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Julia’s Kitchen

Last year, I showed y’all glimpses here and there of a kitchen remodel I was doing for a client named Julia. The kitchen was finished up last fall, but I never showed you the final kitchen (or even bothered to get “after” pictures) because I lost the “before” pictures. I know that’s crazy, but I just really prefer BEFORE and after pictures.

So when I finally found the “before” pictures last week on an old hard drive, I called up Julia and scheduled time for my photographer (who just happens to be my mom) and I to come get some pictures. I’m excited to finally show these to you!!

The idea for the new kitchen all started with a table and chairs–the quintessential 1950’s chrome/Formica/vinyl dinette set–that Julia inherited from her mom. It wasn’t in great shape, but it had sentimental value, so Julia wanted to have it restored. And then she needed a new kitchen to put it in.

Here’s what the dinette set…and the kitchen…looked like before we got started…

The dinette set that started it all.  It was very faded, the vinyl had worn and torn spots, and the chrome finish was badly damaged.
The floral balloon shade and floral wallpaper looked very busy in this space.
I’m pretty sure the appliances were original to the house, and the cabinet doors were very thin.
One of Julia’s biggest complains about the kitchen was a lack of countertop space.
Even though the kitchen was a decent size, it just felt small and dark with all of the busy patterns, the dark floor, and the popcorn ceiling.

So basically, everything had to go…except the table and chairs.  But they needed a facelift–new Formica, new vinyl, and new chrome.  The challenge was creating a new, updated kitchen with new, updated finishes and fixtures in a design that would incorporate a 1950’s vinyl/Formica/chrome dinette set in bright red (per Julia’s request) WITHOUT creating a theme room.  I don’t do theme rooms.  At all.  Ever.  (Well, okay…maybe for a kid’s room, but even then, I’m veeeeeerrrrrrryyyy particular.)

So, I used a black, white, gray, taupe and red color palette and created a kitchen that the dinette set seems perfectly at home in, even though it’s not a “diner theme” room.  And I even gave a nod to the 1950s black-and-white checked diner floors by bringing in checked fabric on the window.

Here’s how it turned out…

The new kitchen feels bright and open.  No more warning signs for claustrophobics needed!
The wall above the sink was removed to make the space feel more integrated into the family room.
On this wall, the built-in oven and floor-to-ceiling cabinet on the far left was removed to give Julia more counter space.
This dinette set isn’t really a style that I personally love, but I’m actually quite fond of how it looks against the black/white/gray checked draperies.  And the $30 warehouse pendant light is one of my favorite touches.
After looking for artwork for this wall with no success, I decided to DIY some artwork.  Click here for the tutorial.  And I love those big white mats and wide black frames!
And another look at the little sand-filled vase and flower arrangement that I did.  Click here for the tutorial.
The china cabinet was originally brown, so we had it painted black with a slightly distressed finish.
I’m a big fan of black kitchen cabinets!  And now Julia’s cat, Snickers, fits right in!

And that’s it!  I’m really pleased with how it turned out.  It was different from anything I’ve ever done, but I loved the challenge.

And just for kicks (and because this post isn’t nearly long enough yet, nor does it have enough pictures yet), I’ve added a few “quick view” before and afters below.  Just move your pointer on and off of the picture to see the before and after of each view.

Quite a change, huh? I’m so glad I finally got to share this remodel with you!! Hope you enjoyed seeing it. 🙂

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64 Comments

  1. You did a great job incorporating the table without going all retro. So easy to change the look with different accessories with basic black, stainless, and granite. Question: what was to the left of the old wall oven? Did your client lose much cabinet storage when the wall was taken out?

  2. Stunning transformation! All I can say is WOW! Like you I don't care for theme decorating and you did a wonderful job of using her retro set but giving her a classic kitchen that will last many years. I do love the black and white buffalo check curtains, too. I really would love to know where the $30 pendant light was from??? Thanks!

  3. Mary, to the left of the wall oven was (I think) a broom closet, if I remember correctly. No, she didn't lose much cabinet storage, because all of that area (the old broom closet) was remade into a fantastic pantry with all of the slide out shelves and fancy schmancy storage thingies. I think what she gained was a ton of organization and usable storage space, which made up for any cabinets that she lost that were being used inefficiently. Hope that makes sense!

  4. Upscale, I've seen those pendant lights at Home Depot and Lowe's. They don't even come in a box…just wrapped in plastic and stacked on each other. 🙂 I think this particular one is from Home Depot, but I couldn't guarantee that.

  5. You are amazing!!! BTW- I am painting my bottom cabinets a similar color to yours! I have paint samples up right now! Can't wait!

  6. I really like your choice of granite. It provides an intermediate color and keeps the place from looking like a 50's diner. It also makes your design a lot more flexible. If Julia decides she wants to change here accent color it's not in something permanent, like a stove or tilework. Great job?

  7. Wow, that was some amazing transformation. I agree with not being a fan of the 60's style table and chairs but it gives a nontraditional twist to an otherwise beautiful traditional room. good job!

  8. Great design work, Kristi! I noticed that you used mostly drawers in the kitchen….I do that, and I think it is the most practical use of space! Great transformation, and opening it up to the family room was a great call. Inspiration can come from anywhere, and it's great that you saw potential in the old dinette set. Looks great!

  9. That is stunning! I love everything about the new kitchen; I adore the china cabinet.

    From a "blog" perspective – I love the way you have the "before" and "after" pictures – I would love to know how to do that!

    Congratulations on a gorgeous remodel – I bet Julia is thrilled!

  10. Hi Susan~
    I've been asked how to do that before and after thing so many times, so I'm finally giving up my secret. 😀

    I just wrote a blog post (the one immediately following this one) that outlines the steps to take for adding a "quick view" before and after to your blog post.

  11. yep..you rocked another re-do! 🙂 Love how you incorporated that vintage table and chairs! I'm with you, it's not my personal thing, but it looks amazing in that setting! (and you could easily just take out the red and the table and chairs and have a lovely, timeless kitchen!)
    Great job!
    missy 🙂

  12. Thanks for posting this article. I am so impressed and amazed with your work. I enjoyed reading it and I got many ideas in remodeling my home. I love it. You've done a great job.

  13. Hi, Kristi. Great, dramatic remodel. I love the picture shelf. Can you tell me what you used for the picture shelf? I would like to put one around my grandkids bedroom to hold their pictures and arwork.

    Thx, Laura

  14. I have been waiting for the finished product on this project. It is fantastic! It feels like a completely different space.

  15. This is absolutely incredible!!! Makes me want to take a sledgehammer to our kitchen…if only we weren't leasing! lol I love it! It doesn't look like a theme room at all!!!

  16. Absolutely fabulous! Beautiful, chic, classic with a twist—all that beautiful red! And when they go to sell it, no way these changes will get in the way…very smart!
    Best regards,
    ~Pam
    pamspaintparlor.typepad.com

  17. Wow! Just wow! I'm painting my kitchen cabinets now because I can't afford all new cabinets. I'm inspired to get off my patootie and finish them!
    Tracy

  18. OoOoOoOhhh WoW, Kristi! Whoa! What an amazing and beautiful transformation! It's awesome! You did a fantastic job! I love every detail! So much hard work but what a true labor of love. I love your bold/retro new look. I love how open and fun it is.

  19. I really liked your post, hopefully this post is useful for me and other readers. keep the spirit and success always

  20. Oh my gosh, Kristi, you worked a freaking miracle in that kitchen! It's completely unrecognizable in the best way possible.

  21. I really liked your post, hopefully this post is useful for me and other readers. keep the spirit and success always

  22. This is absolutely incredible!!! Makes me want to take a sledgehammer to our kitchen…if only we weren't leasing! lol I love it! It doesn't look like a theme room at all!!!

  23. Great design work, Kristi! I noticed that you used mostly drawers in the kitchen….I do that, and I think it is the most practical use of space! Great transformation, and opening it up to the family room was a great call. Inspiration can come from anywhere, and it's great that you saw potential in the old dinette set. Looks great!

  24. Thanks for sharing such wonderful decorating ideas with us, I will consider these!

  25. Yes, the chairs were recovered in new vinyl, the table was resurfaced with new matching Formica, and all of the metal was re-chromed.

  26. The aesthetic design of you kitchen is essential as the kitchen is one of the most frequently used rooms in the family home. So you really need to make it feel warm and welcoming to your family and friends, and of course you will want o put your personal style on it.

  27. Wow, I absolutely love it. And I share your love for the black cabinets, too. Love the pops of red. It is exactly what I am doing in my little kitchen. So great!

  28. Amazing. The first thing you will notice is the change in colors. It really strikes you as something wonderful, no? The whole kitchen is almost unrecognizable…  

  29. OMG! that is truly remarkable. absolutely beautiful! so much work had to be done, and I think you did an excellent job. Was the table just refinished? it looks like the same table, but not the same table at the same time, haha. i guess you did THAT good of a job!

  30. Thank you, Bill!  The table and chairs are the same, but she had them completely restored–rechromed, new Formica top, new vinyl upholstery.  It looked like a brand new dinette set when she got it back.

  31. Can you please tell me where you got the red vinyl material that was used on the table and chairs.  I am looking for something like this.  My vinyl chairs are faded.  Thank you.
    Sincerely,
    [email protected]

  32. Oh my gosh, I am in love! It is crazy how similar my kitchen is set up, and I have a red themed kitchen as well! I have some ugly ol' cupboards (not quite as ugly as Julia's were) but pretty yucky! I am terrified to paint them though! I am a beginner at DIY so it's a little risky for me to ruin my kitchen cabinets! Fabulous job though!

  33. I been wanting to paint my kitchen cabinets and I had been thinking of painting them black…this makeover encourages me…that it would look fabulous! Maybe I will actually take the giant leap after the holidays. Beautiful job!

  34. Love it! Is the floor tile or laminate? I am working on my new home and your site has me jumping for joy ( and for the great ideas!)..you are truly gifted.

  35. This is unbelievable! Gorgeous!! I am loving those black cabinets…did you paint them??? Do you have a tutorial for that?!?!

  36. It’s probably a cliche by now, but … Shut the Front Door!!!
    I would just sit in my new kitchen with a hot cup of tea (and a cup warmer, so I can stay) and just stare at it …..

    Awesome Job!!! You should be very proud and happy 😉

  37. You did an amazing job here Kristi! The kitchen transformation is jaw dropping tbh. I don’t like the the dining set but it definitely gave flavour to the black and white scheme of the room.

  38. My favorite color scheme! Love, love, love the ’50’s dining set. You made a very busy narrow kitchen look amazing!