Before & After: HGTV’s “Farmhouse Fixer” Opened Up This Kitchen and Added Lots More Counter Space

If you love to cook and bake in your kitchen, you know how important it is to have countertop space available — and how difficult it is when you don’t have much to begin with. This was the reality for homeowner Katrina in the latest episode of HGTV’s “Farmhouse Fixer,” so host and renovator Jon Knight decided to give her galley-like cooking area a facelift that gave her more than just wiggle room.

Katrina lived in an American Foursquare in Haverhill, MA, which was built in 1910 and in need of a refresh. Katrina was about to be an empty nester, and she wanted to revamp the house to reflect her passion for baking and interest in antique style — and that’s where Knight comes into the picture.

When touring the historic property, it became apparent that the kitchen was first on the to-do list because of Katrina’s baking activity (which she confirmed when presenting Knight with flower-inspired cupcakes upon arrival). The cooking space was narrow and galley-like, so the first thing Knight wanted to do was knock down the wall dividing the kitchen and living room.

Once there was more room in the kitchen to play with, it was time to have some fun with the design. With the help of designer Kristina Crestin, Knight installed a large island and brand new cabinets with an ample amount of countertop space. In order to bring the antique-retro vibe to life, Knight made all the cabinetry a light blue — paying ode to Katrina’s love for French blues — and designing a range hood with a scalloped bottom that also matched the shingles of the home. Add a fresh coat of paint, new lightwood floors, and quaint light fixtures, and Katrina had the kitchen of her dreams.

Another room that Knight focused on renovating was what would be Katrina’s bedroom. Her daughter had moved out of the house, so Knight decided to transform her old bedroom that had ample space into Katrina’s new oasis.

The redesign was fairly simple: Knight and Crestin painted the walls half white, half gray, which added a subtle detail and interest to the room. They replaced the old curtains with sheer gray curtains that let light pour into the space, and added a wavy ceiling light fixture for a touch of extra brightness. New furniture was placed in a different layout than before, allowing everything to feel more spaced out, and the houseplant in the corner was the cherry on top.

To see all the rest of the renovated rooms and Katrina’s reaction during the reveal (you’ll especially want to watch when she sees the kitchen), check out the episode on HGTV.

Farmhouse Fixer airs Wednesdays 9/8 central on HGTV.

This post originally appeared on Apartment Therapy. See it there: Before and After: HGTV’s “Farmhouse Fixer” Opened Up This Closed Kitchen for an Antique-Inspired Space