I like everything, but that floor has to go. Nothing can erase that terrible look.

Sure, it would be nice to replace the floor at some point, but all of the other changes disguise it (or just distract from it) really well. I LOVE the light blue over the windows. Such a great detail.

I think even with the old floor, it's a lot better. They did a great job. I can't imagine doing all the work he did on the cabinets.

I like it but only thing (aside from the floor) that catches my eye is the counter in the original photo looks higher quality than the one they replaced with. Can't tell for sure though.

Although I like the end result, I'm not sure replacing the doors and the original hardware was the right move on this one. A lot of the vintage character of the kitchen has been removed. Considering the budget, I would have focused the money on the counter tops (wood) and the floors (tile).

I've seen far worse "Befores"...
...but the "After" is a great result!

It's actually refreshing to see a featured kitchen w/ laminate counters, white appliances and vinyl floors.

don't listen to these nay-sayers. Even though the end-result is REALLY not my style, I like it. Even the floor kinda fits and gives it some sort of Mediterranean feel.
You people have to understand this is a BUDGET makeover and thus it's not strange the floor isn't replaced and the countertops may be of inferior quality... not all of us want to plunge ourselves into debt by remodeling a kitchen for $10.000!
I'm giving my kitchen a $500 makeover (and I have nothing to work with), and this is a true inspiration. Which is exactly the point of this post, and this website! (even though there are WAY too many stupid how-to-clean-your-blahblah here)
thanks Faith, for posting this

Personally, I think it looks terrific. Especially when you consider how little money was spent. This is a very REALISTIC makeover for the majority of us. I certainly can't spend thousands on a remodel so this is a brilliant example of what can be done with a limited budget and LOTS of work.
I would love to see more like this.
Thanks!

Yes, it looks great. I actually liked the retro cabinets in the before, and probably would have kept those and replaced the floor instead. But I think they did a fab job!

It looks wayyyyy better. Great job! Super impressed by the budget and the fact that all the work was done by the homeowners. Kudos!

Wow, those "before" are our current kitchen cabinets and we are getting ready to renovate our kitchen too. We've decided to keep the cabinets and replace the counter tops, back splash and floor...hopefully without breaking the bank! I'll have to remember to take before and after pics :)

I like this a lot, great redo and I like the style

Honestly, just from the foto, I prefer "before" by far.

W.O.W. Stunning. Clean. Definitely WOW!

I think this was well done. It's nice to see a budget renovation that has a realistic budget for many of us. The steady diet of aspirational renovations tires for this modest income renter. I'd love to see more like this -- maybe a regular AT feature?

Yep, I love the 'after'. Those cabinets are just lovely. Putting a nice inexpensive rug down could help disguise the floor but I don't hate the flooring so it wouldn't bother me.

Great job! Very impressive for $1527!

Great job, especially for the price! I disagree that the original cabinets should have be left in place. The placement is awkward, and I'd think that replicating the doors exactly would be hard. I also think the floor blends in MUCH better now.

What an amazing transformation-just goes to show you how much DIY can save you money! I'm currently in the middle of a home remodel and hope to be moving on to our kitchen very soon.

Please check out my blog at http://home-remodel.posterous.com/

I'd love to hear what you think!

It is a definite improvement, but I hesitate to call it a renovation—more like a makeover.

wow some people are just plain rude. i think the remodel looks great!! and the price is unbelievable. for someone who just renovated their kitchen, took it down to the studs, on a $6k budget i give this remodel a BIG thumbs up!! way to go, very nice :)))

The flat cupboard doors from the "before" picture look really dated... not so much "vintage." I think it was the right thing to remove them. The new ones have much more character.

I was really surprised that the floor was made to work in the new kitchen, but I think it does. Yeah, they could have slapped down some engineered hardwood or tile, but they were going for CHEAP. And the colors of the floor work well with the backsplash.

It's brilliant. They didn't even have to replace the stove and it still looks great!

First of all, I think the After is a HUGE improvement over the Before. Second, I think the Before picture is a perfect example of how hard red is to pull off. Third, this really got me thinking about what a difference hardware makes. I'm not sure when that sort of Tudor-ish black hardware was in style - maybe the 40s, and again in the 70s? Anyway, it definitely looks dated. The new hardware, which is both vintage-looking (20s?) and stylish, looks so great - but will it eventually look dated too? Is there such a thing as timeless hardware (or timeless style in general)?

Nice! I'm jealous of all of these kitchens with wooden cabinets... so much flexibility there. We have 1950s era metal cabinets, somewhat warped and painted (by previous owners) with flat brown house paint. Sigh.

You should win some kind of award for least money spent with greatest results. Bye bye grandmas kitchen!

This is an awesome transformation! I'm getting ready for a low-budget renovation of my own kitchen, which has cabinets similar to their "before." I'll be happy if ours comes out this good in the end.

Kind of wish you guys (editors) could put the before and afters next to each other. Makes it easier for those of us who are not as observant, dont have to keep scrolling back & forth.

It gives you hope that you don't have to spend a fortune for a very nice kitchen.

I agree this is a great transformation, but if you read the article you realize the homeowner built the new cabinets and doors himself. That's out of reach for even most DIYers! Ikea or similar cabinets would have easily doubled the cost of this reno. Not to slag them, just aligning people's expectations.

Very nice!

This is a great example of a makeover on a budget. Good use of space, light and texture. I love the use of the color blue!

With regards to the question if there is such a thing as "timeless hardware" or "timeless style."

Yes there is.

If a person goes with his/her own unique, true style and not the dictations of what the current trend or what the decor magazines states, then the style is timeless because that style belongs uniquely to that person. And to say it is "out of style" is like saying someone's "blue eyes" are out of style. It doesn't hold water. When a person creates a home through his/her eyes and is truly satisfied with the results, then you have a home that is designed with unique style. Not with a trend.

Just a thought.

Plus, thinking this way is cheaper. No trends to keep up with. :-)

Elizabeth

I love those cabinet pulls. I have similar ones and they always look clean. I have them in brushed nickel from lookintheattic.com

The transformation is great & it looks so much better. I'm looking at buying a house that needs some updating, but has characteristics that I love like floor to ceiling windows & french doors throughout the house but the kitchen would be the biggest thing. Nothing matches, white stove, black fridge, brown cabinets (little cabinet space) & pea green walls :( just being able to redo my cabinets like yours would be a great help & big money saver. Great work

I really enjoyed reading your article. I am also writing a series on Budget renovations that increase home value of your property. I would love some feedback.
http://valuearchitect.wordpress.com/