4.02.2011

The Gardner Kitchen - Before & After

Before Ahhh. My Kitchen.Not my favorite room in our house.We have had this sage green formica countertop and I just know what you are thinking. Now why would she want to swap out this beauty. Yeah, right.

We have debated and debated how to change this countertop. We have a very limited budget so we knew whatever we did we would have to do it on our own. Our home is currently for sale so we just kept putting the project off until last week.I just couldn't take this green beast another day. And not only was the countertop a major problem so was the kitchen sink. It was NOT a double sink. Who does that? I couldn't keep that thing clean to save my life. But just like the countertop we lived with it. But we figured if we are pulling it out to redo the countertop it would be the perfect time to swap out the sink. I am not ashamed to show this very professional paint job from a few years back. Yep, I did that. Why pull out the oven while painting when you can just paint around it. It really does not matter because our next project will be to put in a subway backsplash. We decided to tile over the green beast late Friday night last week. We planned to pick up supplies the next day. And I am happy to say it is complete aside from the backsplash. I cannot lie when I say even the hardiebacker board is an improvement from the green beast! We opted for this granite style tile and could not be happier. After Isn't it just lovely. I have dreamt of this change for quite some time! I don't know if you noticed our nasty chrome single faucet but we swapped that out as well when we installed the new sink. We found both the faucet and the double sink on KSL and saved ourselves several buckaroos! The double sink finishes eveything off nicely. The addition of new hardware can make a significant difference and change the feel of a whole room like a kitchen or bathroom. So there you go. Our before and After.

We are happy and wished we would have done this years ago!

48 comments:

Katie said...

It looks great!! I love the new sink and faucet! Too bad you both have a kitchen you love and now you have to leave! Hopefully the next homeowner will enjoy it!!

Joy@aVintageGreen said...

An amazing upgrade. Sure updated the kitchen. Congratulations.
- Joy

Pam@OurAdventuresInHomeImprovement said...

Great job! I love the changes! Hopefully this will be what brings the offers in on your house. Good luck!

Pam

Jennifer said...

LOVE the color of the granite tiles! Your new faucet is pretty too. WHat a difference those upgrades made. Great job!
Jen
Scissors & Spatulas

Cassie Bustamante said...

it looks wonderful, melanie! though the sage green was lovely, too. ;)

Comeca Jones said...

I really like it!

Terri @ Creative Eyedias said...

Very nice update! It should bring more $$$ when you sell AND you can enjoy it until you do! WIN WIN.

Anonymous said...

Looks wonderful! What a difference a counter top can make! :) I'm having a favorite cupboard party on Tuesday and would love for you to come.
be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

AllisonK said...

I have never noticed your counter tops before in all the time I've been to your home, but now.... WOW!!!
I can't wait to see them!

AllisonK said...

BEAUTIFUL!!!
I have never noticed your counter tops before and how many times have I been there.... WOW! I can't wait to see them in person.

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Fabulous transformation. I love your new tile, it is wonderful and the sink and faucet are gorgeous also. You should be so pleased. It looks terrific. Hugs, Marty

Kim @ A Brush of Whimsy said...

I love the hardware color! The countertops looks very "fancy," as my son would say!!!

Korrie@RedHenHome said...

What a wonderful update! I love your new faucet, and you did a great job with the tile. You and your husband are an *amazing* team!

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. said...

Your kitchen looks wonderful Melanie! Enjoy!

The Painted Parlor said...

I laughed out loud when I saw your paint job behind the oven, that's what mine looks like too!!!! Haha. I thought no one else would be as lazy as myself, no offense! You're kitchen looks great!

Kristy Carberry said...

Big change! I think this will appeal to potential buyers a lot more than the "old" kitchen. I am sure it will be hard for you to let it go now!

Christa @ Stories of a House said...

What a brilliant idea to tile over formica! And how smart to look for the sink and faucet on KSL. We always get our house just right before we sell, too ;)

Anonymous said...

That looks gorgeous!!

Kathy

NanaDiana said...

Melanie- You did a great job...and it looks like a brand new kitchen! WOW! Your hard work and investment will pay off big bucks at the selling point! Soo...now you have a whole new idea for some of your painted pieces...how about a tile top? xxoo Diana

Lindsay Logic said...

Gorgeous! Now will you come do mine? :) It will be a huge selling feature, too.

Anonymous said...

That is a fabulous transformation!!! It looks like a whole new kitchen, sooo attractive, I'm sure it will help sell your house much faster. Good Luck!!
VintageBeachgirl

Anonymous said...

That is a fabulous transformation!!! It looks like a whole new kitchen, sooo attractive, I'm sure it will help sell your house much faster. Good Luck!!
VintageBeachgirl

dee dee said...

Great job! with this redo you will have the house sold in no time flat!
Dee Dee

Kelli said...

Mel!!! You painted your red cabinets?!??!! NO!! I love your red cabinets! {Sigh} But your new counter and sink look fantastic! :)

Allison said...

Your kitchen looks beautiful, Melanie!

All Things Fee said...

Love the tile! It looks amazing!

Would love for you to share on my new link party!

http://allthingsfee.blogspot.com/2011/04/want-to-party.html

Sonia said...

Looks amazing! So rich and changes the whole look of your kitchen! Great job!!

Miss Bloomers

FABBY'S LIVING said...

An amazing job and it upgraded your house for the sale, with your new counter and sink looking favulous!
Have a nice week.
FABBY

Heather at Happy Chippy Junk said...

Really classy!!

The Dutton's said...

Melanie,
It's beautiful! LOVE it! You did a fantastic job! It looks great!

Alexson said...

Love the hardware!

LYNDA QUINTERO-DAVIDS said...

Nicely done! It looks great and LOVE your new faucet! What a great look!

:D Lynda

Marianne said...

Your new countertops, faucet and sink looks absolutely stunning. If this doesn't sell your house nothing will. You did a great job on this project.

European Paint Finishes said...

Out with the old and in with the new! How refreshing- You've gotta love it!!! -Great job!

~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~ said...

Love the new sink and counter. Looks great.
~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Kathleen Ellis said...

What a great...and fast re-do! Looks FABulous! I'm sure it will be very appealing to potential buyers and you get to enjoy it in the meantime!
Have a beautiful evening~
;-D Kathleen

Carrie @ Hazardous Design said...

Isn't it always the case that we live with something we hate and only change it when it is time to move?!?!?
Awesome transformation. Good luck with the sale of your home.

Leslie said...

Oh mel! That looks so good! I bet you love it! Now you can get back to making cookies again

Sommer said...

Beautiful! Just beautiful. I wish we could do this in our rental home. We have the old laminate counter tops and to boot the lanlord has painted parts of them with similar colored latex paint to cover up damaged spots ROFL! I call them our camo counters. I'd be thrilled to have you link this to my VIP party today! http://designergarden.blogspot.com/2011/04/vip-party-10.html

Sommer said...

Thanks for linking this up to my VIP party this week =) Cheers! Sommer

Mikey Fuller said...

Great transformation! I love the granite (or is is marble?) tile. I just redid my kitchen on a $1,200.00 Budget! I'd love for you to pop over and check it out!

~Mikey @ Shabby French Cottage

michelle said...

It is beautiful!! I love what you did and how much it changed the kitchen area. Gorgeous!!!!

Cranberry Morning said...

That is an amazing makeover! Gives it an entirely different look. Great job! :-)
Stop in sometime at Cranberry Morning.

Unknown said...

If I wasn't renting I would so do this to my kitchen...love love love it!!!

Jessi said...

I love it! I also have counter tops I HATE (white with a 1960's gold fleck) and have been wondering what the most cost effective way to remedy it would be. Anyway, great job! (Oh, and I painted around my fridge the same way you did your stove. Who's gonna know?!?!) :)

Maria said...

I have been looking for something cost effective to do to my countertops...they are white with gray and pink boomerrang (sp?) shapes on them. Nice right? Well, I'm lucky enough to even have a backsplash to match!! Thanks for the great idea!

Unknown said...

I just came across your blog from another one I was reading... I am kinda new to all of this so have a cpulled of questions if you dnot mind!

Did you put the backer board directly over the Formica and just acre in? And mostly... What is this KSL that everyone is talking about? My kitchen has been driving me nuts for 3 years now'
Thanks
Caralulu

Alison Agnew said...

going from
green formica to
lovely tile
is such a major improvement

i love it
and am so glad
you linked it up
to fridays unfolded

alison

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