Home Makeover Diva

Home Design Makeover Ideas

Kitchen Open Shelving Ideas

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Today Lila writes:

Diva, I am considering changing up my kitchen a little bit and need some major help!  I want to put some open shelves in, but I’m not sure which cabinets to choose. I’m also not sure whether I should use my existing kitchen cabinets or if I should just replace them with some contemporary floating shelves.  Do you have any suggestions on kitchen open shelving ideas?

Lila, I can definitely understand the dilemma you are facing. Especially considering that if you make what you feel is the wrong choice you’ll have to do a lot more work to get your kitchen back to square one. That said, if you are not happy with your kitchen the way it is now, you’ve got nothing to lose!  Of course, it is easy for me to say that because it’s your kitchen and not mine! But it is important to realize that any work you do here will go towards making your kitchen better not worse! I’m confident that with a little planning you’ll choose the right cabinets to make into opens shelves or floating shelves.

Kitchen Open Shelving IdeasWhen choosing which cabinets to transform or replace it’s important to consider what will be stored in those shelves. For example, in my kitchen I have one cabinet that has shelves that are slightly taller than the rest and because of that I use it for specific storage items, so I would want to make sure that the items in that cabinet are things I’d want on display. In this particular case this cabinets houses my olive and vegetable oil. I also keep the rest of my cooking supplies and spices in this cabinet and I can tell you that I do not keep that shelf tidy enough to keep its contents on display! So, I would definitely not choose it for my new open shelf design! Partly because I’m not organized enough for it, and simply because I have no where else to move the contents to.

I would be more apt to make a cabinet that holds my everyday dishes an open shelving unit. This is because I know that I can keep those shelves organized on a daily basis and because my dishes match the color scheme of my kitchen. Add to that, the fact that I would love seeing my dishes on display everyday and you’ve got a winner. Placing items that are visually appealing in open shelves is also very important. You don’t want to create an eye sore do you? Plus, it would also be very functional to place my everyday dishes into an open shelf. Because the items in this shelving unit are used everyday, they will be easy to grab.

Now that we’ve talked about what types of items could go into kitchen open shelving ideas, let’s talk about open shelving versus floating shelves. Which choice you make really boils down to which you prefer and what your skill level is. A cabinet turned open shelving will most likely have more storage space. It will also conform with the space of the closed cabinets and the only visual difference will be the lack of doors. If you are looking for something to break up the boxiness a little more you may want to consider the floating shelves. They will open the space up a little and introduce a new shape into your upper kitchen cabinets. Depending on the style and shape of the shelves, however, you may not have as much storage space.

When it comes to skill level, taking the cabinets down is fairly easy but it may require additional work. Do you know what the state of the wall behind the cabinet is in?  If you live in an older home, are you prepared to remove old wallpaper or tile or fix major wall blemishes? Not to mention you are going to have to fill in the screw holes and probably sand and repaint the wall before you can even install your shelves. I’m not trying to scare you away from removing the wall cabinets, I am only warning you that odds are you won’t just be able to remove the wall cabinet and install the floating shelves without some prep work.

If  you decide to keep the cabinet and just remove the doors have you considered what it will look like with the screw holes for the hardware exposed? Are you going to fill them in? Or have you decided to prime and paint the cabinet and inside shelves?  All of these questions are important and should be figured out prior to beginning the project.

Regardless of which kitchen open shelving ideas you choose, it’s important to consider as many aspects of the project beforehand as possible. This way you can make an informed decision and be ready for any additional prep work that may arise!  I’m confident that you’ll make the best decision for your space and will be able to admire and enjoy all your hard work!

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe (diva(at)homemakeoverdiva.com) and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog!

 

 

Rustoleum Cabinet Transformations Revisited

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In a tight economy, it’s now more important than ever to find ways to make sure our home makeover projects are done as cost effectively as possible. And to make this happen, this means using products like Rustoleum Cabinet Transformation to get the most out of what we already have available. Rust-Oleum Cabinet Transformations is a product that’s designed to provide a genuine alternative to traditional cabinet refacing offered by professionals. Truth is, cabinet refacing isn’t something that is generally done by the casual “do it yourself” type of person simply due to the various complexities involved.

Kitchens and bathrooms – cabinet refacing made easy with Rustoleum Cabinet Transformations

For a very affordable price of just under $80, happy customers are showing up all over the Internet expressing their satisfaction with being able to essentially paint their existing cabinets to look like new again! The only additional supplies that will be needed are the usual items for a semi-large paint job. A tarp, tape, paint brushes, and one addition thing that is lacking with the Rustoleum Cabinet Transformations product — more product.

Rustoleum Cabinet Transformations RevisitedYes, as good as Rustoleum or Rust-oleum is in offering a fantastic, effective means of redoing your cabinets for under a $100, it reportedly doesn’t provide enough product to cover the surface of some larger cabinet transformation jobs. To better highlight this issue, one individual recently explained that while the painting material is unbelievably easy to apply and it provides a great result, there’s a shortage taking place in the limited about available per container. Their specific project in question was to use Rustoleum Cabinet Transformations on two bathrooms and a kitchen.For this customer, the entire project ran them $240 in painting kits but it was a small price to pay since they dodged a massive expense of $20,000 for new cabinets. Best of all, Rust-oleum came to the rescue on the product shortage as well.

Unless you plan on Installing Kitchen Cabinets, sticking with the Rustoleum Cabinet Transformations paining kit is going to be the most effective, cost worthy method of taking your cabinets from ugly to gorgeous for less than most home improvement projects.

Is repainting/resurfacing cabinets difficult?

The above question can be answered with a single statement. If you’re using the Rust-oleum transformation paint, the cabinet transformation project is a snap. As long as you understand that completing your bathroom or kitchen project may require more than a single trip to the hardware store for the paint product, you’ll find that this entire process is much simpler than most people let on.

So if you’re someone with some extra time, that has a desire to fix some cabinets in dire need of an update, then I recommend you give Rust-Oleum Cabinet Transformations a serious second look. Worst case scenario, you decide to start over and take another cost-effective approach by installing kitchen cabinets instead.

Choosing Cabinet Colors

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Today Rita writes:

Dear Diva,

I’ve followed your advice on what granite to choose for my kitchen countertop.Now I need to find a cabinet color. I’ve looked at a bunch of different colors and wood species, but I have no idea what I should be looking for.  Are there colors or species that are better than others? What is popular and what won’t go out of fashion quickly? Please help me in choosing kitchen cabinet colors! Thanks

Choosing kitchen cabinet colors can be difficult, especially with all the choices out there these days.  Whether you go with a paint finish or a natural wood look is all in what is right for your home.  But I can help you narrow down which colors are more popular right now.  Keep in mind that no matter what color or species you choose, it may be out of style in a couple of years as the trend changes.  This is why, above everything else, it’s important to choose something YOU are happy with! After all, you are the one that has to walk into your kitchen everyday and feel good about it! So I’d put style concerns on the back burner.

When it comes to wood finishes on kitchen cabinets – cherry, maple and oaks are still quite popular. It just depends on what market and what part of the country you’re in. Consider your home’s unique location and what is being purchased in your area. Also consider the price point your home is at.  You can easily spend more money on a remodel than you actually should. You can also spend too little, as well. If your house is in an expensive neighborhood and you are looking to sell one day, then don’t cheap out with your cabinet selection. The buyers will notice and it may be a road block to selling your home, even with the changing cabinet styles. Quality cabinets, are timeless in this regard.

Choosing Cabinet Colors

As for wood finishes in the high-end markets, the trend is going more towards the exotic species and unique grain woods. If you aren’t sure what a unique grain wood is, think knotty chestnut, quarter-sawn oaks, hickory and hemlock. Basically anything other than the predictable small grain woods.  People are looking for more character and choosing natural finishes with these woods.  These woods often become the focal point of a kitchen so it is important to consider this when pairing it with your granite.  If you choose your granite because it stands out, you might want to look to a less noticeable wood grain or a painted finish cabinet instead.

When it comes to painted cabinets, people seem to be shying away from white. Instead creams and soft yellows are gaining in popularity. So are earthy greens, deep blues, blacks, grays and reds. And the heavily distressed look seems to be going out of style.  Instead, look for light glazes and solid colors. What color you choose should be based on your granite and what goes with your own personal style.  Neutral is always a good choice if you are selling your kitchen, since the cabinets are permanent fixtures. But only choose neutral colors if you aren’t planning on staying in the house and if that is what you like.  It won’t do you any good to choose a nice neutral if you really wanted a beautiful deep blue!

Also, you don’t have to choose just one color or finish.  You can choose a different color for your upper cabinet’s than your lower ones. If you have an island, those cabinets can be different compared to the rest as well. And the style of the cabinet can be different too, as you move from the uppers to the lower cabinets. I’ve also seen a trend to make a specific area stand out more than others. I was in one kitchen last week that the designer had created an armoire furniture-effect around the refrigerator.  The cabinets there were much more ornamental than the rest of the kitchen.  It looked great and it just goes to show that you can be creative when making these decisions!

Choosing kitchen cabinet colors can become really overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.  If you aren’t sure what colors would look good in your home, consider talking to a designer, home stager or even a realtor.  Combine that with a little research and you can find the perfect kitchen cabinet colors for you!

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe (diva(at)homemakeoverdiva.com) and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog!

Take Your Kitchen From Ho Hum To WOW For Under $500

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It doesn’t cost a fortune to add some much-needed personality to any room. In the kitchen in particular you can accomplish this with some quick and easy fixes. If you’ve ever wondered how this can be accomplished then keep reading to see how I turned my ho-hum kitchen into a WOW kitchen with a budget under $500!

Finish off the space with a backsplash

Backsplash can add some much-needed character to any space.  Especially in a kitchen like mine, where the builder’s grade cabinets don’t reach the ceiling.  That empty space did nothing for the overall look of the room. I had been considering cabinet and shelving options, but wasn’t sure how much I wanted to put into the project. I also needed to add a backsplash so I decided to take the backsplash all the way up the wall. If you’re considering a backsplash for your space but don’t know what to use, there are many options for kitchen backsplashes. Choose from tile (ceramic, natural stone, metal, or glass), bead board, old-fashioned ceiling panels and more. No matter what style you are looking for there is a backsplash out there for your kitchen! The hard part is just figuring out what works for your own individual style and your budget!

I really liked the look of the metallic tile or tin ceiling tiles. But I didn’t like the price, installation method or upkeep. So I was very relieved when, with a little research I came across another option. I found Fasade Backsplash Panels by ACP online. I knew I had an easy project for my space that would give the much-needed warmth and pizzazz my kitchen needed, while still being in my budget and easy to install myself. I chose the Hammered in Argent Copper because I wanted the metallic look without the “shine.” I also didn’t want to overpower the room since I was using it above the cabinets as well. The Argent Copper worked out great because it isn’t super shiny and instead has more of a satin finish to it.  The Fasade Backsplash panels definitely added the much-needed wow to the kitchen! The Hammered pattern added the needed texture while the Argent Copper color gave the kitchen an overall warmth and glow that I just love!

Kitchen Before Makeover

Add interest with under cabinet lighting

You don’t have to wire anything or install anything permanent if you don’t want. We used LED “puck lighting” and installed it with Command Strips. That way if I want to change it in the future, I can do so without any damage to the cabinets. I chose the Command Strips that are like Velcro so you can take them down easily to change the batteries when needed. Each light was only $14 so it cost under $50 to add more lighting. This part of the project was super easy and made another big impact.  Plus it was perfect for highlighting the work I did on the backsplash! When the lights are on, they reflect off the backsplash and make whatever is underneath a focal point!

Don’t forget the color

I added accessories that would help bring a punch of color without overwhelming the space. I left a couple of everyday appliances on the countertop because the black blended in with the stainless steel appliances and coordinated other accessories that all had a hint of black in them. The stacked bowls in the corner are my favorite and it was great to be able to highlight them in such a way! Plus they were a wedding present that has been undervalued stuck in the back of a cabinet!

Another way I added color was by adding a small kitchen island. The kitchen island also has a base that is black and works well with the other accessories, such as the bowls and rugs, but it also has a multi color mosaic tile on top.  I put together the island previously and was finally able to have it work cohesively in my space, which brings up an excellent point. If you can’t find the kitchen island or cart to meet your needs color wise, you can always make one yourself by re-purposing another piece of furniture!

Finish off the room with cabinet hardware

Adding cabinet hardware adds an extra layer of sophistication to any kitchen.  Hardware finishes a plain cabinet and takes your kitchen to the next level.  You have a lot of options when it comes to hardware. From plain metal knobs to elaborate glass or ceramic pulls, just make sure you pick out the one that works best with your style and your kitchen. I chose simple metal knobs because of the size of edge on the cabinet door. My cabinet doors don’t have much of an edge so had I gone with a bulkier or fancier knob it would have looked out-of-place. One important note on cabinet hardware: if you have a project deadline, try not to special order it.  As shipping dates hardly ever coincide with deadlines! My hardware has yet to be installed because it is still on back order from the company.

Kitchen After Makeover

 

Adding it all up

It took less than one day to make the kitchen go from ho-hum to WOW! The Fasade Panels were provided by ACP for this project so I didn’t have to purchase them. But if we had to purchase them it would have cost approx $270 for the panels, edging and adhesive tape. When you compare that to the $600 the metal tiles would have cost me, that is a huge savings!

The lighting was $50, new accessories $80 (though mostly I was able to use what I already had, thanks to those gorgeous bowls!) Cabinet hardware was another $70. If you add everything up, this project would cost around $450. And this is not a bad price for a kitchen personality overhaul, not bad at all! Kitchen projects don’t have to be expensive to make a difference in the overall feel of the room! With a little research and some hard work I have a kitchen I am proud of, that has my personality and a feels more like a place I want to be!

Modern Italian Kitchen

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This week, I thought I might share some great kitchen ideas from a company called Scavolini. An Italian company, they have kitchen offerings in the States which means if you see something you like, owning a high-end Italian kitchen could be within your reach.

Today I am going to be highlighting the modern Italian kitchen from Scavolini called “City.” While  Scavolini offers a number of modern Italian kitchen solutions, I found the one named City as being among the most compelling. I think what struck me about the City kitchen style was how abrupt the curves are and the way the colors are very stark, regardless of the palette selection chosen.

Other features with the City style modern Italian kitchen include:

– Food is the central point. With the City design, it’s clear immediately that this is an area where a professional cook will feel like they have the space they need to get things cooking right away.

– Storage made efficient. The design of the City modern Italian kitchen is set up to meet the needs of the buyer. So if there is a need to position storage in one way or another, it’s addressed in such a manner as to ensure maximum convenience to the kitchen owner.

modern Italian kitchen

– Cooking or living space, you decide. The final fact about the City modern Italian kitchen is that it doubles as kitchen work space or living space.

– Five kitchen models to choose from. Whether it be ellagio Cherry, White, Aluminum Grey, Antique Walnut, or Oak Decapé, going with the City theme is a kitchen option full of modern appeal.

The City modern Italian kitchen is available in five kitchen models to choose from. You can download a Scavolini from this link and get a better idea of which color combination is best for you.

Remember, this is just ONE of the choices available from Scavolini for a great modern Italian kitchen.  Scavolini has other options, but none of their modern kitchen designs had such a stark, interesting flow to it.