Our kitchen is dark. The sun doesn’t peek in until the afternoon.
Before above.
After!
I took the two cabinets down. I know that sounds like a brave thing to do in a rental house, but I used to do a little kitchen design before the kids were born and watched many new kitchens be installed.
The cabinetry is just screwed into the wall studs in three or four places each. I could see the screws inside behind the shelving. I left the holes in the wall so I can line the cabinets up again to re-install them when we move. This was easy since there was no crown molding on the top of the cabinetry.
I painted the walls a fresh color.
Artichoke – Valspar by Lowe’s. It’s a rich grey with a hint of green under tone. I used chalk paint where the cabinets were and used some old ‘garbage’ plywood for a frame.
Look how old and rough the wood is. I just used my nail gun to frame out the black area with this sheet of wood that I found in a dumping area. I just cut the plywood sheet into 4 equal slats with my table saw.
Then added a simple shelf underneath for a few dishes. You wouldn’t believe how much bigger the kitchen seems. It feels like I have so much more usable counter space, too.
See the antique mirror in the photo above? I will show you the breakfast nook soon.
Hope you are enjoying your summer!
LOVE this look, the boards are super fun and rustic! you ARE very brave!!
This looks amazing! I need you to come work your magic on my kitchen 😉
Wow, I never would have thought of anything like this. You ARE brave. Looks great though! Gives your kitchen some character.
The change is fabulous! I love the rustic chalkboard. It looks so perfect there.
This is such a great way to open up a kitchen. I have a single cabinet next to my kitchen window that I'd love to take down. Hmmm!!Mary Alice
My hero!!! Using words like table saw and nail gun the way I use paint and brushes… Whew!!! Holly it looks wonderful. I am luving the rough wood strip frame. Tapping.. tapping.. ready for the breakfast area reveal. I am hooked. 🙂 Hugs, Gee
I love how that looks! Good thing you're handy with tools and know how cabinet construction works. I wouldn't have known how to remove the cabinet like that. I like the look of it removed and the chalkboard in it's place with the shelf below it. Adds instant charm!
It looks like a totally different kitchen. The home owner may want it to stay this way. Love that color and the plywood frame.
Per usual you amaze me!! I love it and the way it opens up the kitchen. It's amazing..
That looks great what a big difference.
That looks great what a big difference.
Wow, what a difference that may! Love the new look!
Love the new look! Thanks for sharing.
Love it Holly and yes my first thought was OMG you took the cabinets down in a rental!;)
Whoa…you are a brave renter! I am barely able to make myself put a nail in the wall! It looks much better w/o the cabinets and I LOVE the rustic chalkboard!!
I agree Holly, I love what you did here and it does take a lot of bravery in doing things in a rental home. I love the fact that you can do things in a rental to make them more of your own, without a demolishing process. I am in a rental also…if we can manage four more years here at least…until my youngest is out of HS !
Holly I love this! It looks so bright and open and totally amazing. Do you think you might go white with the other cabinets? x Julie
That is amazing. I never would have believed that removing one cabinet would make it feel so open. I love the chalkboard. It is darling.
that is most definitely a WOW factor….it looks great. Lucky for you the kitchen is big enough to were you can afford to go without 2 cabinets. what a great idea, why am I not surprised?
I love your idea Holly, it looks amazing. If I had enough cupboards I'd do it myself. It's perfect.
I love how you think outside the box, even when the box is rented. You have such great ideas!
first, the kitchen is awesome! and i love how you used junky wood to put this chalkboard together:)
I love the junky wood Holly, your kitchen looks gorgeous!Susan
That looks awesome Holly, I love the idea and would love to do that. My husband would have a cow LOL! Between wanting to do that and paint the island, yeah, not a good day it would be.
Awesome and I love the way you hung the shelf. Great idea :)Debbie
I adore this idea…how open! This would be perfect to link up to my Create It Thursday post…it's live now! http://www.lambertslately.com/2013/06/create-it-thursday-8-plus-features.html
Holly I love this, the frame is nice a rustic and chippy. Great move!Cynthia
Oh my Holly! I love what you have done here….you are so talented and creative!!
Shut the front door!! This is awesome on sooooo many levels!! First, I love the fact you took it down in a rental and second…..it's fabulous!! Love, love!!~~Ang
so clever! love it. Hugs!
Oh WOW! What a GREAT new LooK!! Something so simple give a wonderful change! LOVE it, LOVE the rustic frame! You are a BRAVE soul! (but the right decision!) Blessings~~~Roxie
Once again you turn old wood into gold.Bliss
Your a BOLD one! It looks amazing, Holly!
WOW! That makes a huge difference. Looks great! I love the rustic chalkboard. Awesome 🙂
Holly, I think I said this before but I think you are so brave! You never seem to be afraid to just right in and change things around. I could use a little bit of your spirit! Love the changes you made to your kitchen. I think the owners will want to keep it this way! Have a great 4th.xoxo Michelle thebashfulnest.blogspot.com
Wow I LOVE it!!! You need to come and redo my island!!!
This looks so wonderful & you are brave to do it in a rental! Love the open feel, the chalkboard and the shelf.Angela @ Number Fifty-Three
Love the color and it does make the kitchen and counter look much more open! I love anything chalkboard and adore the \”junk\” framing around it! I think I spy a couple of things from your old headboard… look forward to seeing more!Hugs,Pendra
What an amazing job you did, it's just beautiful! Modular Kitchen CabinetsKitchen Cabinet Remodeling