Before and After: These Vintage Kitchen Cabinets Are Now Unrecognizable
This kitchen had everything: tile countertops, plywood cabinetry, a built-in oven and microwave, square recessed lighting, and so much beige. In six short weeks, it went from dated to wonderfully now.
After living with the original kitchen for two years, Studio Plumb was able to do a major upgrade, replacing the floors and countertops, painting the plywood cabinetry, replacing the appliances, painting the walls, and restructuring the fridge/microwave cubby and the island. The result is a modern kitchen with both sleek brightness and warm coziness.
The wood and brass pendants over the island are by DLdesignworks on Etsy, the stools are vintage, and the blue-ish gray paint is Nocturnal Gray from Benjamin Moore.
This kitchen is a lighter version of what is commonly seen in kitchens from the ’60s: all one tone. Usually it’s dark brown or honey cabinets, with nearly matching counters and flooring, but this is the more rare—and more modern—pale take on that aesthetic. Plywood, though beautiful, is not as precious a resource as hardwood, so there’s no cause to mourn it being coated in paint.
That pinwheel and grid tiles are both from Natural Stone’s Seamless Collection of porcelain tiles, which Rebecca of Studio Plumb describes as such: “They have the look of encaustic cement tiles, but are made from durable porcelain with a matte, organic finish.” (It should be noted that Natural Stone partnered with Studio Plumb on this renovation, as did West Elm, an organizational company, a spice shop, and a rug company.)
The new brass pulls and sconces work well with the warmth of the wood accessories and tiles, while the stainless appliances are a natural fit with the cool blue-grey cabinetry and white elements. The silver KitchenAid on the counter helps to bridge the two. Also, the new microwave is a lot more streamlined than the old one, so it looks more modern on the wall.
This enviable window shines light on all the lovely surfaces, highlighting the sheen of the metals and the glow of the woods. A black faucet was a good choice here, as it pulls together the black sconces and pendants.
The sink is by Soleil from Wayfair, and the faucet is Delta from Wayfair. Be sure to check out all the other photos over at Studio Plumb!
Thank you, Studio Plumb!