Today I have for you our Kitchen Reveal: Before and After. I am so excited to share this room with you. It’s probably the biggest transformation of all of the rooms in our house, so far. We have put a lot of work into this room and still have more we want to do. But right now I am loving it.
The first thing we did I talked about in our Living Room Reveal. We took out a wall. As you can see from the pictures this wall was blank on both sides. It didn’t house any appliances or cabinets so we knew we wanted it gone. Easier said than done. This wall was a low bearing wall so we called in professionals to help us out. We (or rather Tyler) did the demo on the drywall and then we had someone come in and take out the studs and put in a beam and fix everything up. It opens up the room so much, I love it!
The biggest thing that really changed this kitchen was painting the cabinets. I started this project with cleaning, sanding and priming (no easy task) and then my dad was kind enough to come in and paint the cabinets for us. You can read about how we painted our cabinets here. I used to say I didn’t like white cabinets but then I came to love them. When we found this house I really wasn’t a fan of the oak cabinets so we decided to embark on painting them and the result was wonderful. The paint for the cabinets is Benjamin Moore- Satin Impervo in the color Sailcloth.
The floors are the same as the Living Room, continuing with our dark hardwood floors. I love the contrast from the dark floors to the white cabinets to the turquoise walls. The appliances seem to be original to the house but they work well. So for now we are sticking with what works but in the future we would love to upgrade to stainless steal appliances.
If you can see in the before and after pictures there was a wine rack above the refrigerator. This is something we did not put to use so a couple weekends ago we busted it out to use it for storage. Our plan is to paint the inside of the open cabinet a contrasting color. Any ideas for a color?
So this is our new kitchen! I would love to hear your thoughts on it and any ideas/suggestions you may have. We are loving it so far and look forward to making more changes to it! Below is our To Do List for the kitchen.
To Do:
1. Add Granite Countertops
2. Backsplash
3. Stainless Steel Appliances
4. Replace lighting
5. Add more seating options

I love white cabinets! They really do look awesome when they contrast dark hardwood floors. I would have picked white cabinets in our house, but when we made up our contract they cabinets had already been picked (and they are nice enough and I like them enough that I don’t want to go to the trouble of painting them). We definitely want to do a backsplash sometime soon, but I’m kind of scared to do it on my own. I feel like that’s a project that has to be very precise, and I have a tendency to be a little crooked/sloppy with my work.
Thank you Kate! We love how it turned out. I don’t think we are going to do the backsplash ourselves. We saw a house when we were house hunting where they had clearly done it themselves and it was crooked. I don’t want mine like that. I’m such a perfectionist it would probably drive me crazy trying to do it haha.
Emily
Wow! It looks amazing! I love the contrast of the white cabinets against the walls and the floors. You guys did an amazing job! I’ve always said that white cabinets would never be an option in whatever house we buy (because I hate the white cabinets in our apartment), but they’re slowly starting to grow on me and I actually want white cabinets now (or maybe off-white). Anyway. Great great job! I love what you’ve done so far!
Thank you Teresa! We love how it looks! I think sometimes white cabinets look cheap if they are cheaply made but I love repainted ones and especially when people distress them but we didn’t even began to attempt that!
Emily
Love the floors and the colors you chose. Great job!
Thank you!!
Emily
Beautiful. It turned out so good
Thank you! We are loving it!
Emily
Love it! The white cabinets completely change the space!
Yes they really do. Thank you!
Emily
I seriously love your kitchen. Love that color on the walls too. Great choices. Two thumbs way up!
Thank you so much!
Emily
So cheery! LOVE!
Thank you Heather!
Emily
I LOVE the countertops. That is an awesome transformation. I bet you can’t stop looking at it:)
Thank you! I love being spending time in there!
Emily
Wow! What a change 🙂 I’m digging the white cabinets and wall color!
Thank you! We are so pleased with how it turned out!
Emily
Wow your kitchen looks great!!! I love love the colors you have gone with and how open it looks! Thank you for sharing 🙂
http://neatly-packaged.blogspot.com/
Thank you so much! We love how it turned out!
Emily
What a different the white on the cabinets made, I think your kitchen just jumped a couple of decades! Everything looks great, good job!
Thank you! We are loving it!!
Emily
I love the white cupboards, and the open space between the kitchen and the great room!
Thank you! We do too!
Emily
wonderful, I love it, we just redone ours too right before Thanksgiving. Do you walk in and it give you a mini freak out because you are so use to seeing the old one?
We didn’t move into the house until the kitchen was done so it’s what I’ve been used to the whole time. But looking at the pictures is like WOW! It looked like that?
Emily
What a transformation! I love the new white cupboard they open up the space really well. Can’t wait to see what it will look like when it’s finished 🙂
Thank you Sarah!
Emily
What a difference! I absolutely love the white cabinets with the dark walls and how open the space is now. We need to remodel our kitchen, but first we need to win the lottery.
Haha. Yes it can be pricey. Doing it yourself does help cut down on the costs though.
Emily
Beautiful! I love white cabinets (I have some myself ) Isn’t redoing room fun? (Well – in a workish sorta way!) Especially the kitchen – that area where everyone seems to spend so much time. Great job.
It is so much fun but also a ton of work. But the result makes it totally worth it!
Emily
Gorgeous!! Really makes me want to redo my 1950’s style kitchen and update it!
It’s a lot of work but it is so fun!
Emily
What a lovely remodel!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the dark floors, the wall colour and the white cabinetry. It’s very beautiful. And trust – granite is overrated, why not corian or something that has less maintenance?
We are considering something less expensive too. I am just always drawn to the look of granite! I don’t know why haha
Emily
I do not have really much to say, except WOW, BIG WOW! It is a stunning transformation!
Thank you so much!
Emily
Opening up the wall makes a world of difference and the white cabinets make a clean and inviting look for the kitchen. I’m sure you are going to love the changes you have made to the space, and probably raised the value of the house a bunch!
Thank you Debbie. We just love how it turned out!
Emily
Wow! That’s amazing the difference your remodel made. Really jealous with the space it created. Do you hire out? Would love ideas.
Thank you Lisa! We love how it turned out. I’m happy to help you anytime if you need it 🙂
Emily
What an amazing transformation. You did a great job. I have kitchen envy!
Erica
We Three Crabs
Thank you Erica!
Emily
Your Kitchen looks beautiful and so cozy! I love the crisp feel of the white cabinets, and it’s very welcoming as well!
Thank you. We just love how it turned out.
Emily
This SO makes me want to paint our cabinets! Look how that white brightened everything up! Wow…you did a great job with this transformation! Way to go!
Thank you!!
Emily
I love it! Taking out that wall really opened up the kitchen and the other rooms. And the paint color on the cabinets brings the kitchen from blah to gorgeous! Great job!
Thank you! We love how it turned out!
Emily
I love how open and airy your kitchen is! You did a really great job with the design too 🙂
Thank you Brittany! We love how it turned out!
Emily
I love what you did to your kitchen! It looks great! Very homey and relaxing atmosphere.
Thank you so much!
Emily
Gorgeous! Makes me want to paint my cabinets!
It makes such a great difference!
Emily
This is beautiful! I love that you took out part of that wall–it’s so open now and I love it. I love the paint color you chose too! Great job!
Thank you! We love it!
Emily
I’m in love with the color you picked for your kitchen. It’s fantastic. I’m hoping to start the remodeling of my kitchen really soon. Thanks for sharing your kitchen with us.
Thank you Andrea! Good luck with your remodel!
Emily
Your kitchen is beautiful! I love white cabinets too and yours look wonderful. The wall color is so soothing the white.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
Thank you Shelia!
Emily
What a fabulous difference! I’ve always loved white cabinets in a kitchen! It looks so fresh and clean!
Yes I agree! Thank you!
Emily
Wow, what a difference! It looks great. My sister has white cabinets and I have always loved them. I think eventually I would like to paint ours, so I will be waiting on your tutorial. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you! We will try to get the tutorial ready soon!
Emily
Looks amazing what a different with the white cabinets! The white cabinets really brightens up the space! Thank you for sharing on Whatever Wednesday on Thank You Honey! Hope to see you again next week!
Thank you! I really wanted the space brightened up. Thanks for hosting the party.
Emily
I love the white cabinets combined with the turquoise walls. Great decision taking out that wall, too. Your kitchen looks amazing!
Thank you! We love how open it is.
Emily
Wow, that is gorgeous! I think the colour really pulls it all together. Love the white cabinets!
Thank you! I am so happy with the color.
Emily
Man it is crazy the difference cabinet colors make! Nice work:)
Thank you! I love the change.
Emily
The floors are my favorite part! I totally agree with you that sometimes white cabinets just look cheap, but yours turned out perfect. We are renters right now but I would so love to get my hands on a fixer! Not a huge fixer mind you but just some cosmetics! I have no fear of my husband doing any of the work himself, he is a perfectionist and a ‘Jack-of-all-trades’! He has done cabinetry, and tile before among other things!
I love the look of the open cabinet, but I am at a loss as to what color to paint it inside, maybe one of the colors in some of the art on the walls? …Good luck with whatever you decide!…I’m pinning this for inspiration! 🙂
Sheila
SeeSheilaRun
Thank you! I’m thinking maybe a soft yellow for inside the cabinets but I just don’t know yet.
Emily
The white cabinets are GORGEOUS…when my MOm remodeled her kitchen…she was mulling over the idea of white cabinets but didn’t have the nerve to go for it. I think they look very nice when you have a good amount of space to include other features. I also really like the color chosen for the walls. Looks very homey. I love looking at before and after photos – they are very inspirational!
Thank you so much! We are so happy with how it turned out.
Emily
Beautiful! I love the white cabinets. I have some that are similar to your “before” and will be embarking on painting them this summer. Your post will be my inspiration to get through it!
Good luck on your painting!
Emily
I love before and afters! Great job and I love the color of your walls!
Me too. Thank you!!
Emily
Wow! It’s so much brighter! It turned out so beautiful.
Thank you!!
Emily
Looks good! Those white cabinets really brighten up the space and I love the wall color you chose. We had a very similar color in our last home. Great job.
Thank you! We love how it turned out!
Emily
what an amazing change, it looks 10times bigger! 🙂 x
Yes it really does. I love it.
Emily
WOW! Gorgeous job Emily!!
Thank you Beth!
Emily
I absolutely love white cabinets and redoing the kitchen on a budget. I did the same at our home and am hoping to post some pictures soon. Your post inspired me so much. Thank you for sharing. I love your color scheme!
I can’t wait to see your kitchen remodel!
Emily
Wow, the transformation is truly amazing! I can’t believe how great the cabinet paint job turned out. I think the design/texture of the original cabinets definitely helped make the white cabinets pop even more. We went through a kitchen renovation last year and it was quite a stressful time so can imagine how much hard work went into this!
Yes I agree! My dad did such a great job painting them for us!
Emily
It’s lovely! The white cabinets make it so much brighter. Love the flooring too. I wish I could remodel my kitchen, but I am renting right now.
Thank you! It was so nice to get it done!
Emily
Wow, what an incredible transformation! No wonder you are so thrilled with the results-it all looks wonderful.
My Say G’Day Saturday linky party has started up again after a long break and this makeover post would be a perfect addition to this week’s party. Please pop by if you have a minute and say g’day!
Best wishes for a great weekend,
Natasha in Oz
Thank you!!
Emily
Your kitchen is beautiful. I love the colour on your walls. We redid our kitchen last year. I went from white cabinets (they were old, dingy and hard to keep clean with 8 children) to a light oak with no edges for dust to stick in. We also turned one wall into a pantry with roll out shelves. I had been using bookshelves for extra storage. Now I love that I can close the pantry door and not see anything. We put in a new floor, counter and backsplash. I love my kitchen and the time I spend in it is so much more comfortable now.
That sounds like a great transformation. I loved creating a space I enjoy spending time in.
Emily
I actually think your kitchen looks great before and after although removing the wall did open it up tremendously. I’m loving the new color too. Awesome job!
Thank you. We love the open concept.
Emily
Lovely! Lovely! My parents just redid their cabinets as well — all white. I really like the look!
Yes I do too! It really brightens up a room.
Emily
I love your white cabinets and that wall color! So pretty! What a beautiful transformation!
Thank you so much!
Emily
Granites on counter tops areceasy to maintain, plus you could find them in so many colours and designs.
Yes that is what I love about granite. I look forward to when we are able to add granite!
Emily
I love it! It looks so much brighter, bigger and of course, more modern. Very nice.
Thank you!!
Emily
I just love the combination of everything! Beautiful kitchen
P.S. I found you through the link party on http://makingtheworldcuter.com
Thank you for coming over.
Emily
Your kitchen looks amazing! I’ve been thinking about painting our cabinets but haven’t really started researching it yet. I really like the paint you used. Taking out that wall really helped open up that space!
Thank you! It’s a lot of work but really worth it.
Emily
What a fantastic job Mrs. Fix-It! Thanks for sharing and linking up with us at the #WWDParty. Have a wonderful week.
Thank you!
Emily
What a lovely new kitchen! Nice color choices and I really like how open everything is. This gives me some ideas for our kitchen which is very cramped and dark. Thanks!!!
Thank you Natasha!
Emily
The color combination feels like an island resort. I really like the open floor-plan and natural light that comes from the kitchen/dining area. Just perfect!
Thank you!
Emily
This is a great change! That wall being gone makes a world of difference, and I love the new floor. The cabinets look awesome too- I’m super impressed you did them yourself!
My only suggestion would actually be to leave the inside of the cabinets, or choose a really neutral shade. Cabinets are so dark inside that a pop of color might just cast a weird hue on everything. It might be unappetizing? A soft, light gray might provide enough contrast without weird lighting issues though.
That’s a good tip! Thank you for sharing.
Emily
I love the open floor and the fresh feel of your kitchen. Beautiful!
Thank you! We love how it turned out.
Emily
Oh my goodness, how beautiful! Opening up that wall gave the entire room an expansive, open feel. But painting the cabinets and then the walls with that gorgeous pale blue had an amazing effect. Great job! Thanks for sharing! Bobbi
Thank you! We are so pleased with how it turned out.
Emily
I’m impressed that you painted the cabinets! I love to watch home improvement shows, and I never understand when people take out perfectly good cabinets instead of just painting them. I can only imagine how much work that was (which may be the reason most people take them out). Love the turquoise. What about orange for the contrast? I like those two colors together. Love the dark floors contrasting with the white cabinets, and I love that you are doing this in stages. Makes it more doable for the rest of us!
Thank you! It was a lot of work but we love how it turned out.
Emily
Wow, what an amazing transformation. We redid the kitchen in our last house and I was so sad to leave it (I wasn’t sad to leave the 1 bathroom for me and 5 boys!) Thanks for sharing.
Aw yeah but I’m sure leaving the one bathroom was great!
Emily
It turned out great:)
Thank you!
Emily
Wow, I love the new colors. I can’t believe what a big difference the white cabinets make. We are slowly doing our rooms one by one too. Renovations are fun!
Good luck with your renovations! They are fun!
Emily
Wow! This looks amazing! I love how you opened up the room.
Thank you Miranda.
Emily
I love the open look and the white makes it look homey and bright! Beautiful room.
We just did our kitchen 2 years ago and love see the changes too.
Thank you! It’s so nice!
Emily
Great job! Love the turquoise and white combination. It really opens up the space and sets a totally different energy in the room!
Thank you! We are enjoying the new space.
Emily
I love how the white cabinets brightened up the kitchen. I’m buying a townhome with pretty much the same cabinets and want to put wood flooring in the kitchen and living area downstairs. I’ve struggled on a wood color to go with the cabinets – painting them white would make it so much easier. Where will you be posting the step by step on how to redo the cabinets? ie. How to sand, and How to paint. (I’m a newbie at refinishing wood) Thank you in advance!
Hi Karin,
Thank you! I am working on a post right now on how we did the cabinets so keep an eye out for it!
Emily
Great idea, taking out the wall……I think a great accent color for the space above the fridge would be a golden yellow,….also can I ask what is the color that you painted the kitchen? Thanks !!
I like the yellow idea! Thank you! The kitchen is Stratton Blue by Benjamin Moore.
Emily
How long do you plan on living in your house? Reason I ask is because granite doesn’t give a good return anymore. Instead of putting granite in our remodel (since we were selling in two to three years), we had them professionally refinished. They’re shiny and look like a new counter — different color too — but didn’t have to pay for granite. Plus, if we would have torn up the counters that were there they would have taken the cabinets (original ones to boot) with it.
That’s a good tip! We plan to be here for awhile!
Emily
Emily! I LOVE it!!! I just saw this and went over to your how to paint cabinets post because I want to do this!!! We bought our house at the end of summer and have ton some awesome projects and the one thing that remains that we really dislike is our kitchen! Mostly because we too have the old oak wood. Just texted my hubby the link…. this may be our next project!
Thank you! We love how it turned out and painting the cabinets made such a HUGE change in the kitchen. It was a lot of work but worth it in the end for sure! Let me know if you do yours and if you have any questions!
Emily