Starting our Modern Farmhouse Kitchen Renovation

Hi Everyone!

Since we moved into our home in December of 2016, we have wanted to do a kitchen renovation. The existing kitchen is outdated and in need of some love. Renovations can be so expensive, and at the time it wasn’t realistic to pay for it, so we waited on it and over the past year we’ve decided to dive in and renovate! We are doing a relatively minor renovation as our budget is small, but I know it will make a big difference. Once it’s finished, it won’t even resemble what it looked like when we first moved in.

BEFORE

 

Our inspiration for this project combines mid-century modern with some country/rustic and industrial elements, essentially the modern farmhouse style. We’re going with a neutral color palette: black and white with wood elements and brushed brass fixtures.

THE PLAN

We’ve ordered two upper cabinets with glass fronts, a cabinet for above the fridge, a butcher block countertop, and a modern farmhouse sink and faucet, all from Ikea.

We’re also getting brass hardware for drawers and cabinets, subway tile to do a backsplash, and shelves to build open shelving around the sink. I’m really excited with how it will all turn out! We’re going to keep track of the finances for all of it so we can share it with you all.

At this time we won’t be purchasing any new appliances. Our existing appliances are all stainless steel, and we just don’t have the budget for new ones right now. We will hopefully be able to purchase a new fridge maybe Spring or Summer of 2018. We also will not be changing the layout or size of the kitchen at all, again because it is not in the budget. Changing layout would mean changing flooring, doing plumbing, electrical, getting new lower cabinets, etc. So we will be sticking with our modestly sized, U-shaped kitchen, which I am perfectly fine with! We don’t need a big fancy kitchen, it’s just the two of us, and in the spring and summer we spend so much time outside anyways! In the future it would be amazing to have a big kitchen with lots of counter space, but at this point in our lives, it is not realistic or necessary.

THE TIMELINE (Subject to change of course!)

December

• Demo upper cabinets (done!)
• Paint walls and trim (done!)

Early January

• Prep and paint lower cabinets
• Add hardware to lower cabinets
• Update lighting in kitchen: add recessed and update fixture
• Update lighting in dining room: update fixture
• Paint ceiling

Mid January

• Demo existing countertop and sink
• Prep and attach new butcher block countertop
• Put in new sink and faucet
• Paint and put up new upper cabinets
• Add hardware to upper cabinets

Late January

• Complete subway tile backsplash with black grout
• Put up open shelving around the sink

February

• Decorate!
• Finishing touches