https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 25 Apr 2026 17:12:43 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/waiting-game-decorating-distraction#post-389602 Fri, 09 Nov 2012 16:14:52 +0000 .twist. 389602@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ladyfingers: I agree about the open shelving, I don't think it would add much to that space at all. </p> <p>Paint the cupboards and update the hardware. I think a stainless steel fridge is fine with white stove and dishwasher until you want to replace those as well! </p> <p>I have no suggestions on colours though as I'm horrible at that myself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/waiting-game-decorating-distraction#post-389576 Fri, 09 Nov 2012 16:02:18 +0000 Sugar.Biscuit 389576@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are going to do a vinyl/ washable wallpaper back splash that has a fun print! That way it is harder to see the dirt but still easy to clean. It is also way cheaper and easier than doing tile. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/waiting-game-decorating-distraction#post-389572 Fri, 09 Nov 2012 16:01:30 +0000 bpcmarj 389572@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with others that the counters wouldn't be so bad with a fresh coat of paint on the walls and cabinets! I am a fan of a nice light grey. I feel like I've seen kitchens on pinterest where the wall and cabinet were the same color and I liked the look of it! One way or another, best of luck while you're waiting!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/waiting-game-decorating-distraction#post-389515 Fri, 09 Nov 2012 15:30:28 +0000 immabeetoo 389515@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsbird This kitchen isn't long and narrow, but it's tight - I like how they swapped things around to make it look bigger (scroll down to the bottom to see befores <a href="http://freckleschick.blogspot.com/search/label/kitchen#" rel="nofollow">http://freckleschick.blogspot.com/search/label/kitchen#</a> just stumbled on it today </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/waiting-game-decorating-distraction#post-389138 Fri, 09 Nov 2012 13:18:24 +0000 ladyfingers 389138@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>OMG yes buying a house is so aggravating! Good luck!!</p> <p>I would buy a stainless fridge if you think you'll want to eventually upgrade the stove and dishwasher. It won't really clash, and I would be afraid I'd get a bug up my butt about needing to replace everything and would hate to have bought a white fridge and then change my mind later.</p> <p>There are some affordable laminate countertops you can put in that look much better than they used to! You could take a trip to Home Depot or a local shop and just browse to get some ideas.</p> <p>As for a backsplash, you could DIY that with some patience. Tile stores will have sales, you might find something affordable there. I liked Young House Love's posts about redoing their kitchens!</p> <p>I don't really love the idea of doing open shelving in that kitchen, because it's so narrow and closed off. I think that kind of thing works better when everything is open and it's like a display case from other rooms, but in a galley kitchen it ends up looking messy. That's just me, though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/waiting-game-decorating-distraction#post-388644 Fri, 09 Nov 2012 10:31:14 +0000 immabeetoo 388644@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsbird Ha, I don't really have a choice :) But it does require a lot of distractions so I've been planning/pinning our new house's renovation like crazy.</p> <p>I do love no shelves/painted interiors, but in my opinion those specific cabinets just need to be shelves to open that area up. It sort of depends what vibe you're going for, but I am a big fan of floating open shelves like this:</p> <p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E0B20f38X0I/TsXMfMz3b2I/AAAAAAAAALY/rFbrvgo-lf4/s1600/open+shelving+3.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E0B20f38X0I/TsXMfMz3b2I/AAAAAAAAALY/rFbrvgo-lf4/s1600/open+shelving+3.jpg</a> (but shorter maybe)</p> <p>but also like them more industrial <a href="http://www.tchochkes.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/kitchen-open-shelving.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://www.tchochkes.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/kitchen-open-shelving.jpg</a></p> <p>or more country/classic <a href="http://theinspiredroom.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/open-shelves-colorful-dishes.jpeg" rel="nofollow">http://theinspiredroom.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/open-shelves-colorful-dishes.jpeg</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/waiting-game-decorating-distraction#post-388598 Fri, 09 Nov 2012 10:01:36 +0000 MrsTiz 388598@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>They have countertop makeover kits at Lowes, in the wood stain isle! I vote to paint the trim on the cabinets so they're all white! Get a pretty roman shade for the window too </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/waiting-game-decorating-distraction#post-388587 Fri, 09 Nov 2012 09:57:47 +0000 Mrs. Lovejoy 388587@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I second open shelving to replace the top cabinets. This kitchen has a lot of potential with some paint and a new backsplash! </p> <p>You can get subway tile pretty cheap from Home Depot (maybe $300 for all supplies?). </p> <p>I would pain the bottom cabinets all solid, maybe a dark gray or a dark green? In time, you can replace the counter, but it isn't too bad right now. You could think about painting your fridge? I've seen some that are chalkboard paint, which is a fun look.</p> <p>I would also replace the hardware on the cabinets with something more updated. </p> <p>Take a look at this kitchen reno. It's awesome: <a href="http://purestylehome.blogspot.com/2009/11/my-70s-split-redo-part-iii-kitchen.html" rel="nofollow">http://purestylehome.blogspot.com/2009/11/my-70s-split-redo-part-iii-kitchen.html</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/waiting-game-decorating-distraction#post-388545 Fri, 09 Nov 2012 09:43:09 +0000 mrs. bird 388545@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@scg00387: congrats on your new home! must be stressful to be ready to pop &amp; in the middle of a move! you are brave = ) so right about figuring in the cost of tools in for DIY projects. luckily my parents live 3 minutes down the road &amp; my dad has a pretty well stocked workshop we could borrow from if we needed to. i like your idea for the open shelving in the middle. those are mismatched ikea looking ones. would you just take the fronts off or would you get new shelving? open with the interiors painted might be cool!</p> <p>@Minnie_Girl: why did everyone get these?? my parents had them in the house they built in the 80s, DH's parents still have them, my grandma had them. yuck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/waiting-game-decorating-distraction#post-388201 Fri, 09 Nov 2012 00:25:01 +0000 Minnie_Girl 388201@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Are those the types of cabinets that have a lip at the wooden part for opening and closing? We had those in the apartment...couldn't stand them, haha. In that long skinny kitchen they're really breaking up the flow with all of those horizontal and vertical lines. </p> <p>And all of that yellow and brown, blah! I'd paint the cabinets and walls ASAP. That will make it a lot easier to see the potential in the room. Maybe crisp white paint for the cabinets/toe kick and a cheery blue for the walls, in a shade that coordinates with the counters. </p> <p>Ditto to @scg00387 on removing the middle block of cabinets and using open shelving/storage instead. It seems like that space could be the focal point of the room. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/waiting-game-decorating-distraction#post-388130 Thu, 08 Nov 2012 23:30:21 +0000 immabeetoo 388130@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Aw I hope you hear soon! We're in the process of closing on our first house right around my due date - so I'm happy to talk house any time :)</p> <p>I've been getting a good idea for costs by googling "kitchen makeover budget breakdown" - but I think its tough because you have to factor in tools being purchased or rented if you don't have a handy person nearby who will let you borrow (esp a tile saw for a backsplash). </p> <p>I don't think the counter would bother me at all with a change to the cabinets and the wall color. Do you like open shelving? I think open shelving would look nice where that block of middle upper cabinets are in the last picture on the left, and it would open it up more. </p> <p>I just saw an episode on HGTV where they made over cabinets like that (I think we've had those cabinets, minus the hardware, in all 4 of the apartments we've lived in!) by adding molding to the top of them and repainting, kind of like this: <a href="http://www.addicted2decorating.com/cabinet-doors-updated-with-moulding.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.addicted2decorating.com/cabinet-doors-updated-with-moulding.html</a> and this <a href="http://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/how-to-improve-the-look-of-kitchen-cabinet-doors/#tabs-1" rel="nofollow">http://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/how-to-improve-the-look-of-kitchen-cabinet-doors/#tabs-1</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/waiting-game-decorating-distraction#post-387883 Thu, 08 Nov 2012 21:55:15 +0000 mrs. bird 387883@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're waiting to hear on what could be our first home! This is more stressful than waiting to POAS! I had no idea. I think I'm hypertensive, my eye has been pulsating, I have a headache, my jaw is so painful from clenching my teeth all day, this is taking a toll! </p> <p>So to distract myself, I'm trying to figure out how to update the kitchen on a dime. It's an unusual shape, ugly 80s off white with wood casing &amp; trim cabinets, crap countertops, and bright white stove &amp; dishwasher (no fridge yet). I was thinking maybe paint the casing &amp; trim on the cabinets to make them a solid color, but I have no idea what to do with the awful counter! I have no idea what color I'd do the walls yet either. How much does it cost to put in a backsplash? Just like a ballpark figure if you DIY, I have no clue! What kind of fridge? I think the white looks bad with the cabinetry, should be off white, or stainless, but I don't want to replace the dishwasher &amp; stove right away since they are fine, so I guess white to match them even though I don't like it with the cabinets? What do you think? Help me design a kitchen while I wait!! Very open to any &amp; all suggestions! </p> [attach=2301/12/md79hy.600x457.image.jpeg] [attach=2301/12/md79hz.430x502.image_1.jpeg] [attach=2301/12/md79i1.387x521.image_2.jpeg]