A builder grade kitchen gets a new look with classic features like gray cabinets, Quartz counters and subway tile. A truly inspiring kitchen before and after reveal.
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You guys, I am so excited to talk with you today! I’ve been waiting forever to finally show you the finished kitchen. You know, that makeover I started back in June. After seven months of tearing out, installing, painting and waiting the space is finally done. Well, a couple more little tweaks like under cabinet lighting and a couple appliance changes…but for now, I’m calling it.
Can you even remember what this space looked like before? Well since you don’t live in my house on a day-to-day basis, let me remind you:
My favorite spot in this house is now my kitchen. I could sleep in here. This was the biggest remodel I’ve ever experienced. We kept the original cabinets and left the layout the same, but everything else changed! I learned a ton throughout the process, mostly how to be patient. ๐ The remodel started with the laminate counter tops and tile backsplash being removed to allow for the new Moen sink and faucet to be installed.
I debated on getting one with a divider but I’m so glad I didn’t. I can fit almost anything in this sink making that not-so-fun task of doing dishes a little easier. The bottom grid is also great for protecting the sink from scratches and gives me a nice place to set hot pots to cool. The motion sensor faucet comes in handy every single day. When I’m trying to cook with a toddler on the hip, I need all the help I can get.
Once the new sink was in, the new Quartz counter tops from Wilsonart were installed. I went with the Haida design. It’s a bright white design with fine, short black veining that looks very similar to the carrara marble look. We waited over a month for these beauties. A month of cardboard counters and lots of frozen pizzas. But friends, it was soooooo worth the wait! They turned out gorgeous and instantly brightened the whole kitchen. Both my husband I feel the counters made this kitchen what it is now…beautiful.
After the counters were in, it was time to install the subway back splash. (Find my full tutorial HERE with all my tips and trick on installing tile!) I’ve loved the look of subway tile for a long time and I’m so happy that it is now in my very own kitchen. I chose the Manhattan in glossy from Cypress South. I decided to go with a grey grout called Mist that had a sealer already built in. Score! I have never tiled anything before, so this was a first time experience using a tile saw. I did some praying and away I went. After a few chips here and there… I got the hang of it. I love the look of it next to the Quartz counters. ๐
One of my sisters favorite features of my kitchen make over is those stainless steel outlet covers. Once I finished installing the tile, the old covers just didn’t look right. I love the look of these and it was such an easy, inexpensive update to do. Why not?!
After the tile was in place, I could install all the wood trim to add height to the cabinets. I hated that empty space. By filling them in, I instantly gave the whole room the feeling of higher ceilings. It was wonderful! (See my tutorial on how to add height to your kitchen cabinets HERE.)
With all the pretty changes happening in here, those old chipped floors needed to go. I loved Cross Sawn Chestnut by Pergo and knew it would go great with the gray cabinets. I’ve already shared with you how I picked this color and how I installed it. My knees liked to died after installation day, but you know what? I love these floors and I would do it all over again in a heart beat. I am so proud to say we installed them ourselves! ๐
Now that the new floors were in, I was left with painting the cabinets. I knew I wanted to paint them gray, but there are so many gray choices! Wow. I finally decided on Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray because it was a pretty neutral gray with a hint of some brown undertones. Since the living room has vaulted ceilings with walls painted in a soft brown (that I will not be painting any time soon), I wanted the kitchen to compliment. I’m not gonna lie, that first swipe of the paint brush had me a little scared. But once I got most of it painted…I was in love. I used a Wagner spray painter for the doors and hand painted the frames. UPDATE! The tutorial on how to paint your kitchen cabinets is available (click here!). I included everything you need to know to do the job right!
After I got all the doors reinstalled, it was time for the last step…adding the jewels! That’s what I like to call the hardware. I picked out stainless steel pulls in all different sizes. My favorite are these little t-pulls on the lazy susan doors…
You can see how I organized kitchen counter with a few accessories HERE. (pictured above)
A HUGE thank you to my sponsors that made this whole kitchen makeover possible:
If you are wanting to know the how-to on all the changes I made to this kitchen, tutorials are coming. After the holidays I will be sharing with you how I installed a farmhouse sink into a regular kitchen cabinet, back splash installation do’s and don’ts, raising the height of the cabinets, tips on spray painting kitchen cabinets, and more. If there is something you want to know that I didn’t mention, just leave me your question in the comments and I will try my best to answer it. ๐
Do you like the new look?
Source List:
Wall Color: Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray
Sink: Moen
Faucet: Moen
Sink Grid: Moen
Sconce: Lamps Plus
Appliances: all new are Whirlpool
Counters: Haida from Wilsonart
Backsplash: Manhattan Subway tile with Mist grout from South Cypress
Trim: Home Depot
Flooring: Cross Sawn Chestnut from Pergo
Hardware: Stainless Steel pull bars from D. Lawless Hardware
UPDATE!!!! I have finished the tutorial on How I Painted the Kitchen Cabinets found HERE…
And if you are looking for ways to organize your kitchen, be sure to check out this post on the Five Organizers Every Kitchen Needs!
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How to Easily Paint Kitchen Cabinets You Will Love
How To Rock Kitchen Counter Organization in a Styling Way
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Marty Oravetz says
Oh it looks amazing. I love the color and your choice of counter and sink are perfect.
Laura says
Thank you for your sweet comment, Marty. Those counters and my new sink make my heart skip a beat. ๐
Maryann says
What a transformation!!! It turned out gorgeous… definitely worth all your hard work!
Laura says
Thank you so much, sweet Maryann. I am really enjoying the new space. XO
Christy @ Our Southern Home says
What a fabulous difference! Gorgeous!!!
Laura says
Thank you so much, Christy! ๐
Sharon Vance says
Incredible!!!! Job well done. You certainly have a talent, Laura and are an inspiration.
Laura says
Thank you, Sherrie! I am so glad this space is finished. ๐
Meegan says
I really like the color combination and the gorgeous floor. Great style.
Laura says
Thank you, Meegan! I love the grey and the new wood floors really transformed the space. ๐
Laura Kelly says
WOW! Your kitchen looks gorgeous.
Laura says
Thank you, Laura! ๐
Cris of Kiss My Tulle says
BEYOND GORGE!!!! I’ve been waiting to see how this turned out and… WOW. Love the grey cabinets + the dramatic crown molding look. Awesome, lady!
Laura says
Oh! Thank you so much, Cris. That crown molding was pretty tricky with the corner cabinets. So glad that part is over! ๐
Brooke Pakulski says
This post is so inspiring! You did an AMAZING job!!!!
Laura says
Thanks, Brooke! ๐
Deb says
So jealous! I’d love to update our kitchen but can’t afford to. It’s gorgeous!
Laura says
Thanks, Deb! Doing almost all the labor myself, really cut down on the cost. My knees may never be the same, but I think it was all worth it. ๐
Jennifer S says
Oh Girl!!! That transformation is amazing! And gives me hope that one day I can complete our kitchen and have it look this good! Its Fab!
Laura says
Thank you, Jen! Trust me, if I can do it….anyone can! You go, girl!
Jessica Holoka says
From top to bottom, it all looks so beautiful! Great job!
Kendra says
Love the grey cabinets! Everything turned out amazing.
ashley says
Love the transformation! This reminds me how much I want to redo our kitchen!
Christine says
It looks amazing, you did a stunning job.
Laura says
Thank you so much, Christine! ๐
Melissa says
Your kitchen is beautiful! I love the color of the cabinets and the way you extended them to the ceiling. Thanks for sharing at the Family Joy Blog Link Party this week!
Christene Holder says
WOW!!!! The Kitchen looks amazing! I’m obsessed with that sink – I would love to have a sink like that for our home! Congrats on finishing the reno and being able to enjoy your new kitchen. Thanks for sharing with us on the Family Joy Blog Link Party!
>> Christene
Keys to Inspiration
Lindi says
BEAUTIFUL!! I LOVE this. I’m so inspired to tackle my kitchen now. I’ll be featuring this post at the Creative Gallery tonight! Thanks for sharing ๐
Rebekah says
Wow! It looks so great! I would never have imagined those were your original cabinets! It’s amazing what paint can do though I understand about picking the right color! We are in the midst of adding on a new kitchen. I also wanted the same kind of quartz so bad but our installer wasn’t able to get them in time. ๐ I was so bummed but we did wood and they turned out nice. I also got a moen faucet and whirlpool fridge. We are going to do subway tile too and my husband is going to install it. Love all the inspiration and how it turned out for you!
Sherry Nappa says
Wow! That’s definitely a big reveal. I love the colors. Thanks for sharing at Funtastic Friday.
Ashley says
How did you get the sink cabinet doors to work with the longer sink? They look smaller than they were in the before pictures?
Laura says
You are right, Ashley. They are smaller! I had to remove the original cabinet doors and then cut down the frame to the correct size for the farmhouse sink. Then I bought two new (smaller) cabinet doors and reinstalled. I will be sharing a tutorial on the whole process soon. ๐
Doreen @ Hymns and Verses says
Oh my gosh, Laura! Your kitchen is amazing! I absolutely love every single thing! It’s so bright and cheery! I’m dying over that Moen sink! I had my heart set on a white porcelain farmhouse sink, but this is making me reconsider stainless!
Laura says
Thank you so much, Doreen! I pretty much have a thing for stainless steal. lol ๐
Jacqueline in Atlanta says
It looks amazing! Great work.
Laura says
Thank you, Jacqueline! ๐
Candice says
Love this kitchen! You are extremely talented. What material did you use to box in between cabinets and trim? Thank you.
Laura says
Thank you, Candice! I used mdf boards and I will be writing a complete tutorial on that transformation soon. It’s really a pretty simple job to do, especially if you don’t have 45 degrees angles like I did. ๐ Stay tuned!
sherry hendrix says
love what you’ve done from paint color, backsplash, and countertops! this is a look i would like to adopt in my kitchen. was interested to see that you noted your adjoining room was soft brown….same here. now i know what the effect would be in my own home. thanks for sharing!
Laura says
Thank you, Sherry! I love that my kitchen gave you inspiration for your own home. That makes me so happy! Thank you for taking the time to share with me. ๐
Mary E Priola says
Your kitchen is just beautiful. I love it. What color paint and brand did you use for the cabients?
Laura says
Thanks, Mary! For my cabinets I chose Benjamin Moore Advanced Interior paint in Satin (in the color: Chelsea Gray).
Yvonne says
I was wondering if you have a tutorial of how you made the addition to the upper part of your cabinets? I am interested in doing that in my kitchen as my kitchen has 45 year old cabinets and I think what you did is absolutely amazing and gorgeous.
Laura says
Thank you for your sweet comment, Yvonne! And I do have a tutorial on how I extended my cabinets. Click this link here to read the tutorial —>> https://inspirationformoms.porch.com/how-to-easily-add-height-to-your-kitchen-cabinets/ ๐
Trina says
LOVE your kitchen remodel. Been working on our kitchen remodel for a while now. We live remotely so finding paint colors, etc is quite a chore. What color white did you use to compliment the Chelsea Gray? Is the kitchen window trimmed in stainless or is that the same paint color as the cabinets?
Laura says
Thanks, Trina! I’m not sure what “white” you’re referring to…all my kitchen cabinets are Chelsea Gray and the walls are subway tiles. And yes, the trim around the kitchen window is also painted Chelsea Gray. ๐
Shayla says
So beautiful!! I have the exact same cabinets with the same space above but my ceilings are slanted for a vault ceiling. Do you think I could still do the top addition like you did? Thank you for sharing!
Celena says
Beautiful kitchen! Wondering where you found the light above your sink? Love it!
Laura says
Thank you so much, Celena! I actually got the pendant here: (aff link) https://inspirationformoms.porch.com/pendant Hope that helps!
Cheryl says
Your kithen is absolutley beautiful. We are in the vert beginning stages of a remodel. We are going to start on the bathroom. Im scared because we are going to do it ourselves but you are giving me some motivation thou. What size subway tiles did you use in your kitchen?
Laura says
Thank you so much, Cheryl! My subway tile is 3″ x 6″. Good luck on your bathroom. DIY projects always seem a little scary at first, but I’m sure you will love the end results. ๐
Michelle says
Gorgeous! We are in the middle of our kitchen Reno and are considering Wilsonart Quartz. Do you mind if I ask how your Quartz is holding up? Any staining, chipping, etc? Thank you! It’s hard to find many comments regarding Wilsonart Quartz!
Laura says
Thanks, Michelle! My Quartz has held up beautifully! Not a scratch, chip, stain, mark…nada. And believe me when I say both my husband and my boys have tried!! I love it every single day I walk into our kitchen and have never regretted going with Quartz. Good luck on your kitchen reno too! It’s hard work but so worth it in the end. ๐
Michelle says
Thanks for your prompt reply! We are definitely leaning toward the quartz. Can’t wait!!
Laura says
your kitchen came out beautifully! I like the gray paint you used on the cabinets. We are currently trying to pick a cabinet and wall color. Did you paint any walls in your kitchen? All I see is the tile. If so, what color did you use on the walls to go with the cabinets? Thanks
Laura says
Thank you so much! Yes, all the walls that meet up to my kitchen are painted Repose Gray by Sherwin Williams. It’s a nice neutral soft gray that goes with any decor. ๐
Samantha says
Hello! Your kitchen is beautiful! Just wondering where you got that gray mat under the sink? Thanks!
Laura says
Thanks, Samantha! The grey mat is a gelpro mat. Here’s a link to their website: https://www.gelpro.com/