All Images By: Mariko Russell

Before and After: A $1,900 Redo Makes a “Too Brown” Kitchen More Stylish AND More Functional

by SARAH EVERETT

Image Credit: Lorem Ipsum

Homeowners Mariko and Ernest had been using their 1980 mountain home primarily as a vacation home, but when they made it their permanent home, they wanted some changes.

The kitchen was just too brown with its oak cabinets, faux-wood countertops, wallpaper, and floors. Overall, it was too dark and not peppy enough. 

BEFORE

Image Credit: Lorem Ipsum

Plus, the sink set up wasn’t functional, the kitchen had poor ventilation, and there was a shortage of storage space. 

BEFORE

Their final wish list?

- Minimize the kitchen’s brown color palette

- Install a new, more practical sink

- Add ventilation

- Create more storage space

- Protect the walls with a backsplash

So the couple raised their cabinets to the ceiling to give the space a custom look and added open shelving underneath for more storage. 

AFTER

Image Credit: Lorem Ipsum

They also brightened up the space with a fresh coat of white paint on the upper cabinets and sage green on the lower cabinets, and added lights underneath the cabinets.

AFTER

Finally, the couple cut a hole that connects to the outside above the stove to address their ventilation issue. 

AFTER