Image this: You’re given a can of paint and informed that you need to make the colour work in your house it doesn’t matter what it’s. You prop open the lid and see a hue that you just frankly simply don’t like. However the rule states that sorry, gotta use it and good luck making it look good. Effectively…that’s sort of the way it works whenever you dwell someplace with a selected tone in your kitchen cupboards you don’t love with no energy to vary them.
The twist right here is that is my favourite kind of problem. The problem with exhausting limitations. It forces me to strive new issues and provide you with options I wouldn’t have needed to assume by if I began with a clean slate and even had some selection within the matter.
Is that this my dream kitchen? No. I can’t say that it’s. However is it a kitchen that I made visually work for me that now feels a lot extra welcoming? I’d say so. I’m actually pleased with how this turned out, even when many components of it require a “don’t look too carefully” warning label (hold studying). The act of pulling open my little cafe curtains each morning to let the solar stream in is ritualistic at this level, as is lifting the Roman shades within the breakfast nook. It’s what occurs simply earlier than the kitchen is saturated with the odor of brewing espresso, the push of a household of three prepping breakfast, and the start of a parade of toys being scattered throughout the ground all through the day. I like it. And I hope you do, too.
So, let’s have a look, we could? Welcome to my little completely imperfect rental kitchen makeover.
Step Stool | Peel and Stick Backsplash | Checkerboard Chopping Board | Brass Cupboard Handles | Brass Cupboard Cup Pulls | Mini Lamp (Related)
How I Reimagined the Cherry Cupboards in My Rental Kitchen
The most important change on this area is the backsplash you see within the above photograph. Once we first moved in, it was only a semi-gloss white textured wall. It felt stark towards the not-quite-green-not-quite-yellow-sort-of-brownish countertop, which in flip made the darkish brownish cherry cupboard stain really feel even stronger. It was all an excessive amount of distinction, and I knew I wanted to mellow issues out by bringing in tonal supplies, including a serving to of lighter wooden finishes after which simply making it as charming as I might with out veering too near the grandmother’s cottage from Little Purple Driving Hood.
Miss Honey’s cottage from Maltida, although? That…that was extra in keeping with what I wished. Admittedly, the visible notes have been very completely different in my reminiscence than they have been in actual life once I referenced images from that film, however it nonetheless works, IMHO.
As a fast reminder, it is a tough guidelines of what I wished to perform and/or change right here:
- Add a detachable (peel-and-stick) backsplash
- Change {hardware} to one thing hotter and fewer 2003
- Swap rug to restrict the quantity of purple within the room
- Get equipment finishes to match
- Discover a higher storage resolution to clear off all of the small home equipment on the counters
- Create breakfast nook
- Exchange damaged vertical blinds within the breakfast nook with some type of material or material scenario
- Swap mini blinds by sink window
- Add coloration and persona in some way
- Possibly enhance the flooring
- Exchange flush mount in breakfast nook with one thing softer (The sunshine was intense)
You’ll be able to learn by all my “whys” and see extra earlier than images in my authentic publish in addition to this replace publish.
Apart from the flooring (extra on that in a bit), I used to be in a position to accomplish the whole lot on my checklist. And the distinction it has all made makes me *like* my cupboards. If I have been my very own trainer, I’d give myself an A for effort. 🙂
Black Pedestal Fruit Bowl | Potato and Onion Storage | Terracotta Garlic Keeper | Blue Staub Dutch Oven (related) | Rug (classic) | Artwork Print | Brass Body Holding Artwork Print | Mini Easel (classic) | Marble Lazy Susan
This little nook is the place I basically dwell on this kitchen. It’s the place I do all my chopping, plating, and prepping for meals. I used to have my microwave caddy cornered there and each single day, I hated it. For some purpose, it felt like an issue I had no management over altering, after which in the future, I mentioned ENOUGH, and moved it over subsequent to the fridge and by no means regarded again. As a substitute of two chopped-up slivers of counter to work with, I opened up a correct expanse of floor space and I don’t know why such a easy resolution by no means crossed my thoughts prior. Humorous how that may be typically, huh?
Whereas I want I didn’t must eat up 1 / 4 of my counters with a microwave, the reality is, we use it each day and there was no room for it anyplace else that made sense. Some individuals in my authentic intro publish prompt I transfer it to the realm the place the breakfast nook is now, however there isn’t a plug on that wall and a large extension wire just isn’t one thing I wished to take a look at each day. So that is the place it lives now, and truthfully, it’s wonderful. Every part doesn’t must be “Instagram good” to work on your life. In actual fact, it’s often extra handy when it’s not…
The opposite enchancment to my workflow was making a produce station right here. Earlier than, I had a bowl of fruit (unusually) over by the sink/espresso space, a two-tiered produce basket the place the microwave is now, and one other small bowl sort of propped wherever I might match it as a result of there have been too many gosh dang issues on the counter. It’s not a big area, so it didn’t price me a lot to show round and seize a lemon from the opposite aspect however nonetheless…it wasn’t environment friendly. Now, I exploit up the big, deep nook that wouldn’t be helpful to me in every other approach with all my produce (in actual life, there’s a further massive bowl right here holding much more fruit as a result of we’re a produce-obsessed family and I wanted extra vessels than regarded fairly for a shoot).
A Serendipitous Rug And A Crappy Backsplash
I defined in this text how I obtained to this rug however I’ll rapidly rehash it for anybody who doesn’t wish to go away my fairly photos to take a look at one other course of publish (who might blame ya?). The purple rug I used to have right here was a holdover from three residences in the past. I simply moved it from kitchen to kitchen to kitchen even when it wasn’t supreme, and it was *actually* not supreme in right here. It was a $20 classic quantity I purchased at ReStore practically a decade in the past and it was scratchy, produced a ridiculous quantity of bizarre blackish lint and by no means regarded or felt clear, even when I had simply cleaned it. I picked a reasonably Ruggable rug as an alternative with the attraction of with the ability to throw it within the washer each time it wanted it. However the colours didn’t match what I fell in love with about it on-line, and each day I’d stroll in, look down at it, and assume “Bummer.”
I used to be OVER spending cash, so I hit up Fb Market on a whim in the future and noticed this magnificence for $100. It was precisely the scale and coloration I wished/wanted and after a contact of haggling (I must drive all the way down to Lengthy Seaside to get it which is a trek from Pasadena), we settled on $80. I put my toddler in her automotive seat quicker than meals burns underneath a broiler, drove the hour south and scooped up my dream rug. I’m SO pleased with it and since it has a dense wool pile, it cleans very simply. Thus far, we haven’t had any main spills and I hope for it to remain that approach.
One other bummer is definitely the backsplash I picked, sadly. Sure, as an entire, I like the way in which it ended up wanting, however it began peeling off the wall meer days after set up. Daily, I’ve to press in indifferent items. I’ve added extra tape and different adhesives and no-go. I do know the semi-gloss paint and wall texture are the primary wrongdoer right here so maybe you’d have higher luck with it, however…it sucks.
Striped Material Cloth (gifted) | Cafe Curtain Rod | Cafe Curtain Mounting {Hardware}
Creating Attraction With DIYed Cafe Curtains
That is my favourite photograph of your complete bunch as a result of it’s only a tad ludicrous. Nobody has a sink stuffed with blooms and branches ever however I requested Bowser to make it occur (keep in mind…Miss Honey’s Cottage inspo at work right here). Apart from that, the little cafe curtain second is darling, isn’t it? I picked this pinstripe linen material from Tonic Residing very early on, and it couldn’t be extra good. Up shut, my stitching helpful work is…a bit wonky, however from afar you may barely discover that my seams are crooked! Huzzah! I purchased some pinch pleat tape from Amazon, sewed that on, after which hand-sewed the pleats collectively at every assembly level. I hung the curtain on the level the place we couldn’t see our again neighbor’s kitchen window however there was nonetheless loads of room above for daylight and moonlight (about 2/3 up is often a protected guess).
The rod was such a mission that got here collectively in fairly a serendipitous second. My associates, I ordered three stress rods to strive right here. The primary one was flimsy and buckled within the center. The second didn’t even match within the very slender body allowance (it’s underneath two inches). The third one match however felt so cumbersome. It was too late to order a custom-cut rod from Rejuvenation, so I used to be sort of panicking. That’s till a designer I comply with posted a couple of retailer referred to as Shade Physician of Maine from which she had simply purchased a custom-cut cafe curtain rod. I instantly clicked over and noticed the worth was tremendous reasonably priced ($25 for the custom-cut rod and $10 for the inside-mount brackets), and it could possibly be made and shipped on time. The proprietor even referred to as me the subsequent day to substantiate all my measurements and mailed it right away after that. It was a design godsend, I inform ya.
I opted to not fear about the truth that my faucet was nonetheless brushed nickel. Would an attractive brass fixture have been nice right here? Yeah, however…I simply didn’t care sufficient by the top. It’s completely wonderful, and admittedly, works effectively to choose up the brushed stainless of the home equipment.
Oh, and the {hardware}? Purchased it for SUPER low cost on an Amazon Prime Day deal again in July. I confess I hated them after they arrived, being type of a frosted gentle brass however after a number of days of residing with them, I used to be okay. I really like what the cup on all of the drawers provides. Conventional and hearty, like beef stew.
Burlwood Tray | Sink Caddy | Glass Cannisters | Striped Roman Shade Cloth (gifted)
Right here’s our little espresso and tea station, which didn’t change a lot. I simply corraled the whole lot in a reasonably tray, swapped a cumbersome espresso pod holder that used to dwell underneath my Nespresso machine for some glass canisters, and by no means regarded again. It really works, it’s fairly sufficient, and yeah…a tray is the one nice design elixir of life.
I do must admit one thing. A trash can usually lives between the aspect of the cupboard and the chair you see right here. SUE ME! PUT ME IN JAIL. It’s a very slim profile Simplehuman I’ve had for 5 years and we’re all surviving. Is it as fairly as this? No, however actual life is ugly-ish typically, readers. Charles and I talked about placing small cans underneath the kitchen sink, however as we’re not Rockefellers, we should not have the posh of additional cupboard space and wish to depart that open for different issues. So alas, it lives the place it lives, even when I’ve to lie about it in a photograph on the Web.
Sure, I Purchased All My Home equipment Secondhand
LOOK AT THIS BIG GIRL WITH HER MOMMY IN A VERY WRINKLED DRESS STRAIGHT OUT OF THE PACKAGING!!!! I can not get this little one off this stool. You’ll often discover her standing on the counter with my knee pressed up towards her again as she cuts a banana with a butter knife. It’s the one approach I can prepare dinner with out having to carry her to see what I’m doing (and sure, a correct studying tower is on our checklist to purchase which can be a greater possibility).
Earlier than shifting on to the breakfast nook, I simply wish to respect how exhausting I labored (actually) to search out matching home equipment all secondhand on funds. I discuss a little bit extra about it right here (and totally go into each single element on a publish I wrote on a unique website should you’re ), however it took me since final March to make this occur. Fast anecdote: I discovered a beautiful KitchenAid French door fridge for $600 that the proprietor simply wished out of her home (she was shifting). It took days to speak her down in worth as a result of that was my max funds understanding supply can be one other $200ish. I simply ASSUMED a typical dimension would match, so I celebrated my win prematurely, ordered a pick-up service and after they have been on their technique to the girl’s home to seize the fridge, I made a decision…you understand what…let me simply measure. AND IT WOULDN’T HAVE FIT. The counter is minimize only a contact too lengthy on the precise aspect and the opening is at max 35.5″. An ordinary width fridge is 36″ (however truly 35.75″ to construct in area round it for air flow). I instantly canceled the supply service and felt terrible and deflated.
The girl was good sufficient to let me go to her house, measure the fridge simply to make sure it was bigger than 35.5″ (it was), after which I needed to stroll away from it. Let me inform you…discovering a 33″ fridge in a counter depth (this area required that) was close to IMPOSSIBLE. I’m not exaggerating once I say they make I feel three fashions that match that invoice. ON THE ENTIRE MARKET. After which to attempt to discover a kind of secondhand, effectively, Everest territory.
BUT I DID IT. And the push of exhilaration I felt is what I think about inventory brokers really feel after they do inventory dealer issues that make them some huge cash. I really like our fridge, and when you don’t see it that effectively in these images, it makes me fairly joyful each day.
Bistro Desk | Chairs | Chair Seat Cloth (gifted) | Excessive Chair | Peel and Stick Wallpaper (gifted) | Laundry Closet Door Paint | Cute Child (she’s mine, not on the market)
Carving Out A Breakfast Nook (& My ~$35 Roman Shade Answer)
LOOK AT THIS BIG GIRL IN HER NEW BREAKFAST NOOK WITH A FREE BALLOON THE PAVILIONS CASHIER GAVE HER BECAUSE SHE WAS THE CUTEST BIG GIRL IN THE WORLD. I LOVE this breakfast nook. I LOVE IT. I sit in that very same chair as Evelyn each day ingesting my morning espresso, searching onto the road and the bushes and nobody can steal that pleasure from me.
Identical to the whole lot in right here, discovering a desk within the end I wished however within the dimension I wanted was additionally not a straightforward feat. Something wider than 32″ wouldn’t slot in right here with chairs and room to open the laundry doorways. West Elm got here in clutch with this bistro child I referred to as round all of Los Angeles to search out. The Craftsman-like profile is an ode to the outrageously charming authentic Craftsman homes on the road the place I dwell, whereas the impartial wooden end properly balances the purple cupboards.
The chairs have been one other Fb Market discover for round $60. Just some bolts tightened, some cleansing and new upholstery have been all it took to make them work completely in right here. With banana fingers continuously touching my materials, I opted for a bullet-proof efficiency Sunbrella x Pindler textile, gifted to me by its designer, Max Humphrey.
Because the backdrop to all of it is one in all my favourite components of the entire area: that Chasing Paper peel-and-stick wallpaper, designed by Jenni Yolo. It’s the crown jewel of the room I feel, actually delivering a lightheartedness that’s wanted with such heaviness taking place on the opposite aspect of the room. It was my first time putting in wallpaper in any kind and whereas the primary panel is (purposefully and fortuitously) hidden behind the cupboard, the remainder was tremendous straightforward to stand up. Really easy, even a 21-month-old can do it! As a result of she did (I’m kidding, Evelyn simply rolled the seam curler across the wall a number of instances and all the time appears to be making an attempt to take credit score for my exhausting work in right here). 😉 I then pulled a sage inexperienced from the paper and painted the laundry doorways relatively than changing them. It’s a call I don’t remorse for even a second.
Oh gosh, and the Roman shades! Determining cowl this exceptionally massive window took me fairly some time, however I ended up DIYing Romans from that very same Tonic Residing striped linen utilizing two very low cost cordless raise mini blinds. It was really easy and I’d be joyful to do a DIY for you should you’re (spoiler: it price me underneath $75 to make each of these!). Ignore the darker spots the place I obtained too heavy-handed with the material glue.
Fluted Glass-Entrance Storage Cupboard (gifted)
When in Doubt, Transfer The Pantry
This Arnika Eating Cupboard from All Fashionable is so sturdy and superbly made that each Charles and I have been in awe of it after constructing it. I believed the fronts have been going to be some sort of plexi however they’re a thick fluted glass and the remainder of the cupboard is metallic with adjustable cabinets. I made a decision to show it into my pantry and use the area within the cupboards I used to be designating as my pantry to stash away all my small home equipment and get them off my counter tops. It’s been a frankly life-changing resolution. Positive, it’s a little bit annoying to must stroll over right here to seize granola or pasta or bread, however I’ll select it any day over digging by a darkish, slender and deep cupboard to discover a can of cannellini beans stacked above the tuna I forgot I had as a result of it’s unimaginable to see.
Striped Pitcher | Napkins | Candelablra | Bowls | Taper Candles | Pendant Shade (used for DIY) | Mini Pendant Equipment (used for DIY) | Pendant Shade Cloth
Earlier than wrapping, let’s speak about these flooring, we could? They aren’t what I wished them to be. I dreamed of a checkerboard design underfoot and ordered many samples to check out. My favorites have been by Chris Loves Julia for Wallpops however they have been continuously offered out. A couple of week earlier than the shoot, I reached out to them they usually have been going to presumably assist facilitate however it simply didn’t work out timing-wise. And it’s okay. Would it not have felt extra full in right here with a white and taupe marble checkerboard ground? I feel so. However does the room nonetheless work with out it? I additionally assume so. Leases aren’t all the time supreme of their design selections, and at the least these aren’t offensive.
And at last, my little DIYed pleated pendant lamp that I created from an reasonably priced shade and a few clearance sheets from Goal. My first try was dismal, however fortunately I discovered this tutorial video that helped information me to redo what I initially had created to this completed product. I feel it provides only a contact of caprice that I feel each room must not take itself overly severely. A little bit banding of maroon bias tape on the prime and backside harken again to the cabinetry.
In Conclusion…I Love It (+ What’s Subsequent)
So there she is. My little candy rental kitchen. I’m so glad to be performed with it to share with you all and likewise to simply take pleasure in it. Once I return and have a look at the earlier than, I can’t consider how far it’s include actually not a drastic quantity of labor. Sure, it took time—5 months give or take—however I work and likewise handle a child and a household so such is life. Every part goes to be simply detachable once we resolve to depart this place, however hopefully, we’ll get to name it house for some time.
I’m within the midst of giving an identical rental overhaul therapy to my boring powder rest room and placing the ending touches on my eating room, which I hope to share early subsequent 12 months so keep tuned. Thanks for studying my hundreds of phrases and for strolling by my house with me. 🙂
Till subsequent time.
Your buddy in design, Arlyn
*Design by me (Arlyn Hernandez)
**Styling by Emily Edith Bowser
***Images by Veronica Crawford