I’m beyond excited to share my DIY kitchen renovation with you! I hope that by reading this blog post you leave inspired and encouraged to take on your own kitchen renovation.
Everything is possible my friends! Getting the kitchen of your dreams
DIY Kitchen Renovation
There was a lot of sweat, blood and tears to get it done. A huge thank you to my sweet hubby and generous father-in-law for all their work.
From demolishing to installing, they did an amazing job and it looks sooo much better then what I envisioned.
The only thing that was not done by us was the floors installation and counter-tops installation. The rest was all done by us. We saved a lot of money that way and you can read about our Kitchen remodel cost here.
From the moment we walked into this kitchen, I knew all of it had to go. It was dark, small, and had an awkward layout.
I briefly contemplated painting the cabinets, but since we were changing the entire layout and adding new cabinets, it just didn’t make sense.
It was going to have to be completely gutted. But that was also an exciting prospect. Starting from scratch and creating my dream kitchen!
You can see the plans in this post. We closed on the house 5 days after I gave birth to Olivia, so I didn’t have time take the before pictures; I’m sure you’ll forgive me.
Here are some images from the listing so you can get a sense of what it looked like prior to the remodel. It wasn’t horrible but it sure wasn’t my style. Not even a little bit.
Make sure to check out my Kitchen Remodel Tips and my Kitchen renovation cost post for more on this kitchen Reno!
DIY Kitchen – The New Layout
So here is what we did: we closed the door to the dining room, removed the existing pantry and butler’s pantry to make space for the new wall of appliances and a pull out pantry.
We closed the existing window and moved it to the center of the wall. We also decided to remove the peninsula and existing island and added an amazing huge island.
The layout makes so much more sense now, not just from a purely aesthetic point of view, but for the real life needs of a family of four. The new window makes a huge and dramatic difference, bringing in so much light.
The new white cabinets also make the space feel brighter and bigger. I’m obsessed with them and spend more time than I should probably admit, just admiring them.
DIY kitchen Remodel Before:
DIY Kitchen Remodel After
Fabuwood Cabinets:
As far as the style, I really wanted a timeless classic white kitchen, which obviously, is madness, considering that I now have two children under the age of 3.
We had a dark kitchen in our previous apartment and I knew I wanted to go white this time around! I choose simple shaker cabinets from Fabuwood, the Galaxy Style in frost.
My favorite part has to be the range hood. Its absolute gorgeous and makes the whole kitchen looks so much more upscale.
White Quartz Countertops:
For the countertops I went with quartz, I had marble before and this was one of the things I had no doubt about it.
Marble is just a very delicate stone. I wanted My countertops to be maintenance and worry free.
We chose a white and gray quartz’s from MSI. The calacatta Verona from MSI its amazing, it looks like marble but it doesn’t scratch or stain easily.
I couldn’t be happier with our choice!
Kitchen Hardware and Lighting:
I debated a lot on the hardware. If you’re like me, you’ve got dozens of screenshotted design inspo photos you’ve collected.
Use those as a guide to inspire you. You’ll find you’re always drawn to a select few that you really love and before you know, you’ll find those inspirations in your home.
So, back to the hardware: I decided to go for the gold! I have gold accents throughout much of my home decor so I’m just naturally drawn to it but that doesn’t mean silver wouldn’t have worked; I just preferred gold in this case.
I opted for a mix of styles, knobs for the doors, bar pulls for drawers and appliances and pull for the island drawers.
For the island, I wanted to look like a piece of furniture on its own, so I added these cup pulls and am absolutely thrilled with how it turned out.
Mix and matching different styles in the same finish gives the kitchen a more unique look. Don’t be afraid to try this design approach.
Matchy matchy décor is no longer the trend. And to be honest, there really aren’t any rules when it comes to decorating your home.
YOU are the one who has to live with and in it. If you like it, that is really all that matters.
This Faucet is my favorite thing ever. I went back and forth for months on the faucet, trying to find options that were more affordable.
I’m so glad I listen to my husband and got the faucet of my dreams. Yes, it was pricey, but so worth it.
The gold is not really what they show in the pictures, its a much more muted/soft brass (mine is the Inca Brass).
It’s absolutely gorgeous, it makes me happy every time I look at it! For the lighting I went with these brass pendants to tie it all together.
Herringbone Floors:
For the floors, I chose a large (6×24) wood looking tile in a classically chic herringbone pattern. It turned out amazing.
I think it looks so rich and substantial, however, I have moments where I wish I had gone with the same hardwood as in the rest of the house.
Maybe it’s just a regional thing but being here on the east coast, the tile does make the kitchen a little colder in the winter months.
On the other hand, when you have TWO little kids, tile is a much better/durable option since half of their food ends up in the floor anyway!
Sometimes you have to make the function over style decisions, right?
Marble Back-splash Tile:
For the back-splash I used classic marble tile with basketweave detail above the stove.
We still have some details to take care of, like lighting under the cabinets and the trim on the bottom of the cabinets.
A home is a living breathing space. It shifts and grows as life unfolds within its walls. It takes on the energy of the inhabitants.
I hope my home will always be full of love and light and happy memories for my babies and my hubby. Having a pretty home is indeed the goal.
But having one that feels like a stylish, stable and warm sanctuary for my family is the ultimate goal. And I think we’ve achieved that. Thank you so much for sharing this journey with me.
I have had many questions regarding the size and measurements of our kitchen. So here it is the exact measurements and layout. Thank you all so much for the love on our kitchen!
Other sources:
Brass Pot Filler | Stools | Runner | Farmhouse Sink | Brass Faucet | Knobs, Pulls, Island Pulls | Wood Looking Tile|
With Love,
Ceres
Such an amazing transformation!! I love every detail!
Author
Thank you Sonja! 😘
Just beautiful… Stunning!! (but how do you get peonies without ants???)
Author
Ohhh!! Lol do you know that ants are essential to peonies growth? But these are store bought 😘
Wowza!! I hope this means we’ll be seeing a lot of kitchen posts in insta! Everything is perfection. These countertops are 🙌🙌🙌🙌. How does the cost compare to marble?
Author
Awww thanks Mari!! I think the cost is similar! Marble might be a little be cheaper? 😘😘
So beautiful! Could you tell me the dimensions of this kitchen? Thank you!!
Author
Hi Jamie, I believe it is 11×18 but I will take a look on the plans for you! 😘
Hi, I am hoping you can give the exact dimensions for your kitchen. I want to something similar, but I am thinking that I have to carve into my garage to fit an island in. Really beautiful, light, bright and fresh…Jealous.
Beautiful kitchen! I love the warm tones. What color did you choose for the walls?
Author
Hi Diana! Thank you! We actually color matched to what we already had it in the house.. white dove from BM it’s very similar! 😘
How much did you invest in this kitchen ? And also where would you recommend to buy the kitchen cabinets?
Author
Hi Lena, I will do a post with the budget. But u can msg me and happy to discuss. I went to at least 5 places for cabinets. Where do you live? 😘
Yes, that would be helpful. I live in Virginia. we are also trying to remodel our kitchen, but first we are doing our research and your post came right at the right time. Beautiful kitchen btw
Amazingly beautiful for your sweet spirit. Congrats and enjoy!
Author
Thank you Connie! 😘
Beautiful! Your original layout is very similar to what we have now. As I see that you are a fellow pink fan, can you imagine stumbling upon a set of Vintage 50s Montgomery Wards, Kitchen cabinets with the double drainboard sink with the metal cabinets in PINK! Seriously, on craigslist; I paid $300 for the lot! I had a white kitchen in my Victorian home in Boston and I loved it, but these just won me over! My nickname is Pinky, I even once had a pink truck. I actually live in the country on a bit of a hobby farm, where we grow and preserve much of our own food. So I need a hard working kitchen. I hope that you enjoy your new kitchen. I know that I will be excited when my kitchen is remodeled.
Author
Omg it sounds dreamy! Do you have pictures anywhere?! Remodeling is not easy, but so worth it!! 😘
Oh Janet…your new kitchen takes my breath away! It is absolutely perfect! I am so happy for you that you now have the kitchen many women can only dream of. You have definitely worked hard for it.
Your kitchen is beautiful! What brand/color is the trim in your kitchen?
Author
Hi CJ! I bought it at my local lumber store, we painted to match the cabinets 😘💓
You are absolutely right. I agree with you that the kitchen is really a key to workplace happiness.
Wonderful and insightful post! I just came across your blog via Instagram and let’s just say – you have a new follower! Question – where did you get the kitchen soap caddy (it is gold and sitting by the sink)?
Author
Thank you Kasey!! It’s from anthropology! 😘🥰
In love with your kitchen! We are planning to do a kitchen remodel soon too! Weird question, what’s the distance between your island and your sink? Also, how big is your island? Thank you! Again, totally in love with this😍
Beautiful kitchen!!! How hard is it to maintenance marble backsplash?
Author
Not hard at all!! Very low maintenance 😘💕
I love your vent hood. Since there wasn’t a hood there initially was it a big pain and big budget to put it in? Or is it just a decor accent as oppose to a functioning hood?
Author
The vent hood it’s a working vent! The only thing we did was a whole in the window wall for the vent. But since it was pretty close to the outside wall it wasn’t a big deal! 😘💕
This space is so gorgeous!! You have an awesome talent for remodeling! Would you mind telling me where you got the beautiful wreath on your vent hood?
Author
Thank you Laura! I actually found it at homegoods 😘
I am in love with your kitchen. I am looking for Fabuwood dealers around South Jersey now. What style did you pick for the cabinets and you still happy with the quality?
Also, where do you dry any dishes that don’t go in the dishwasher? I was looking for a ‘in cabinet dryer’ but they don’t list it as an accessory.
Thank you!
Author
Hi doll! Yes, I love the cabinets. Mine is the galaxy in frost. I dry the dishes in the countertops lol 😂 😘😂
Stunning! Do you happen to have the names of the paints and colors that you chose for the walls and ceiling? Thank you
Author
Hi Robin,
For the walls we used white dove & for the trim I used simply white by BM.
Hi there! I discovered your blog via the recommendation of a well regarded kitchen designer in PA who carries about six lines of cabinetry, including Fabuwood and much more expensive brands. He is a big fan of Fabuwood for the quality and value. I’m about to start remodels of my kitchen and baths, and Fabuwood is my #1 choice. Since you’ve been enjoying your kitchen for two years now, can you tell us how it’s holding up? Would you buy the same cabinets again? I finally located a dealer near me and am ready to start choosing the cabinets! Thank you for any advice you may have!
Hiya. I’ve just stumbled across your page and 10+ web pages later here I am binge reading all your posts when I should be in bed 😩 I will pay for it tomorrow but it’s worth it.
I’m in the process of remodelling my kitchen (my flat is also white and gold hence I’m in love) but as we are renting I’ve gone heavily DIY and budget. I’ve reached the island stage and of course fallen in love with yours.
Did you buy this straight from fabuwood like the rest of the cabinets or was this a bit of a diy?
Author
Aweee thank you!! I did buy from fabuwood. This was part of my kitchen cabinets! 😘😘
Hello,
Beautiful kitchen! We are installing the same fabuwood kitchen cabinets in our new construction home. I love the way you added filler board and crown molding above the cabinets. Can you give me specifics on how you did accomplished this look and how you attached the board to the cabinets without a gap.
Author
Hi Sheila! thank you. I had a professional come in and install the molding. Basically is a 12in wood sheet that gets installed over the cabinets with molding on top. Hope that helps,
Can you kindly share the paint color of the cabinetry? Beautiful transformation!
Author
Thank you so much! the color is a color from Fabuwood, so not sure if can be replicated. I did paint the molding simply white by Benjamin white, its a very close match.
LOVE it all! Where did you source the back splash tile? I keep coming back to yours.
Author
https://rstyle.me/cz-n/c4saxxb48gx
Author
Is this one, but check floor and decor for a better price. There is where I got mine! 😘
Hi,
Your kitchen it’s really stunning.
I have one question. Ot is regarding the layout.
How do you find it? Do you have to ” walk” a lot in the kitchen?.
I am thinking to change mind. And actually, the layout you have suit ours. But I am worried a bit that the fridge is too far from the sink.
Do you think fringe could be closer to the sink like to the left from the sink? I have smaller fridge.
Thanks for your advise.
Best wishes
Author
Hi Kasia!! No, not at all! The fridge is in the middle (granted on the back) but is the same distance from oven and sink. It works well for us. I do wish we had more space btw the back of island and refrigerator 😘
Such a beautiful kitchen! I love your marble backsplash. Have you had any problems with staining?
Author
Not at all, the marble still looks brand new! 🙏🏻
Hi beautiful kitchen! Where did you buy your quartz? I am in the process of getting cabinets and countertops. I am also from NJ.
Author
Hi Grace! I used http://Www.jerseygranite.us ask for Gus. Best price around! 😘😘
Beautiful Kitchen! I love the backsplash. Your backsplash looks lighter then when I see it in the stores. What color grout did you use?
Author
My tile guy picked it, I believe it was snow white or something like that? Mostly white