Before and After

My Kitchen Before and After

Posted on June 11, 2012 By Megan

Well world, I have finally completed my backsplash.  It took me over a month to do it because I took my time and only worked for a couple of hours at a stretch on weekends.  It was pretty much the opposite of fun so I generally had a hard time motivating myself to do it.  I will come back tomorrow to tell you more about the whole process but I figured that now that I have finished I would show ya’ll a before and after of my kitchen from when I have moved in to now.  Here it is now…

Here are some pictures of it from when I moved in…

Things that I did to change it include:

Changing out all the light fixtures.  I am kind of a nut about this.  I am obsessed with any light fixtures and so have pretty much changed out every one in the whole house throughout the time I’ve been here.  Any excuse to buy a new one. 🙂

– Adding molding squares to the box of the cabinets to add more detailing.  This was a fairly easy project if you have access to a miter saw.  My dad helped me by cutting out the molding pieces to the correct measurements and then we nailed them to the box and I caulked.

– Having the cabinetry painted Simply White by Benjamin Moore

– Changing the hardware on the cabinets.  I used oil rubbed bronze because I liked the contrast with the white cabinets.  On the bottom cabinets, I used bin pulls and knobs and to add a little interest, on the top cabinets I used glass knobs.  Once again, if ya’ll are buying anything from Restoration Hardware, wait until they have a 25% off sale.

– My dad and I also installed crown molding around the main area downstairs

– I had granite counters installed.  The granite is called Black Mist.  It is very simple with few variations.

– When the counters got put in, I also added a new faucet.

– As I have mentioned previously, I painted the back door gray  and added the shelf next to it.  Isn’t that pink print cute that my friend Lauren got me for my birthday?

– I installed the backsplash- I used a white gloss beveled edge subway tile that I bought at buytile.com

–  I don’t have any before pictures of this, but I also had the flooring replaced when I moved in with natural walnut hardwoods.

That was a lot of junk, wasn’t it?  Talking about that makes me feel tired.  Tired.  It has taken me almost 3 years now to do all of it, but I am pretty happy with how it has turned out so far.

Happy Monday ya’ll!  Hope you all have a fantastic week.

 

  1. Caitlin

    Your house is one of my absolute favorite places! I never realized how much effort you put into making it so fancy until just now. You truly are ahhhmazing!

  2. Lacey

    Love it! You’ve done a really great job with it!

  3. Lindsey Regan Thorne @ be pretty

    Megs… please host the next BNO {we can each bring something} b/c I’m dying to see your kitchen… it doesn’t even look like the same space as before. I’m amazed… seriously and the wood paneling that you added was genius, adds a crisp richness to the space. Love the black splash that you decided on… white is my fav color so I’m a fan of all of this. Love the beveled edges! Oh and the faucet! Adorbs and loving the light fixture as well! You are one little talented lady! Looks great! 🙂 We need to hop on the next BNO b/c I miss you gals!

  4. Stephanie G

    Megan, you did a fantastic job!!!! It is beautiful. You should be pleased. You did it yourself!!!!

  5. Christina

    OMGOSH – this is seriously amazing!! I think you need to have a “Kitchen Warming Party” to celebrate! I drool over those countertops – so gorgeous. Do my kitchen next (it looks almost exactly like your “before photos”)!!!

  6. Nicola

    That looks awesome Meg!!! Wow such an eye for design, I love all the changes you made – love love love!!!!

  7. Megan

    Thanks so much ya’ll! All your comments mean alot. I am so glad everyone likes it and even more glad that it is finished (ish). XOX

  8. Lauren Tate

    Megan! This looks UHHHMAAAZING. Serioulsy. Each and everytime I think you cannot do anything more fabulous… you post something like this. You truly are one talented lady. Wow. I am super impressed at you talented fabulous self. Love the print made it into this beautiful space in your sweet house. love you!

  9. Lindsay

    You did such a great job, Meg! It looks so good! I think you should open a little interior decorator business on the side 🙂

  10. Mary Groth

    Megan: I have been hearing about this for a long time. It is very nice. The color of the door is like a picture frame to the outside and I like your decorated wall shelves and mirror flanking the door. Very nice….

  11. nancy

    Megan,
    Awesome redo!!! You should consult with such talent. Love the beveled edged subway tile. Lighting always give a great punch. Great to see the before and after pics. You have terrific style!!

  12. Taylor

    Lordy day Meg. Well, you know I’ve always loved your home and your sense of style. I don’t think I realized just how much you did to that kitchen. It looks like something out of a fancy magazine! I am soooo in love with the backsplash!!! It’s different and sleek and just gorgeous. You have such a gift! I just love all the little details that make this kitchen unique and inviting. The accessories… the little splashes of color… THE HAND TOWELS! Love those! I’ve also always loved your light fixtures. The one above the sink is to die for. What a difference all your hard work has made. Gahdawg, I want that kitchen!

  13. Megan

    Thanks so so much ya’ll. You are all really too much. I am embarrassed 🙂 Tay the hand towels were super cheapy from Target girl. They may still have them.

  14. Megan

    LRT- I would love to host a BNO! I know, We totally miss you too!

  16. Kimberly Webber

    Holy macaroni! It’s totally beautiful! I love all the little details, I need you to come do my kitchen. It would be a great excuse for us to catch up too 😉

  17. Elyse

    I love your backdoor. I know that’s probably the most mundane thing I could like about your gorgeous house, lol, but for me the amount of light that baby must let in is awesome.

  18. Pingback: Tiling Backsplash {Beveled Subway Tile} | Two Delighted

  19. Pierre Santoro

    I love every inch of your kitchen. Everything is so simple but beautiful at the same time. Of course, I loved that you paid attention to the detail of your kitchen cabinets. It is my specialty.

  20. Tom

    Meg, Love the work you put in. Thanks for the tips on installing the subway tile. I wish my son would have married a girl like you!!

  21. Megan

    Thanks so much Tom!

  22. Carrie

    Hi Megan,
    I absolutely love what you’ve done with your kitchen. My kitchen looks very similar as far as the cabinets and countertops are concerned. I was wondering if you painted the cabinets yourself or had them professionally done? If you did them yourself, did you use a brush or roller or spray it on? I’m equally inspired and intimidated to tackle such a big job.
    Thank you very much,
    Carrie

  23. Megan

    Hi Carrie! I actually had my cabinets professionally painted. At the time, I had so much going on and it seemed worth it to splurge. The girl that did them hand painted the boxes and sprayed the doors and drawers with a conversion varnish (?). I did paint my own vanity in my bathroom which is made with the same cabinetry. I have no experience with spraying (but it seems very doable) so I just hand painted. Here is a link to the post on how I did that. Let me know if you have any more questions. 🙂 Thanks!!
    http://twodelighted.com/2012/02/20/my-painted-bathroom-vanity-before-and-after/

  24. Megan

    Joanne, My bin pulls are the Gilmore from Restoration Hardware in the 4 inch in oil rubbed bronze. Here is the link…http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1160290&categoryId=cat1512023

    Right now they are having 20% off, but at various times throughout the year, they also offer 25% off frequently when they are having their “Bath” sales.” I know they are expensive for pulls and it was a splurge for me even with the discount. If I was you, I would buy them now at 20% off or sign up for their emails and wait till another sale.

  25. julie

    Hi Megan, I have been searching every tile store around me for some white glossy subway tiles just like yours! Of course I can’t find anything so I am now looking online. You said you bought them from Buytile.com…do you know if this is the exact tile you ordered?

    http://www.buytile.com/home.php?main_page=product_info&products_name=white_beveled_gloss_subway_tile&products_id=10919&utm_expid=13983181-2&utm_referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.buytile.com%2Fhome.php%3Fmain_page%3Dproduct_info%26products_id%3D10919#review

    Or do you know the name of the tile if is isn’t the one above? Thanks!!

  26. Megan

    Hi Julie! Yep, that’s it. I finished the edge off with quarter round pieces I ordered at Lowes. I went to the store and looked at their basic tile line (I can’t remember the name. But found a white that was close to my tile and ordered quarter round pieces. You can probably show them a picture of my edging and they can help you. I discussed my tiling further here… http://twodelighted.com/2012/06/12/tiling-backsplash-beveled-subway-tile/
    Let me know if you have any more questions. 🙂

  27. julie

    THANK YOU!!!!

  28. cyndee

    WOW!!! I just came across your blog. I was searching for painting cabinets white online. I have the exact same cabinets as you and want to paint them white. Did you paint them yourself? Can you give any tips? I have never painted cabinets and I am a little scared… but I cannot stand my golden oak cabinets.

    Thanks for all your help and tips you can provide

  29. Megan

    Thanks Cyndee! I actually had my cabinets painted by someone else because I was so loaded down at work when I had them done and it seemed daunting. However, I did paint some other cabinetry in my house and discussed it in this post.
    http://twodelighted.com/2012/02/20/my-painted-bathroom-vanity-before-and-after/
    If I was you, I would definitely use the Benjamin Moore Advance paint for because it works like a dream for cabinetry along with being a fusion between an oil and water based paint so it doesn’t yellow over time like so many oil based paints do in the color white (you do not want your white to change yellow after all that hard work). The finish is beautiful. Another thought would be to paint the boxes yourself and ask about having the doors sprayed somewhere for a nice smooth finish. I have no idea about cost for this but it would save you quite a bit of time because the doors really take the longest. The waiting time is what really takes the longest because each side has to dry for a day before flipping and each will probably need multiple coats. Haha. I could go on all day. If you have any more questions, feel free to email. The link to email is above.

  30. Jane

    Your kitchen is beautiful. I am considering bevelled subway tiles in my bathroom–which is how I happened upon your blog. I was also going to purchase them from buytile.com. Were you pleased with buytile?

    Any suggestions or tips on installing the tile?

    I love the contrast of the white cabinets and black countertops. Good job!

  32. Tessa

    Woah! Just beautiful and so inspirational!
    Please tell me where you bought that gorgeous ceramic jar from that is sitting on the shelf next to the mason jar

  33. Megan

    Hi Tessa! Thanks so much! I wish I could tell you I bought that recently but I actually got it from Pottery Barn when it was on sale about 3-4 years ago. If I think of what it was called I will email you and maybe you can scour eBay.

  34. Mavis

    Hi Megan,
    I love your kitchen remodel. I’m in the middle of my own. However, I hired a contractor since I am probably the most inept DIYer ever! I was researching beveled subway tile when I saw your project. I really like the outlet covers you used. Can you tell me where you found them?

  36. leslie

    megan, just found your blog and i’m obsessed!
    i move into my new home next month and am drooling over your kitchen redo…where did you find your light fixtures? i’m loving the one above your sink and above your table.
    cheers

  37. Dani

    Gorgeous!!

    Can you provide the link to the tile again? I’m having a hard time locating it. Thank you!!

  38. carrie

    Love your kitchen – it is exactly what I’ve been wanting to do in my kitchen! Do you happen to know what color is on the walls?

  39. Julie

    Your kitchen is gorgeous!! Can you tell me who you hired to paint your cabinets? Thank you so much!!

    Julie

  40. Julie

    Your kitchen is gorgeous!! Can you tell me who you hired to do your cabinets? Thank you so much!!

    Julie

    • Megan

      Hi Julie! I am so sorry I am just now responding to this. I actually don’t remember her name anymore. So sorry!!

  41. Danielle

    What a gorgeous transformation! I am so thrilled I stumbled across your blog and will surely be a return reader! I’ve read through a handful of entries in my thirty minute lunch break and wish I would not have to leave! Might I inquire: where are your curtains from? They are divine and EXACTLY what I am looking for in my kitchen. My fingers are crossed they weren’t a clearance item at time of purchase — it would be a travesty not to own them myself!

    • Megan

      Thanks for reading, Danielle! The curtains were actually made by my mother but I can direct you to the fabric. It is by Braemore and called Fioretto. This color way is ice which I can’t seem to find anymore but they have a color way called graphite that seems close
      http://maryjos.com/fabrics/drapery-pacific-heights-collection-graphite-8992

  42. denise

    Hi Megan,

    It’s great to stumble upon your blog. You kitchen turned out great! I applaud you for your good works. I’ve been a kitchen and bath designer for 23 years and it’s nice to see how creative folks like yourself take on the projects themselves. Even though I have met so many people who are well qualified to do so, it’s a bit scary for many. Congratulation! Yours turned out great!
    I was also admiring all your lovely accessories in your kitchen photos. I would love to know where you found that adorable tilted glass pedestal holding the limes.

    Keep up your creativity!

    Denise

    • Megan

      Thanks so much Denise! I got it at Anthropologie years ago!

  43. Danyelle

    I stumbled across your blog while looking for tips on putting up subway tile. I usually don’t comment on blogs but your kitchen transformation is stunning! I love all of the details, colors, everything. Great job.