I am on an improvement spree right now in my rental kitchen. It's old and worn, and sorely in need of freshening up. So I have been looking for inspiration, and this elegant yet cost-conscious remodel at PointClickHome caught my eye. Read on to see how they updated the cabinets, created a gorgeous stove nook, and added touches of glamour here and there.

Of course, "cost-conscious" here means something entirely different than the few hundred dollars I will spend on my little kitchen! The main cost-saving element of this galley kitchen remodel was leaving in the old cabinets. The designer cut out the centers of the upper cabinet doors and replaced them with chicken wire. We like this look; it would be tricky to execute well, but here it's beautiful.

The designer also gave the cabinets an Old World look by painting them red, then grey, and distressing them so notes of the red came through.

That completely gorgeous stove nook probably wasn't the most cost-conscious element, but it's so beautiful! All that tile, which is repeated along the breakfast bar. Speaking of the breakfast bar, I really like the small touch of glamour the pendant lights add.

Overall, this is a really inspiring kitchen for me. It reminds me of the power of a coat of paint. I also love the way that the red touches pop against the serene grey paint.

• Read the entire article: Remodeling a Galley Kitchen at PointClickHome

Related: Kitchen Tour: Ashley Ann's $500 Light and Lovely Remodel

(Images: Emily Minton Redfield/PointClickHome)