Ah, apartment kitchens.... could anything be more ugly and bland? Particle board cupboards, aging appliances, almond formica countertops all equal a great big Y...A...W...N. The funny thing is I really love the size and layout of my kitchen. It's not big, but it's Just Right as Goldilocks would say. In our house the kitchen was galley style and it had doorways to other parts of the house on both ends! That was like trying to cook in Grand Central Station! This kitchen is an awesome little destination U-shape and I love cooking in it. But it sure wasn't much to look at! See?
Don't you especially love my vertical blinds? Yech!
(But I do loving having a window over my sink!)
Well, I've been researching online some different ways to spiff them up. In fact, before we moved in I thought I wanted to do the book page treatment to them. But, as I mentioned recently, I am in serious need of some color! So then, I found this lovely post about how this gal added fabric to the wall of her laundry room without using glue. Lightbulb! I found some amazing Kaufman outdoor fabric at Hancock's for only $6 a yard and I thought, hey- even if this project doesn't pan out, I still like this fabric for pillows and tote bags.
I used The Thriftress' recipe for liquid starch and got to work. Ready to see it? (OMG, I love it so much!)
Wait for it.....
Ta-da!
Of course I had to do a little re-accessorizing! I love my pretty new curtains- much better than the ugly blinds! You're getting the worst of my view- when I'm at the sink I can see trees and lawn. But can you see how dark it is? And that's at 1:00 in the afternoon!
So cheerful! And I love having my Old Mill Stream platter over the stove.
Now, I realize this is not to everyone's taste. Truly, it's not my dream kitchen (this one is!). But compared to where it started, I can honestly say it has made me 100% happier to be in the space. And that my friends, is my $18 priceless kitchen makeover!
I'm joining up at the following parties:
Oh, I love it! I've heard of the starch and fabric but have never tried it! Your cabinets looks wonderful and what a difference. The fabric is so pretty and really brightens up your kitchen. Love your curtain over your sink too! You did so good.
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Thanks, Shelia!
ReplyDeleteWhat a clever solution for your kitchen! It is bright and that green just add the right amount of pop! Great job!
ReplyDeleteDee Dee
I am such a fan of the green and what a fun way to incorporate it into you kitchen. Enjoy the new look!
ReplyDeleteAmazing transformation! I love the fabric and never would have thought to use it on the cabinets...very clever. I'm so glad to have found your blog!
ReplyDeleteClicked over after seeing your blog title in the Inspired Room comments. Great job! And only $18! So inspiring! Curious about the liquid starch myself. Glad to see you liked it!
ReplyDeleteHi Bettsi! Thanks for coming by my blog. Your kitchen makeover looks great! I had an apartment kitchen just like this a few years back (after my divorce and resulting financial collapse) and I agree it was great to cook in because you barely had to move to be able to reach every single thing in the room. But it had no personality. I put up curtains and tried to utilize the limited countertop space as best I could but never had the slightest thought of doing more than that. Kudos for your ingenuity!
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ReplyDeleteVery nice. Perfect!
ReplyDeleteHow did the fabric panels hold up over time?
ReplyDeleteI am considering something similar for our kitchen but fear that the fabric may not survive "family life" and will need to be touched up frequently.
I had two teenage boys at home at the time and the fabric did get pretty dingy. I knew it would never survive on the bottom cupboard doors, but even on just the top, they got pretty abused. Pretty, but not so practical was my final verdict. Good luck!
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