“Jaw-dropping” isn’t a phrase I use lightly, but this kitchen makeover truly earns it. Emily shared a detailed account of the transformation, so I’ll let her tell the story in her own words and highlight the results.
We bought this house as a foreclosure a little over two years ago. The price was so good that it made saving for updates easier than I expected. Built in 1987, the interior hadn’t been touched since then, aside from a few extra layers of wallpaper applied over the original paper—every room had a floral explosion going on. I love cooking and spend a lot of time in the kitchen, so it was the priority for renovation. The existing kitchen had stained Formica countertops that were loose from the cabinets and just felt old and tired—definitely not the charming vintage kind of old.
After hours of browsing design sites, I fell in love with the bi-color cabinet look. It offered a contemporary touch without being too bold, which appealed to me since I always keep resale value in mind. I didn’t want to choose a style that might limit future buyers if we ever decided to move.
To save money and reduce waste, we repainted the existing cabinets instead of replacing them. We hired a contractor for most of the heavy work—partly to save time and partly to preserve my marriage—but we tackled the whitewashed plank walls ourselves to cover a messy attempt at wallpaper removal. Adding those plank walls took two Saturdays with my husband helping, and it was a moderately easy DIY project. Fortunately, what began as a wallpaper mistake turned into a design success.
We also saved significantly by purchasing appliances during an IKEA kitchen sale. Our dishwasher, a five-burner range, an exhaust hood, a microwave, and a wall oven cost less than $4,000 in total. Having cabinets built to surround the refrigerator was one of the best choices we made; the built-in look gives the kitchen a finished, luxurious feel. Another simple and fun DIY was creating a chalkboard wall—writing on it adds a playful, relaxed vibe to the room.
For the backsplash, we chose subway tiles, which were a major cost saver at just 21 cents each (about $1.61 per square foot). We splurged a bit on the countertops, selecting a quartz product by Cambria in the Torquay color. It’s low-maintenance—one of the primary reasons for choosing it—and it closely resembles Carrara marble without the upkeep.
The dining table came from a Restoration Hardware outlet. Its list price was $1,395 for the 96-inch table, but we found it for $600. Curtains were from IKEA, and the dining area now feels cozy; the sheer panels provide privacy when closed. The chandelier is from West Elm and adds a little funky character—exactly what the space needed.
Combining strategic splurges with affordable DIY work and shopping sales and outlets made the project affordable while delivering a high-end look. I hope you like the finished space as much as I do. – Emily 🙂
This renovation is a great reminder that smart budgeting and a mix of professional help with hands-on projects can produce a polished, expensive-looking result without breaking the bank. The painted cabinets, plank accent walls, subway tile backsplash, and quartz counters all come together to create a warm, modern kitchen that still respects resale value.
If you enjoyed this kitchen reveal, Emily has more of her projects and before-and-after details documented on her blog for anyone who wants further inspiration and practical tips. Thank you, Emily, for sharing your process and photos—now let’s play the favorite-part game: my top picks are the dining table and the counters; others might point to the bold red door, the dark paint on the French doors, or the charming window sash over the sink.