For many people, the kitchen truly is the heart of the home, so dealing with one that is dark, cramped and awkward can make enjoying the home a difficult proposition. After ten years in that situation, Massacheussetts-based designer Linda Merrill decided to take the plunge and makeover her tiny kitchen on a shoestrong budget. Though the makeover costs do not include the appliances, this remarkable project highlights the impact a little creativity and elbow grease can have on any dreary space.
Merrill created instant impact by papering the kitchen with beadboard wallpaper- cheaper and easier than installing actual beadboard in the space. The glossy white paint helps to reflect light around the room and gives a crisp clean look to this dated kitchen. The new skirted counter is actually an old door that dramatically increases the workspace in the kitchen. Painting the cabinets and replacing the knobs was labor-intensive but the end result is definitely worth it.
For more pictures of this great transformation, check out the full story on Shelterpop.
(Images: Linda Merrill (kitchen Before) and Michael Lee (kitchen After) both via Shelterpop.)
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Super jealous of those floors.
Looks much better now. The new white and black look makes the floors stand out.
Didn't go through the link but... what do you mean the counter is an old door? o.O
OK, so what I thought you meant was what you meant, but I don't see how it actually increases the workspace. There already was a counter or island or whatever in that exact same place in the before pictures.
I like the new black paint on those cabinets...
...and the roman window shade is so much better!
Great work. I'd have liked to have seen a more tailored skirt around that door. The gathers don't fit the sophisticated details so well. Box pleats would have worked better. I'd have trimmed the bottom with a narrow hem of black, too. Would have grounded it better.
That burlap skirt is ridiculous in a kitchen.
Why is a burlap skirt ridiculous? That's just silly, I love the texture it brings into the room and for $500.00 all I can say is what a transformation!!
I wouldn't think of black in tiny kitchen but this looks elegant. The burlap not so much.