Lately I’ve been growing a little weary of social media becoming a place where people constantly up-level their own lives. I feel very blessed to have the platform that I do on Instagram, and I would love for it to serve a bigger purpose outside myself. So I decided to pay it forward to a local family of six that had an old kitchen with 2 of the 3 main appliances broken/breaking. This is a pastor’s family and they are the kindest, most humble people that are constantly serving those around them. And I decided now it was their turn to be blessed! So I’ll be spending the next few weeks fixing up their kitchen to give this deserving family a beautiful and fully functional space where their family can cook and make memories together.
The first space to get a glow-up is this coffee nook:
Let’s Get Started…
As you can see in the before picture, this space is not being used to its fullest potential. The pressboard counter that is there is wobbly and in bad shape due to heat & moisture damage from the coffee pot. There is also so much vertical space on the wall above that could be used for additional storage. Unfortunately, the radiator is below the shelf so we are not able to add any storage there, but I have a cute idea to help make this little space welcoming and kind of camouflage the heater.
Paint
The most cost effective and easiest way to brighten up any space is to paint! Kelsy, the homeowner, told me she wanted the kitchen to feel “light & bright” so I went with my go to Polar Bear by Behr in a matte finish & Scuff-Defense formula for the walls.
The floor-to-ceiling cabinet that is next to the counter contains a ton of storage so I wanted to keep that. It had a glossy finish so I used liquid sandpaper to de-gloss the surface which allows the paint to adhere better. It was so simple to use and much less messy than using an orbital sander and traditional sand paper. I painted the cabinet another favorite of mine…Creamy Mushroom, also by Behr, mixed to 75% color saturation.
Butcher Block counter
After removing the existing counter, I knew I needed an affordable & durable option. So I bought this butcher block piece and cut it to fit. I love the look of the light wood so I decided not to paint or stain it. I sealed the wood with Minwax Polycrylic water based, clear matte. I did several coats to ensure the wood would be protected since the intention for this space is a coffee area. I used the existing brackets because they were still in good shape however, they needed to be secured into the wall better. These drywall anchors did the trick!
Open Shelving
The key to making this space more functional was to add additional storage and an area for mugs and cookbooks. I went with these thick floating shelves that I found on Amazon. Measuring up from the counter, I decide where I wanted the first shelf to go. It had to be high enough to fit a coffee maker underneath but I could not place it too high to make the second shelf out of reach. Using a level, I made sure to mark where the brackets needed to go so the shelf would not be slanted. After the first one was hung, I proceeded with the second shelf. I used these anchors to ensure that the shelves could hold plenty of weight.
Adding a special detail
I really wanted to make this coffee nook look intentional while keeping true to the original style of the home, so I decided to add beadboard. I measured the boards and cut them to length on a miter saw. To attach these to the wall, I used a heavy duty construction adhesive in a caulk gun. I painted the beadboard the same 75% Creamy Mushroom paint color as the floor-to-ceiling cabinet.
I also added these stools because I felt that would give this area so added functionality. The kids can sit here at the counter and eat a bowl of cereal or have a snack. With a family of 6, I figured extra seating is always a good idea. And when the stools aren’t in use, they can tuck out of the way under the counter.
Flooring Details
I decided to have the floors professionally installed. Due to a 2″ slope in the floor, we were told the only option for flooring was glue down vinyl planks. Though this certainly didn’t fit my original vision of a beautiful tile I had picked out, I decided to make the best of it and find the nicest glue down vinyl plank option out there! I settled on this distressed white pine vinyl plank. Though not my original vision, it did brighten up the kitchen a lot and flows really well with the original wood floors in the adjoining dining room.
The appliances
In order to keep costs down, we kept the existing footprint of the entire kitchen, which means that 2 of the 3 main appliances would stay right here on this wall.
We were very lucky to have Smeg donate appliances for this family. I LOVE that Smeg is a brand that wants to give back and help this local family, and I’m so very grateful for their willingness to donate to this project. It says a lot about their values as a brand!! Not to mention the fact that their appliances are gorgeous!
But before installing the appliances, we added a 32″ beadboard detail near the ceiling. The idea is that the beadboard will be the exact same height as the Portofino range hood that we’re installing. This will visually make such a stylish statement on a budget since one bundle of beadboard at only $17 was enough to do this whole wall.
Since we can’t extend the wooden beadboard down the entire wall because that would be a safety hazard with the new gas range, we decided to do a tile backsplash behind the range. We used this classic 12″ tile. I had just enough leftover from my laundry room reno, so it didn’t even cost us anything. I love the organic edges of this tile and chose not to use any spacers. To adhere the tiles to the wall, I used a product that is like giant double stick tape called Musslebound. I just placed the tiles side by side, and the organic edges leave a natural gap which I filled with ProFusion pre-mixed grout in the shade Bright White. I then used this Haze Remover to remove remaining haziness on the grout.
There’s no denying that the appliances definitely steal the show here! We installed the white Smeg Portofino range hood and I love the statement that it makes and the way it really pops against the creamy mushroom bead board. For their range, we installed the coordinating 30″ Portofino range. And then finished this space with the Smeg stainless steel 36″ refrigerator.
I’m so excited that Kelsy and Aaron’s family now has a beautiful and functional area to cook, and bake, and store their groceries for their family of 6. I cannot get over how a few budget-friendly changes, as well as these beautiful appliances so generously donated by Smeg, have changed the entire feel of the kitchen. Because the main entrance of their home is in the kitchen, this is the first room they enter when they come home, and I really want to create a space that feels light, welcoming, and almost like a hug that greets them when they arrive home. So while we aren’t done this space quite yet (Cabinets, I’m coming for you next 😉 ), I’m so happy with how far the room has come so far!
Where is the runner from? As always I am in awe of your talent. You are the main account I always check for on IG! No matter what content you share, I leave inspired; decor, diy, clothing, faith, determination, and so much more!!!
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I was determined to give my bathroom a refresh for only $500 in just 5 days! I headed to Lowe’s for all the supplies because I knew I could find affordable products to complete the project. I selected beadboard planks as an easy and budget-friendly wall treatment, and choose Stainmaster paint in the colors Sweet […]
Here is a supply list of all the items I used in my stairwell and hall update if you would like to replicate it. Pine Bead Board: Top Trim: Decorative Moulding: Paint Colors: Bead Board: Sherwin Williams – Natural Cream in Eggshell Walls: Behr Scuff Defense – Polar Bear in Flat Railing Primer: Stix Primer […]
What a beautiful heart you have! ❤️
I am just so happy I could do this for such a great family!
Thank you for sharing! Can you share what you used behind the tile? The adhesive? Thank you!
The adhesive is called Musslebound. Here is the link https://rstyle.me/+iFxpoCLaoMMVQplnbIDaDg
WOW!!! Amazing job!!! You should feel VERY proud of yourself, on SO many levels!!! KUDOS!!!
Thank you! The stools are from Target. I just linked them in the blog.
I LOVE how this came out! Crazy how such a small nook can make such a big impact!!! I also have to ask – where are the stools from?! I love them!
Where is the runner from? As always I am in awe of your talent. You are the main account I always check for on IG! No matter what content you share, I leave inspired; decor, diy, clothing, faith, determination, and so much more!!!
It is from Boutique Rugs. I have included the link for you!
https://boutiquerugs.com/products/rosman-washable-area-rug?utm_source=Influencers&utm_medium=Affiliatly&utm_campaign=aff_id_964&utm_term=CynthiaHRosman4&ref=964