are the knobs bone, gold, plastic? they are interesting.

Definitely a HUGE improvement!!!! Much prefer the after than the before! I'm sure they're thrilled!

gorgeous - so nice and streamlined. great job!

For sure a BIG improvement...but a little boring for my taste!

Congratulations...really great job for the price!!

Very pretty! I love marble counters and the backsplash is nice. Not the same-old, same-old.

gold knobs? really?

I really love the backsplash and countertops. Really great effort. I would have gone with silver or grey-toned cabinet hardware -- the gold seems to clash with the appliances and overall color scheme.

I love it. Clean, elegant and ready for a pop of color via a fresh bouquet or a bowl of fruit or veggies! Well done!

Not in love with the gold cabinet hardware, but it's nice. I do worry that the tile will also look dated a few years from now. Still, it's a lovely kitchen.

Very pretty. Modern without being sterile.

Very subtle and sophisticated! Love the backsplash tiles with the marble counter top. It would also be great with some funky red accent pieces.

i would choose a fun blind with abstract pattern.....:)

Ok, that is really great--opening the space, all the white, and the fabulous backsplash--which I don't think will ever look dated--but I love that Moorish look. And I appreciate the cost breakdown. Good job on those cabinets!!

Wow the dishwasher cost almost as much as the stove. All that and no pic. I am hoping its one of those funky drawer units.

The marble counter top is an interesting choice, especially if you choose to use the kitchen for cooking. Just about everything stains it: oil, acidic fruit, turmeric. Just be careful and wipe quickly..

But otherwise lovely job. I love the streamlined cabinets and hardware.

I thought it was the whole condo? Where's the rest of the pics? or was it only the kitchen?
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE it! and that backsplash is super fun! I'd love to see it when it's a little more settled in, and the pops of color from everyday are in there.

Oh, man! The kitchen is beautiful. I have to admit that I liked the old backsplash in a funky sort of way... However, those knobs you used are the same ones we put in our studio!

http://www.yellowbrickhome.com/2012/03/23/the-shelves/

Love, love, love the gold knobs. Awesome.

Love it! It's clean, bright, simple and pretty. I especially like the marble countertops, and would be pretty happy to have a condo with a kitchen this nice.

You should have just painted the existing cabinets.

Call me crazy but I also liked the old backsplash and even corny faux-wood counter.

I really like this new kitchen. It's now ready for me to make it my own.

Personally in a space this small I would have gone with white appliances. I think the S/S with black chops the space up a bit. Stenciling a copy of the tile pattern on the window blind could be fun.

i LOVE the gold cabinet pulls - I'm pretty tired and worn out by silver and chrome. The gold brings warmth and a sense of luxury....i'm totally for it!

@yellow brick home: how can I get my hands on them??

Love, love, LOVE the backsplash tiles. Gorgeous, especially with the beautiful marble countertops (did the contractor fix that seam problem? I can't tell from these photos). Very clean, streamlined look with the cabinets. I kinda agree with the folks who question the gold knobs, but that's a matter of my taste -- and it's YOUR kitchen! Seriously, a terrific job. Enjoy!!

i agree with dc mandy. my son has the carrera countertop in his kitchen and not only does everything stain it, it is very hard to keep it clean. make sure they have a large cutting board and coasters on top to rest everything on it. his was stained by red wine dripping on the counter.

Looks great! I do like the color scheme, but for the gold knobs. Fortunately, that's an easy fix if one should decide to change them. Also, I probably would've kept a double sink. Otherwise, a fantastic improvement!

Agree with others who think the gold/brass handles clash with the stainless steel and other gray tones. Could have used more sustainable options for the counter top and backsplash. Still, all in all a vast improvement on the design front.

The backsplash is the Normandy - 941 in the Echo Collection in classic grey and white. It's a historic French pattern so it has already stood the test of time. Enjoy!

i wouldnt mind the gold knobs if the appiliances and faucet and light fixtures were not silver toned

FABULOUS!!!!! CONGRATS ON A WONDEFUL JOB AND TAKING ALL THAT TIME THAT IT TAKES TO HUNT FOR BARGINS!!!!! :>)

I love it!! Very simple and clean. And who cares if someone else doesn’t like a particular finish or whatever. Just don’t invite them over for wine!! In fact, regarding marble, I’ve been in many homes in Italy and France that have had marble counters for, oh, I don’t know, at least 30 + years. And they look FABULOUS!!! A great patina and a warm feel. So don’t sweat it, just enjoy.

On a separate note, I would love to put some Akurum Cabinets in my laundry room but the contractor says it is not worth it since he has to assemble them and prefers to install Kitchen Craft Calvi which is thermafoil but wood base not the particle board like IKEA. Anything??

In either case, to me, the room is sterile. Each incarnation has a bland prefab feeling. To sum up I would say is that it is definitely someone else’s taste that is at work here.

Looks beautiful!

I love it, it's so airy and clean. And love the backsplash and the gold knobs. And the positive reveal on the sink doesn't look too bad in the end!

I like the rug, and the marble...and everything. No matter what everyone else says :)

well done! I think it looks beautiful but I want to see the ENTIRE apt completed! I'm probably the most impatient person in the world and actually groaned out lout when I realized it was only the kitchen being revealed. Can't wait to see furnished, staged, beautiful pics of the whole project!

Really nice job. Such an improvement! LOVE your choice of backsplash tile. Who cares what other people "would have" done. If you having nothing nice to say, people, MOVE ON.

Love it! The backsplash adds a wonderful detail and I enjoy the cabinet hardware. Can't wait to see other parts of the house (I hope more pics are coming).

I love it. I think the gold knobs are a welcome contrast. The only thing I would do differently is he backsplash. I would have amped it up with some bold color.

I love everything about it, including (and kind of espcially) the gold knobs. And a big thank you for the resource list! When are you available to come do my kitchen? ;-)

Major improvement. I think the white will keep it timeless.

I love a good before and after. The old cabinets looked like particle board, why keep them? I think you've done a fantastic job especially considering that you live out of state. I'm with elaneb, want to see more pics!

Wow. That's a stunning job. And marble is a lot cheaper in Tampa. Makes me jealous. I actually like the gold pulls. They do clash with the silver toned appliances, but by themselves with the white cabinets and the soft gray tiles, they look great.

Gold knobs! REALLY!!

Photos of the rest of the condo please :)

I like everything you've done. Love the backsplash. I don't mind the gold knobs myself but I can see where people might not like tham as much.

Great job!

I like the look of gold with gray tones. Maybe adding some gold accessories would create more balance?

I have to say it..THE BEFORE WASN'T BAD. It was clean and no damage that I could see but when I click to the after, WOW! Nice job. I too think it's a bit too sterile but once you've gone in and put your special touchs, I'm sure it will shine even brighter. I am one for that beautiful backsplash! Love the design on that.
Now let's get pictures of the rest of the condo. We are sitting on pins and needles1 :oD

Great job, I think it looks amazing. Makes you want to spend time in there rather than going on to get what you need & dashing back out again.

I have to admit I loved the old backsplash. The new one is a bit dated - the look was popularized by Phillippe Stark in the late 90s and has been overdone. The old backsplash is shocking because you currently never see anything like this - match the old backsplash with the new cabinets and it would have been fresh.

i'm sure someone's already said this but the backsplash is exquisite!

I agree that in most horrible design disasters, paint everything white is probably your best bet. I found a couple of things in the 'before' design rather charming.

I agree with some others that backsplash also looks dated to me, but it just reminds me of all the dated patterns that I totally love and would completely cover my home with if I could afford it, so I don't have any objections. The whole thing is just a bit bland for my taste, but it is still a really great improvement and it is always nice to see people build their dream kitchens, even if they aren't my dream kitchen.

Also, the original kitchen actually looks a lot like the kitchen in my current apartment. I kind of like it, but it definitely isn't what I would want in my house if I ever get there.

The improvement is huge! Amazing job. I really love the gold knobs. It brings a bit of warmth into the space. Those backsplash tiles are amazeballs too. Trendy now, but overall timeless choice. I think they'll age well.

MUST SEE REST!!!

I have been rooting for you during this entire condo saga and I love the new look. However, I have to say that, at least based on the above posted picture, the Before cabinets do not seem that hideous. But I do realize the picture can be deceiving.
And I am terribly envious of the low prices in the US - $249 for the above range microwave, $639 (or so) for the range - WOW!!!! In Canada, the prices of the above two items are almost double.

I love the gold hardware. Really adds something to the room.

I want to see the whole apartment! When it's all done and decorated, etc. Will you be doing updates and showing us all?

Great job so far!

I have loved this series of posts seeing the step by step process of renovating - not just the gorgeous after shots! Please do more like this!

There just doesn't seem to be enough change in this room to warrant the money spent!? I mean the cabinets could have very well been painted and achieved the same look. The knobs are just plain ugly (to me), and stainless steel is overrated. Where is the pizazz? Where is the uniqueness? This just looks generic to me and for $7000+...???? Hmmm...just seems there could have been a more dramatic result.

I love the backsplash ! Cement tiles are all the rage here in France, and I don't think they'll ever look dated. Some are really old design, and I love them a lot. The soft grey and white colors are a great twist on the traditional strong color.

I also love the gold hardware. Call me crazy, but I think gold is coming back in a big way, and I don't think it clashes with the stainless appliances. But then again, that's just me.

And I'm off to see if you can import those fantastic microwaves. Seriously, I've never seen one like that in France. Integrated over the stove, under cabinets ? Huge capacity ? I need one !

@BFERGIE13 - Wow, what a downer! The cabinets in the before and after are not at all the same kind of cabinets. You couldn't just paint them white and achieve the same seamless look. Why does everything have to be UNIQUE? Why can't it just be nice? Taste is opinion, not fact, people.

I'm guessing that there's a reason for the gold knobs, like perhaps the rest of the condo has a Hollywood Regency vibe?

It's an improvement, for sure. However, I feel the wallpaper will look dated sooner rather than later. I think the countertops are pretty. Great job.

Wow, this really looks great. It's funny though, your earlier post showed the cabinets as blue, and I thought you had bought the bright blue cabinet doors that IKEA has now, but I guess it was just a protective plastic. I personally am not a huge fan of white cabinets in a kitchen, or marble -- but since I won't be living there, who cares about my preferences? This certainly looks very pretty.

I think the gold is a nice little pop. A nice brass patina is a beautiful thing. Can't wait to see the rest!

Yikes! It's better than the before but I have to agree with the previous commenter. It's too much white, or maybe the wrong shade of white. I can't tell what the frame style is on your doors. Is it a slab door? Not crazy about the backsplash. The overall look is glacial.
If that's the look you were going for and you like it, more power to you. I just don't think I'd want to cook in there too often.

LOVE that backsplash!

@canadianmango: I live in Calgary and I bought my over the range microwave from Ikea for $349 (only $100 more than the american version). I also bought my dishwasher there (it's a whirlpool) for $399 and it works great. No complaints!

I don't have a ikea stove but the Framtid used in the post is $999 at ikea.ca which is still pretty reasonable. I think people discount Ikea appliances but they're brand name appliances with a little ikea logo added on. If you're looking for appliances I highly recommend Ikea (plus buy during one of their kitchen sales and get a gift card back. Free Ikea stuff! hooray!)

Forgive me if you've already answered this question, but what material are the floors??!!!! Is it laminate or ceramic wood like tile. I'm having a hard time figuring out which way to go as I've been told laminate will warp, wave and buckle near the stove. What did you decide on here.?

I love it! What a great job--I am really enjoying this series and can't wait to see the rest of the apartment. Of course everyone has different taste but isn't that the point of reading a design blog?

The are classic and I'm pretty sure that pattern is a few centuries old, so they will stand the test of time better than subway tiles, I bet. I really like the idea of stencilling the pattern on the window blinds someone suggested above.

LOVE IT! It's modern, fresh, clean, AND unique and non-coockiecutter! I'm truly amazed... not many people could pull this off. The gold knobs are awesome... they're like a big "eff you" to all the beige and polished nickel lovers out there. I can't wait to see the rest of the place. I'd also love to see it decorated, so please continue to post updates!

HUGE improvement. Nice work.

Well, duh it is sterile. There is nothing in it yet. Looks lovely and will look better with a little personality that comes with belongings.

Parrishnut is a total crank and I disagree with most points, but it is true about the fridge. I don't think having it stick out is a deal killer, but it is unfortunate. For those who hope to avoid it there are now stainless fridges with grey sides rather than black. Blends in better with white cabinetry. I bought that type sort of by accident and am very happy with the look as I have NO cabinets to enclose the fridge.

I disagree with IKEA being poor quality. I love them. We redid a kitchen two years ago and they've been great ever since.

Unless I missed it, what are the deets on the floor.

much improved, but there's no soul.

i didn't notice the very lonely looking gold knobs... yikes!

there should be SOMETHING to tie them into the rest of the scheme. maybe the backsplash should have been used as a perfect oppurtunity to tie some of those colors together.

not with those horrid long & thin mosaic tiles you see everywhere, but something to make some sense of the odd assortment of colors and finishes.

the counters remind me of every kitchen i have been to while traveling in a certain 3rd world country that shall remain nameless.

I love it!

I agree with a lot of the points made by "bfergie13". The "after" pictures have a little too much contrast so I can't tell if the "after" sink area was opened up or if its the same as the "before".

I think I may be the only on here, but I actually liked the before. I think an improvement couldn't have been made for the same amount or less than the "after". The "after" looks meh and cheap. If the "before" cabinets were structurally ok and in good shape. I would have made the following improvements to the "before":
- new cabinet hardware, to include even the hinges
- opened up the wall where the "before" sink was
- replace the sink, range hood and appliances
- replace the flooring
- keep the "before" countertops
- keep the "before" backsplash

@PARRISHNUT, how is that "most people" prefer gas? Why? It seems to me that for a lot of people, cooking well means using what you have. I haven't used a gas stove in years and haven't seen my cooking suffer.

And since this is a vacation condo which has been redecorated with the permission of the owners, and will most likely be either rented out, I don't think they mind that the stove is electric. If you look at the original stove, it's electric too.

Neither the before nor the after is to my taste, but:

anyone who would refer to this as "the world's ugliest condo" has led a lamentably sheltered existence.

too sterile?? for a kitchen? I like sterile for a kitchen.makes me feel like my food is clean. This is beautiful & I am in love w/ the gold knobs.

Wow, lots of Debbie Downers on here. "I hate to be rude, but...." Whenever I hear that, I think, "No, I think you like being rude." :)

Congrats on the completion of your project! I hope you're happy with how everything turned out (and I hope the marble people give you a bunch of your money back!). With an endless budget, you may have done things differently, but you did a great job. Thanks for providing the details---I just might get some blinds from the supplier you used.

Your kitchen is beautiful. I would love a kitchen like that! Well, except maybe for the aggravation of the counter seams. You should be proud of all your hard work!!!!!

The Ikea cabinet in my home have been here for 8 years and look like they were installed yesterday.

Anyone that starts their comments off with "I hate to be rude" is just saying that to make themselves feel better about being rude. If a stranger invited you into their home would you say that to their face? Geez.

I'm so sick of the snobby IKEA-bashing on this site. I know people who've had their IKEA kitchens for 15+ years, and they still look fantastic.

As for all the other criticisms: it's a vacation condo, people. It's not someone's dream-home, money-is-no-object, primary residence. I'm guessing that clean, functional and cost-efficient were the main criteria, so they've done well.

Awesome job! It looks beautiful, I absolutely love the gold knobs, unexpected and lux :)

Big ticket items were a hit but the little ones seemed to miss. Don't understand the brass cabinet knobs, back splash.

I completely agree with JMeena. I liked the warmth of the "before". To me, this "after" looks very cold and lacking soul. The kitchen before the remodel was warm and cozy. When I look at the after shot, it totally makes my eyes hurt; it's way too stark FOR ME! I hope the owners are happy, but I certainly do miss some of the elements of the old kitchen. New applicances and cabinets would've left the room with a bit of heart left. Too sterile, too brash, and too stark is what the "after" kitchen looks like in my opinion.

You did a phenomenal job. All that work and it shines. Hope the peeps appreciate it. Fresh and inspiring.

What a lot of b*tchy comments. This took a lot of planning and work and it's beautiful. And if I hear "I liked the before better" one more time about something hideous but somehow "charming" I'm going to run screaming into the night.

Wow so many negative comments. Has anybody considered that this condo actually belongs to the parents of Ann and so the in-laws of Dabney? And like Dabney says in a previous post: "I definitely have a harder edge to my aesthetic, but I'm *trying* to temper my vintage industrial modern ways in favor of something softer. I want the in-laws to feel comfortable, without sacrificing my desire to do something fun. This is a difficult balance."
And maybe the parents don't want to live with that 30 year old kitchen any more? And they love the gold knobs? And they especially like the backsplash? And I'm sure once the whole condo is redone and they are going to actually live in it they will add their personal touches which will make it a home to them (and probably will not to be to the taste of many of us but who cares!).
Has anyone taken a look at Ann's & Dabney's own house? (http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/house-tour-16-109399) and read the other articles about this renovation?
So maybe this renovation is not in the style of many of the critics but I'm sure Ann's parents love their new place and are going have a fantastic time during their winters down south. (oh and where is the "wallpaper" that some comments are talking about?)

Dabney and Ann please share the picture's of the rest of the condo with us. I love the mood board you showed in the 03.29.12 article.

Eva.

I have a small space in the kitchen as well. Does white make the space look bigger?

What an improvement! Its so bright and fresh and I LOVE the gold hardware. I would have loved to see a light fixture with brass or gold detail as well or something coordinate with the knobs. I really wish AT would follow more project from begining to end like this. Great series!

If you preface anything with " I hate to say it, but...", you should really keep that nastiness to yourself. Seriously, let's be a bit more civil here.

As for the space so far, both the before and after are undecorated spaces that provide a true like for like comparison. I really appreciate that aspect of the post. Now when the decorated bits arrive, we get to see the uniqueness and personality of the place.

On the topic of electric stoves, many condo buildings do not have the plumbing for gas. Secondly, many people feel that electric is safer. I lived in Switzerland for a while. I did not ever see an apartment or condo with a gas range for just that reason.

The old cabinets look like the cheap particle board variety to me. Perhaps, they were falling apart and needed to be replaced. Most of the research that I have read says that ikea has come a long way and gets good marks for reliability and sustainability. Anyone who talks about a solid wood kitchen cabinet probably means one not made with any particle board or mdf. That cabinet probably does have a plywood component to allow for dimensional stability of the box in changing temperatures and humidity levels. If you really bought a solid wood cabinet, the price would be somewhere near an order of magnitude more expensive and could still have huge issues with splitting, warping and cracking in a kitchen situation.

A few of you need to really be shooed out of this forum with the brooms you flew in on.

Definite improvement
The 80's/earlu 90's style cooked and Microwave

I've never seen on of these over the cook hood/microwave in the UK. Interesting idea though probably not my thing.
Always nice to see how other people do kitchens, as every has different styles, tastes etc. and my kitchen renovation probably won't be to other people's tastes.

Damn my link was
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100630645/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=lg+microwave&storeId=10051&superSkuId=202603150

But some how hijacked back to this article, strange...

Countertops: Carrara Marble; $1461

Now I understand the poor installation.
You get what you pay for.

OMG!!!! i'm dying to have marble countertops. i don't care what anyone says about their wear and tear. they are BY FAR the best LOOKING countertop out there. i'm loving this kitchen so much right now... (sigh)

nice job but weird knobs...gold??

For sure its a great improvement but.... It is a bit boring and plain. The knobs just don't go well.. Try changing the for something that will add more life and personality..

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_PFiUPk146P8/TTdpxRXtrbI/AAAAAAAAAK8/cUfVAUo9y8U/s400/Z001017.png

These knobs are from rejuvenation.com

I love everything including including the gold knobs, a little 60's retro glam in an updated modern way. Brillent.

@MMEPATTY, I know what you mean! This is lovely, but part of me feels like it's a requirement for lake homes to be a little dated and musty. There's a coziness to the dilapidation.

Oh my gosh.... my rental has those same horrible "before" cabinets. If I were to buy, they would be the first thing to go!

Things I like:

Getting rid of the soffit - yay!! I hate soffits. And that let you get the taller uppers.

The new floor is so pretty. Much better then the white tiles. Though I do worry about wood floors getting wet in a kitchen.

Obviously the new appliances are way better.

But overall I don't think the individual elements work together. The whole effect is too sterile and cold. I look at the kitchen and I think I'd get the chills in that room, and not the good kind.

The gold knobs are truly awful. They don't go at all.

I don't think the backsplash tile works as a backsplash. I actually really love that tile. It's beautiful. The way it get's cut off halfway through the repeat is jarring. I think it would have been better to move it up and do a border on all side, or pick a backsplash that had a smaller pattern maybe?

I love the gorgeous tile and the gold hardware with the white backdrop and stainless appliances. Feels so clean and bright. The grey of the appliances and backsplash with the gold knobs give my fave color combo - grey and yellow. Love it! Excited to see the rest of the condo, with all your accessories and colors :)

Looks beautiful. I can't even come to grips with the folks who thought old, and ugly laminate FAKE WOOD cabinets, backsplash and counters were good. And who wants a cozy kitchen? A kitchen should be a more sterile environment. You COOK in it. It should be hard surfaces that can be wiped down.

I really like the gold hardware. Actually it was the first thing I noticed and immediately said, "Ohhh! I likey!" To me, a tiny bit of gold touches is really classy and sophisticated. Would love to see the style of the rest of the condo. GREAT JOB! :)

@Stream13, thanks for your reply.
I am actually planning to redo my kitchen this year (well, hopefully) and it will be Ikea-everything. Or almost everything (I may go for some funky knobs or pulls sourced out elsewhere, but the cabinetry and dishwasher (and, after reading your post, the microwave) will be from Ikea. That's a really good price for the dishwasher, and I am glad to hear that you are happy with it.
thanks again.

Honey, I love it...one more time for the cheap seats...I LOVE IT! The gold knobs...Love 'em....something about a white kitchen!!!!! CUTE CUTE CUTE!

Forgot to add....worth the wait...again...LOVE IT! I am so excited...I love a pretty kitchen...and no I don't cook...LOL!

Jeez, everyone and their frickin' dog here thinks they're a designer! The kitchen is a vast improvement from the original and kudos to you for actually sharing the whole process with the cantankerous AT readers.

The brass hardware is great. Mixed metals add a bit more dimension to a space. People, get off the brushed nickel & stainless matchy-matchy bandwagon! You know how polished brass was so huge for so many years (80's) and then the cooler metals became more popular? Well the cool toned metallics are nearing the end of their course too. Get used to brushed and patinaed brass because they are making a resurgence. You don't have to use it in your space but you will be seeing it more & more!

Congratulations; a very nice job.

I particularly like the yellow brass knobs; they tie in nicely with the traditional tile pattern on the backsplash and marble countertop, having a similar "noble" vibe, and are a good juxtaposition with the rest of the glossy white and stainless kitchen.

To all the critics -- the kitchen feels a little stark because no one has cooked in it yet -- none of the typical accoutrements are out on the counter, that's all. A few accessories -- an interesting salt pig and pepper mill, a handmade ceramic jar with wooden spoons -- and you will not see it as empty.

Tough crowd.

The flooring changed, but the source and price wasn't listed. Wood or laminate?

The white cabinets do not set off the marble counters well, and it all looks a little bland as a result.

@Dabney Frake: I always meant to comment on the sink/countertops post- I saw on HGTV that you can put stone trim around an under-mount sink. Those two brothers who look like Disneyfied versions of actual people, one is a realtor? They put a piece of quarter round trim in granite around an undermount sink which was installed with a laminate counter top. Perhaps you could do something similar to disguise the gap problem due to poor installation?

I actually really dont mind the silver and gold together!

i would've tried to salvage the cabinets and paint them to save $, and in a color that would bring out those BEAUTIFUL marble counter tops. but now they go all the way to the ceiling. nice! also love that you fit the microwave in. have to agree - gas range all the way. though your choice may be easier to clean for a rental. light and airy is alwats great way to go for a hot weather vacation rental. a big improvement!

I love to look at before and afters. This time, the before almost looks better(or perhaps the photo is just a darn good photo). Yes, some things are dated in the before, but as one of the comments stated the before kitchen had warmth, the new is cold. Another comment liked the old backsplash (and I agree) with the new one will be looking dated soon. At least in the new kitchen to keep it "current" as the years pass, they can always change the hardware and slap in a new backsplash without having to spend thousands of dollars.

P.S. Do like the wood floor though. Big improvement over the tile.

Oh for heaven's sakes, you nicey nice nicers are not doing the homeowner any favors. Why put the pictures up there if you don't expect to get a little criticism? If all you expect is praise then you're going to miss the constructive comments about how to make it look better. This is not my ideal remodel. There are a lot of things that I wouldn't have done in that kitchen. I've remodeled kitchens and I've made my own mistakes. But in this case, it's not the end of the world. It just needs some tweaking, mostly in the area of color and hardware finishes. He did a good job for the money he had.

The back splash is very whimsical. For those who can't afford tile, or want to spruce up an apartment... Maybe wallpaper instead.

Well this is a tremendous improvement over the before, much more up to date and fresh. I would not have been able to poinpoint it myself but do agree with color 71, there appear to be conflicting styles at work here. Anyhoo, looking forward to pics of the rest of the place! Hopefully in the not too distant future.

I agree with whoever said that you could have just painted the old cabinets. Stylistically, the new ones are not much different- they're just white. That's just me being extremely cheap, though. Great work! Hope to see the rest of the condo as well.

@KIRSTENWI: They cabinets weren't wood & old, so probably painting them would be difficult and they might not be in very good condition. Painting cabinets is great for high-end wood ones, those aren't.

HUge improvement. Love the after !

I think it looks great. I love the gold handles and the backsplash. The only surprising thing, to me, is the fridge. I would have gone counter depth or built out the cabinet. It's really jarring the way it is currently.

I also have a small kitchen and I sprung for the counter depth fridge, it makes such a difference.

I have that IKEA stove, it came with my apartment. I was going to switch it out, but after using it I love it. I much prefer cooking with electricity over gas.

I think the people criticizing the combination of elements just haven't been exposed to this particular combination enough in order to be able to appreciate it. I guarantee that were Domino still around, they would have shown a kitchen (or two) along these lines.

Here are some ways brass is currently being introduced in interiors (along with other warm metals). Please note the kitchen from Canadian House & Home: glossy white cabinets (probably the same ones by IKEA), marble counters, and brass hardware. Beautiful.

http://www.desiretoinspire.net/blog/2012/3/30/reader-request-brass-and-gold.html

I don't think this is boring at all. It's clean and it clearly hasn't been lived in yet. As soon as it has a few accessories on the counters and in the room, it will be perfection.

I'd really love to see more of the entire condo, though.

I think some people are confusing what they think is criticism with just rudeness. It's one thing to say "I don't really like it" and coherently explain why, because it's your personal preference, but a whole other to say "that's just awful' without understanding that it's personal preference.

It all comes down to personal preference. You have yours; others have theirs. As long as any critique is formed with the understanding that a person is free to agree or disagree but does not have to resort to abject rudeness, this place would be a lot friendlier.

Right on, PI.

I don't like the gold knobs, but I didn't bother to say so in my original comment, because...I can't articulate *why*. Which makes me think that maybe it's just me, stuck in a design rut. It's like I have to get used to seeing gold in kitchens again - I might end up liking it, I might not.

I love the comments that criticize but say why. But just to say 'Awful' for an entire kitchen remodel, is a waste of space.

why all the gold knob hate? if they were silver to match the appliances and etcetera, it would be too monotone. i picture some shiny gold bowls on the countertops to tie them in!

WOW! Love!

@JAMESG
"A few of you need to really be shooed out of this forum with the brooms you flew in on."

BEST COMMENT EVER!

Also, love the remodel. I was looking at a similar backsplash for my dream kitchen, and the budget you stuck to is truly inspiring.

you should be so proud of your hard work!! I've loved following your progress and I love the results. Congrats and don't let the naysayers have any power over your WONDERFUL posts.

i don't know i was thinking we'd be seeing pics of the entire condo. maybe i wasn't following along closely enough. I'm not crazy about the backsplash but all in all, good job!

*what

sorry *why

:-) my proofreading skills sux sometimes..

oh yeah...I forgot to add that I do like the gold knobs with the silver appliances....very cool and different.

ok, I'm done now!

A lot of commenters on Apartment Therapy are experts in absolute taste, as well as poorly disguised envy! I had no idea!

Looks good, Dab! :)

Nice job! I think the pulls and backsplash are both fun and glamorous.
Can also envision a funkier--and cheaper--version that incorporates that weird-but-weirdly-appealing faux bois backsplash of the "before."

After = just ok. The knobs, any finish seem too small for all the expanse of smooth white. Some of the $ sunk into the marble countertop maybe could have gone elewhere. The backsplash; too busy, '70s looking. I think there's this idea that a white kichen (or any room is easy to pull off. Imho, this one proves it's tougher. I

I'm with emcneill, if there were similar gold-toned accessories in the space it would be drool inducing. With silver toned it would be too monochromatic. I'd love to see it once it's lived in a little, and seeing pictures of the rest of the home would help put it into context too!

Personally, I prefer the 'before' to the 'after, although ...not so much the floor!. White, gold and marble just aren't my thing, I'm afraid.

Thank you for sharing your renovation. You did a great job at a great price point.I know the type of partial overlay cabinets with hinges showing that were in your condo. These have press wood interior shelves that were most likely completely finished. The painting of cabinets takes a great deal of preparation and even then the paint is likely to peel and chip soon after, turning a quick fix into a maintenance nightmare. The choice of taller, frameless full overlay cabinets with European hinges in a white factory finish was a great choice. The decision to remove the soffits and install taller cabinets that meet the ceiling on the range side means no cleaning on top of the cabinets, no junk on top of cabinets and instead more storage behind closed doors. This allowed you to remove the soffit and set of short cabinets on the sink side of the kitchen which I wager cut off the cook from guests in the living room. It probably also caused the cook to do an awkward crouching motion to talk to guests. I think this was a great choice.

I like the classic color scheme of white and grey that never goes out of style. As for those folks thinking it would feel cold isn't the condo in Florida? I like the tile backsplash, the color and pattern are classic, not too busy or trendy. I love it and I think it adds a uniqueness that is not at all generic and will not make it dated in a few years, a very difficult think to do. Congratulation!

The marble is a beautiful but high maintenance choice. I have heard to seal it with eleven coats of sealant then seal it once a year after that and you will be set. Otherwise you will forever be making poultices to take out stains from the marble. A more economical and easier to maintain option would have been to go with Corian or Silestone in a light grey.

The golden knobs don't go with anything in the kitchen and strike a jarring note. A better option for knobs would be a brushed nickel finish in a style that is easier for elderly hands to grasp.

All in all a great job at a great price. Thank you for sharing and I hope you enjoy it for years to come.

I liked the old cabinets and backsplash so much better. The after looks so trendy and sterile and the backsplash pattern is just awful.

I like that the knobs are a different colour, though I probably would have gone for something other than gold. It's a very slick design now, nice blank canvas for the renter to work with.

One common theme with the before-and-after posts on AT is that the new kitchen hasn't been used. It's either completely empty or styled to fair-thee-well. I'd really like to see these "clinical white" kitchens with all the stuff that ends up on the counters when you've used it for a month or so.

So when is the next part of the reveal going to happen?

Haters gotta hate, I guess. You did an awesome job!

Too white and blah. Not warm and welcoming like a kitchen should be. Damask looking backsplash is a little crazy- and too trendy - plus it might fight with any accessories you put on the countertops (and the countertops themselves!) . And the knobs look hideous with the rest of the design. Sorry..am not a fan of this one.Hopefully when you accessorize it will fix it.

Great job! I feel depressed while looking at the "before" photo and energized looking at the "after" photo. Fresh, clean, inviting and fun. Nice transformation!

The cabinet hardware pulls are very cool looking!

I really loved the before pictures cabinets!