We made it! The kitchen’s cosmetic procedures are complete!
If you’re a new reader, welcome! We’re in the midst of a 6 post/5 week kitchen update as part of the One Room Challenge. Head back to see the prior weeks here before proceeding:
Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5
So, I ended last week’s post with a brief concern over a sore throat that popped up. I thought I was getting my nephew’s cold and would have to deal with a runny nose and mild sore throat as I pushed through the last week of the kitchen.
OHMYGOSH, it was so much worse than I worried about! I went to bed right after publishing the week #5 post. Within an hour, I was full blown sick complete with major shivering. I barely left the bed Thursday-Saturday. Sunday I FINALLY felt just well enough to be bored and had an exciting trip to the living room to watch football. Monday was my first foray outside of the house, and only because we had a funeral to attend.
And despite all that, the kitchen area now looks like this…
As always, Corey was my hero! He pulled up last week’s blog post and worked through the list in between making me endless cups of Throat Coat tea and doing anything else I or Maddie needed. He’s a One Room Challenge veteran and had no intention of letting us miss the deadline.
I had just enough time to decorate with things we already had and take the photos today, but with all things considered I think the end result was pretty good!
Here’s a reminder of where the kitchen started after we built the house in 2011.
We updated it slowly over the years, with the most recent version having way more personality, but still lacking some finishing details. Note the exposed wiring on the ceiling in the photo below.
The same view now feels more finished AND I’m loving all the new storage for glassware. We were only planning to add a light fixture to the nook area, but finding a curtain rod that curves around the corner at IKEA was a gamechanger.
Adding height with the curtains made the whole area feel WAY bigger. Swapping the cabinet for thinner shelves also helped on that front.
Of all the funny things to get excited about, I’m thrilled to have dedicated homes for plastic & extra metal silverware along with other entertaining items. 
The glassware looks so nice on the new shelves!
The cabinet from the kitchen nook works perfectly in the hallway to our bedroom, so we got a bonus makeover out of this ORC. 
The colorful art from the before nook photo was relocated across the room. I love how it ties in the aqua from the pantry and back doors.
This whole makeover started because the paint was peeling off the island doors. We fixed that with a fresh coat of paint in a new color. It’s actually the same color as the dining room wall, but looks lighter during the day.
To prevent the paint from peeling in the future, we finally installed pulls!
This next change seems too small to mention, but the function is AMAZING so I didn’t want to skip it. We installed in-cabinet trash cans a few years ago, but we finally spent the extra $20 to attach the sliders right to the cabinet door. Instead of opening the door and then pulling out the trash, the door slides open now. It’s delightful. 
I’m sure you’ve noticed by now, all the white cabinets have the same new hardware.
I’m so glad the other lights didn’t work out, because these fulfill everything I originally wanted for the kitchen. There are some beautiful island lights that I’ve seen used over and over, but I wanted something different. Check! 
We didn’t get the hanging herb garden up because I wasn’t able to decide if it would look right. It may or may not still happen in the future. But considering we joined the challenge at the last minute, and I was sick the last week, I’m thrilled with the transformation.
It’s our smallest ORC change, but all the others are in more private areas of the house (pantry, master bedroom, closet, garage, office). It’s great to finally have the kitchen catch up to the style of the other rooms. We can’t wait to have friends and family over to enjoy it with us!
Product Sources
Island Paint: SW Web Gray mixed in Valspar Cabinet Paint
Aqua Door Paint: SW Tame Teal
Cabinet Hardware: Amazon
Island Lighting: West Elm
Barstools: All Modern
Trash Can Door Mount Kit: Amazon
Kitchen Faucet: Home Depot
Pantry Handle: Amazon
Wallpaper in Open Cabinet: Target
Nook Lighting: IKEA NYMO
Nook Shelves: IKEA SKOGSTA
Curtain Rods: IKEA VIDGA
Curtains: IKEA HANNALILL
Nook Chairs: Amazon
Window Film: Amazon
Hallway Light Fixture: Amazon (same fixture in entry hall and hallway to our bedroom)
Let me know what I missed and I’m happy to add it to the list!
Now don’t forget to check out the One Room Challenge site to see all the other amazing room makeovers that happened this round.
Melissa George
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Cate says
Well done! I LOVE those lights over the island! Now, it’s time to relax!
Melissa George says
Thank you, Cate! They ended up being the perfect centerpiece of the design!
Kim says
Main paint color? So pretty
Melissa George says
Hi Kim, It’s Colorhouse Stone .04 (http://www.colorhousepaint.com/colors/stone-04/). We had received it from the brand back in 2016 and painted most of the nook and had just enough left to finish off the kitchen. It’s similar to Sherwin-Williams Revere Pewter, which would be easier to find, so that might be another good option. The Colorhouse is nice paint though!
Liz says
It looks beautiful! Can you please post a link to where you purchased the barstools? The current link goes to “Airtable.”
Melissa George says
Sorry about that! Try this one: https://rstyle.me/n/dbcp2zb5wxf – Also, the price is for a 2 pack. I found the listing confusing when I ordered.
Lisa says
I love all your changes Melissa! Those lights are gorgeous and I really like the long pulls on your cabinetry too. Hope you’re feeling better!
Melissa George says
Thanks so much, Lisa! I’m hoping after I day of rest today I’ll finally be all the way well tomorrow!
Tracey / Porch Daydreamer says
Wow, wow, wow! First, I kept up with your progress because anything with the name Botox gets my attention – clever 🙂 Your kitchen was done SO well using what you had and updating for a whole new look. Amazing work! Loving the area by the table. So much texture and a smart use of dead space. A+++
Melissa George says
Ha – thank you! I was originally going to say the kitchen was getting a facelift, but I knew it wouldn’t be a full lift since we were keeping the cabinets, counters, and floors. So it was more of a great Botox session. 🙂 I’m thrilled with how the area by the table turned out too. The curtains and shelves weren’t even in the original plans, but may be the best part!
[email protected] says
Melissa,
I am loving your kitchen update. Those island light fixtures are so so good. Also love the new shelves they help the space look fresh. You must be so pleased. Nicely done!
Melissa George says
Thanks Libbie! I think I need to send West Elm a thank you card for having those fixtures on sale in the middle of my lighting crisis. They were meant to be!
Daisi says
Girl!!! I love it!!! Great job lady!
[email protected] Happy says
Melissa – I love the transformation. The drapes in the nook really complete the space and the lighting over the island is so unique, I hear you about wanting to do something different. Another great ORC completed. I bet you can’t wait to cook up a meal in there. PS Hope you are feeling better.
Melissa George says
Thank you Vanessa! The drapes were the best unplanned addition ever. I’m MUCH better than I was, thanks!
Shelby says
Looks fantastic! Where are the rugs from?
Melissa George says
I found them at Marshall’s a couple years ago. I’ve tried to find them online somewhere else and haven’t been able to. 😥
Shelby says
I was thinking that may be the case. Thank you for responding. I am just about finished with a kitchen renvo. I need a runner. And to handmy curtains. I’m thinkinv I need to add those shelves in my space. They are amazing.
Melissa George says
I think you’d love the shelves. They’re really pretty wood and hold so much stuff! Good luck finishing up your kitchen!
Jess says
Those lights are amazing. The hardware looks beautiful too! I love the updates! Congrats!
Melissa George says
Thank you Jess! It’s delightful to have cabinet pulls!
Gill Shanahan says
Beautiful, stylish and functional- well done to you and Corey you have done a great job, and thank you for all the great ideas. Keep well.
Melissa George says
Thank you so much, Gill!
Tee at Beauteeful Living says
I LOVE how organized and pretty your revamped kitchen looks, Melissa! I’m so glad you mentioned about attaching the slider directly into the cabinet (trash can section). I have the same problem because we have to open a door and then slide the trash can out. Totally unnecessary extra step. We have that for both trash and recycle cans. I’m definitely going to look into solving that problem. Thought we may have to replace that whole trash/recycle section. I guess there’s a hack to it. Thanks for the idea! Congrats on a beautiful and functional makeover!
Melissa George says
I seriously can’t emphasize enough how delightful the difference is with the trash cans attached to the cabinet door! Especially with the bar pull to slide it open. You will LOVE it when you switch yours over!
Robyne says
Okay so I’m a little in luv with your flowered kitchen towels … a great pop of color !
Melissa George says
Thank you! I found them on clearance at Target at the end of summer! For $3 they jumped in my cart before I could stop them!
Rw says
Much more lively!
Melissa George says
Yes! It feels like it has more life now!
Gwen says
Beautiful transformation! The cabinet hardware is stunning!!! An outstanding ORC! And glad to hear you are feeling better 🙂
Gwen
Melissa George says
Thank you, Gwen! I was SO lucky to find that hardware at a VERY affordable price on Amazon. I saw it was out of stock, but really hope it comes back so more people can enjoy it!