Kitchen mini-makeover

I thought I'd show you a few photos of my new kitchen after its mini-makeover.

My kitchen layout works pretty well and the kitchen is just under ten years old but it was dark and dreary ... and a little cluttered.  It's so much brighter and cleaner now!

I had two new cupboards custom built ... a full cupboard where the microwave shelf was and a smaller one over the stove to accommodate the new over the range microwave.  The cupboards were then sprayed to give them a nice even finish.

Handles replaced the former builder supplied knobs on the cupboards and I had cup pulls installed on the drawers, all in oil-rubbed bronze.  The faux beadboard backsplash was already in place (it's paintable wallpaper).  And the under cabinet lighting is fabulous!  I don't know how I managed without it!

The counter top is still in excellent condition so we kept it along with the taps.  Eventually, we'll replace the taps with a similar finish to the hardware.  Now that I have a bit of extra cupboard space, I'm able to keep the counter clear.  Since these photos were taken, I've put the coffee maker and toaster oven back because we use them everyday.  I'm also looking for one or two Windsor style bar stools so that I'm able to use this corner as a breakfast bar. 

From start to finish, it took about 3 1/2 weeks.  Sanding and painting the cupboards took the most time; installing the new cupboards, microwave and lighting was complete in just a couple of days.  The paint colour I chose for the cabinets is Benjamin Moore's Cloud White in semi-gloss and all the hardware was purchased on eBay.

So, that's my new kitchen!

One more thing, I've extended free shipping in my Etsy shop until the end of February.  Don't forget that you can also take an additional 10% off your purchase ... just enter DISC10 when you check out.