Hi Everyone!
Happy Tuesday! Today is a very special day for me. First, its the first time AHFOC has been featured by a fellow blogger. The beautiful Ms. Kristin of Bliss at Home is featuring me in her Great Reads series. I’m so honored and super psyched about it. Thank you, Kristin. If you are joining me today for the first time from Bliss at Home, id like to say WELCOME!! I hope you stay a while and come back again soon.
Second, I’m so excited to finally be revealing the official before and after of our kitchen makeover. I added in “unofficially” because there are still a few more things we have to do before I’m content with calling this space completely done. Ive received some questions and comments about the space recently so I wanted to dedicate a post to sharing the details of the makeover, so, tada:
We began our kitchen revamp over a year ago, guys. Yep, that’s right! It took us a whole year to get to the point where we are today. And though I would have LOVED to have completed this project in much, much, MUCH less time than it actually took, Ive gotta keep it real with you guys.
Design details and decisions don’t happen quickly in this house. Naomi and I are complete opposites when it comes to our vision of pretty much everything, so the process required A LOT of compromise with a side of patience. In addition, we both work full time and we restricted ourselves to a very strict budget. We didn’t have a ton of availability to tackle things all at once so we focused on things in phases, which meant sometimes months would go by without any progress. We solicited various sources for things and tried our hardest to take advantage of sales and coupons when at all possible, which meant patience was key. Take our back splash tile, for instance. We didn’t actually purchase it until months after we first found it and that was almost a year after the cabinets had been painted!
In the end this is a space we are both just so proud of. Our new kitchen is very much a reflection of both of us. We were able to do everything ourselves and came in under $700! The motto for this project was “work with what cha got”, so we only made cosmetic changes to the space and used the existing floor plan and appliances. We just love it and I hope you enjoy it as well.
This is what the space looked like on the day we walked through the house for the very first time, prior to us even putting in an offer!
The style just wasn’t us at all. It felt like the same kitchen I would see in every other house in our neighborhood. I’m happy to say that today we have a kitchen that is very much us:
XoXo-Shavonda
***After I published this post it dawned on me that some of you might want color details, DUH SHAVONDA. Pardon my rudeness. The colors are Glidden Rich Navy on the walls, Ben Moore Simply White (Aura) on upper cabinets, and Ben Moore Anchor Gray (Advance) on the lower cabinets and island.****
Keia G says
Hi Shavonda!
I saw your beautiful, beautiful kitchen while glancing through the February issue of the Better Homes and Gardens magazine earlier today, and I couldn’t get to the internet fast enough to check your blog! I knew the rest of your home would be just as beautiful, and what I’ve seen doesn’t disappoint. I hope to purchase a home with my fiance’ in the next year or so, and I know where to come for inspiration!
justkeia.blogspot.com
Lyn says
Just found you through Better Homes and Gardens and noticed you were a local blogger. Love, love, love the kitchen. That’s the next big redo in my house. I saw those backsplash tiles at Costco and thought about getting them for the future redo and even went back and looked at them again and decided they looked too “bathroomy”. Apparently I was wrong and now wish I had bought them. Oh well, you can just come over to my house and do my kitchen for me!!!
margaret heitzmann says
This is so beautiful! I also saw your kitchen in Better Home and Gardens! Where did you look for backsplashes!?
Dawn says
Hi Shavonda,
I found your blog via Better Homes and Gardens! I love your kitchen makeover and I’m inspired reading how you were able to do it all yourself! It really looks beautiful.
Laurie says
Hi Shavonda..
Your kitchen is amazing and very similar to mine. I have the exact same backsplash with white cabinets and was looking for the perfect color for my bottom cabinets. I could not believe it when I saw your kitchen. Perfection! What is the color of your bottom cabinets? I am anxiously awaiting to hear so I can get started on mine!
Shavonda says
Hi Melissa! Thank you so much! You should def go for it! I’m all about the color baby!!!! So glad you stopped by:)
Melissa Judson says
I am absolutely in love with your kitchen! And totally inspired to use a similar colour scheme in our next kitchen (we’re just in the process of moving.) GREAT JOB!
Diane Zane says
Fantastic Job! I love it.
Shavonda says
Hi Diane. Thank you and thanks for stopping by.
Diane Zane says
Fantastic Job! I love it.
She Repurposed It says
This is gorgeous!!!!! New follower!
Shavonda says
Hi! Thanks so much for stopping by and welcome!:)
K says
So beautiful! Can I ask where you bought the tile for your backsplash? We are building right now, and I’ve been looking for a horizontal tile backsplash with these hues! Your kitchen is beautiful!!
Thanks!
Shavonda says
Hi there! Sure. We got our tile from Costco. I’m not sure where you love, but it’s pretty much the same as Sams Club. I have more detailed shots of it in my backsplash installation posts. Thanks so much for stopping by.
Mel@JunkinJunky says
A-mazing transformation! The tile blends the two shades of blue in your cabinets perfectly.
I’ve had a look around too and I love your home and your style. Happily following you now so I don’t miss a thing.
Mel in Toronto
Mel@JunkinJunky says
P.S. And I know you’re an American because you spell colour funny 🙂
Shavonda says
Hi Mel!! Thank you so much for stopping by! I could totally say the same thing about you and the way you spell it:) I’m so glad to have you as a reader!
Holly says
Came here from Better After…Girl, you are amazing! Absolutely gorgeous. Now going in to check out more of your blog.
Shavonda says
Hi Holly! Thank you and Thanks so much for stopping by!
Janina Martin says
Thank you so much for sharing your experiences! I am planning to do a similar decorating project in my new condo. You inspired me!
Shavonda says
Hi Janina! Thanks so much for stopping by. I’m so happy I could inspire you to tackle your project! I’d love to see pics when it’s all done. If you need any advice during the process don’t hesitate to shoot me an email:)
Anonymous says
I love your kitchen. I have thought about doing the darker lower cabinets with white above but was unsure about it…..not any more. They look fabulous! The tile work ties everything together. It may have taken a while to complete it but it sure looks like it was worth the wait. Enjoy!
Shavonda says
Hi there. Thanks so much for stopping by. Yes, I am enjoying the new space more and more everyday. It’s such a happy and fun place to be! I say you should go for it! You won’t regret it.
Jeana says
I love your kitchen! It looks sooo good! I want it! 😉
Shavonda says
Hi Jeana! Thank you so much. I don’t think I can let you have it, but you’re more than welcome to come over for dinner anytime;)
Shavonda says
Hi Gaby! Thank you! I’m just really glad the colors all meshed well together. The outcome is exactly what we were hoping for! Thanks so much for stopping by
Gaby {lifeineight.com} says
What-a-transformation!! I love that you mixed colours in your cabinets and those tiles are beautiful!
Gaby x
TracieB says
I just found your blog thru Bliss @ Home…Love your style and kitchen looks fabulous! 🙂
Shavonda says
Hi Tracie! Thank you so much:)
Steph @ Crafting in the Rain says
Looks amazing–love the contrasting colors!
Shavonda says
Hi Steph. Thank you so much! And thanks for visiting;)
Erin@ Live Pretty on a Penny says
The kitchen looks fantastic! You guys are doing great work. But what else should I expect:) Love your style!!!
Shavonda says
Hey chica! You’re too kind! Thank you so much.
Gypsy Heart says
Kristin sent me over too! 🙂 Your kitchen is just amazing ~ what a great talent you have. Can’t wait to see more!
I’m a new follower too. Stop by and say hi when you can!
Pat
Shavonda says
Hi Pat! Thank you so much and thank you for stopping by. I’m heading over your way right now:)
ingrid@nowathomemom says
WOW! your kitchen looks different, beautiful transformation Shavonda! I just discovered your blog today after reading Kristin’s (Bliss at home) post! glad I did! 🙂 the backsplash is beautiful, looking forward to reading your upcoming posts! Ingrid
Shavonda says
Hi Ingrid! Welcome and thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you come back again.
Belinda says
I agree with Brandi! You SHOULD link up to the link parties. I love everything you do. Your style is both beautiful and unique… just like you. 😉
Shavonda says
Hi Belinda. I think I’ll do that. Thank you so much for the constant support. You’re the best!
Brandi says
My girl, seriously you deserve a round of applause. Your kitchen looks amazing. I love how well the neon bar stools look in there. You did a fantastic job. You should really consider linking this post up to some link parties to get your blog out there. Are you on Hometalk?
Shavonda says
Hi Brandi! Thank you so much my friend. You know, I’ve been wanting to link my posts so many times but, embarrassingly, I don’t know how. I would love for my blog to get more visibility but its all still so new to me and I have a lot to learn. Thanks so much for the encouragement and making me feel like I make a positive contribution to the blogosphere.
Brandi says
http://dollarsandroses.com/blog-link-up-party-get-more-traffic/
Shavonda says
Thank you so much Brandi! I just read the post. It was extremely helpful. I really appreciate it:)
Shavonda says
Dear sweet Katrina! Remember when I first posted about how I really wanted to paint the cabinets white, but Naomi was freaked it would end up looking like a country kitchen. Man, it took many many boxing sessions to get her to trust me on this one. I’m so glad she did. We both love it and I never would have imagined she’d agree upon the two tone look. Double win! Thanks for being a source of encouragement throughout this whole process.
Amanda @ Our Humble Abode says
What a fantastic make over! That tile is amazing and it is so fresh.
Shavonda says
Hi Amanda! Thank you so much! Following you and mountain man’s kitchen remodel in your previous house was one of the things that inspired me to try my hand at it. So thank you!
Mrs. Chic says
Your kitchen re-do looks fantastic!! It so bright and colorful, it feels so much more open and happy! 🙂
Julia Konya says
Hey, this is seriously amazing! I mean I have seen pictures of your kitchen before but see the before pictures makes this even better. Great transformation!!!
Shavonda says
Yuliah!!! Hi there. Thank you. I can’t wait to see your kitchen transformation. I bet it’s going to be amazing, too. I’m just so happy my vision translated well in real life, you know!
Sammy ~ Renew Redo says
OMG! I love your kitchen. What a fantastic makeover. The hot pink (neon) stools are da bomb. Love the pop of color. AWESOME!
Smiles!
Sammy ~ Renew Redo!
Shavonda says
Hi Sammy! Thank you so much. I’m so glad you like it:) The barstools are probably my fav thing in the kitchen right now!
Jayne says
This kitchen makeover is one of the most beautiful I’ve seen, your choice of colors is perfection, I love it! What is the blue on the walls?
Fantastic job!
Shavonda says
Hi Jayne! Thanks so much for stopping by and thank you for the compliment. The color on our walls is Glidden’s Rich Navy.
Sally Cronkright says
I agree Jayne! I love your colors and am now inspired to redo our kitchen. I didn’t think we could afford it but I’m fired up now! Can’t wait to see what else you post. Nice job Shavonda!
Shavonda says
Hi Sally. Thank you so much. When I first started researching into kitchen remodels the costs were so incredibly expensive I thought there was no way I could possibly make it a reality. But you really would be surprised at how huge of an impact a fresh color on your cabinets will do. Less than $100 can make your space look like a million bucks. I really hope you are encouraged to go for it!
Kristin Cadwallader says
I love it! I totally understand the waiting and patience part. We started our kitchen last summer and have it half done. We are hoping to finish the rest by September/October. I love your paint choices on the cabinets :)xo Kristin
Shavonda says
Thank you so much again, Kristin. Yeah it’s hard to remember the virtue when all around you you see folks start and finish projects within a couple weeks. But I just try to remember slow and steady….