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Hi Sugarplum!

{Before & After} Kitchen Reveal!

June 3, 2010

Remodeling my kitchen was definitely the most stressful biggest project I’ve tackled in my house…and I didn’t even do the work! I think fear of making the ‘wrong’ choices definitely contributed to my angst….but I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out!! It’s been 5 months, and nary a crumb or spill has found a home in that room (OCD much?!). Even Mr. Sugarplum is obsessed…the man wipes out the sink after using it so it won’t have spots!!!!!


So let’s start at the beginning. No offense to the previous owners, but the Ugly Stick had a party in this kitchen:


move-in kitchen



Then we moved in and made a few cosmetic changes..but like Mr. Sugarplum so eloquently says, “You can’t polish a turd!”


original kitchen



Are you soaking it all in?! The goodness that is white Formica, the hardware….the *gasp* trash compactor!!! I had big dreams for this room, but had to adhere to a budget, and continually remind myself to make only the most impactful changes. Let’s take a tour around the room, shall we?


before 1



The only demo work we did was rip out the micro/wall oven (if that’s what you call that thing! It had a roll dial clock!!), to create more counter and cabinet space.


after 1

These glass front cabinets are custom built, but the remainder are simply refaced. Whoever came up with that concept is a genius!



before 2




You see that tiny 12-inch-wide piece of counter?! What was I supposed to do with that, house a gnome collection? Now I have sooooo much more room (to junk it up with a work station, YES!) (Update: my counters are clear now that we have this new Command Center.)
 

after 2



Notice the white Buick of a refrigerator is gone?!? *pets beautiful new fridge with working ice machine*


before 3

So now I’m sure you’re really worried about my lack of oven. Don’t panic, I can still bake and do all my cooking microwave! We ditched the cook top and vent hood (bless her homely heart), and replaced it with a built-in micro/vent and slide-in range.


after 3



I love the slide-in because it doesn’t have controls on the back that break up the line of the *swoon* glass tile back splash.


before 4



Thank goodness for Mr. Clean Magic Eraser sponges, or that Formica and sink would have looked like it’d been hosed down in Crystal Light Fruit Punch!


after 4



I had the ledge taken out of the window, and the tiles wrap seamlessly up and on the window sill….like a waterfall. Aaaaah, the zen.


before 5



I’m sorry, I should have warned you about that pic! Yeah, we tired of the trash compactor about 8 days after living in the house. I never really considered what was under there, or what I was going to do with the space…but I wanted it gone. Funny thing is, someone snagged it out of the alley an hour later!! (The plate of cookies were to get the contractors under my spell!)


after 5

before 6

Sorry, I did it again! I wanted you to see the sad breakfast room with the largest table/chairs ever. (I appreciate the hand-me-down, Mom, but it was time for it to go!)

after 6




The new table and chairs is a little matchy–matchy for me, but I’m working on that. (Changing it of course, not getting over it!) Notice how the counter-depth fridge doesn’t stick out and trip you now? And the dishwasher is so sleek! Since we saved so much by going with Whirlpool for Ikea appliances (5-year warranty, $50 delivery, stainless steel….yes please!), we were able to get top-of-the-line features like counter-depth fridge, slide-in range, and a hidden controls dishwasher.

before 7

Nice wall with zero usable space. Plop a slab of granite on it….and BAM!
 
after 7

A bar!!



before 8

I was really sorry to see the fluorescent box lights go…but they managed to convince me recessed lights with warm, incandescent bulbs were the way to go. (Does sarcasm translate to the written text?)

after 8

My first choice were quartz counters, but they were ridiculously expensive. Apparently, granite is now the least expensive counter surface, next to laminate. We chose this slab because of it’s light color and minimal pattern…it’s called Kashmir White.
 
before 9




after 9



after 11

Since the bar pushed everything to the right 18 inches, the light fixture is no longer centered. I think I’m just going to switch it out for more recessed lights…it will open up the view of the windows too.



after 10

Well, that completes the tour!! What do you think?!? I’ll share more details and my favorite features tomorrow…I’m just too exhausted from all the excitement today.

**Update: Find the breakdown of Kitchen Details here. And see the new wall color and updated photos here. And the Breakfast Room got a makeover, too, found here. **


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by Cassie 
46 Comments
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previous article: Kitchen Re-Do, research first!
next article: Breaking it down — Kitchen Details

Comments

  1. Will @ Bright.Bazaar says: June 3, 2010 at 9:07 pm

    WOW! You've worked some serious magic here – love the black gloss. The kitchen in the new apartment I am moving into has a black gloss kitchen, too! Thanks for sharing. Great post. Will xo

    Reply
  2. Anonymous says: June 3, 2010 at 10:05 pm

    *mouth hanging open* Stunning! Hard to believe its the same room!

    Reply
  3. Anonymous says: June 4, 2010 at 4:01 am

    *laughing hard* your writing has guts and moxie…keep it up!

    Reply
  4. Sara @ Russet Street Reno says: June 4, 2010 at 4:03 am

    This is outstanding! I love every choice you made, the entire package is perfect. Cabinet refacing is a miracle process, I wish we could go that route but that doesn't help the 13 inch space between the counters and uppers!

    BRAVO!

    Reply
  5. Anonymous says: June 8, 2010 at 2:39 pm

    Move over Candice Olsen (Divine Design) 😀 This is fantastic. Apologies if this was rude, but overall would you say you saved $10 to 15K on this?

    Reply
  6. Dawn Inman says: June 21, 2010 at 2:43 pm

    Wow, Cassie!! I'm impressed! Possibly a new career choice in your future?? Absolutely gorgeous!!

    Reply
  7. Ellie says: August 14, 2010 at 2:08 am

    Amazing transformation! I've read all the kitchen posts and love all the details! Great job.

    Reply
  8. [email protected] says: September 25, 2010 at 11:39 pm

    I am busy wiping up my drool over your awesome kitchen!! It is beautiful! Nicely Done–Sugar Plum!! :o)

    Reply
  9. Michaela says: October 9, 2010 at 11:06 pm

    What a beautiful transformation!! (: Love the back splash!

    Reply
  10. Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia says: October 24, 2010 at 4:01 pm

    Fabulous kitchen, love the backsplash and your colors! Thanks for your visit today!
    Hope your having a great Sunday!
    XO
    Kristin

    Reply
  11. Rene says: October 27, 2010 at 8:50 pm

    Amazing! It really doesn't look like the same room.

    -Rene

    Reply
  12. Jen.Jensen says: October 28, 2010 at 2:46 pm

    Amazing transformation!

    Reply
  13. Rhiannon says: October 28, 2010 at 9:31 pm

    ooooh how i have kitchen envy! i love it amazing and that rug is great too!

    Reply
  14. Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal says: November 1, 2010 at 12:52 am

    I just wanted to come by and say congrats on your win over at CSI. Your kitchen redo looks so great. I love the tile and extending it on your sill was great! Did you replace or regrout the floor tile because it looks different too.

    Reply
  15. RACKS and Mooby says: November 5, 2010 at 1:57 pm

    GORGEOUS! That came out so nice. I've wanted to reface all our cabinets since we moved in – now even more so! I need more deets on this!! 🙂

    Reply
  16. House of Ficek says: November 5, 2010 at 3:54 pm

    I love the backsplash! Those stools are great too

    Reply
  17. Pinky says: November 5, 2010 at 9:27 pm

    I came over from Kristen's to say HI! Can you tell me WHERE you got your stove???? It is exactly what I need because we have a 28 year old Jennaire (the damn thing won't die) and it has the front controls and is placed so that is what I need. Please e-mail me if you would! Thanks so much. XO, Pinky

    Reply
  18. Janell @ Isabella and Max says: November 5, 2010 at 10:54 pm

    I really like the tile and how you created a breakfast bar, that was great space planning and use of a space that I suspect was not usable before. Great job! Janell

    Reply
  19. Mom of 2 Cuties @ Sprinkles of Joy and Laughter says: November 6, 2010 at 1:03 am

    Great pics of your kitchen..nice to beef the cabinets up with the trim. Love the color and the cabinets. Oh! The bar stools are great added texture to the space as well. Thanks for sharing!
    Maureen

    Reply
  20. Nita {ModVintageLife} says: November 6, 2010 at 10:17 am

    Love your kitchen transformation. You'd never think it was a reface…they look completely new. I also did not know that granite is the cheapest counter next to laminate. I so would like to get rid of my laminate. Anyway…beautiful transformation.

    Reply
  21. Lounging with a Latte says: November 6, 2010 at 8:49 pm

    Really enjoyed viewing your kitchen makeover, your new kitchen looks great. I would never have picked black for a kitchen but it's come up a treat.

    Reply
  22. Jessica @ This Blessed Life says: November 8, 2010 at 12:54 am

    Kitchen redos always make my heart beat a little faster, and yours did not disappoint. Amazing job!

    Reply
  23. Tammy says: November 8, 2010 at 1:11 pm

    Fantastic kitchen re-do!

    I'm interested in cabinet resurfacing. I'd rather not go to the expense of new cabinets and spend that money on new countertops and flooring.

    Thanks for sharing your kitchen!

    Reply
  24. AnaLisa says: November 19, 2010 at 4:54 pm

    Your kitchen is beautiful. Great job! And love the rug you have in there too.

    Reply
  25. Sixty-Fifth Avenue says: January 3, 2011 at 12:45 am

    WOW! You did a fabulous job re-working your kitchen!! It is Gorgeous!! And you crack me up, great post!

    Londen

    Reply
  26. the cape on the corner says: January 4, 2011 at 9:00 pm

    i am so jealous, that looks amazing. i like that even with the dark cabinets, you didn't shy away from a dark backsplash. that is something to think of as i contemplate our kitchen renovation. i love the granite you chose, what color is that? seriously all looks fantastic!

    Reply
  27. the cape on the corner says: January 4, 2011 at 9:02 pm

    i see the name of the granite-i was so dizzy over the pretty images that i could barely read! that is the color i wanted, too. i am going to save this reno as an inspiration! awesome!

    Reply
  28. Erica says: January 17, 2011 at 12:48 am

    I was wondering if you could share where you got the table. It's just what my husband and I have been looking for! Thank you and gorgeous reno!!

    Reply
  29. Krystal {Blue Ribbon} says: January 21, 2011 at 3:25 pm

    Don't you just love the granite!! that's the same color I put in our house (we're almost done our kitchen renos — but we couldn't afford to resurface or repaint the cabinets….yet!) http://blueribbonstudio.blogspot.com/search/label/My%20Home

    Reply
  30. SnoWhite says: February 8, 2011 at 4:04 am

    what a beautiful transformation!!

    Reply
  31. idratherbeshopping says: February 18, 2011 at 10:32 pm

    so glad i discovered your blog today (via your lovely guest post on gallery8) — i feel like we have similar taste! my kitchen has dark wood cabinets and glass subway tile (though mine is green) too!

    loving your blog and what a fantastic job on your kitchen – congrats!

    xo,
    joAnn

    Reply
  32. Jena @ Involving Color says: April 7, 2011 at 2:49 am

    Cassie, I love your kitchen! It is just gorgeous. We are thinking of going with the same granite in our kitchen reno. I would love to add your kitchen and a few of your other room images to my inspiration galleries and include you in a feature post. Let me know if you're interested!

    Reply
  33. Attempting Aloha says: April 13, 2011 at 7:37 pm

    I'm in the middle of my kitchen reno right now, and I LOVE this! It's almost the same layout as ours, and I desperately wanted dark cabinets like those! Sadly, our cabinets had mold, so resurfacing wasn't an option, and I couldn't afford the $10k custom ones…had to go with Lowes in-stock.

    I even just painted my own coral painting (but for my half bath) that looks so much like the one you have on your counter!! Where did you get it?!

    Aloha,
    Charlie

    Reply
  34. QuilterLynn says: June 16, 2011 at 11:25 pm

    Good job. Great use of unused space. Love the window ledge.

    Reply
  35. a' la mode says: July 8, 2011 at 1:46 pm

    How the HECK did I miss your kitchy redo? LOOKS FAB DOLL, you did a great job and my fav is your backsplash tile! love! xoxo shel

    Reply
  36. Robin says: September 1, 2011 at 4:07 am

    Thanks so much for the inspiration! Our kitchen layout is nearly the same and your pics are soo helpful!

    Reply
  37. Ikealady says: September 10, 2011 at 6:43 pm

    Looks really good !

    Reply
  38. Room Candy Boutique says: September 29, 2011 at 2:45 am

    LOVE!!!! The chandelier is my favorite thing!

    Reply
  39. Unknown says: April 20, 2012 at 9:08 pm

    ZOMG!!! I am totally in love with your kitchen makeover! It is BEAUTIFUL!!!

    Reply
  40. Lilian Deprekker says: July 12, 2012 at 2:37 am

    Pretty changes. But I would have taken the first one too. I like it and being poor, it was good enough for me.

    Reply
  41. Peter fadrick says: December 12, 2013 at 7:09 am

    Those are such pretty cake stands – love them! I definitely need something better than a plate.

    cheese board & salad bowl

    Reply
  42. North East Factory Direct says: April 10, 2017 at 4:15 am

    Wow!  you really did a beautiful job! I love how bright & fresh everything looks. What an improvement.  keep sharing more blogs.

    Reply
  43. Furniture Store Parker says: April 10, 2017 at 4:16 am

    Wow Soooo Gorgeous! It is so modern and clean looking. I’m really impressed.

    Reply
  44. Poulin Design Center says: April 10, 2017 at 4:17 am

    Truly beautiful! Love everything – from your new kitchen,You did an amazing job.  keep sharing more blogs.

    Reply
  45. Jeannie says: May 8, 2017 at 9:29 am

    I’m in love with your kitchen!!! I’m in the middle of re-modeling my kitchen right now and was going to go with an all white theme, until I seen what you’ve done with your kitchen, now I’m not sure anymore! I’m just afraid the Black might make my kitchen seem to dark and that is what I’m trying to get away from right now! I’m trying to brighten up my house and kitchen but even with the Black your’s seems so bright and cheery! How do I pulled this off??? Is it in your lighting? I think I have about the same amount of windows that you have but my friend and I are talking about putting a slider or French door and/or another window, in the dining area off the kitchen to help brighten it up!

    Reply
    • Cassie says: May 10, 2017 at 7:35 am

      Have so much fun with your reno…sounds amazing!

      Reply

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