apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

what is that beautiful shade of red? and where did you get that pot rack?

i LOVE it!

Fantastic.

where did can someone get that hanging pot rack? it's exactly what i'm looking for!
any suggestions?

sorry, it's too much for a small space. there is stuff everywhere.

eek, i do not like that red. but then, i have never been a fan.

however, i do like the removed doors and how much that opens up the joint.

though i would probably purge a lot more stuff. like all those bowls on the top of the cabinets, they just seem like too much clutter. i wouldn't put anything up there. because of the hanging pots and utensils, it just because too much.

good job, though!

I'm curious about the bottom cabinets. Are they now painted?

Ooh I like it--but is it just dark outside the window or did he actually paint that section of the wall black?

Ashley
http://rainycitystyle.blogspot.com

Its SO BUSY.

TOO. MUCH. STUFF.

(Arrrgggghhhh...some people are so cranky!)

This transformation is beautiful! I love the new space, the new lighting is fantastic and the paint color is great. It is such an improvement from what was there before.

Congrats on your beautiful work.

Good job on transforming your space. I like the red color, I'm also curious about the space above the window.

definitely an improvement! I would have kept at least some of the top cupboard doors to streamline the look a bit, but I do like all the lighting above and below the cabinets. Definitely helps lighten things up!

Such a clever idea! It may not be to everyones' taste, but you can't deny that the kitchen is now oozing with personality. Well done!

wow very impressive diy and transformation! it is cookie-cutter no more!

and i think it actually looks LESS cluttered with all the open cabinets than before. or maybe you just cleaned up more for the after shots :)

that is a great shade of red, what is the brand??

as for the "clutter" some, people don't hang out in the kitchen to soak up the aesthetic beauty. this guy is a chef and there's real day-to-day cooking going on here. i would guess he's more concerned with having his tools at hand and in plain view than in creating a serene environment.

I rather liked the "before" kitchen. But then, I really love white cabinets and don't care for red, except as an accent color.

I think I like the before picture better, too. He has much more counter space in the red kitchen, but I really don't see what he did to create more storage. I think he must have just purged and moved the stuff off the counter. Which is great! But didn't necessitate removing the doors. I think the white cabinets have a much more streamlined look.

very nice - these ideas might make it less "busy":
all insides of cabinets and storage boxes one color; panel beneath sink same as cabinets; consolidate dishware, use space for bowls above cabinets & smaller countertop items; all utensils together; colorless glassware

I like the remodel! In response to those who are saying it's too busy, though, I have to agree. But it's no fault of your own- this is WAY too small a kitchen for someone who appears to like to spend as much time cooking as you do. How do you stand it?! I'm getting ready to move out of my apartment based on kitchen size issues alone.

Oh people.

My favorite part of this kitchen is that it looks like every inch of this space is his - designed for him to cook. He picked what he liked, and where he wanted his bowls, and everything is right at hand, and I bet the color makes him smile every time he even passes by the kitchen.

This would never be my kitchen for many reasons, but that doesn't hamper my love and appreciation for this one.

Well done my friend.
~k

Yikes, what happened to the new comment policy people??? Anyway, LOVE that shade of red and the new lighting. I might have kept the lower cabinets white just for visual unity but I know I'm a minority among a sea of people who like wood-colored wood. =) Regarding the "busy' issue... well, yes, there is a LOT going on this kitchen. But the guy likes to cook, so it's sort of inevitable. I would stack some of the metal bowls, cover the bulletin board in a solid fabric, and add one more thing: a mostly solid-color (like a faded red) rag rug or something on the floor. I think with all the stuff "up" it draws the eye up and makes the room feel a little top heavy, which mentally = clutter... even though it's not actually that much stuff. So adding something low to anchor it I think will help. Overall though it's such an amzing transformation that this is just nit-picking!

I did find the before rather drab and not so much because of the color of the cabinets but because they are just basic flat paneled units that look on the cheap side.

Withouth replacing what are basically decent, but not very stylish cabinetry, he worked with what he had and got rid of the very basic appliances for something a little nicer, which can make a big difference if you trully cook, that said, I love how he brought in personality but there are some things I'd do to lessen the visual clutter and I'd place a crock w/ my cooking utenils in next to the stove, rather than hung by the sink. in the after shots, he had the lights off in the dining area beyond the kitchen, which I think needed to be on to help w/ the after shot. The bowls on top, I don't know if I'd store them up there, especially if mixing bowls unless there is no room elsewhere for them, in this case, not a bad idea to use them as a decorative element when not in use.

I'm not a fan of glass top cooktops and would prefer gas if at all possible for cooking but that's a much better stove than the one that was in there which was as basic a stove as one can get.

In looking at the after shots, it looks like he sacraficed dish etc storage for pantry space and with the doors off, it makes sense here for he can just grab what he needs and go and by taking off the counters stuff that he could helps greatly in allowing for space to prepare/chop etc.

Overall a little more busy for the eye but in the end, I bet it's a much more enjoyable space to cook in.

As a chef myself, I would LOVE this kitchen. Great color to keep me energized while I work. Utensils all close at hand. More workspace. No need to open cabinets to get to often used ingredients. This is a kitchen all about getting it done. Very well done!

I love the red (my kitchen is red, so I'm partial) and some of the open shelving is nice...
...but I think he took aspect that too far. IMO, When you've got to have boxes on shelves to organize the stuff to make the stuff on the shelf look pretty, just put the door back on.

I think he might have gotten alot more impact by leaving many of the upper doors on, but changing the flooring and using handles that weren't the same style as the old handles but in a different finish.

I would love to cook in this kitchen. It has great energy from the lighting and the red background, and everything is easy to find.

It combines a "jewel box" look with strong functionality.

I don't find it overwhelming at all. I think you could walk right in and start cooking.

I like the idea, but hate the execution of this one. The bold red with all of that stuff visible is too much. If I were to remove my cabinet doors things would need to be kept very very simple. This way it just looks like you are trying to display every kitchen item you own.

overall, nice job. but i agree with the others, there's waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much stuff.

Count me in the "too much visual clutter" camp. I think the room would be better served by replacing the upper cabinet doors. Too, the larger handles on the lower cabinets end up looking very tightly grouped due to the size of the kitchen, again, creating visual clutter. Overall the concept is great and shows tremendous creativity and effort.

This makeover is FANTASTIC! So much more warm, inviting and modern.

I'd have subbed glass panel cabinet doors for the now-open shelves, but that's just my personal dislike of open shelving in the kitchen.

i just moved into a condo previously owned by guys who ALSO painted the kitchen and ceiling red...NO NO NO!

If there is so much stuff outside the cabinets, what's in the cabinets?

Looks good but I don't want to clear a space just to make a sandwich.

Really nice oven. Who makes it?
My landlord said that I might not be able to get a new electric range because the apt's wiring might not be able to handle it. Does anyone know how to prove him wrong? I have a phobia of gas leaks so I HAVE to go with electric.

I agree that it's too much. It is visually too much. It's certainly not boring like before, but wow. Kind of worse with clutter.

there's a lot going on in here, but it sounds like it really works for the guy who lives here - and likes to cook! (besides, there was clutter before, people...and at least now there's not diet coke boxes, etc on top of the cabinets) i think it's an improvement! nice work, jason!

Wow, that kitchen is pretty sexy. It's also warm and inviting. I actually prefer the "clutter" in the after shot because it looks more home-y and rustic.

I really would like to know how the lid stays on that small pot.

I wasn't sure about the makeover at first glance but now I think it's great. However, I would definitely paint that panel by the sink to match the lower cabinets, and I think it'd be better if all the storage containers were the same lighter color. Minor quibbles, though, when overall it's so thoughtfully executed. There are beautiful kitchens and hard-working kitchens, and very rarely does one meet the most critical eye in both camps. This one looks pretty good and works really hard.

OMG I love your new faucet - Tre Bien!!
and the black oven really does help tie everything together,
which I believe helps it not seem as cluttered as others might... but also eff off to others who don't use their kitchens AND have extreme opinions on how one should operate.

I like what you did with the space. The red gives a small space some color just tone down some stuff, especially the storage boxes. :)

I think this was a good attempt at the open kitchen look. However, the space would feel more open if the upper cabinets were removed completely and long white shelves were installed in their place. Also, the metal bowls on top add unnecessary clutter. The lighting is really successful, though! Good quick DIY job.

Yes there is a lot of stuff but I like it!!! I do NOT feel it looks cluttered. When I saw the after pic I said wow and felt energized! I love the red and how it pops. I Like that the space on top wasn't wasted but is storing useful bowls. I ADORED the storage boxes as it looks clean and you can store cluttery items in them and they are hidden. Nice job and have fun cooking in such a great open and useful space!