had it made so it also goes top down. Once I realized I needed to order it I checked the prices at HD,Lowes,and a few other home order places, budget was the least expensive, the quality is good. (My window is larger than all ready made shades).
TxMarti
11 years ago
That is a great transformation, budget or not. Where did you get the stemware hanger? I would like to do something similar and really like that. Your house is great, love the pool and your patient little poodle. Did you put down your own bamboo flooring? Great color in it.
lala girl
11 years ago
That looks fantastic! It is so fresh and bright, you just want to jump in there and get to work. What a wonderful transformation - congrats!
Ilene Perl
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks for the kind comments, they are appreciated!

linelle I can't remember who but when I found GW someone had just finished her "budget" kitchen, and that is when I realized this was possible, did you decide to do your's on your own?

Marti I got the stem wear holder at the container store they had two types, I bought the teak, two of them fit in the cabinet perfectly. The floor is a floating floor, GC did the instillation. The pool was the selling point for DH, he always wanted a summer house, I always wanted a new winter house, we jokingly say this house had it both.

Loraine I do enjoy cooking now. My old appliances were horrible. It's fun to cook with appliances that work!
debbie1000
11 years ago
I hope this is not a duplicate response--

Looks great! I am thinking of painting our cabinets also. On your large "wall" that encompasses your oven--did you paint that or is it new wood? Did you use a brush or a sponge? Are there brushstrokes?

Thanks!
gsciencechick
11 years ago
Wow, everything turned out great! I also love the roman shade.

Granite is beautiful. Nice appliances.
mtnfever (9b AZ/HZ 11)
11 years ago
I feel so repetitive but ''wow'' how warm and inviting! You managed a whole lot of bang for your ''facelift'' buck (seems like much more than a facelift!).

And, not only does your kitchen match your dog, but your family room too-- very nice. (Below's the somewhat old thread on canine/kitchen couture :) ).

cheers

Here is a link that might be useful: Does your kitchen match your dog?
starinasgarden
11 years ago
Very dramatic and beautiful change! As a poodle mom(standards), love your puppy !
Yvonne B
11 years ago
Your kitchen is beautiful! Everything works well together, and I too really like your granite choice. I like the door style you chose too. What a difference it made. Did you get your doors through your contractor? I hadn't considered thermafoil doors, but yours look fabulous!
Ilene Perl
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks for all the nice comments, have to again thank everyone for their help along the way.

buddysmom the side was sanded/primed/painted X 3,it came out smooth, a roller was used. It had to be sanded so much because it's oak.

Yandi, I knew the store where I ordered the doors, I went there looking for a bathroom vanity, their prices are quite low. The person I delt with recomended the thermafoil over their wood doors (price difference was 100), he said the wood chips on their doors, which is why I went with the thermofoil. My contractor did the measuring and instillation of the doors. I went to other stores looking at wood doors but they didn't know what color to match it to in BM paint. The thermafoid looks fine, so far I'm happy with it.

mtnfever Thanks so much for that link, I enjoyed that so much. I never realized till you pointed it out how much he looks like my kitchen/den, in the den I have a wallunit which is his exact color!

starinasgarden what color is your poodle? I always wanted a poodle, Buddy is my first dog.
Ann Scheley
11 years ago
LOVE YOUR BAMBOO FLOORS!!! NICE JOB! CONGRATULATIONS!
starinasgarden
11 years ago
I have two standard poodles, Ilene. They are both black, and as sweet as could be. I adore them!
Your puppy is adorable.

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