My dated 80's kitchen needs a makeover!

3 years ago

I am remodeling my 80's kitchen. I am keeping the same footprint and enlarging the island. I have my cabinets picked out and know I want gold hardware but need help with a backsplash and countertops.

Here is a photo of my inspiration kitchen

This is a photo of my kitchen cabinets - SW white dove

This is the backsplash I am currently considering but open to suggestions, love the cement tiles but want to keep things classic and don't want anything too trendy. The backsplash her is by Mohawk and is stone and glass mosaic taupe and tan colors very soft.

this is my first choice for counter - Argento polished quartz. I think it works well with the backsplash but not sure I love it?

Second choice countertop

Lazo quartz - I feel like its very trendy right now and its a lot of white? I want my kitchen to feel warm and inviting.

Finally what my kitchen currently looks like - I am getting rid of the soffit and taking the cabinets to the ceiling and removing the built in oven and doing a slide in range 30inch. Not sure if I want a decretive hood or just do cabinet above stove? Also keeping the built in microwave in the same spot.

would love any advice you might have.

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Comments (9)

Carrie B
3 years ago
The backsplash tile takes away from the counter tops, and vice versa. They fight with one another for attention. One or the other should be a solid, neutral color. Your cabinet doors are the same/very similar to mine and I love them!
Yolanda
Original Author
3 years ago
thanks, yeah I agree. I've ordered some samples for backsplashes and still looking for counters. I may end up using the Argento as my counter and backsplash if I don't find any combo I love.
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Dear cmhanso1: That is the most beautiful "'80s" kitchen I've ever seen -- love how warm it looks with the oak! It is actually a wonderful blank canvas for you. You can transform it in so many directions -- going more modern, more country, more traditional/elegrant, as you wish. And I do believe that oak is making a come back. So although I'm normally a big fan of white and painted kitchens, in this case I would keep the beautiful, warm oak. But I would find ways to "break it up a bit." I do like the white counters with the oak. But I also like the posts so far that show what a new granite would look like. (I'd recommend you get a granite with very little movement -- you don't want to jump from the 1980s to the 1990s/2000s.) White marble and oak would look fresh, modern and vintage all rolled into one. To me the half round/palladian window above the sink says "1980s/1990s" more than anything else. I don't know if there is anyway to change that. Maybe add an interesting small pendant over the sink in front of the window. Staining the floor a bit darker to add more contrast is an interesting idea. I can't see your hardware very well. But if it is brass, changing it will instantly update your kitchen. Other ideas: 1. Stainless appliances, overtime as you need to replace the existing ones. (That cool island could handle a super amazing gas/electric or induction cooktop.) 2. A counterdepth fridge so that you don't see it sticking out from the vantage point of the livingroom/family room. 3. A beautiful, functional vent to put over the cooktop -- this will add a lot of style to the space and will provide a very useful visual separation between the kitchen and great room. (This should be my #1 suggestion). 4. Find a way to add some interest (without looking cluttered) to the two large end panels (one on fridge and one on ovens) since this is such a focus point when you look into the kitchen from the great room and island. I'd love to hear other's ideas about what to do with these endpieces. I'm thinking something like a large frame in the top half of the with a chalkboard finish. Art? A super functional, but sylish and charming, wall potrack? 5. I'd be tempted to do something with the panels on the back of the island, maybe picking up on whatever treatment you chose for the fridge and oven end panels (if you do something there). Or, maybe just adding two or three gorgeous barstools (with backs) that reinforce whatever style you go with for the whole kitchen, is enough to add interest to that space. For some reason I'm seeing some beautiful leather bar stools there in your favorite color (or maybe red to pick up on the red of the knobs on the new wolf rangetop I'd install! ) We can't wait to see how you put your own style mark on this interesting kitchen. Sounds like a fun project. And the nice thing is, you can do it gradually since it is already a lovely and functional kitchen. Have fun!
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This is my personal opinion. I'm no expert about this. I think if the house is a blank slate style-wise, you can take it in almost any direction you prefer. Although you need to have a vision for the entire home to make this work. You don't want to end up with a country kitchen, super-modern baths, and a Craftsman living room. I guess I would start by asking myself if the lines of the home are more horizontal or vertical. Again, my personal opinion, but I think horizontal lines lend themselves better to more sleek styles like modern, MCM, or whatever. Just something more streamlined. While horizontal lines lean more toward traditional, transitional, and country-ish/cottagey styles. What do YOU like? What do you envision for the rest of the home? I'm sure you'll get better, more concrete advice from others. And it may be helpful to post this question in the Home Decorating forum, too. And probably time to start finding inspiration photos.
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Thank you all for the advice. I have several challenges in my living room. One is it is fairly small, just 20'x18', basically a square shaped room. I don't have the room to pull things away from the walls to make room for floor length drapes. Both walls have the large windows with very little wall space. There is a long handmade country quilted wall hanging that I don't want to clash with any window treatment. The living room is open to both the kitchen and dining room. They are all essentially one room. I can't rearrange the furniture due to the wood stove in one corner and where the TV has to be in that corner. The piano will only fit on that one wall. I do have electric baseboard heaters along the one wall that are used when I go away any time in the cold weather months so having long drapes would be a problem there. Heating with wood makes things get really dirty so I don't want window coverings that are hard or problematic to take down and clean. I am a recent widow and need to be able to take care of things myself. My living room hasn't had a makeover in 30 yrs which is why I desperately need new window treatments. I don't have beautiful hardwood floors like in some of these pictures. I have carpeting. Some day I'd like to replace that but can't right now. I have beautiful views of the pine trees surrounding my home out the windows so don't want the view hidden. I do feel at times now at night, that I'd like a way to close off the windows so people can't see in. I do like a softness around the windows. I'm starting to toy with the idea of a faux Roman shade valance with maybe woven wood blinds underneath which I could then lower for privacy at night. Or just some simple panels but I think I'll have to stay with sill length if I do that due to the electric baseboard heaters and furniture up against walls. Here are some curtains I like and fabrics I would consider for a faux Roman shade valance. Please let me know your thoughts. I appreciate all the help! https://www.countryvillageshoppe.com/thyme-lined-panels-72x63/ https://www.smithandnoble.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=14533 https://www.smithandnoble.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=16690 https://willowbloomhome.com/?s=malbec+linen https://willowbloomhome.com/product/drapes/my-texas-house-collection/alvin-dune-drape/ https://www.regaldrapes.com/products/custom-drapes/flat-panel-drapes?hdStyle=6&fid=2596#ONM1 https://sn-live.myshadestudio.com/preview.php?retkey=SN&product=1900&fabric=FS_FLT&color=18745&width=500&height=500&view=d
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I had cabinets over a peninsula and removed them - what an amazing difference it made to the space. Once I did it and one or two neighbors came over I started getting neighbor after neighbor coming over and wanting to see. Within two year I don't think a single kitchen on the cul-de-sac still had cabinets over the peninsula. I didn't recommend changing to a single height counter at the sink for 3 reasons You currently have the bi-level that hides the sink and any mess in the kitchen, Having a single level doesn't add a lot of useful space because it is dominated by the sink on the kitchen side and Tall furnishings in a small space gives the illusion of more space. I didn't ask last night if there is an access door on the living room side for the cabinet in the corner. If not - that is another inexpensive change that is worth its weight in gold. I really don't recommend over spending, changing what doesn't need to be changed because you will most likely upgrade from your small condo to something larger. These are generally not forever homes. The more you spend on this home the less you have to spend on the next one and kitchens generally have an ROI about 60% of what you spend. The other 40% is joy factor. It brings you joy and you pay for that happiness. Always balance the cost vs the joy factor and if the same dollars could bring you greater joy by spending it differently. A new kitchen / my next home or a new kitchen / a trip to Europe.
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Andrea C
3 years ago
If you choose a tiled backsplash, you will not get the same look as your inspiration photo. What about just using your countertop material as your backsplash? The inspiration kitchen is really quite simple and uncluttered. The warmth comes in from the touches of brass and the natural, organic styling elements.
jck910
3 years ago
Can you post a picture of the wall to the right? I would want to change the sink location. If the island is larger are you getting a counter depth refrigerator? Make sure you get under cabinet lighting and recessed lighting. The 2 ceiling lights are not a good look. Wait until cabinets and countertop are installed before choosing back splash. Components look different in the actual space. And the tile is too much for the countertops you like. I prefer the first and from the picture the tile definitely doesn't complement
eandhl2
3 years ago
Love the inset cabinets in your inspiration photo.
HU-187528210
3 years ago
Love your inspiration. Really pretty. I also love the inset...
In regards to the backsplash I’d definitely look for something else. It’s busy for the countertops. Id look for something simple in color with maybe some texture and detail. Or use a slab of the same countertops you go with. ( which is your inspiration look...)
In regards to the countertops. Of the two I agree the first is probably a better bet. But I think you need something in between the two options. The base of the first one is very gray.
I’d do a decorative hood. But that’s me...
Overall you know what your doing. You have great taste and this space will look amazing!! Excited for you guys!
Yolanda thanked HU-187528210
Jessica
3 years ago
Not a pro. But one thing I have learned here (sadly, too late for me) is "one star in the kitchen!" It can be the couter OR the backsplash, but not both. I happen to like the backsplash you picked out, but it does not align with your inspo pic (which is beautiful) or with either of your counrters, IMO. Good luck!
Yolanda thanked Jessica
Yolanda
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks everyone I really appreciate all of your feedback. I like the backsplash but don't love it for the look I'm trying to achieve but my husband picked it and I was trying to see if I could make it work. I think at this point I'm leaning toward running the countertops all the way up for backsplash. As for the question @jck910 to the right is a doorway into the dining room. I have a budget of around $15 - 18K and the vast majority is going to custom cabinets. So The island will be flipped the long part will face the stove and fridge so I will have seating along the two sides (side facing family room and the outside wall).

I really wanted to take down the wall into the dining room but its load bearing and I would lose upper cabinets. So the only way to make it work is to flip the kitchen and make the L from the wall that looks into the family room which you don't see in the picture posted. There is a round table and a closet on that side of the wall (I have an 80's quad) and the wall the leads to the outside of the house. Which would mean moving pluming, gas electric and moving the stairs and sliding doors leading to the outside and relocating to the dining room which would be a $50K + project. So the compromise was to keep the current footprint. I know not everyone would agree with the decision and I wish I had the extra cash to do the way I have always envisioned it but it is what it is.

I am going to wait on the light fixtures until I decide what I'm doing with the backsplash. But will likely be something simple and a Champaign gold. But yes all lighting will change. The current lights won't go with the new look. I am leaning towards a decretive hood which is why I was keeping the microwave in the same place. If anyone has pictures you think would work for counters I would love to see. I would love to do some light blue glass tile for the backsplash (I know doesn't fit with inspiration) but I don't think I'm brave enough for that. I also cook a lot so I need something that is easy to clean which is another reason to run the countertop all the way up.

So thanks again everyone and if you have pictures that you think will help in my quest please share!
Ellen McCarthy
3 years ago
I am curious if you decided to use Argento for your backsplash? I am considering that too vs a subway white title. Does anyone have photos of argento quartz for backsplash?

My dated 80's kitchen needs a makeover!

Comments (9)

Carrie B

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eandhl2

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My dated 80's kitchen needs a makeover!

Comments (9)

Carrie B

YolandaOriginal Author

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Andrea C

jck910

eandhl2

HU-187528210

Jessica

YolandaOriginal Author

Ellen McCarthy

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Yolanda
Original Author

Yolanda
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