Moving into an 80-year old fixer upper presented numerous décor dilemmas, the most intimidating of which was rejuvenating a dull and dreary kitchen. It’s “L” shape featured outdated oak cabinets that seemed insurmountable to transform on a tight budget – until I set my sights on incorporating rustic farmhouse charm! Suddenly each detail became clear from envisioning what it would look like in photos before the remodel began all the way through to its completion of a beautiful farmhouse kitchen!
To craft a beautiful kitchen, I selected two colors for the cabinets and one for the walls. The first step was to remove all of the cabinet doors. Sadly, several areas had been damaged by water and mold; particularly under the sink and on one tall cupboard which still contained remnants from an old botched canning session! We concluded that both shelves along with their bottom panel must be taken out due to their condition—fortunately we already picked up Kilz paint primer in advance!
Cabinet Preparation
To ensure the utmost safety, I opted to first use Kilz paint on my cabinets followed by a layer of latex. After that crucial measure had been taken, it was time to bring color and life into the room with my desired hue!
Removing the Popcorn Ceiling
After I attempted to coat the ceiling with INSL-X Color-Changing Acrylic Ceiling Paint, bits of popcorn began crumbling off at each brushstroke. It became apparent that when renovating it was simply sprayed onto the ceiling without being primed or sealed properly – thus my only option was total removal. Surprisingly, this took me about thirty minutes and by then half were already gone (as you can see in this photo!). Removing all traces of popcorn from above proved far simpler than expected!
I quickly gave the popcorn ceiling a vibrant makeover and then changed the kitchen wall into an inviting, blue color. To top off this contemporary design, all trim was given a refreshed coat of white paint – creating an eye-catching look guaranteed to delight!
Progress of the Upper and Lower Cabinets
To give my cabinets a unique flair, I chose to paint the bottom in an eye-catching turquoise and finish off with white on top. Instead of keeping the dishwasher as is, I found a clever way to reuse it by transforming it into a trash can holder! To maintain its original charm while adding functionality, I pressed into service again the bronze handles after cleaning them up.
I am thrilled with how my two colors blend together! To make the most of it, I decided to paint the decorative piece above the sink in white instead of turquoise. Although budget was an issue, keeping my countertop was a must since it’s still intact and strong. In terms of refrigerators, mine had seen better days so I went for something that would perfectly match – chalkboard menu!
Use Sample and Leftover Supplies
While I was looking through my summer Home Depot projects, a revolutionary idea occurred to me – why not use sample tiles from the store in order to bring new life into my refrigerator’s chalkboard? Although it seemed like an unlikely project due to budgetary restrictions, the results were remarkably stunning!
Custom Kitchen Island with Ikea Parts
To craft my desired farmhouse-style kitchen island with open storage and an industrial look, I acquired two 36″ base cabinets from Ikea sans cabinet doors or legs. Then the thought of adding a butcher block countertop came to mind – at least 74″ long so that it could stretch across both of my cabinets and 40″ deep in order to offer me workspace while baking as well as seating options. The pieces were beginning to take shape!
Adding the Butcher Block Countertop
After bringing each item to life with the same paint color as my cabinets, I assembled it all together. I also added swivel locking casters to make it easy to move for cleaning the floor. The end result was remarkable! Now functional and furnished with seating for family or friends, this area truly captures an industrial-farmhouse aesthetic that is further enhanced by chicken coop boards framed along the wall – just like those used elsewhere in the space.
Modern Industrial Seating
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To give my seating area a modern, industrial feel, I chose black counter height stools with backrests and stainless steel frames. I further enhanced the look by spraying the frames with Rust-Oleum’s Metallic Flat Burnished Amber paint – matching them perfectly to the water pipes on my workspace wall! This simple touch added an attractive edge to my space that can’t be overlooked.
Added Wire Racks for Napkins and Storage
To bring a cozy, farmhouse-style atmosphere to my kitchen, I sliced up a bronze curtain panel and used it as trim around the dishwasher opening and above the sink. Then I installed an adjustable tension rod under the countertop to add the curtain to cover the dishwasher opening. I also added some white wire racks to the side of the island for napkin storage.
Final Thoughts
I’m so proud of what I was able to accomplish with a combination of creativity, hard work, and some good fortune! Out of my vision for the perfect kitchen came a beautiful result that’s reflective both in style and personality. Reusing old items or trying out easy DIY projects made it simple to create something special – all you need are the right tools and materials! Let this be an inspiration as you embark on your own home renovation project: there is no limit to what can be achieved with imagination, elbow grease, and just a bit of luck.
All in all, I am extremely pleased with the outcome of my farmhouse kitchen renovation project. It was a great experience being able to put together something that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing at the same time. With some creativity, hard work, and luck, you too can achieve similar results for your own home projects! So why not give it a try? Who knows – you might just surprise yourself by what you create!
