My friend Jana asked if I could take a look at the kitchen in a house they’re in the process of fixing up and I couldn’t wait to see pictures of what she was workin’ with. The home has been in their family for 50 years, and they’re going to put it on the market when they’re finished renovating.
She sent me a text with a few of her ideas, too:
Okay, so:
1- Move the refrigerator down so that it’s flush with the washer and dryer.
2- Put a wall up and install a sliding door that hides the washer and dryer from full-time view.
3- The back door would move over a few inches to the left.
Got it!
Is this kind of what you were thinking, Jana? (Desktop computer users, move your cursor on and off of the photo below to see it switch from “before” to “inspiration”)
On a mobile device? Here’s a still image:
Any of the finishes/colors/ideas could change- those were the first things popped into my head when I saw the color of the counters. Which I ADORE. They look like light red grasscloth, and the chrome banding around the edges is so charming!
Here’s the rundown on everything else I included in my presto change-o photo-drawing:
1. Gray and white checkerboard-patterned floor. I think something like this would really freshen the floor up and be in keeping with the era/style of the home. Maybe it could even be laid right on top of the existing linoleum?
2. Light khaki walls. I love the way khaki plays with red, white and black. Maybe Benjamin Moore’s Crisp Khaki?
3. New wall. I hung a red-painted sliding barn-style door (that speaks to the deepest tone of red in the countertops) on the new wall, and I love the way it hides the side of the refrigerator. I also moved the refrigerator down like Jana mentioned, and I filled in the gap between it and the dishwasher with some shelves and a small piece of dark-stained, butcher block countertop.
4. New stove. If I could only swap one appliance I think I’d bring in a different stove. The one that’s in there now isn’t wide enough for the space it’s sitting in. I’d go with stainless steel or white.
5. Painted cabinetry. It looks like those are custom, solid wood cabinets, and like they’re in pretty good shape. I’d add another cabinet or two, or some open shelving over the fridge. Then I’d prime and paint all of the cabinets Benjamin Moore’s Simply White. I’d paint the soffits above the existing cabinetry too. That way, they’ll blend in, and it will look more like the cabinets go all the way up to the ceiling.
6. Blue ceiling. I’m just a sucker for a pale blue-gray ceiling. 🙂 Maybe Gray Lake by Benjamin Moore?
7. New knobs. Oil-rubbed bronze cabinet knobs would really pop against all the white-painted wood.
8. Window treatment. I added a textural window shade high up on the wall above the window over the sink. That way, it looks like the windows are much taller than they actually are.
9. New light(s). If that overhead ceiling fixture is far enough out into the room, I would install one or two pendant lights over the sink.
10. New back door placement. Moving it over a little would definitely help with the new wall/barn door situation. I popped a dutch door in my photo-drawing, but the existing back door is super cute too!
Other “fixes” might include moving the outlet above the dishwasher down lower so that you can’t see it, and adding oil-rubbed drawer pulls to the currently pull-less drawers.
I’m excited to hear what you think, Jana, and I’m hoping you’ll let me share some “after” photos when you’re finished with the project! XO
This is soooo cute! I love how you’ve embraced the old counters and really made their charm work with the room! I hope your friend runs with the idea! Of course anything with a slidin barn door is a winner in my book!
Love the before and after inspiration pic. This will be one gorgeous kitchen. You and Jana make a great team…
OMG! What a difference! I adore everything you did! That is gorgeous! What a change!
I think that the door that is there currently is KILLER!! Keep it…even in the move over. It’s amazing!! This is a great solution to their problem Layla. Love it!! Hope they do it and share the “after” with us.
It always boggles my mind what you’re able to visualize with a space, Layla! Love these ideas.
Well, Jana really made it easy for me this time, Katherine! 😀 Hope all is well with you! It’s been too long since I’ve seen you!
Love it. Pick my Presto is my favorite!
one can just simply move a door? brilliant!!
i am in love with the dutch door and the sliding barn door. oh layla, you win!
Its amazing! Please do more pick my presto. I, too, love the pick my prestos.
(glad you’re home safe and sound with many wonderful memories and a refreshed energy to have Sweet P home soon)
Maryjane
Darn it…now I have to go hunting for a Dutch door for my kitchen again :).
What about chrome handles/pulls on her cabinets to match the edge-banding on the countertops? I was also thinking that, if she’s moving the refrigerator, and she’s fairly handy, and there’s nothing in those soffits (so, a lot of ifs!) – in a small kitchen, it might be worthwhile to rip out the soffits and run open shelving all the way up to the ceiling. (Especially since she won’t be living there – the practicality issue is moot, but open shelving looks cool and is trendy, so perfect for staging, and it’s cheap to put in and easy to custom-fit to a space.)
Silver hardware would be great, too! I choose black because I implemented the stainless appliances, and I thought it would be nice to break it up with that contrasting pop.
I would rip out the soffits too, but I’m not sure Jana wants to do that must re-construction. ? I’ll keep you posted! 😀
I love what you are thinking for the kitchen! Such a economical way to update a kitchen for re-sale. I LOVE barn doors (and will have one somewhere when I buy a home) and that red picks up so nicely with the counters. I think she’ll love it, and that door is the sweetest (hope she picks that one) but the original is cute as well.
Thanks for sharing your ideas!
Lauren | LB Designs
xx
Wow, amazing. Who wouldn’t love a kitchen like that. Beautiful mixture of the old vintage with new. Perfect.
I love your ideas! The floor is my favorite. If I ever get to re-do my 1948 kitchen I think I’d want to put in a checkerboard floor. What type of tiles were you thinking?
I have to find somewhere for a sliding barn door in my house!!!
Rock Star!!!
Love the floor and the fact that the barn door matches the countertop. Painting the cabinets and getting new hardware is a simple and cost-effective way to brighten the entire space! Hope to get to see the “after’s”.
The original photo brought so many memories back for me! I was so proud and excited in my first home as a married woman in 1970 when we were able to redo our kitchen. The floor I chose was the exact floor as in the original kitchen. It worked with my white painted cabinets and I loved that it resembled Morroccan tile. But, wow! I can’t believe it is still in anyone’s kitchen! All I can say is Holy Busyness!!!!!
Layla it is amazing!! It is so nice to be able to see what the ideas will look like before actually doing them. It looks just like I had imagined it! Never ever thought once about leaving the counter tops but unfortunately they are not in good enough condition to leave
Love the makeover. I especially love the barn door over the washer and dryer. It is very farmhouse and modern at the same time. And who doesn’t loved rubbed bronze? I’m seriously obsessed with the finish right now.
I love the idea of the barn door in the kitchen!!! I was inspired when you hung Sweet P’s barn door outside his room. Now I’m thinking of hanging two small barn doors in Aly’s room to make her room feel larger and more private.