We have been big fans of Ashley Ann's photography and charming design sense for a while now. So when we saw that she was remodeling her kitchen we had to get a sneak peek. She graciously shared some photos and the story. Here's a look at how she and her husband remodeled their kitchen for under $500, along with some of the cost-saving tips that let them do it for so little.
The primary thing, of course, that kept this budget renovation down to such a low budget was that Ashley Ann and her husband did the work themselves, including cutting and installing the countertops. Butcher block is definitely easier to cut and install yourself, though, than marble or granite!
The first thing we saw in this kitchen renovation was the yardstick backsplash. We thought this was so clever and charming! Read on to see how Ashley came up with this and how she and her husband implemented it.
The Kitchn's Before & After Questionnaire
1. What prompted your kitchen changes?
Most of our house is very airy and bright. The kitchen had a country feel and was too dark for me. The kitchen area is where we spend most of our time as a family and yet it was the least reflective of our family. Since our budget for any remodeling was under $500.00 it forced us to be creative and thrifty with the changes we made.
2. What inspires your kitchen and your cooking the most?
A feeling of peace, cheer and family inspires my kitchen. Honestly in this phase of life the only thing that inspires my cooking is "what can I make the fastest that the most number of family members will eat?" We should ask my sister this question - she is an amazing cook and loves to be creative with her meals. I should be inspired by her...
3. How would you describe your cooking style?
Fast and furious with a dash of boys running under feet. Spring through fall we use veggies from our garden and I do my best to incorporate balanced healthy foods in each meal, but we have our fair share of PB&Js.
4. What is your favorite kitchen tool or element?
My KitchenAid mixer — we eat a lot of chocolate chip cookies!
5. What was the best change you made to your kitchen?
That is a toss up between the butcher block countertops and painting all the cabinets white. I love both changes so much.
6. Best cooking advice or tip you ever received?
Use real butter when baking...not the fake margarine stuff.
7. Biggest challenge in your kitchen?
There's not much storage space and we don't have a pantry.....with 4 kids (3 of them boys) I could always use more room to pack things away.
8. Biggest indulgence:
Butcher block counterops - they were nearly all of our budget.
9. Dream tool or splurge:
I would love one of those big farmhouse white sinks - I think it would make the kitchen look so great.
10. What are you cooking this week?
That's a good question, if you have some suggestions let me know!
Budget Remodel Tips
• Pendant and Curtains: The pendant light and curtains were inspired by things I had seen in Anthropologie but were out of my budget.
• Paint Matching: We also did all the painting and backsplash ourselves. I found my paint colors and then had Walmart match them with their generic paint so that was super cheap too ($12.00 a gallon).
• Countertop: We priced butcher block at local hardware stores and it was too expensive, but IKEA had a great price. IKEA sells it in different lengths, so we got just enough and didn't have to end up with lots left over. So we made the 4 1/2 hour drive to pick up the counters. We cut it all ourselves and installed it - which was actually really easy. The upkeep is great so far too. We haven't had any stains or issues, but if we did all you have to do is lightly sand it and then re-oil. There is not a finish on the wood, just butcher block oil that is food safe. You can use any type of food safe oil. I read several sites online for upkeep and most recommended oiling everyday for the first week or month. We did it everyday for the first week and then once a week for the first 3 months.
• Backsplash: After putting in the butcher block I had very little left in the budget for the backsplash. I priced different tiles, but it was all over what I had budgeted. I ended up walking the aisles of Lowe's until I saw the yardsticks in the tool section. I had seen yardsticks on walls before and decided they would make the perfect CHEAP and creative backsplash. I love how it turned out.
Remodel Resources
Butcher Block Countertops: IKEA
Knobs & Handles: IKEA - discontinued
Pendant Lamp: A basket from Hobby Lobby, inspired by Anthropologie (directions to make can be found here)
Backsplash: Yardsticks from Ace Hardware (directions to make can be found here)
4 Eames Chairs: Joz Consignment (Tulsa, OK)
You are my sunshine poster: The Wheatfield (Etsy site)
Hanging rack for cups: Actually an old drying rack found at an antique store
Table: We built it out of scrap wood and old staircase railing. We make lots of messes on it.
Curtains: Target. They are actually a shower curtain cut in half and shortened.
Wall Paint: the name is "Stillness" but I don't remember the brand
Cabinet Paint: The standard white enamel from Walmart
Most everything else was found at favorite thrift and antique stores...and from my grandmas.
Thank you so so much for sharing your kitchen with us, Ashley Ann! It's a beautiful space.
Under the Sycamore
Related: A Warm and Stunning Los Angeles Kitchen Remodel
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(Images: Ashley Ann Photography)
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I love the painted cabinets. Does anyone have tips on how to successfully paint wood cabinets? I'd like to know how many layers of paint and/or primer, and if there is a top coat of anything over the paint.
Beautiful! Totally stealing the basket pendant lamp for my dining room. Any ideas on the dry storage containers next to the stand mixer?
@brittanykate-
go to www.younghouselove.com and check out their 'How To' section. They have lots of awesome tutorials, including cabinet painting! :)
Love the after. The before was nice but it didn't have an identity which I think is the problem with so much new construction that I see. It's like the builder goes down the checklist and says, "new wood floors, check", "new wood cabinets, check..." Unfortunately they're not paying much attention to whether or not the cabinets are going to give off an unwanted country look or if the wood from the cabinets clashes with the wood on the floor.
You've given this kitchen a real personality and an identity. To me it looks fresh, vibrant and welcoming.
were the 'before' counter tops granite?!
Jeni_Rae--thanks so much.
I just painted our kitchen a similar colour. Good to see someone else has done it as well :)
Thanks so much for your kind comments. It isn't my dream kitchen, but for the budget we were working with I love the results. And "no" the counters weren't granite...just formica fake granite. The cabinets do not have an additional top coat...the enamel cleans very easily. We did a primer just with leftover paint (after light sanding) then 2 coats of enamel, maybe not the technically best way but it worked great. The canisters are from the Martha Stewart line at Kmart from 8 years ago...
I'm not feeling the collection on top of the cabinets over the stove -- it looks to crowded. And then the two cabinets to the left of the sink and over the fridge look bare in comparison. I love the painted cabinets though. Nice work!
lovely. i hate those cookie cutter oak cabinets.
the walls are almost the same colour that i painted my own kitchen, very soothing. and i love the globes!
Love the doily runner. You actually succeeded in making something really dowdy look great!
I'm glad to see people getting rid of granite counter tops. If you don't feel like ripping an existing counter top out there is a great tutorial on readymade's website for recovering with veneer.
Cute and attainable. Love the doily runner on that table, and I think the measuring stick backsplash is a stroke of genius. Good work.
did you spray the paint to get such a nice finish? If you used a method like younghouselove, i can just go read theirs, but you didn't mention... this is really an expensive-looking remodel! bravo!
Love it!
Love it! Could you share where you found your set of white flour/sugar/etc. canisters you have on the kitchen counter? They're adorable!
I think going lighter with the cabinets was a great upgrade! I'm loving the wall decorations too.
The makeover is a million times better. I love that it's truly an affordable kitchen makeover and there are so many great ideas. The pendant is fantastic! The white cabinets brighten the room so much and the blue walls are cozy and modern.
Totally agree with art and thepolishchick about the awful cookie cutter kitchens being put in homes. They are so ugly and dull, zero personality!
You did a great job, and on a budget. I usually don't like butcher block counters, but juxtaposed with your beautiful floors, they are perfect!
Thanks all. On painting the cabinets: I took off all the doors first. I lightly sanded, then used old paint as a primer (remember my budget was SMALL). Then I rolled on enamel. I did 3 layers of enamel total. I took my time to try to be very even with the coats and not get sloppy. It paid off.
On the canisters: they are from the Martha Stewart collection at Kmart from 9 years ago. I was a broke college student and those $7.00 canisters were a splurge! I loved them as much now as I did back then.
So cute! Definitely one of my favorites.
that's a gorgeous kitchen! I wonder if my new landlord would approve of me painting the cupboards. I didn't take a close look at the kitchen, which is actually a narrow entranceway to my studio, but i remember it was dark and rather old fashioned and ugly, just like the rest of the studio! :p i'm hoping to get suggestions from other apartment therapy readers once i've moved in and taken photos! thanks for the inspiration :)
This is truly lovely. Inventive, creative, working with what you have to make it a million times better....just wonderful. I have been mulling over painting my kitchen blue for some time (my cabinets are already white) and this has sealed the deal. Gorgeous! Love the light fixture, table runner, colors, yardsticks and overall vintagey charm.
i knew that was a wheatfield print...i featured them recently on my etsy finds post too!
seriously, amazing prints and sayings perfect for ANY ROOM in the casa! love this kitchen and kudos for uber affordability! LOVE the basket pendant AND the rulers...who would've thought?
http://www.casacullen.com/etsy-finds/
Looks fantastic. Shows you what you can do with a tiny budget. And you could always upgrade further, like with backsplash tile, later if you wanted. I've been thinking of painting the similar oak cabinets in my new house, and seeing how good yours look makes me want to really do it. I also love the doily runner, it looks amazing.
So fresh and bright! Kudos to bright, white cabinets and getting rid of the oak wood tone.
Do you know where the "You are my sunshine" illustration came from? It's a family favorite that my grandfather taught me as a little girl. I'd love to get it either for myself or for him.
Fantastic job! I really love the wall color and how you tied in the accents...love it!
LOVE the yardstick backsplash!!!!! Great job!
Feels like a lot of happy gatherings are here.. Thank you for sharing your sweet space...