Inspiring Kitchen Makeover
Categories: Decorating, Wish We Could..., Kitchen, Your Home, Design, etc, House Tours
Lori Andrews' kitchen was a nice size but a bit bland when she moved into her cute Calgary Alberta, Canada bungalow. Good thing she's an interior designer with a handy hubby!
I'm a huge fan of her photography and design, which I follow on Flickr. When she and her husband recently refaced their kitchen cabinets, I had to know more about how they did it. So I asked, and she had some interesting things to say.
What made you decide to change the color of your cabinets?
The cabinets were originally in clear varnished MDF. The previous owners had installed them. We were never happy with the quality of the finish and planned to have them redone eventually.
Where did the backsplash color inspiration come from?
A tile sample board. As an interior designer, I see a lot of tile samples. One day I finally saw a sample board that I just loved! It was 9 "x18" tiles that were cut down for the presentation board into squares. It had all of the colors shown on the backsplash, and I just loved how all of the different colors looked together. I had my tiler cut each tile into squares, my husband came up with a random algorithm for the design and we gave the tiler an exact map to follow.
What was the kitchen like when you moved in? What did you do to it?
The kitchen structure was nearly the same. All varnished MDF cabinetry and the same black granite. The backsplash was originally thin sheets of a stainless steel-looking material. I would call the design of the kitchen when we bought it "contemporary." We have always preferred modern so that is the direction we have taken it.
What they did:
- Upgraded and replaced the light fixtures
- Rebuilt some of the cabinet end pieces and the microwave stand to be more streamlined
- Rolled all of the base cabinets and trim in Benjamin Moore's Oxford White
- Sprayed the cabinet doors, drawer fronts and details in a glossy lacquer
What is your favorite part of your kitchen?
The island. My husband and i do all of our prep work together on the island. We entertain frequently and our guests sit in the fiberglass bar stools while we prepare the feasts. If it is a small party, we will often eat right at the counters.
Thanks to Lori for sharing her amazing kitchen remodel! What do you think of it? Leave a comment below. If you love it, you have got to see the rest of her house.
I'm a huge fan of her photography and design, which I follow on Flickr. When she and her husband recently refaced their kitchen cabinets, I had to know more about how they did it. So I asked, and she had some interesting things to say.
The mosaic-like backsplash pops from the white cabinets. Photo: Lori Andrews
What made you decide to change the color of your cabinets?
The cabinets were originally in clear varnished MDF. The previous owners had installed them. We were never happy with the quality of the finish and planned to have them redone eventually.
Where did the backsplash color inspiration come from?
A tile sample board. As an interior designer, I see a lot of tile samples. One day I finally saw a sample board that I just loved! It was 9 "x18" tiles that were cut down for the presentation board into squares. It had all of the colors shown on the backsplash, and I just loved how all of the different colors looked together. I had my tiler cut each tile into squares, my husband came up with a random algorithm for the design and we gave the tiler an exact map to follow.
Before: Lori's kitchen was modern but needed pizzazz. Photo: Lori Andrews
The kitchen structure was nearly the same. All varnished MDF cabinetry and the same black granite. The backsplash was originally thin sheets of a stainless steel-looking material. I would call the design of the kitchen when we bought it "contemporary." We have always preferred modern so that is the direction we have taken it.
What they did:
- Upgraded and replaced the light fixtures
- Rebuilt some of the cabinet end pieces and the microwave stand to be more streamlined
- Rolled all of the base cabinets and trim in Benjamin Moore's Oxford White
- Sprayed the cabinet doors, drawer fronts and details in a glossy lacquer
What is your favorite part of your kitchen?
The island. My husband and i do all of our prep work together on the island. We entertain frequently and our guests sit in the fiberglass bar stools while we prepare the feasts. If it is a small party, we will often eat right at the counters.
Thanks to Lori for sharing her amazing kitchen remodel! What do you think of it? Leave a comment below. If you love it, you have got to see the rest of her house.
