Kitchen Renovation Under $1,000 – In 2 Weekends
I’m so happy with my newly organized kitchen, thanks to Apartment Therapy’s Kitchen Cure. I thought I’d pitch in and share a kitchen renovation I did for less than a thousand dollars. Ready?
The photo, above, is the completed project. Unfortunately, it doesn’t show the right-hand counter or the tiny range. But you get the idea.
This was my first show house. The Junior League gave me a tiny kitchen that had been part of a mother-in-law’s apartment. It was so depressing, I think I may have been the only designer who bid on it.
As you can see, the floor was Ick! The cabinets and counters were a snore. The hardware was cheesy “brass”. This was one ugly kitchen. I love a challenge and could see the potential just waiting to be brought out.
If you have an ugly kitchen, you can transform it too. I overhauled this one in two weekends for under $1,000. Here’s how I did it.
MORE!
Kitchen Cure Update
Are we done? I’m very happy with my newly clean and organized kitchen thanks to Apartment Therapy’s Kitchen Cure. If I didn’t have someone nagging me, I’d never have done it. I still don’t have my kitchen island tricked out. I’m saving that for next week’s trip to New York. Here’s a shot of the left half of my kitchen, which I think looks rather smart.
We don’t use this counter for cooking, so I felt it was okay to have some attractive tchotkes arranged on it. misterarthur found the rusted lantern in the garage. I’m thinking of painting it a deep red lacquer. Opinions?
As I said, I’m headed for New York next week to shop for a client and spend some time with a friend of mine who is the Queen of Styling. We’re going to finish up the kitchen island together. I’ll keep you posted.
If you’re interested in doing the cure yourself, follow this link.
Greentea Design
I’d like to welcome my new sponsor, Greentea. They sell all kinds of Asian-inspired products for the home, but specialize in kitchen cabinets.
I haven’t used their products, but I like the way their site takes you through the decision process.
If you like an Asian look, Greentea’s designs are worth taking a look at.
Michael Cohen Tiles at Pewabic Pottery
Michael Cohen’s tiles capture the Pewabic look in a unique way. They have that Pewabic finish, but it’s his designs that stand out as different. These are my favorites.
Michael Cohen worked as a potter for 48 years until he designed these handmade tiles. They became so popular that he had to stop making pots to keep up with the demand for these.
He creates them by rolling out a 25 lb stoneware clay slab, and pressing the design into the slab. A brilliant blue glaze is applied. The finish is highlighted with molten glass.
Four of his designs are sold at Detroit’s Pewabic Pottery shop. But you can also buy them online. Each 6″ x 6″ tile comes with a hook for hanging, or you can use these as a trivet. Personally, I’d use them as accent tiles on a backsplash.
The tiles sell for $26 each.
Sweet Paul’s Last Minute Pumpkin Carving Ideas
So those of us who have been busy with work, it’s not to late to get started on some last minute pumpkin carving. Thanks to my friend, Susan, I’ve discovered a new and terrific blog called Sweet Paul. This past week, this ?ºber-crafty genius featured a number of brilliant pumpkin carving ideas. I loved them so much I had to post on a Saturday.
Sweet Paul's brilliant pumpkins
Here is just one of several ideas from Paul. You’ll enjoy all his ideas – even those not related to pumpkins. Be warned, you might find yourself engrossed in Sweet Paul’s posts that you run out of time for pumpkins.
That’s on my To-Do list today, along with my third assignment for Apartment Therapy’s Kitchen Cure. We’re supposed to do a deep cleaning. Fortunately, I did that while I reorganized. I have one more cabinet to tackle and then all I have left is my kitchen island to style. I’m saving that for my trip to New York in a couple of weeks. Wouldn’t you know, I threw out a bunch of those little trees (see pumpkin, above) last week.
Closet of Terror becomes the pantry
Enjoy Sweet Paul and let me know how your pumpkins turned out.
