Confession...I hate my kitchen. It is small and outdated and completely devoid of color. It needs some serious H.E.L.P. Unfortunately, at the present time that will consist of a slim to none budget. So, I've been thinking about what I could do to add some color and personality without demo, remodeling, or cash. Yes, I realize my options are minimal. But still...options there are! I am so in love with that picture at the top...see it up there, all lovely and fun and full of color and personality??? I've been hanging on to this one for inspiration for a while. I am dying to paint my ugly laminate counters this gorgeous shade of aqua blue. I just mentioned it to hubby and he immediately started shaking his head NO. I even had pictures to show him to prove it COULD be done. My research and backup pics did no good. He was soooooooo not sold on my brilliant idea. Hmmmmmph! Back to the drawing board for me.
For now I will gaze at this...my dream kitchen. And I will hold out hope that Publisher's Clearing House will knock on my freshly painted, very chic, black front door with my millions in tow.
Ok...back to my random ramblings for the day. I scored these shutters at a yard sale last weekend for $1. They are scuffed and dinged up and a bit sad. BUT....they scream potential to me. I think they might be just what I need to spruce up this area of my kitchen for the time being. I'm thinking a lovely shade of......I bet you can't guess the glaringly obvious answer? Yeah right, we all know I'm talking about the color sent from heaven......my beloved aqua.
Here is the space in question. The shutters will be painted, the mirror will be switched out(another project in progress), and the lamps need some serious therapy. Any brilliant ideas or inspiration you have...send it my way. Oh and remember we're working without a budget here. I know..... I am so demanding!
Here is the space in question. The shutters will be painted, the mirror will be switched out(another project in progress), and the lamps need some serious therapy. Any brilliant ideas or inspiration you have...send it my way. Oh and remember we're working without a budget here. I know..... I am so demanding!
17 comments:
I feel the same way about my kitchen! We are in the same bind with the budget since I want to demo a wall and move a gas line. I've been considering painting the cupboards and just painting the walls made me feel better. Good luck with yours!
No advice. But what a steal on those shutters!!
I love what you are looking to do. I just recently did some inexpensive updates to my kitchen. I don't usually do this but check out what I did for $150.
http://littlebluechairs.blogspot.com/2010/05/what-150-can-do-in-kitchen.html
I would love to see the counters painted that Aqua- how beautiful. I would try to talk my hubby into it some more.
I would love to see what you finally do.
I've been saving up pictures of kitchens with painted cabinets to show my hubby. I want to paint our oak cabinets an antique white or white with a glaze. Those shutters will look great painted, Amanda! What about a "window" in between them, either as a mirror or with family pictures.
Hey, I know what you mean! I just saw this post where she painted her counters like granite on CSI Project and knew I had to do it. http://www.creativekristi.com/2010/02/painting-laminate-countertops-part-two.html
I showed the picture to my hubby and asked what they were and he said, "what do you mean? They're granite counters." And I said HA! They are PAINTED!! And he still isn't sold, even though they fooled him.
Look here for some lampshade ideas:
http://www.countryliving.com/crafts/projects/quick-lampshades-0208
If you have any cool old bottles, this lamp is neat - http://www.houseandhome.com/blogs/house-home-daily/diy-lighting
I LOVE these:http://www.designspongeonline.com/2008/05/diy-project-kates-sculptural-pendant-lamps.html
and they're made out of felt - how cheap is that!!
And this is the last one, I swear -
http://forevercottage.blogspot.com/2009/07/its-official-i-am-basketcaseplus-my.html
and it's my favorite. I know she used them as pendants, but how easy would that be to turn into a normal shade? So cool looking.
I'm kind of on a shade kick myself right now. I've got some ugly ones to take care of...
Are you going to post photos of our kitchen? I would love to see what you have to work with. When we bought our first (VERY TINY) home 4 yrs ago, we remodeled the house for under 7K. Yes, that included new cabinets, counters and laminate wood floors. (not crazy about laminate, but with younger kids, it works.) You seem like a woman who can find the great bargains, but if you would like some tips, please feel free to let me know. The best of luck to you with your kitchen. love what you are planning on doing with the shutters. I SO wish I could find some of those in my area. :-)
See, I wouldn't have even asked permission... you are very nice :) Let's see what you are working with! Show us some "before" pics and we'll give you suggestions :)
Okay, before I finished reading, I thought the second picture was your kitchen and I was completely jealous!! It's gorgeous. Love the brick wall!!
The shutters are great! Love them!
I like what you did with the shutters! your room looks beautiful!!
Happy Memorial Day Weekend.
blessings,
Debbie
I'll be honest, you're the crafty woman here, not me. So I have zero ideas unless I scroll through your blog and find something you've already posted about! ;) But I do like the shutters... however... I think they clash with the mirror frame... but then again I'm no expert and your home is much more lovely and decorated than mine. :)
Those shutters are a great idea! And they were really only $1? www.satisfiedsole.com
I'm so glad you posted your dream kitchen picture! My kitchen has that same layout (slightly different), but it gave me so many ideas and inspiration on what I want to do with mine. Thanks so much!
Those kitchens are amazing. I love those tiny tiles on the backsplash of the first kitchen!
I just redid mine about 2 years ago with new granite and now I wish I had gone with a light granite so I could do subway tile on the backsplash. Beautiful!
XOXO
jen
what a steal on those shutters!!
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Beautiful kitchen just the way it is..like what you did with these shutters.
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Looking forward to seeing what you did with the shutters. I'm looking for some to use as accents in our house. Would be great for back side of my townhouse which gets extreme afternoon sun in the summer.
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Great post, I've been looking for some inspiration for my own kitchen. thanks for sharing.
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