ORC Spring 2016: Craigslist Kitchen Week 2

So here we are with week two and diving in with painting. A whole LOT of painting. As I posted last week, the plan is to brighten up the mixed wood tones of the Craigslist kitchen and streamline the cabinetry to look as though they go together. Not thrown together as they ... well... really are!

The original dark stained pine cabinets were water damaged from plumbing issues. Between mold and mice evidence, the whole kitchen was gutted right down to new subflooring. The entrance wall was also removed due to exterior weather water damage. After rebuilding the wall, I found a gorgeous new hardwood entrance door worth $1000, for $200... on Craigslist. My dad hung it with new hinges and installed the lock-set.

I was as proud as a peacock.

Lucky us! My husband found a glass sliding door to replace the old rotted one. Just $100!

Then it was time for flooring. I chose a discontinued tile at Lowe's on clearance, but plenty of it to do the entire floor and the backsplash. My tile cutting and installing skills became exceptionally good after this project.

My husband bought the basic set of honey oak cabinets, along with the double basin stainless sink. I bought the range, fridge, and microwave, all like new for $1000. Then I found the $1000 dishwasher for $300. If that wasn't exciting enough, I really scored with a $1200 double wall oven for $200!!! It was never used!

I wanted a matching wooden hood over the range. (haha... matching is not something that works here.) So I searched for one without luck. Craigslist was pretty much sold out of those. But I did find two light oak pantry cabinets AND a cherry corner cabinet along with miscellaneous cabinet fronts and spacers ALL for $200 from a contractor. So I built my range hood from the cabinet scraps. My Dad converted one of the pantry cabinets for my oven. 

Craigslist shopping for everything. 

There were enough leftovers from my scrap cabinet pieces to create another storage area.

My parents gave us an island that is huge and opens from both sides. I fell in love with the function and storage space. It needed some work, so I gave it a makeover to brighten the room.

I added pine wainscoting along the open walls.

So here we are with light oak, honey oak, cherry, and pine woods... all over the place... with stark white appliances. Sticking out like a bear on a unicycle.

Everything is nice... by itself. Together, it's a deep, dingy, and dark mess. The golden yellow paint on the walls did nothing.

It really needs to become one. Lighter and brighter is the answer.

Moving on to the plan, I've been cleaning and painting the walls and wainscoting. Here is my "test" wall. I wanted to do a small area before starting the cabinets, just to make sure that I was sure I was brave enough.

What do you think?
I like it already! I chose Sherwin Williams Ovation in Repose Gray for the walls and Sherwin Williams Showcase in Reflective White for the wainscoting and cabinets.

My repurposed table and bathroom light fixture into pots and pans rack came down. (Another crazy title.)

And guess what? I posted it for sale and it sold!!! On Craigslist!!! Isn't that a bang your hand on your knee laugh!!!

But I would miss that lighting. So I used the sale money to get a new fixture for hanging on the ceiling beam. Hopefully it will be installed by next week.

The Plan:

Paint walls

Paint wainscotting

Paint cabinets

Make a coffee/tea/hot chocolate station

Change the layout of the island and eat-in area

Remove the lighted hanging pots and pans rack

Add new lighting to replace the rack

Change out decor and overall style

Eliminate clutter and organize

I'm adding a few ideas to the plan...

Make a farmhouse style pulley light fixture for the table area

Cover the exposed side of the refrigerator with chalkboard and beadboard

Make a small windowsill herb garden.

Here's the mood board in all my excited glory! 

Well, my paintbrushes are drying, I've got to go! I hope you'll join me next week to see if I stay on schedule. In the meantime, you can see how everyone is doing with their challenges at Linda's Calling It Home: One Room Challenge!

One Room Challenge Guest Participants, Week 2

and the

One Room Challenge, Week 2, Featured Designers

2016 One Room Challenge: Craigslist Kitchen Makeover

Here we go.....let the One Room Challenge™ begin!

For those of you who are not familiar with the One Room Challenge, it is the design inspiring and creating event lead by the incredibly talented Linda, at Calling It Home. The ORC is filled with weekly blog updates while sharing design inspirations to complete a room in just 6 weeks. Not only is this a great motivation to stay on schedule, but a support system while seeing everyone's projects and progress. Who needs a big boost of motivation? I sure do!

Let me introduce you to

The "Before" Part One

This was the pine kitchen portion of  our fixer upper home during move in week. It was a disaster! 

Everything had to go. 

It was a total gut job. 

I'll share more of that next week. 

After a complete clean out, including flooring and subfloor, I went shopping on Craigslist. If you don't think it's possible... I did it!

The "Before" Part Two

After buying a home, finances are strict. So I decided to be creative. Everything but the paint, tile, and countertops were from thrift shopping on the internet. Cabinets of cherry, pine, and oak along with all white appliances were tossed into the "like new" outdated kitchen. Now that's a crazy title. That's why I prefer to call it my "Craigslist Kitchen".

43 very looooong days later, the water was running in the like new dishwasher, like new refrigerator and like new sink. Again, I'll share more of that next time.

Now that I have this updated but outdated kitchen, I desperately needed it bright, streamlined, and of course, a whole new style without breaking the budget. The plan is to change it from "Mixed French Country" to more of a "Modern Farm Style".  It's defines my style. It will make the cooking area "a happy place"!!!. (Yes, I totally said that in a Bob Ross voice!) 

The Plan:

Paint walls

Paint wainscotting

Paint cabinets

Make a coffee/tea/hot chocolate center

Change the layout of the island and eat-in area

Remove the lighted hanging pots and pans rack

Add new lighting to replace the rack

Change out decor and overall style

Eliminate clutter and organize

Well! Now that I've got my mind in gear, I best get my big kick in the pants going too! 

Wish me luck and while you're at it, please be prepared to be inspired with Linda leading our way!

One Room Challenge™ Featured Designers, Spring 2016

...and for those of us that are guest participants you can follow us here at 

One Room Challenge Guest Participants, Spring 2016

 I'm off to buy paint but will be back next week with more!

Thanks for stopping by!