THE KITCHEN
The heart of everyday living.
A warm and functional space where simple
meals, morning coffee, and the rhythms of
everyday life come together.
THE STORY BEHIND THE KITCHEN
When I first looked at this kitchen, I didn’t see a room that needed to be torn apart and started over. The layout worked. The countertops and backsplash were already beautiful. The cabinets were perfectly good. What the room really needed was simply to feel more like the rest of my home.
So instead of replacing everything, I worked with what was already here.
I painted the walls, gave the existing cabinets a warm new color, and replaced the refrigerator. Those few changes completely transformed the way the kitchen felt. Suddenly, all of the things that had stayed exactly the same—the countertops, backsplash, flooring and appliances—looked differently, simply because of what was happening around them.
From there, it became about the little things: creating organization behind the cabinet doors, finding practical solutions for everyday life, and adding thoughtful details that made the room feel warm, welcoming and lived in.
This kitchen is one of my favorite reminders that transformation doesn’t always mean starting over.
With a little paint, creativity and love, an old space can begin to feel completely new.
It doesn’t need to be brand new. Sometimes it simply
means seeing the possibilities in what you already have.
BEFORE & AFTER
Sometimes a fresh perspective is all a space
needs to feel brand new.
BEFORE
AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER
A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING
Pretty can still be practical.
One of my favorite little transformations in the kitchen was organizing the things I use all the time. Matching jars, simple labels and drawer risers turned my baking cabinets and spice drawer into spaces that are easier to use—and a whole lot nicer to look at.
A little organization under the sink kept the essentials within reach.
Nothing complicated. Just a place for everything and everything in its place.
THE SPICE OF LIFE
A well labeled and organized spice drawer makes cooking more relaxed.
THE BAKE SHOP
No more hunting for the baking necessities, or unknowingly running out of an ingredient in the middle of the recipe. Glass jars keep ingredients fresh, and an easy visual inventory.
UNDER THE SINK
These adorable cube drawers hold my dishwasher tabs, dishwasher cleaner, brillo pads, extra sponges, and the empty grocery bags that once took over under the sink.
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A LITTLE MORE ROOM TO LIVE
Just beyond the kitchen, the eat-in area gave me another opportunity to make everyday necessities feel intentional. From my little coffee corner at the end of the counter, to the dining table, I wanted this space to feel warm and connected to the kitchen while still having a personality of its own.
And one of my favorite practical additions is hiding in plain sight. What looks like another piece of furniture is actually our garbage center—keeping something we use every day tucked neatly away without sacrificing the look of the room.
Before
After
MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE
Some of my favorite finds are the ones that quietly solve an everyday problem. What looks like a simple piece of furniture in my eat-in kitchen is actually our garbage center, keeping the trash tucked neatly out of sight while blending right into the room.
It’s practical, functional, and proof that even the everyday necessities can have a beautiful place in your home.
Some links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
FINISHING TOUCHES
THE KITCHEN
The details that helped bring it all together.
Rug
Wayfair
Price I paid: $85.99
Keurig
Amazon
Price I paid: $149.99
2 Tier Wire Baskets, used for K-cups
Amazon
Price I paid: $32.99
Pantry Decal
Amazon
Price I paid: $11.99
Paper Towel Holder
Walmart
Price I paid: $19.99
Metal Fruit Bowl with Banana Holder
Amazon
Price I paid: $24.79
Sink Caddy
Amazon
Price I paid: $12.99
Small appliance rollers -used on Keurig
Amazon
Price I paid: $6.99
THE CABINET TRANSFORMATION
ALL-IN-ONE PAINT by Heirloom Traditions -Oyster
At $129.99 a gallon, cabinet paint certainly wasn’t the least expensive can of paint I could buy—but this was one place where spending more actually saved me money.
I chose a specialty cabinet paint rather than purchasing separate primer, paint, and topcoat products. More importantly, refinishing the cabinets I already had allowed me to completely transform the kitchen without the enormous expense of replacing them.
Sometimes the affordable choice isn’t the cheapest product. It’s the choice that saves you the most in the end.
WHERE I CHOSE TO SPLURGE
Sherwin-Williams—Agreeable Gray
Years ago, when my kids were little, I would pick up a gallon of paint for $20-$30 and happily change a room whenever the mood struck. This time, I approached it differently.
I knew I wanted a color and finish I could live with for years, so this was one place I chose to spend a little more for quality and longevity. Agreeable Gray was regularly $101.49 per gallon, but I waited for a sale and purchased it for about $60 per gallon.
Creating a home on a budget doesn’t always mean choosing the least expensive option. Sometimes it means knowing where to save, where to splurge, and when to wait for a sale.
Some links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
FINISHING TOUCHES
EAT-IN-KITCHEN
The details that helped bring it all together.
Rug
Wayfair -currently out of stock
Price I paid: $44.33 (Shop Similar below)
Chandelier
Amazon
Price I paid: $119.98
Valance
Amazon
Price I paid: $17.99
Curtain Rod
Amazon
Price I paid: $20.69
Large Room Air Purifier
Walmart
Price I paid: $59.99
12” Tall Wooden Cake Stand
Target
Price I paid: $22.00
Amber Glass Bud Vase w/Berry Sprigs
Target -*no longer available
Shop Similar Below
Yankee Candle
Scent: Crimson Fruits
Price I paid: $17.50 (Buy 1 Get 1 free sale)
*Table w/4 chairs - Furniture Warehouse
*Stainless Steel Refrigerator -Lowe’s
Some links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
KEEP EXPLORING
There’s more to discover. Step into another room
and see where the transformation continues.