Tuesday, February 5, 2008
My ugly kitchen reborn
Note: Due to my painting escapades over the last 3 days, I am behind in my blog posts so this post is not about an architect or designer but about me. I should have my act together this afternoon.
I have a really ugly kitchen. Really. Ugly. And not only is it ugly but the layout is terrible and it's driving me nuts. I am not sure when I'll get around to renovating it so I realized when I was planning to paint the living room that I should just slap some crazy paint on the cabinets to make being in the kitchen a little more tolerable. Turns out I slapped some paint on the cabinets, the island and the backsplash. Not sure how feasible it was to paint tile but I guess I'll just have to be less messy when I cook. I've always wanted pink cabinets and since I now live alone, I figured what the hell. Except I realized Benjamin Moore doesn't make great pinks. I ended up with bubblegum pink. (It's actually called Springtime Bloom). I think I got the effect I was after anyway - a girly kitchen that brings a smile to my face when I see it. So hopefully it's obvious that the first group of photos includes a before on the left and an after on the right. (Note: I had nothing planned to decorate the new pink kitchen with so I ran around the house looking for "props", such as the piece of scrap fabric hanging on the stove as a tea towel, and the curtains are a piece of fabric folded over and clipped.)
I have a really ugly kitchen. Really. Ugly. And not only is it ugly but the layout is terrible and it's driving me nuts. I am not sure when I'll get around to renovating it so I realized when I was planning to paint the living room that I should just slap some crazy paint on the cabinets to make being in the kitchen a little more tolerable. Turns out I slapped some paint on the cabinets, the island and the backsplash. Not sure how feasible it was to paint tile but I guess I'll just have to be less messy when I cook. I've always wanted pink cabinets and since I now live alone, I figured what the hell. Except I realized Benjamin Moore doesn't make great pinks. I ended up with bubblegum pink. (It's actually called Springtime Bloom). I think I got the effect I was after anyway - a girly kitchen that brings a smile to my face when I see it. So hopefully it's obvious that the first group of photos includes a before on the left and an after on the right. (Note: I had nothing planned to decorate the new pink kitchen with so I ran around the house looking for "props", such as the piece of scrap fabric hanging on the stove as a tea towel, and the curtains are a piece of fabric folded over and clipped.)
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Labels: Kim's renos and decos, kitchen, paint
# posted by kim. @ 2/05/2008 
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Huuuuge difference Kim! It looks so fresh and vibrant. The shade of pink is perfect too- so 1950s. You're a visionary, well done! I'm really enjoying seeing your progress.
Wow that looks amazing! It really looks so different. Our kitchen is going to be the last thing we do to our flat, but if it looks anywhere near as nice as that I will be thrilled!!
What a transformation! I'm not usually a fan of pink and it's quite a bold statement to make when it comes to interiors, but I have to say this really works! So great to see what a little paint, a bit of time and some thrifty creativity can do! :)
your kitchen looks great! I want to paint my cabinets, is it a hard process? I would love more details :)
Love it!
You know you can still order all the "old" Benjamin Moore colours, right? (I.e., not Color Preview but the collection before.) I have a fan deck for the old colours and they do have some really gorgeous pinks. Any B. Moore store will mix them for you. They should also have the old fan deck behind the counter, for anyone who's stuck. That said I think the colour you went with is fab.
You know you can still order all the "old" Benjamin Moore colours, right? (I.e., not Color Preview but the collection before.) I have a fan deck for the old colours and they do have some really gorgeous pinks. Any B. Moore store will mix them for you. They should also have the old fan deck behind the counter, for anyone who's stuck. That said I think the colour you went with is fab.
# posted by 
: February 5, 2008 8:36 AM
: February 5, 2008 8:36 AM
Wowzers! A little bit (or a lot) of colour goes a long way! Looks fun and happy and much more inviting :)
Hooray for pink! This looks totally fab! I love it! I've always wanted a pink kitchen. I am just in awe of what a painting dynamo you are! You got so much done. Where did you get all that energy? It would have taken me a week just to do the cupboards.
The pantry looks wonderful. And I adore the accessories you used. The addict print is perfect. You know, addicted to pink.
The pantry looks wonderful. And I adore the accessories you used. The addict print is perfect. You know, addicted to pink.
The pink is actually quite fetching. I think I could dig it (or any really bright and uppity colour) in my fairly drab olive-grey kitchen.
Kim your kitchen is so cute I love it! It totally brings a smile to my face so I can only image how you must feel walking into it everyday :) great job!
Jenn
Jenn
hot-dang, that's pink-o-riffic. with the print it's kind of a rock & roll kitchen! hang a guitar on the wall!
Umm I LOVEEEE that kitchen!! Can I move in??? The pink accents are amazing and you did just the right amount.
Nice work!!
Nice work!!
That is an astoundingly good improvement - and I don't even like pink! Congratulations on following your instincts. It looks awesome.
Oh, I love this colour (as I love your blogg)!!! It´s a totally different room and atmosphere.
Great!
Greatings from Sweden //AnnA
Great!
Greatings from Sweden //AnnA
# posted by : February 5, 2008 2:00 PM
: February 5, 2008 2:00 PM
Kim I think for the price of a can of paint and considering this is going to be demolished you've done a fabulous job! The reader who commented above just didn't get this point. Sometimes normal people like you and I can't throw buckets of money at a final solution straight away and a quick cheap and cheerful cosmetic solution is what is called for. The designers we feature here are invariably high end (99%) and this blog is for inspiration not slavish copying. Poor reader above can keep their negative disappointment to their almost anonymous self. I'm so impressed by your speed painting, sense of humour in the colour choice and your bravery for taking snaps of an unfinished room to give us all inspiration. Now having got off my soapbox are you sure you can't come to Australia and help me speed things up at my place? :)
I think it looks wonderful - sweet, cheerful, happy. It made me think of all of the pink in the fab pad on "Down With Love". Enjoy it!
# posted by : February 5, 2008 3:41 PM
: February 5, 2008 3:41 PM
Thanks everyone for all the sweet comments. A part of me thought you'd all think I'm nuts. Glad to see only one thought so. And to anon who said I need a chandelier, I WISH, but I don't want to spend money in there on stuff like that when I might not be able to use it after the renovation. I would have replaced it with a vintage light fixture I have but it's so dark in there that the 3 bulbs of the fan are great lighting. Too bad it's god-awful to look at. I may just try my light fixture and see what happens. And my addict print doesn't quite match nor is it centered but it was all I could find in the basement that worked somewhat and the nail was already in the wall. :)
love it! it's super cute and cheery-- i have to say i was a bit skeptical but it looks really fantastic :)
only thing im not too keen on is the blue fabric used for the window (it fights with the pink-- i'd use something with a white background and maybe yellow accents/pattern), but i love that you've thrown your personality in there :)
only thing im not too keen on is the blue fabric used for the window (it fights with the pink-- i'd use something with a white background and maybe yellow accents/pattern), but i love that you've thrown your personality in there :)
I'm with you on the fabric dean - I just put it up because it's the only fabric I have with pink in it. I may splurge and buy fabric for the window that would be more fitting.
That was a daring move! I applaud you for being so self confident with your choice, and I absolutely love it.
Great makeover on the cabinets!...but maybe you could consider changing out the overhead light? It doesn't do the rest of the room justice.
LOOVE this reno!!!You're an inspiration to all of us who think they can't change a room without having to do a complete overhaul. I've been trying to convince my mother to paint our hideous (yellow-beige, barf) cabinets for a long time now. Love the pink, and I can't wait to move out of my parents' house and own my own place so that I can have my very own pink kitchen!!
# posted by : February 5, 2008 10:56 PM
: February 5, 2008 10:56 PM
I don't really care for pink, but this looks grand, and your pix are good, too. I may have to rethink pink. Enjoy!
I LOVE your pink cabinets! I actually have a kitchen table almost identical to yours (my scheme is similar- green and pink!) I love how you placed the assortment of modern chairs around the table. I painted traditional antique ones to set around mine- but your idea is fabulous!
wow. for something that is going to be demolished and a new one built up, you've done so much with so little!
white paint, pink paint= new kitchen!
kudos kudos kudos.
white paint, pink paint= new kitchen!
kudos kudos kudos.
Thank you Ornit, a, Emily and drey! (P.S. The "assortment" of chairs wasn't exactly planned - I'd like to replace the black chair with a white vintage one)
This kitchen is [insert every complementary adjective here]. I think you're my total and complete hero, too. Seriously, bubblegum pink for your kitchen cabinets?? Freakin fabulous. If only the rest of the population were as bold as you, going into neighbours' and friends' homes would be a hundred times more exciting!!
love it! love it! the pink is daring and cheerful. very unique. after all, like you say this blog is for inspiration - ideas, tips, etc. - not really for us to make a carbon copy of any of the rooms featured here, i would hope. i'm in the midst of creating a pink office and this has inspired me to go pink on a major piece of furniture because the only pink in there now are accessories/artwork. thank you for the idea!
# posted by : February 6, 2008 12:53 PM
: February 6, 2008 12:53 PM
Pink, you are as crazy as I am miss former-lavender-kitchen, so yes, I will marry you. ;) And thanks to the rest of you. :)
O....M.....G.....Kim, THIS IS SO FANTASTIC!!! It's fabulous!!! It's FUN!!! It's friendly(?) :) OK, I'll stop with the f's. Really and truly, it's great. I expected to see a light pink from what you wrote, all pastely and light, and this deep, sexy, rich color is....well, I said it all above. Enjoy this wonderful kitchen. LOVE IT. LOVELOVELOVELOVE
Thanks Susan. Means alot coming from you. Maybe I won't have the heart to gut and trash this kitchen after all. (HAHAHA - so far from the truth. I still have to walk all the way around the table to get to the damn fridge!).
a kitchen with such smashing painted cabinets looks better (to me) than many renovated kitchens
(right on!!!)
(right on!!!)
# posted by : February 6, 2008 11:47 PM
: February 6, 2008 11:47 PM
Sorry, but have to disagree with all the above comments. Don't like the pink cabinets. I would not want to cook/eat in that kitchen.
# posted by : February 6, 2008 11:56 PM
: February 6, 2008 11:56 PM
Oh Martha, good for you, you can go and be boring at your house - because this is FAAAABULOUS! Nice one Kim I love it. It would definitely make me smile. Also I am quite sure I have the chair pad fabric unused in my stash at home - v cute!
Kim, I keep staring at your kitchen! I just can't get enough of that gorgeous pink that you selected. I find that color so romantic.
I don't understand peoples reactions to pink. "I don't like pink, but..." What's not to like about pink? It's the most beautiful color in the world, looks great on everyone and goes with everything. Sometimes I think the reactions are inherently sexists since pink is thought of as being feminine, and the feminine is balked at all too often.
I don't understand why people call it daring to use a color that makes you happy. I personally would love to eat in that kitchen, because pink makes me look fabulous. And since there's only three seats and Casapinka, Kim and I are going to be eating there, there won't be room for Martha.
Sorry to go on and on. Kim, I know a fabulous sushi place, what time should I be by?
I don't understand peoples reactions to pink. "I don't like pink, but..." What's not to like about pink? It's the most beautiful color in the world, looks great on everyone and goes with everything. Sometimes I think the reactions are inherently sexists since pink is thought of as being feminine, and the feminine is balked at all too often.
I don't understand why people call it daring to use a color that makes you happy. I personally would love to eat in that kitchen, because pink makes me look fabulous. And since there's only three seats and Casapinka, Kim and I are going to be eating there, there won't be room for Martha.
Sorry to go on and on. Kim, I know a fabulous sushi place, what time should I be by?
Peggy, I'm usually famished around 6 pm. I'll go get the table set. What a fun dinner that would. I'd pull up another chair and invite Jo too of course. PARTY IN THE PINK KITCHEN!!! P.S. I am totally sold on painting my bedroom pink. Not anything this bold. Definitively a pale pink. So romantic!
OMG I must have been so freaking excited at the thought of a dinner party here in my new bubblegum kitchen that I forgot the word BE. What a fun dinner that would be.
I'm coming over for dinner for sure and bringing a lime green chandelier!
Kim - it looks truly sweet and what a wonderful job for the interim.
Kim - it looks truly sweet and what a wonderful job for the interim.
# posted by : February 7, 2008 4:54 PM
: February 7, 2008 4:54 PM
Kim - I saw your kitchen redo on Apartment Therapy. Great job! I just painted my cabinets to tolerate my kitchen until I can renovate as well! I love the kitchen cart you have...where did you get it?
# posted by : February 8, 2008 8:18 AM
: February 8, 2008 8:18 AM
Thanks Justine and Patricia! Justine, I got my cart at an industrial reuse type warehouse here, for about $75. I bought it a few years ago and once I get the kitchen redone, I can stick it in my shed as a potting table or in the basement for storage. VERY HANDY.
A big WOW! I love the results... would never convince hubby to have a pink room in the house, but boy do I love the way your kitchen looks. Well done!
I am so sorry that I missed this post!!!!!!!!!! YOU KNOW I LOVE IT! I am jealous! Looks stunning, and very mod!!! Great job KIM, you are wonderful.
That's real inspiration. I'm not a big fan of clunky brown wood cabinetry and trim, so I love what you did here.
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