Kitchen Makeover for less than $100!

We have big, BIG plans for the kitchen. I'm dreaming of subway tile up to the ceiling on all the walls, a large cabinet over the fridge, gorgeous pantry cabinets and beautiful open shelving. But first we have a long list of other projects that NEED to be done before we can make the kitchen utterly gorgeous. All of the above are wants and all of the needs have to come first. For example right now we are finishing the downstairs bathroom where we have our tub. This is where our two girls get clean and use this bathroom the most so it is first up. Until the day we can dedicate our efforts to the tiled kitchen from heaven I am making do and making it beautiful with a cement tile stencil from Cutting Edge Stencils (Abbey Tile Stencil in medium), 2x12 open shelves and some simple but handsome brackets from Home Depot.

To get this look I first primed then painted our plywood walls with Sherwin Williams Alabaster White. This is the white that we have used throughout the house interior. Then I applied the stencil following the wonderful videos provided on Cutting Edge Designs website and using their stencil level. I started in the back corner and worked my way out and I used a small 9 in. level on top of the stencil for the whole of the bottom row. The stencil level is made to hang off of the bottom of the stencil so that wouldn't work on the first row above the counter. The stenciling went quickly. The color I used was Sherwin Williams Naval, which is a rich navy blue. I applied the paint in a worn fashion, not using full coverage on all of the stencils to give it a older appearance. I think it really adds to the warm feeling of the kitchen.

A trip to Home Depot earned me two 2x12x8's, pine, unfinished and 8 brackets that hold 160 lbs each. We used 4 brackets for each shelf, placing the first shelf 20 in. above the counter. Most upper cabinets are hung at 18 in. above the counter but I opted for 20 in. because it would comfortably fit my beloved mixer with the head up, it will fit my husband's beloved margarita machine, it allows more light to hit the counter and allows for greater access to the counter and back-splash. I want to mount glass racks and a knife magnet under my shelves so I will need that increased access. To accommodate my kids, all of their cups, plates and kids stuff are in drawers for easy access. The shelves will house stuff I don't want them to have.

Garrett mounting the first bracket

The first 4 brackets are in place!

The second shelf is 12 in. above the first. Garrett mounted the shelves by first drawing a level line at the level of the shelves, finding the studs, placing and leveling the brackets. He fastened the brackets with interesting brass colored screws that really make the brackets look industrial. Each bracket is placed at the level line. Then we placed the 2x12 on top, made sure it was level and secured it in place.

Second shelf brackets almost ready

I quickly dressed my shelves with my kitchen goods but I need to do a good culling (I have a mixing bowl addiction) and make them pretty. Once the bathroom is done I will sand, stain and poly the shelves in place and dress them beautifully for Christmas. Until them, They have freed up so much counter space, given me back some drawer space and made the kitchen feel so good. I have gotten many compliments on the stencil and it was fast.

Nice and level

Shelves done and ready for use. Staining and poly upcoming.

This project was completed for less than $100. The shelves cost approx. $60 with 8 brackets at ~$5 each, 2x12x8 ~$9. The stencil and level cost ~$29 with shipping and a promotional discount of 15% and the Naval paint was a sample that cost $7. I already had the tools from my ongoing upstairs bathroom project so our total is $96!

#Storage #Paint #Budgeting #RoomDesign #SpacePlanning #DIY #Buildingasmallhouse