After almost 10 years of living in my house I thought it was time to do a remodel job to our kitchen. It looked tired and for sure dated! I had some experience with paint and a little bit of carpentry skills doing other little projects around the house, so, my thought was: “I sure can do it!”
Well, it was not that easy. But if I have to do it again, I will gladly do it, especially with the gained experience.
This is how it looks now:
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This is how it looks now:
This is how it looked before:

And here you can see (well, behind the plant), the microwave taking up countertop space:

Overall I wanted a makeover. Keeping everything in its place or to a minimum change. My budget: the less, the better.
Things that bothered me the most: Microwave on top of counter, open space above kitchen cabinets, laminate countertops, old appliances, lack of a backsplash, re-circulating fan and, side-view of kitchen island because from the family room the most visible thing was an outlet (it looked like a pimple!), in the center of the island.
My first thing to do: to update the island, and try to put the microwave inside it.
Same Island, just updated! Check all the diy done here.
Then, we continue building our own Fridge Enclosure:
I also built the Range Hood,
Closed that big space "full of dust" above the kitchen cabinets.
Gave the Cabinets an upgraded feel with moldings , installed new lights, and Painted the whole thing.
Finally, I installed a Marble Backsplash.
Well, it was a lot of work but it was all worth it!
Thanks for visiting,

Here again are all the links:
Installing the Marble Backsplash
Lighting Plan
Kitchen Cost Breakdown
1 ½ Year Later How the Kitchen is Holding up
Lighting Plan
Kitchen Cost Breakdown
1 ½ Year Later How the Kitchen is Holding up
Link Party at:
Show us your kitchens at Thrifty Decor Chick
Addicts (not so) Anonymous at Addicted 2 Decorating
Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors

























62 comments:
Your kitchen remodel is absolutely gorgeous! I hope you'll answer two questions for me...first, where did you get the gorgeous light fixture over the island? And second, did you tile over the laminate backsplash that was originally on your wall, or did you remove it first--and if so, how??
Hi Korrie, Thank you for your comment! The light fixture is from CB2, at the top is the Resources Page where you can get more info.
No, I did not tile over the laminate backsplash, that little strip of laminate backsplash was removed by pulling it with a pray bar, making sure not to damage the dry wall! b/cause it was glued pretty dearly by the builder! The marble tile was laid over the drywall after installing the countertops. More info here:http://www.remodelandolacasa.com/2012/01/installing-marble-backsplash.html
You had amazing vision to turn the before into such an incredible AFTER! I love everything you have chosen and done.
Amazing! I love it!
Oh wow! I love your transformation!!!!! That is gorgeous! Congratulations!!!! So glad I found you on The Inspired Room! Great job! Can't wait to read more of your blog!
Growing in Grace,
Mary Joy
Wow! Great work!
It's just beautiful, breath-taking!!! Thank you! I'm glad I was able to connect through The Inspired Room.
Debbie from the Northwest
So gorgeous!
So pretty! I like that you mixed white cabinets with a dark island.
Did you paint your own cupboards? Sand, prime & paint them?
Gorgeous!! It turned out beautiful...My kitchen is a project that needs to be done, but I keep putting it off! I need to gather the energy to paint our cabinets! I'm now following your blog.
Sally
loveofhomes.blogspot.com
Just gorgeous! I love the back splash and hood over the stove. Thanks for sharing.
BEAUTIFUL!! Love your style.
So pretty! We are getting ready to start a whole house remodel and this is exactly the layout I'm thinking will work in our space. Love the colors- traditional and contemporary at the same time!
Cristina,
I pinned your kitchen a few weeks ago, its gorgeous. I am going to feature it in a series I am posting on DIYing your kitchen at www.11magnolialane.com. I love your attitude--you and my (Magnolia Lane) girl Christy could pretty much DIY anything, I am SO impressed!
Blessings,
Amy
www.11magnolialane.com
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Love your kitchen! I was torn between doing mine dark or white...this is truly a great white kitchen! Wonderful job!
Love this kitchen redo! Everything is so beautiful. Love the fact that you did it yourself, too. Newest follower.
Gorgeous! Especially love that backsplash!
Love it, love it, love it! Great job! I also have a microwave on the countertop and it bothers me! Found you from Centsational Girl (we were both featured!) and I'm glad I did because I found so many inspirational themes here! Of course I'm now following you! And if you'd decide on stopping by my place, I'd be more than happy! :)
Have a lovely evening!
What an inspiring kitchen...The before and afters is incredible!!! We just finished our kitchen makeover too...tons of work, but definetly worth it!
http://imprintalish.blogspot.com/2012/03/kitchen-reveal.html
What a beautiful transformation!!!! I love how you closed up the "dust space" above the cabinets!!!
Shannon
(www.akadesign.ca
Wow! Your kitchen looks fabulous now! Super high end!
And inspiring!
Great update! I like the look after you took the molding to the ceiling. I'm wondering how tall your ceilings are in your kitchens? I'm trying to figure out if I can pull that off in my kitchen...Although mine are 12 foot I think..
Thanks for reply!
Hi Cassie,
Great you asked me about that! I didn't mention that on my posts! My ceiling is 9'!
They have the ability to withstand the heat of this sort of material is fine with the activities within the kitchen. As for kitchen countertops are considered, the' use of granite inserts a rich look to it.
Very Classy Remodel. Its amazing its the same kitchen.
Wow!!! Outstanding and bright. Great job!!! I'm inspired
Just so amazing...I am sharing this on my FB page! Hope you can visit!
Absolutely gorgeous!!! Megan
Dulce Christina... tu cocina esta fabulosa! Me gusta antes tambien, pero ahora esta muy hermosa, me encantan las lamparas, le dan el toque final a la increible remodelacion! Thanks for sharing.
FABBY
You have inspired me to update my kitchen. Yours is one of the best remodels I've seen, and I like you and your husband's DYI mentality. It is BEAUTIFUL. Hope to pull up my sleeves and start on my real soon. Maria M.
Its hands down stunning! You made so many gorgeous design choices. I love it.
You are just too amazing at all this! I added you to my favorites-so inspiring to me in my bath makeovers and kitchen one soon to come!
wow… that looked amazing. such a great atmosphere. well done
wow
This kitchen reminded me of makati apartment for rent units. The intricate design and the kitchen fixtures used are really great.
I'm simply amazed at your kitchen! It doesn't look like the same space at all, and I can't believe you re-used things like the cabinets and island! It's beautiful!
~Ellie @ beauty4ashes-ellie.blogspot.com
This kitchen makeover is magazine worthy! It is all so beautiful! I am so inspired to build things now. I know I can do it. I just need to get a kreg. :) I'm a new follower! Love your blog!
As I am workking on my kitchen I have to stop and check out other projects to keep myself inspired. I love what you did! I wish I had a best friend like you. We could knock out each others projects in no time!
Wow! I was directed here from Southern Hospitality. I still can't believe those are the same cabinets. That's amazing. What a beautiful renovation!
You are one TALENTED lady! I LOOOV the range hood and the cabinets lok brand new! GREAT job!
Superb! Generally I never read whole articles but the way you wrote this information is simply amazing and this kept my interest in reading and I enjoyed it.
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The place looks so nice. The modernity of the design plus the elegant-ambiance makes you feel that you are in a five-star hotel. If I were to re-model my home, I will add knotty alder kitchen cabinets because it gives more elegance, but at the same time, the modernity-design will be a great combination.
Love your remodel! Did you paint your ceiling and window trim the same color as your cabinets? Also what brand is your appliances?
Thanks!
Thanks Anonymous! No, the ceiling and window trim were painted each a different white color. I don't remember the color I used for the ceiling, the window and all the trim in our house is painted Behr Swiss Coffee. The appliances are LG.
This is a beautiful makeover. All your changes were so well thought out, and it looks like a million bucks!
What are the dimensions of your kitchen? It looks like a similar layout to mine, but a bit wider. I'm looking into ideas to remodel our kitchen as we are coming up to 10 years in our house. I was thinking about expanding my kitchen, but looking at yours, maybe I don't need to. I LOVE your remodel!
Thanks Teachermom! Measuring from the wall where the window is located to the end of the fridge, and the wall where the range is located to the end of the kitchen island, the kitchen is 10'x10'
Thanks for this post, I was to come up with some good and efficient basement remodeling ideas. I like how the interior brings a relaxing and light mood to the occupants of the home.
Gorgeous!!! Love everything, from your backsplash to your amazing lighting!!!
came from TT&J's roundup - amazing transformation! definitely pinning :)
It is truly a nice and useful piece of information. I am satisfied that you simply shared this useful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
I really love on how you design your kitchen especially your countertop. I wish the remodeling contractors can help me to come up an idea in my basement. I hope you can feature some remodeling ideas in your basement.
We really appreciate your comment! That's full of wonderful pics. Thanks for share.
I adore your beautiful kitchen. I can hardly believe it's the same room. Great job.
Warmly, Michelle
Faith, Trust & Pixie Dust
Your kitchen transformation is FABULOUS Cristina and what I love the most is that it's got that special touch in the decorations, ONLY YOU have..with such great taste and talent. You can hardly believe it's the old kitchen!! The chandy is amazing. Gorgeous everything, my friend! Hope you're having a wonderful VALENTINE'S DAY!
LOVE,
FABBY
Wow, this is such a wonderful makeover! I also painted our kitchen cabinets 2 years ago, and eventhough I'm far from finished, I love how that single change transformed the space.
I'm sharing your story over at my blog, I hope you don't mind... I think it's really inspiring!
Wow, such an amazing transformation! Love the fact that the cabinets are the same but with a great new look. Good Job !
www.howtodiyright.com
Your kitchen and all the DIYs you put into it are so, so inpiring as we contemplate remodeling our kitchen. I can't believe you built that hood (and did the duct work!) I'm so excited to back through all your posts…..thank you so much for sharing all the projects that went into it!
Superb Post,I have spent a lot of time to gain effective info,I liked it very much,Thanks for sharing this post.
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