When Alexis sent photos of her stunning kitchen makeover, we were thrilled. Here she shares the story behind the transformation, what she changed, and a few budget-friendly tricks that made a big difference.
I love your blog and read it daily. My husband and I bought our house a year ago and have been gradually redoing every space. You’ve been a huge inspiration. I wanted to share our kitchen before and after. We’re still working on the adjoining family room around the fireplace, but the kitchen is finally where we wanted it to be.
The original kitchen felt much smaller because of dark wood cabinets, dated knobs, and chair rail molding. The “before” photo I sent isn’t even the absolute worst—we’d already removed maroon wallpaper that made the room gloomier. We painted the cabinets, replaced appliances, added a backsplash, and installed new countertops, but one of my favorite and most affordable updates was a DIY cork board. I bought small cork squares and hot-glued them to the old laminate in the desk area to create a custom bulletin board. It keeps lists, invites, and reminders off the desk and in plain sight.
Sources and materials
Paint: Walls painted in Butter (from Restoration Hardware); cabinets in semi-gloss White by Benjamin Moore.
Hardware: Knobs and pulls were purchased from Restoration Hardware.
Flooring: We replaced mismatched flooring on the first floor—carpet, vinyl, and oak—with vertical bamboo for a uniform, modern look.
Appliances: New stainless steel Kenmore appliances.
Countertops: Silestone surfaces from Home Depot and a butcher block countertop on the island.
Backsplash: Classic, budget-friendly white subway tiles laid above the counters.
Pendant: A West Elm pendant over the table; we hard-wired it after cutting the cord.
Thanks for the daily inspiration—hope you enjoy the transformation as much as I enjoy your site. -Alexis
Before
Here’s the “before”: dark cabinetry and heavy finishes made the kitchen feel small and dated.
After
The refreshed kitchen is bright, airy, and more functional. Painting the cabinets white and switching to stainless appliances instantly modernized the space. The subway tile backsplash and updated countertops created a clean, cohesive look. Small details—the new hardware, the pendant light above the table, and the cork bulletin board—bring personality and practicality.
Why this makeover works
Several thoughtful choices helped this kitchen feel larger, brighter, and more cohesive:
- Painting the cabinets white reflected more light and modernized the aesthetic.
- Replacing varied flooring with a single material (vertical bamboo) unified the first floor and improved flow.
- Stainless steel appliances and Silestone counters upgraded the kitchen’s function and durability.
- Simple white subway tile provides a timeless backsplash that complements both modern and traditional elements.
- Small, inexpensive projects—like the cork board in the desk nook—added useful storage and visual interest without a big budget.
Great job, Alexis. The makeover proves that a combination of big changes (paint, flooring, appliances) and small DIY touches (cork board, pendant update) can completely change the feel of a space. Which element is your favorite? The crisp white cabinets, the new countertops, the pendant light, or the clever cork pinboard? Pick your favorite part and get inspired to tackle your own kitchen refresh.