This kitchen has been two years in the making, constantly tweaking what we had (painting cabinets, painting countertops!, buying new appliances as we could afford them) until we were ready for a little bit more of a renovation a couple months ago. Here’s what it looked like when we moved in:
And here’s how it looks today:
Although we initially were going to tweak the layout, we decided to keep it just the way it was and we’re glad we did. Keeping the same cabinets also saved money. In the first phase of the reno, we painted all the cabinets white, and in the second phase we painted the base cabinets a deep navy and added hardware which changed the whole game.
Functionally, our favorite change was the addition of a few open shelves (and the subtraction of an upper cabinet). At first, we added just two shelves and in the second phase we opted for one more because we honestly couldn’t get enough of the convenience. The sink, the touch faucet, backsplash, lighting, pantry door, roman shade and counters were all additions in the past few months. At the end of the post, I’ll link to all the sources, as well as posts relating to them. For now, just enjoy the photos!
A lot of you have expressed your sadness about us leaving the spaces (this one in particular) that we’ve worked so hard on without ever really getting to enjoy it. Know that we have. We have enjoyed working on this kitchen and in this kitchen for the past two years and most recently, watching it reach a potential we saw when we first toured this house. Every aspect, from working side by side trying to figure out how to install counters and backsplash for the very first time, to seeing our vision come to life has been so rewarding! We’re so grateful we documented it all so we could look back and remember the projects and maybe drool a little over the outcome. Cheers!
Posts about:
Painting the cabinets, A new fridge (and stove, and dishwasher, and range hood), the paneled peninsula, painting the navy base cabinets, adding open shelving, adding a third open shelf, Hardware on the cabinets, A new pantry door, Etching the pantry windows, New lighting, DIY Black walnut counters, New sink, New faucet, Marble backsplash.
Sources:
Top cabinets: Benjamin Moore Mountain Peak White, Base cabinets: Behr’s Midnight Dream (color matched to Benjamin Moore), Hardware: Restoration Hardware, Floating shelves: Ikea, Pantry Door: Home Depot, Fridge: Kenmore Elite, Double Oven: Kenmore, Range Hood: Kenmore, Dishwasher: GE Adora (we really don’t love this dishwasher, ps), Countertops: Craft Art, Sink: Kraus, Faucet: Delta Cassidy Touch20, Globe Pendants: West Elm, Black Wall Sconce: Reed from Rejuvenation, White Roman Shade: JCPenney, Hampton Carrara Marble Backsplash: The Tile Shop.
65 COMMENTS
cleaning services
2 years ago
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Danica
6 years ago
LOVE it!! Wow, it’s so fun to see the Before&Afters. Congrats with the make over and sharing some before/after photos. What a change! Perfect example how to maximize space and make a kitchen more functional and inviting.
Amanda
6 years ago
very nice! Just the look I’m going for!! Just curious, what color gray did you use for the walls? I’m in a gray dilemma!!
Julia
6 years ago
AUTHORThis was a slightly mistinted version of Bejamin Moore’s Cape Hatteras Sand we got in the mistinted section for CHEAP! Our house now is Benjamin Moore’s Hazy skies (check out this post:https://www.chrislovesjulia.com/2014/11/perfectly-putty-paint.html) which is warmer, but we seriously love it.
Megan
6 years ago
I’m in love with those lights. We are about to do a kitchen remodel and Ive been looking at similar lights. They would be our main light source aside from a couple under cabinet lights so I wasn’t sure if they would be bright enough. I’d say our kitchen is a similar size. How are yours working for you?
Julia
6 years ago
AUTHORWe since moved from that home, but the lighting was perfect. Go for it.
appstylist
7 years ago
I love the tile you used here! Might use the same one for our kitchen :) following your blog…
http://allbutpictureperfect.wordpress.com
Kitchen cabinet contractor
7 years ago
Such beautiful photos. Thanks for sharing this post.
Hannah
7 years ago
I love your kitchen, especially the lightening!
http://www.branchandtwig.com
Hannah
7 years ago
I’m in love with this kitchen! What a transformation :)
Edith
7 years ago
Love this kitchen! Could you please tell me what color you painted the walls?
Tee Cee
7 years ago
I just found your blog (after being redirected from another blog) and I’m pleasantly surprised. So many great ideas to see. Thanks for sharing :).
Turquoise
7 years ago
Wonderful Kitchen! And such a great price too, very impressed!
Vanessa http://www.turquoise-la.com
Anonymous
7 years ago
The kitchen is beautiful. What Benjamin Moore finish did you use and would you recommend to paint cabinets (semi gloss? satin?)?
custom kitchens mississauga
8 years ago
Good blog! I have found here much useful information for yourself and would like to thank you for done by work.
JDomination
8 years ago
Copy & Paste! This is EXACTLY what I want to do to my kitchen. You have totally motivated me to make my dream a reality. Not to mention your documentaion of the process is perfectly organized and a wonderful read. I can’t thank you enough for sharing!
Courtana
8 years ago
Beyond gorgeous!!!
Trina
8 years ago
Any tips for someone renting on how to get the most impact on a reduced budget?
Lindsay
8 years ago
wondering if you can talk more about repainting your cabinets. from the looks of it i have exactly the same kind and i’m interested in repainting… would love some pointers! your redo is AMAZING!
Patricia Goodwin
8 years ago
Love the kitchen! I’m curious about what is behind that door bump-out and why you kept it?
Julia [Chris Loves Julia]
8 years ago
That is a walk-in pantry. We didn’t love the bump-out, but what is behind it seemed valuable enough to keep. Thanks Patricia!
Chris @chrislovesjulia
8 years ago
I’ll also add, taking that wall out would have required us to redo the flooring in that corner. We didn’t have any matching flooring left over, and our flooring was discontinued. We tried to find a match, but no luck. We thought about redoing the entire first floor (that flooring carries through to the other spaces), but decided that was an expense we weren’t ready for. Mixed with what Jules said – all the storage the pantry provided – it made more sense for us to keep it.
Rickie Timmers
8 years ago
Congratulations with the make over and sharing some before/after photos. What a change! Perfect example how to maximize space and make a kitchen more functional and inviting. Love the globe pendant lights and the new faucet. As Delta sells several similar touch faucet models do you remember the model name? On the photo it looks like you installed the Delta Addison or Cassidy. Good luck in your new home!
Julia [Chris Loves Julia]
8 years ago
This is the Cassidy. Thanks, Rickie!
Caroline Nolazco
8 years ago
Those new homeowners are some lucky ducks!
Rob
8 years ago
Wow the transformation is amazing! I love your kitchen, awesome!
Toronto Custom Kitchens
8 years ago
I truly enjoy looking through on this website , it holds fantastic blog posts.
sarah m. dorsey
8 years ago
Absolutely stunning!! You all did an amazing job!
Kim
8 years ago
Was wondering – did you do the countertops yourself or did you buy them pre-painted etc…?
Hanna
8 years ago
I was just thinking that it would be hard to leave those counters! They are so, so pretty. I’m glad you are excited for new challenges :)
Jimena
8 years ago
First time leaving a comment! Love the kitchen! Can´t wait to see the new house and what you do with it.
Love you blog.
Jimena
Steph
8 years ago
Looks really pretty and it is nice to see a redo where cabinets were not replaced at all. Now the important thing you left out…where did you get that dish towel hanging on the sink? :)
Julia [Chris Loves Julia]
8 years ago
West Elm!
Steph
8 years ago
I see the answer above, thank you!
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication
8 years ago
Oh my goodness! I can’t even believe the before and after! It looks absolutely amazing!
Melinda
8 years ago
So magical, I was going to say that the tile was my favorite part but I really love the planked island, but the pendants are dreamy, and I’m in love with the sink, so it’s all my favorite. Can’t wait to see your next kitchen.
mindy
8 years ago
seriously I love everything about this!!!
Christy Davis Photography
8 years ago
I love the kitchen and can’t wait to see the new one! Can you tell me where or how you found the door to your pantry? Our kitchen is almost identical to yours and I love what you’ve doon with that door!
Julia [Chris Loves Julia]
8 years ago
We ordered the pantry door online from Home Depot and painted it black ourselves. Thanks so much!
Lindsay
8 years ago
Really nice job. I’ve been waiting for this post for a long time as my kitchen is about the same size. It turned out so beautiful! And I’m sad you have to leave it now that it’s finished. Hopefully you got some of the money back in the sale. One other thing, and I hate to be tedious, I love the pattern on the dish towel and have been looking for some newer trendy geometric patterns. Can you share where you got that? Thanks and good luck!
Julia [Chris Loves Julia]
8 years ago
West Elm!
Lauren Monique
8 years ago
Looks gorgeous! I especially love the silver shelving and lighting. Looking forward to seeing what you do with your next place! {lamourcheznous.com}
Jessica's Little Women
8 years ago
I love how wide the beadboard is. It’s my favorite, and so hard to find. May I ask where you found it?
Is there a reason as to why you kept the old hinges on the cabinets instead of changing them out for European hinges?
Love the open shelving.
Beautiful job!
Julia [Chris Loves Julia]
8 years ago
The panel board is from Home Depot. It was literally $20 and we had leftovers. Great find! As for the hinges, we updated them to match the hardware and honestly didn’t mind the look. The cabinets would have had to be notched out for hidden hinges and we didn’t want to risk it. Maybe the next house we’ll take the plunge. :)
Jessica's Little Women
8 years ago
It’s not hard! My dh notches ours out. We’re on our fourth house and if I knew how easy it was, I would have begged him to do our first house!
So the bead board is a panel, not individual? Was it meant for outdoor use, or indoor? I have to figure out which section of the store to find it in, lol!
Thanks!
Meagan@Meagan Tells All
8 years ago
Doesn’t even look like the same space. So thrilled for you guys and how it all came together. Still–those navy cabinets. SWOON!
Kelly @ A Swell Place to Dwell
8 years ago
It’s so amazing! What a difference. I love how the counter and tile turned out.
Kristina Perry
8 years ago
Obsessed with this transformation!! Awesome job and I can not wait to see what you and Chris do on the new house!!
Julia [Chris Loves Julia]
8 years ago
Thanks, Kristina!
Jenn Leigh
8 years ago
This is one of my favorite kitchens of all time! You did some amazing work!
annebronkema
8 years ago
Ooooh. I am excercising my Pinterest pinning finger a bunch this morning. Great work!
Callie
8 years ago
LOVE it!! Wow, it’s so fun to see the Before&Afters. You guys took it from HoHum to DesignerKitchenLooksLikeGlossyMagazinePage! Also so great to have the sources on one page.
Anonymous
8 years ago
Amazing transformation! Would you be willing to share the overall cost for such a reno?
Julia [Chris Loves Julia]
8 years ago
I just went back and added everything up. This is approximate, but around $10,015. Not bad! Here’s how it breaks down:
paint $100
fridge $1700
double oven $1700
dishwasher $603
range hood $150
beadboard $20
hardware $288
pantry door $120
sink $360
faucet $500
shelving $60
globe pendants $179
reed sconce $335
counters $2700
backsplash $1200
total $10015
Kelly Goldman
8 years ago
Such a good after. Now that you have used them for a bit, how did the countertops hold up? Any scratching or staining? I love the look, but I’m suuuuper nervous about committing to them!
Julia [Chris Loves Julia]
8 years ago
Oh man, they have been a dream. Walnut is really hard, so it is not easy to ding them, but we have noticed a couple light scratches that probably we would only notice. Although, we were anxious to see how they patina, if someone wasn’t crazy about that look, you could always lightly sand them–they are solid walnut!
Ashley@BiggerthantheThreeofus
8 years ago
Such a huge transformation! Love it. Btw, do you know what kind of plants you have potted? I’ve been looking for something similar and I really like how yours look. Thanks!
Julia [Chris Loves Julia]
8 years ago
The one by the sink is a money tree and we have a couple of those. And the one on the shelving is just a spider plant? I can’t remember. I got it as a baby from Ikea and it is hardy! Both are. Thanks Ashley.