I actually like the original look of the cabinet doors. I'm picturing them with a glass tile backsplash in multiple shades of green and blue. Replacing the portable dishwasher with a built-in is a no-brainer, but why did they put the stove in the hole for the fridge? It seems awkward to me.

Where did the fridge go?

Those original cabinets are great! I would have opted to highlight them and done more of a vintage inspired look. Which doesn't necessarily make it easier to sell of course!

It looked better before! Those cabinet doors were really cool-looking. I see the need to replace the countertop and tone down the competing woodgrains, but I'm with HCl.

Well done!

I like the after, but the before did have nice cabinets, I'm with HCI on this one. I have a stove that is up against a wall like that, and after using it twice I never even thought about the lack of space , it just is what it is and it works just fine.

I also do not understand why switch the stove & fridge.

Removing the fridge to put the oven in that spot is very awkward.
Speaking of the fridge, where is it?

I liked the original cabinets. Still not a fan of the default paint-it-all-white renovation method that's so popular right now.

I'll ditto Riccardo here re: paint-it-white. Sometimes it IS the only option but it seems to be really overly done as of late.

Re: the stove move - bad move IMO. I prefer to have some elbow and working room around me at the stove if at all possible.

IMO the flippers could have done some amazing things with that kitchen with the original cabinet doors. White paint isn't always the only budget option.

I hate the Before, but I also hate some of the details of the After (no objections to the "paint it white" approach here). Why did they pick that generic cabinet hardware? Makes it look like it was never done over. Strange.

It's sort of meh. I would have made some different choices on counters, backsplash, hardware, but the paint helps a lot. Not sure why they switched the position of the stove, unless that little thing under the cabinet above it is a fan?

I'll never understand this. If you're going to FLIP a house, they you need to rip stuff out and renovate it! Otherwise you're just putting lipstick on a pig and marking up the price. This renovation seems more like something you should do if you're living in the house and wanting to make it pretty while you save up the money for a big reno.

I loved the original cabinets too! Though I understand if they didn't like them. They looked so cool!

I usually love the white kitchen but honestly, not this one...sorry. first one at least has its own charm but the 2nd...looks very cheap and dated already.

I would kill for the cabinets in the before picture. The after is ... nice... there's just no charm to it and it look like every other kitchen makeover :/

Ugh. That is a chintzy-looking redo. Those cabinet fronts were nifty; they should have worked the reno around them. And why are people still flipping houses, anyway?

I respectfully disagree with the hate and discontent. White cabinets make the room lighter and give the impression of cleanliness, which the old wood does not. There is also an odor that old cabinets emit that is helped greatly when they are painted. And I also agree about the product being more cohesive with the existing appliances.

Not to mention, flipping is a very different game than it was five years ago. This is a good compromise for a flipped property- or as an intermediate step until a full reno is feasible.

I just wish people would disagree without being disagreeable.

I don't hate the makeover, but I too really liked the cabinets in the before picture. I would have gotten rid of that wall of paneling behind the stove in order to make the cabinets the focus. I'd have put new hardware on the cabinets and replaced the appliances. I think the original cabinets had a lot of potential.

i preferred the 'before' kitchen as well.

I think the after would look worlds better without that back splash. It's kind of busy and it's the first thing you notice in the room.

I like the white paint and all together think it's good for a flip. I would have done a different floor (maybe checkerboard to play on the vintage feel?), different backsplash (tile), and different handles. Overall, it’s okay as a starter home, but would still require some renovation by the new owners.

i think new paint and floor, maybe stain the old cabinets. It was a vintage gem, now looks stark and "Fake" vintage

really?? the after is boring. the before was mod!
if you had just put in new appliance, would have been very chic! bummer

Also, if you take the time to read the blog from the flipper, the cabinets were in no darling vintage original state. The wood you see isn't beautiful wood grain, but glued on wood pieces.

Yikes... tough crowd!
That being said, I agree with jaimemariel...

White kitchens are timeless! I've had a white kitchen for 24 years. It does need an update and it will still be white.

Loved the look of the original cabinets! But the kitchen does look clean and pdated now. Good job.

I agree with Dollface, its not that bad. I think that this as a flip is better than it was done before. For the price & investment - good job!

I just tried to read their blog post and my head just exploded from the crazy ass "artsy" font it's written in. Usability, peoples!!!

I prefer the white, btw.

I think the after kitchen is lovely. Nice and bright and clean. That said, I wouldn't buy a flip house if you paid me. Flippers don't know what the word "quality" means, they'll hire any old Joe contractor as long as they do the job cheap and if it looks good, that's all that matters. Run, don't walk, from a flip house.

I would have picked a different colour for the cabinets - the white makes the cream floor look dirty. That silver tile, coupled with the black counter looks very cold. And the positioning of the stove next to the wall is not practical, particularly for right-handed cooks.

If the landlord doesn't want cabinet hardware installed by drilling, try EZ Slide Cabinet Hardware. It slides on, and stays on by tension. They come in economical designs, or more upscale, depending on what one is looking for. And the recycled aluminum handles are "Made In America".

I think the stove and fridge were switched to allow for a fan vent over the stove. I wish I had one.

Not a huge fan of the all white cabinets (not the ones they chose anyways), but they're a heckuva lot better than the old wooden ones. Those were HIDEOUS.

I kind of adore the 'after' (but maybe that's because it's pretty much the same colors as my kitchen--white cabinets, black/dark gray counter, silver back splash) It's a great blank slate for the new owner to dress up however they want.

And in all honesty, I think the 'before' is hideous! Way too many different wood tones going on. Eww.

While I personally love the before cabinets more, the white will prob be more sellable.

And I do like the countertop and tin backsplash.

First off, THANK YOU apartment therapy for the feature, I am truly, truly honored.

And second....ouch...you guys are crazy harsh. It's a rental unit, I mean seriously? I would LOVE to see how you all buy foreclosures, etc., work on them in under 30 days on hardly a budget....glass tile, seriously? How would we even make a profit? Not only that, when this renter moves out, the cost to go in and fix the damage that they have done, why would we want to invest that much in just the kitchen? The budget for the WHOLE house was under 4000, materials, labor, landscape and everything. FYI, rental or income properties here have to resale or rent for a low price, per sq foot, otherwise it make absolutely no sense to even do it. I see a house and a few days later I get the notice to go in and get started on it and have it done in less than a month. We have to be smart and appeal to the largest audience possible, when reselling. In the price range we choose to work in for better resale, most are first time homebuyers who are giddy just to have a functioning house, yet alone one that has new appliances, floors, paint, landscaping and half of the time new hvac units.

And the cabinets before, I am surprised you all liked them so much. Sure, they have charm...but it's NOT charming when they are falling apart because the previous homeowner decided to basically use sticky tape to hold up the wood for an overlay. They are still the 'original' cabinets, just took off the bad job that was done on a whim. And so, so much grease on them.

The stove, wow...so many 'opinions' on this! The current space is the original space for it. Those of you who actually might of looked at the pictures, would notice a vent above where it is. A working vent, might I add. Which equals not having to spend more money to buy a new one and build a hood for it. I can't explain the amount of grease on the paneling behind the old spot. And we chose to leave the paneling up so the frig could be in front, and we were looking into re-sheetrocking the whole wall if we took it out.
If you actually read the post, you would read where we actually ran through several ideas for this space to maximize it.
When we go in and buy new appliances and hardware, it is not wise to buy a $1000 appliance when I can get a floor sample for $199 and spend $10.00 per pull when I can grab a bag of pulls, for rental property, for $10.

Thank you to Dollface!! Flipping is crazy different than it was even a year ago. And couldnt agree more with your comment on white, it makes it feel clean, spacious and lighter. And I can't explain the smell, when someone deep fries food a good portion of the time, the smell soaks in to the wood. Thank you again for seeing it the way I do, reading the post, and understanding!

I do value peoples input, but geez, you guys are tough to please

Looks 1,000 times better than the before! Well done! I like the stamped tin backsplash, but I think it would work better to use something that complemented the floor tile. But that's just my personal preference. Still looks great!

I'm the nth commenter to wonder where the fridge went...It does make sense to move the stove to a place where it can get vented, though, elbow room or not. I have one of those totally useless suck-the-air-in-and-blow-it-right-back-out ones, and finally gave up on having a smoke alarm in the kitchen. And my cooking isn't that bad!

To Two Thirty Five Designs - all of that completely makes sense now that you outline it for us. We would have loved to have read that on your blog - but couldn't get past the unreadable, ridiculous font. You have great content, please change the font so that everyone can read it.

Two Thirty Five Designs - Not many here really bother to read or click on the links to see more...They view the pics here and throw out their opinions on how much they hate when people paint wood. Even if it looks straight up fugly...don't mess with wood! Even if it's pieces of wood tacked on and its falling apart...it's still wood! Welcome to Apartment Therapy ;p

I love the white. The renter can add to it and make it personal. Give it personality. Where as you'd have to design around the before. I'm sure someone could have done something great with it. If posters love the look of the before so much let them recreate something like it and show us how cool it could look. That's my challenge to them.

ditto everything HCl said.

And I am in love the shelves!

and to krgr1428 -- i clicked through, and glue or not, i still like the wood on the cab doors, don't get why they moved the stove and totally am at a loss as to why they kept the weird shelves with fussy brackets across the window.

They moved the stove because the current area is the right place for it. It already had the working vent. What is confusing is why the previous owners moved it away from the vent to begin with.

Hhhhmmm. I hate being the "I like the before better" person!

But. Before: unique, different and cool. After: rental kitchen.

And I actually LIKE the painting cabinets white trend. This just looks...... cheap? Sorry.

I think that it turned out very nice. I think that some people have been a little rude about their comments. I myself probably would not of painted it white, but sanded down and stained them. However, that takes much more time and the flipper didn't have much time. She had to do the whole house so I can see where the white was a safe and functional option.

The floor is really an eyesore now and why those ornate shelf holders? I agree that the choice of cabinet hardware makes it look like it hasn't been redone.

Actually, I'm one who DID click thru to the links. Megan, the owner actually did MORE work than you speculated. The wood that was on the doors was glued on so they removed the glued panels, sanded down all the glue then painted.

I'm not a wood purist. I like wood but I like when it looks good too. Paint isn't a bad option. I've seen some SPECTACULAR painted kitchens in a variety of colors from muted to bold.

$4K to do the whole house? You're not a flipper, you're a slum lord, LOL.

They ruined it by painting it! This makes me sad.

Two Thirty Five Designs -- I love that you came on here and told all these jerks where they can shove it. Kudos to you.

And you did a great job, you should be proud.

I read the comments before peeking...was thinking omg what did they do. Well they did a really nice, sensible job and as a renter I would be thrilled with finding such a clean, bright place. Btw had no problem with font on their blog and Allison, enjoyed your pininterest.

Good job. As ever, pictures of wood at like 1/50th life-size are deceptive. The illusion of the before is sort of inspiring, though.

I like it better before, those wooden doors were really cool. I think it would have looked great if they painted rest of the cabinets white and left the doors, maybe got some new handles and a new splash.
Now it just makes me want to yawn. Sorry.

I doubly agree to differ with the discontent. This is the definition of potential for change. I love it. And the fact they did it on the cheap just makes it better.

They probably moved the fridge because they wanted a new one too big for the spot, and then moved the range into the empty space. I would guess it's more ergonomic to have a stove top next to counter space.

before wins! but their hard work is reflected in the after pics though

okay i can't believe i'm going to say this because 99.9% of the time i love the crisp white paint makeovers... but...
i LOVE the before! parts of it anyway.

It says it in the post, it's not a dream kitchen. That being said some of the finishings are ok like getting rid of all that wood but bad choice in hardware makes it look like it wasn't ever renovated.

I too thought the before was VERY interesting -
I love warm wood tones and white!

Reading the renovator's comments, it makes sense.

I have a hope chest from my grandmother that had the same kind of gorgeous wood design as the Before cabinets, but it was warped. I took it to a wood furniture restorer, and he told me that turns out my grandma was cheap and bought some sort of discount chest made up of like 10 kinds of wood, so he couldn't stain it because it would turn out crazy. We ended up spray-painting it creamy-white with a faux-wood grain design (the guy is an artist, it looks so real!) and it's sooo pretty now. I was so sad that I couldn't restain the original design, but if it can't be maintained then the white paint is a nice option.

Now what I hate is the black counter tops. They just suck all the life out of the room! ;)

... would that my landlords cleaned off the sides of the stove before every new tenant moves in.... :|

While I agree that the old cabinets were cool, this is PERFECT for a flip. We're house hunting right now, and it's clear from what sells and what doesn't that with kitchens, cleaned up, white and streamlined makes the grade. Nice ROI.

I don't think it's too bad, this is the kind of reno you'd do if you're thinking of moving soon. Definitely not the owners idea of a dream kitchen I assume. Though I have to say, that back splash is really not cool!

Two Thirty Five, I think this kitchen looks great! I'd be very happy to call it mine. (And I like the black countertop -- hides a multitude of sins!)

it is a site about design, creativity, home spaces. not *entirely* shocking if people aren't overly impressed when you admit yourself you're just trying to do the least possible to make it livable and okay.

It may be a perfectly reasonable meh reno job, but people are reacting to it on Apartment Therapy, where we expect something at least noteworthy; it's not exactly a shining example of something to aim for.

I love it! I have the same tin tile backsplash and have been procrastinating forever about painting my old worn out cabinets white. Now I'm inspired to have it done AND use one of those countertop kit to paint my old worn out laminate countertop a cool black. Thank you so much for the inspiration!

I loved the before- cabinet doors too! If you just imagine the first pic without all the junk, and possibly with a different back splash and painted those upper shelves without doors, it would have been fab!

You people are unbelievable! I dare any of you to put your time, energy and talent into renovating any portion of a home and then put it up on the web for all of the world to see and comment on. Constructive criticism is one thing. Being flat-out mean to somebody that you don't even know is digusting and shows a considerable lack of manners and upbringing. I'm sure your mama would be proud.

LOVE the backsplash. HATE those weird, curly shelves.

My first thought upon seeing the before was WOW cool cabinets. But if they are falling apart and you are trying to sell then the after is a good way to go. With some personalization the after will have a LOT of charm.

Love the shelves on the window. It's nice they went beyond cosmetic changes and made this a good space to work in.

I'm going to save a picture of the before for when I get to redo cabinets. They're supercool, but I hear what the owner is saying about them looking cheap in real life. Photos can't capture the detail.
As to his/her concern that posters are harsh...has s/he never read AT? People here are judgey, it's a design blog, for god's sakes. I would never post a home tour or redo or furniture make over because I wouldn't want to subject my self.

Two Thirty-Five Designs: Hi! I'm the original poster. I hope you don't mind that I featured your project. Ignore the naysayers. I wouldn't ever link to something that didn't reflect what I believe this site is partly about: making the most of what you have, even if that's a small budget and elbow grease. I think you did a great job. Having lived in a rental with hideous cabinetry, and having actually read your blog post, which explained about the state of the existing cabinets (even if the wood look is cool, they were in bad shape), I think you made smart choices.

@Fancyd: It does require a thick skin to submit a project to Apartment Therapy. I've put my own projects up, so I know from personal experience. I wish people could learn to be more constructive and less cruel. Comments astound me sometimes. I think we lose out on a lot of potentially cool posts because of it.

Call me crazy, but I thought the "tacky" cabinets were pretty cool with the white! (That was the only thing I liked about the original kitchen, though hahaha)

Nicely done, very cute new kitchen :)

Actually pictures no. 3 & 4 on the original site with more white walls white and natural wood counters are by far the best. It would have been preferable, IMO to paint the walls white rather than gray, and have a white backsplash. Alternatively, the cabinets should have been painted the same gray as the walls (and backsplash The metalic tiles just don't do anything) On the other hand, if you are absolutely set on a black and white theme, then why not continue the black and white theme on the floor and have black and white tiles? And stove should have black top to match the counters and fit the space. The cheesy cabinet handles, no way.

Just to be clear, I never said I hated the after photos, and I certainly didn't mean to imply that my personal preference (re: tile, for instance) would make any sense in a flip/rental situation, or that that is what should have been done. All I said was that I liked the way the unpainted cabinets look in the before photo. If that is harsh or cruel in some way, then I'm sorry. For what it's worth, the afters look amazing compared to some of the rental kitchens I've lived with.

As a renter, I'd be thrilled to have the neatly painted white cabinets - there's a good amount of them and they look sturdy. Also, it's nice to know a coat of white paint keeps them looking fresh. (My rented house has only enough kitchen storage for some of my pots and utensils - no dishes - and the cabinets seem to be made of cardboard.)

Looks like a typical flipper's re-muddle. Sad.

@HCI: I wasn't addressing anyone in particular, or necessarily even this post. Maybe cruel isn't the best word. Most of the time it's more like rude. People can be pretty harsh.

It's not necessarily rude to point out that things could be done better. Painting things white is usually a good solution for an undistinguished space, which is what we have here. Black and white is high contrast and seems to demand a bit more attention to elegance and detail. Not sure if the space can support it.

Note kitchen in this blog, scroll down a bit.

http://www.delikatissen.com/2011/12/papel-de-pared-en-zonas-estrategicas-del-hogar/

Doesn't anyone reading AT want to know how to actually pay off a mortgage in their lifetime AND retire with a decently maintained property?I love this post and the few we get like it.It's realistic and affordable.

The average person reading AT would get ripped off buying property.Owning more than a few rentals myself... that's would be my take on it based on the everyday comments here.

Decoration and renovation are not the same thing.Buying and renting are not the same thing.Bless you AT for trying to explain this to your readers.

It looks much, much better than it did before.

Well done! Much cleaner and brighter. The tenant will be able to make it their own - which is part of the fun. As someone dipping a toe into the investment property pool after my own first lengthy (& sometimes overly spendy) reno of a fixer I appreciate these (and all) types of features about keeping things within reasonable means. Owner or renter, it just ain't fun to be housepoor. :(

I really don't agree with leave the old cabinets if you are going to flip a place those cabinets do not appeal to a wide market of people and unfortunately white does. I do agree with the comments on the placement of the appliances, it does not seem set up efficiently.

I still would love to have seen the original doors stripped and resealed in their natural wood color. Le sigh. But otherwise a very nice update.