I believe HGTV’s series “Design on a Dime” first episode was aired on January 1, 2003, the same year I graduated from Davis College in Interior Design. I used to (and still do) enjoy watching ways to take creative, accessible and affordable design to the next level by dispelling the notion that a beautiful room has to be expensive. I’m always for combining smart cost-saving ideas, clever design solutions, and amazing transformations.
Many homeowners think renovating their kitchen requires a very high budget. That’s simply not true. You can still work with a modest budget and get the kitchen you desire. However, designing a kitchen on a budget does take some skill.
Our customer, Maria, was so much fun to work with. She had been planning her new kitchen with a limited budget in mind. Since she understood the huge gulf between budget and expectation, she was willing to focus on small improvements rather than major renovations. Maria knew costs for cabinets, appliances, countertops, and tile back splashes could escalate very quickly. So, she decided to do as much of the remodel work around her kitchen to stretch her budget. She wasn’t afraid of DIY projects. The pint-size, semi-retired homeowner set to work.
Maria’s kitchen had the dilemma that I’m sure most of you have seen before. There were those ugly, outdated fluorescent soffit lights that were hidden behind yellow and unattractive plastic covers. The first thing Maria did was climb a ladder to remove all the hideous plastic diffuser panels. That was pretty simple. Then she removed the fluorescent tube bulbs and patched the ceilings. Messy? Yes, but she swears it was pretty simple to do.
For her kitchen cabinets, Maria wanted to make a big impact without spending a fortune. She opted to go with ready-to-assemble Forevermark cabinetry. Maria purchased her classic oak cabinets from Just Counter’s & Other Stuff. Incidentally, Maria saved dollars on this cabinet line without compromising on quality or function. So, she splurged on adding a “buffet wall” of cabinetry. They were professionally installed by Tyler Mowatt whose knowledge and skill is always valued.
Maria knew she wasn’t about to spend more than she needed to on her countertops. Therefore, she selected high definition laminate countertops. Laminate has come a long ways since our mother’s or grandmother’s time. Today’s designs can mimic natural stone and wood. I mean, they are seriously talented impersonators! Maria’s new countertops look amazing.
Maria replaced her white appliances with stainless steel. Stainless Steel has been a fan favorite for years, now replacing white as the most common appliance color. It looks modern and matches almost every cabinetry color and style.
Center stage is the tin backsplash. It was another one of Maria’s DIY projects. She wanted to add a lot of personality and style to her kitchen. By using backsplash tiles to cover the wall behind her range, it minimizes staining and accumulation of dirt. Walls without a backsplash can get damaged, increasing the risk of mildew and mold growth as well as liquid and food splash. Also, the tin tiles are very practical, which will help the homeowner minimize the need to do a lot of cleaning. All Maria needs to do now is just wipe her tile with a damp cloth, and her kitchen becomes spic and span. Additionally, the tiles never rust.
Maria is thrilled beyond words with how her kitchen looks today.
Add a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment