A $500 Kitchen Transformation: Complete!

Today's Agenda:  Staging a condo for sale, checking out some bathroom tiles, and in search of the perfect lighting for a home office (lighting is always tricky!)...

Remember my $500 design challenge??  Well, the kitchen/breakfast room facelift is done!  I'll just get right to the pictures.  The changes are subtle but remember our goals and plan -- add color and life and a place my client wanted to hang out in for $500!

Before (before my client moved in; previous owner's stuff):

Before (after my client moved in):

After! (after our $500 design challenge): 

Another before + after view:

Another before + after view:

And a couple other "after" images:

 

In order to make some fun changes but keep it within budget I needed to (1) create zones in the room to anchor it and make it feel homey but deliberate, (2) focus on a few key details (can't change everything for $500!), and (3) bust out some DIY skills. 

Let's start with the zones...

There is a cute little nook that's perfect for a kitchen office space...

But you have to be very careful when doing this -- can't be cluttered or messy or overly "office". 

So, I took everything out of the space and started over, layering in only what was necessary.

To end up with this inviting, but organized space:

- I found a sweet accent lamp from an antique store for just $32 that actually had a very mid-century modern shade on it with a pretty vintage black base that made the space feel less office-y. 
- I added a set of drawers underneath the counter to organize and hide the clutter that was accumulating on the counter.  By putting it in drawers, you can easily find stuff!  (Next step is to label the drawers but my labelmaker ran out of tape, sadly...)
- I added a file container that is on the desk, open at the top so easy to put things in and mobile so if you want to sit somewhere more comfortable and organize it you can.
- I took the bulletin board down...and didn't put it back up.  In this space in the kitchen, it just made it feel too casual...
- And, added a couple other decor touches -- spray painted the stool white to minimize the wood tones in the space and really let the dining table shine and added a curtain panel to block out the blazing, hot sun just a little bit.  And it was the perfect blue shade next to the blue cabinet! 

There is also this great space where my client put a fun vintage bakers rack.

But again, needed some structure and purpose to it. So, I took everything off of the bakers rack.

And, then added some fun baskets that are designated for pet food, and husband's and kids' stuff.   A plant and a piece of art made the space feel less utilitarian and anchored that side of the room. 

Paint + Wallpaper:  There are tons of fun things to do with paint and wallpaper!  I loved the idea of painting this cabinet and the back door a subtle color.  Since the cabinet and back door are on opposite corners of the room, I also liked the idea of using these corners to balance the room.  So, we went with a pale, pretty blue and a bolder yellow by adding the wallpaper inside the cabinet and next to the back door with the DIY message board, using the bolder color as an accent and the pale color as the base to keep with the feel of rest of the house (which I think is forgotten sometimes -- v. important to make the whole house feel cohesive!). 

Note:  The wallpaper I found at a warehouse sale for $10!  And, the paint, well one color was too baby blue and the other color too light, so...we mixed them!  And, it worked (since they were both semi-gloss).  So, it's a custom color and neither "oops" paint quart went to waste!

Message Board:  What's a family breakfast room without a message board??  I took a framed piece of art that I found at an antique store for $7, took the art out and then used the same wallpaper that I used in the cabinet and placed it behind the plexiglass.  Add a dry erase marker and you are done! 

File Bin:  I took a bin that had been from another client project that we decided not to use and then covered it with black textured contact paper I had found at Lowe's (it's really beautiful contact paper...).  I left the top off so it was easy to use and for another little pop of blue placed some aqua file folders from The Container Store inside.  Super easy and useful!

And, the details round out the space!:

 

 

 

 Curious about the final tally?  Here you go (tax included!):

2 white barstools:  $50.00
1 set of drawers:  $41.99
1 dry erase marker + 1 frame:  $10.49
2 yards fabric + rods and clips for curtains: $8.38
12 colorful pots: $133.23   
1 black/brass accent lamp: $33.60

2 sheepskin throws: $83.98
1 picture ledge for frames:  $15.74
4 baskets for bakers rack:  $78.71
1 (real) plant and pot: $24.13
1 baskets and 6 (fake) plants: $17.84
2 quarts of paint:  @$30.00
1 roll of wallpaper:  $10.00
2 mini red chairs:  $14.98
6 hanging file folders:  $7.34

Grand Total:  $560.32!  (not too bad!)

And, a final look.

 

My client and I actually already had a glass of wine in this space and it felt cozy and inviting...a perfect spot to hang out in!