A Couple Gave Their Tiny Rental’s Cold Kitchen a Major Makeover for Only $1,800
When Daniela Cioffi moved into her Montreal rental apartment, she had high expectations for her kitchen and how she wanted it to support and enrich her life. The kitchen was always her family meeting place when she was growing up, and she wanted to continue those traditions in her own home.
Daniela also wanted the kitchen’s design to create tranquility and inspire her to enjoy cooking more. Unfortunately, the early-2000s room wasn’t quite aligned with her vision. “Originally, the kitchen felt cold,” Daniela explains. “Cool-toned white walls with matching white cabinets felt less comforting to me. The tiles in the back also felt a bit outdated.”
The Design Was Inspired by the Calming Paint Color Chosen for the Cabinets
Daniela’s design inspiration for the space was rooted in a sense of calm, and Benjamin Moore’s “October Mist” paint, a soft sage, for the cabinets was a crucial part of achieving the relaxing atmosphere. She and her friend Jessica painted the cupboards themselves, which was just one of the DIY projects involved in the kitchen transformation.
She Was Able to Make Serious Changes with the Help of Family and Friends
After selecting the white backsplash tiles and gold hardware, they got started on the larger swaps. There were originally upper cabinets blocking some of the natural light in the space, so Daniela, her best friend, and her husband removed them.
Daniela’s father, who owns the building (which is why she could make so many updates as a renter), installed new countertops that added an extra 5 inches to create a peninsula so they could add seating.
She Filled the Room with Sentimental Details and Decor
It took around a month and about $1,823 to complete the kitchen project, and then Daniela filled the room with sentimental objects, including a woven countertop lamp that she much prefers to the “harsh overhead light,” coffee- and nature-inspired artwork, and ceramic pieces picked up on her travels.
She Finally Has a Kitchen That Reflects Everything She’s Always Dreamed
“I love how much it reflects who I am,” Daniela says of the space. “It reminds me of a place I always dreamt of being in; a place where you can completely dive into cooking because you just love to be there. It feels like you. It feels natural. I finally have a kitchen that reflects myself and my partner.” To see more of Daniela’s gorgeous home, visit the full house tour.
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This post originally appeared on The Kitchn. See it there: “The Kitchen Felt Cold”: A Couple Majorly Makes Over Their Tiny Rental for Only $1,800