Before & After: “Dull” Oak Kitchen Cabinets Get a Gorgeous Green Makeover (for Only $600!)

Cullen Ormond
Cullen OrmondHome Associate Editor
Cullen Ormond is a writer based in New York City. When she’s not writing, you can find her curled up with a book (always open for recommendations, too!) or pushing her rescue pug, Peanut, in a stroller. In her dream apartment, there’ll be a conversation pit and lots of framed, vintage band posters.
published Sep 15, 2024
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Kitchen before renovation.
Credit: Roselyn Quell

Everyone has deal-breakers when it comes to designing a space. For Roselyn Quell, the color gray was a big no-no (she “hated” it!), and unfortunately for her, it was all over her Cleveland home when she bought it — including the kitchen. “When I first moved into the house, this kitchen was a blank, dull shell,” Roselyn explains. “Along with the dull cabinets and flooring, the whole space just needed some color and TLC!” 

Credit: Roselyn Quell

Roselyn is a part-time pastry chef, so the kitchen needed to cultivate creativity and joy. Green is her favorite color, and drenching the room in various shades was the perfect way to infuse life into the space. “I get inspiration from nature. I try to bring the outdoors in, as I crave that little dopamine hit,” she explains. 

Credit: Roselyn Quell

The first step of redesigning the kitchen was painting the cabinets and walls in Behr’s Equestrian Green. Changing the natural oak cabinets to completely green was a major change, so Roselyn wanted to see how that came out before selecting the other additions. 

Credit: Roselyn Quell

“I love the color-drenching trend and have wanted to try it for some time,” Roselyn says. “I pondered painting the ceiling and window sill the same green, but I ultimately decided against that to avoid making the room appear smaller.” 

Instead of replacing the existing backsplash, to save money, Roselyn opted for removable contact paper in a sage green marble print from Amazon (she appreciates how it adds an “aquatic element”). She covered the cabinets with Rust-Oleum’s Satin White enamel paint, instantly brightening the room. A new gold faucet and modern hardware tied the entire room together, while a snake-themed rug helps to bring the outdoors in. 

Credit: Roselyn Quell

It took four months for Roselyn to finish the kitchen redesign (which was mostly DIY), and it cost around $600, including new appliances and cabinet hardware installation. That’s a budget that Roselyn was very impressed with — as are we.

“Pinpointing my favorite thing about the kitchen is tough. But, if I had to choose, I would say the faucet,” Roselyn says. “I bought this on Amazon Prime Day for only $40, and my handyman installed it and the handles at the same time. I think seeing the sink complete was my ‘wow’ moment.”

The kitchen isn’t the only incredible room in Roselyn’s home. To see more, visit the full home tour on Apartment Therapy. 

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Before & After