When I moved into the apartment, the kitchen looked like this:
There's absolutely nothing wrong with it, it's just not "pretty". The cabinets, the counters, even the appliances are all new ... but this kitchen still needed a little something extra. There was no way I could paint the cabinets, but it became clear to me that the this tiny little kitchen would be much brighter, and appear more open, if these dark cabinets were gone.
So, one day, without permission, and a lot of brute strength, I pulled the upper cabinets down. I know right!?!?! The wall behind the cabinets required a ton of repair, but after patching and sanding and painting, the kitchen looked more open and spacious than before. I built the shelves and installed them on the corbels (purchased at Lowes) and painted everything out in the wall color (SW Dover White).
The next step was changing out the sad plastic mini blinds, and ho-hum light fixture. This roman shade was actually a DIY project by me! I still can't believe I made that thing! I found the pendant on clearance at Lowes, and installed it over the sink.
You can see that I hid the lower cabinets with this linen skirt, sheered onto tension rods which were held onto the cabinets with cup hooks.
I got the rug at an auction, it's a Russian Bukhara rug - and those things are practically indestructible. Great for the kitchen, especially since this is where Arlo and Louna wait for their treats, and it takes a daily beating from cookie crumbs and puppy toe nails.
The lower cabinets still function as storage, and are easily accessed by simply moving the curtains on the tension rods. But there are a lot of things stored on the counter and shelves that I need for daily use. Cereal bowls and silverware are tucked into this little basket, along with cloth napkins and lemons for morning tea.
On the other side of the shelves, the cabinet came down, but I left the wall space vacant. A simple German roe antler mount looks pretty good there, I think. A cutting board and Ralph Lauren candle urn (scored that one for 95% off the retail price) stay there all the time - and now that Spring is officially here, I have a feeling I'll be able to pick small bouquets of flowers to keep in the crystal vase those sunflowers are in.
Keeping it all neat looking is really about grouping and stacking. Making sure that everything is where it's supposed to be, and the "decorative" things are also utilitarian.
I started collecting cutting boards. Who collects cutting boards!? ME! And they all get stored here in the basket. I love this vignette, so I had to share another view.
At the end of the day, it's a decent apartment sized kitchen - and the finishes are what they are. If it were my home, and I could pick and choose, I would certainly have different cabinets, counters, appliances ... you name it. But, for now, in a rental - I'm pretty happy with it.
Proves that just about anything can be made better with fabric and paint!
Hope you like the little switch ups as much as I do, and that you can be inspired in a little way (or a big way) by the change. Happy Weekend!
Usually I lurk, but OMG I have to know: what did you do with the upper cabinets??? Did you stash them a storage unit so you could put them back up if/when you move out? Did you trash them? Inquiring minds want to know! ð
ReplyDeleteAlso, the redo looks fabulous! Like everything you do!
Hey Monica!
DeleteGood question. They got stashed. If I had trashed them I would have been in a WORLD of hurt when it came time to move out. LOL!
LOL I hear that!
DeleteAgain, it looks amazing!
Thank you so much! :)
DeleteWOW!!! I love looking at what you do with your home! The transformation is incredible. I love it! Thanks so much for sharing this, affordable/ do-able renovation.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Robin! :)
DeleteGreat transformation -worth every cent and hour of labor! Congrats and enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! :)
DeleteThis is an incredibly beautiful transformation. I am considering renting next year but was concerned about not being able to make it my own and personalize it in any way. You just showed me somewhat "easy" and "simple" ways to do so. Thanks so much for the inspiration. I am so in love with your gorgeous kitchen!!
ReplyDeleteDana - I was skeptical of being a renter as well, and thankfully I've found understanding landlords who gave me permission to do a lot of work to the units to make them feel like my own. I love my apartment so much now, as it's all coming together, I can't imagine moving ... unless I find something better! LOL!
DeleteFabulous.
ReplyDeleteThank you Margaret! :)
DeleteHi Artie! Your wheels are always spinning and never disappoint! Well done, sir! Your apartment is stunning!
ReplyDeleteThank you Donna! I was just talking to a friend of mine about how I need a store to keep from redecorating here all the time.
DeleteYou would be wildly successful! That would be brilliant! I hope you pursue that some day!
DeleteI agree with Donna...my first little shop was so tiny, and the rent was so low, but I got the richest and nicest clients ever!
Delete(hint: they were mostly old money with high taste levels)
You did a fabulous transformation, Artie. It was well worth all the effort.
ReplyDeleteThank you Victoria!
DeleteFabulous! Congratulations with this redo! So very charming! Love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Greet!
DeleteYou have such a creative imagination and put it to good use. Well done Artie!
ReplyDeleteWell, I wish my back and shoulders were as solid as my creativity! LOL! Thanks Naz!
DeleteOh my goodness fabulous!! What an incredible makeover, and such innovative ideas for an apartment. Gorgeous:-)
ReplyDeleteThank you Anita! :)
DeleteThis is seriously AMAZING! Artie... the upper cabinets! I saw your response in a comment, and glad to hear you can put them back up; but if I owned the rental, I would let you have at it! The entire complex should hire you to re-vamp every unit :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Angel! Wouldn't that be nice!? I would TOTALLY take that job!
DeleteWow! What a fabulous transformation, it's beautiful and on a budget too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Terri!
DeleteYou are so talented! This looks fantastic. I, too, was curious what you did with the cabinets. In my last house, I threw them all out and did some of the things you did here. We we sold the house, the buyers wanted the doors, etc., because they hated my skirts and open shelves. But it was my house, and I told them if they wanted to buy it, then they could do exactly what they wanted with it. I found out later they gutted my pretty kitchen and made it boring again, but -- it wasn't my house anymore, so who cares!ð The first thing I wondered, though, was did it damage the cabinets? We took a few down in our current house, and it completely destroyed them!
ReplyDeleteOMG, Scribbler, you have no idea how scared I was that was going to happen with these - but luckily they came down without a scratch!
DeleteYou are amazing- yet again. What an utterly charming, inviting kitchen that is perfectly partnered with your stunning apartment. Thanks for inviting us in.
ReplyDeleteWhat an absolute gorgeous transformation, Artieben. That said; as a Landlord once-upon-a-time myself; I know without a doubt I would be embracing you as a Tenant and all your wonderful upgrades and giving you free reign to revamp ..... and I mean that sincerely! -Brenda-
ReplyDeleteLove this makeover! You have such incredible style--love your blog!
ReplyDelete-Lori
Such a great re-do Artie! I love how simple things can make such a huge difference in a rental. You are so creative ~kelley~ xo
ReplyDeleteWOW!! Talk about making a silk purse out of a sow's ear....!!!! You nailed it! You are so bold....inspiring all of us to be fearless in creating the environment we want to live in! Kudos to you!
ReplyDelete...simply beautiful...blessings...laney
ReplyDeleteJust discovered your site and I love it! This kitchen is absolutely fabulous!! Love everything about it,
ReplyDeleteI love these kitchens, you have really set out the fundamental concepts of good kitchen style.
ReplyDeleteThanks for these outstanding pictures . These are really beautiful. thanks for sharing with us
ReplyDeleteThis kitchen is stunning. What a clever idea to cover the lowers with skirts...you are amazing..
ReplyDeleteArtie!
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing! You brought SoCal chic to Buffalo ! Wow! A tour de force! You must have really HATED those cabs huh? LOL! This post should be published in a shelter mag- it's just mind blowing what you've done. Your talent and energy know no bounds, and I am very impressed!
Love your space! Another fabulous makeover! Great job...
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Great transformation -worth every cent and hour of labor! Congrats and enjoy!
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Love the look of the lower curtains but I’m curious.. rod pockets are they difficult to open or open wide enough? I was thinking a pinch pleat on rings might work better (more costly) but they might stack better when searching those lower shelves..always difficult anyway to find things! ..just a thought.
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