As the end of the year approaches, many homeowners start making plans to renovate their homes. Many of us want to start the year by changing and refreshing the feel of our interiors, add new colors to the walls, change some flooring, retire the dated light fixtures and add some shiny ones. For this homeowner, the big change started with saying goodbye to the dark kitchen cabinets by refreshing them with white paint (I wish I could add a soundtrack as I write this – picture a bright light coming from the sky and heavenly music playing :)). Yes, this kitchen feels almost as if it was touched by an angel. See the “Before” picture and continue reading this post to see how much of a difference this decision made to this space.
Here, the talented and brilliant designer, Jennifer Acito from Design by Dama, shares some extra details about this home renovation project:
“My clients bought a beautiful home that felt dated and a bit too traditional. The home itself was fully updated, possibly with a full gut renovation, sometime in the last 15-20 years. With the home being a much older home, circa 1920s, that part was very helpful! My client called me when she was in contract for what she called “a very dark interior home that needs a lot of paint!” I just needed to modernize, brighten and work with my client’s vibrant style and personality. She came to me with wallpaper samples, pinned ideas, sourced items, DIY solutions and a very savvy sense of style. I wondered at first why hire me? She explained she needed someone to drive her design ship, she needed a captain! So we sailed for a few months and even though my client couldn’t explain her style at times, she knew in seconds what she loved/ hated. This made decision making a breeze!”
“The kitchen already had a great layout and was likely recently renovated by the previous owner. It just felt very dark and a bit old fashioned. Nothing white paint and few fun accessories can’t fix! We hired a kitchen cabinet company to spray the kitchen. They take the doors with them to their shop and return four weeks later to install everything, included the new hardware. This a great option for kitchens that already have high quality cabinetry or don’t want to do a full kitchen gut just yet.” – Jennifer Acito from Design by Dama.
Kitchen Cabinet & Trim Paint Color: Benjamin Moore Decorators White.
Paint Color on Walls: Benjamin Moore Simply White.
Ceiling Paint Color: Benjamin Moore Ceiling White.
Range / hood – Viking Professional 36in Wall mount Ducted Hood.
Counterstools: Target – similar here – Others: here, here, here, here & here.
The designer kept the beautiful hardwood flooring, countertops and backsplash, but this kitchen now feels completely different and updated because of the professionally sprayed brown cabinets.
It’s amazing what paint can do to a space, right? Can you believe this is the same kitchen? Jaw-dropping and encouraging! 🙂
Kitchen Hardware: Grayson Arch Pull.
Runner: McGee and Co.- Other Popular Choices: here, here, here, here, here, here & here.
Lighting: Carmen 4-light pendant, color Black.
Rug Runners: McGee and Co, Grenada Indoor/ outdoor Rug.
Kitchen Blacksplash: Marble Subway Tiles – similar here – Other Great Choices: here, here, here, here, here, here & here.
Countertop: Quartz.
Cooktop: Viking.
Countertop: White Carrara Marble, honed.
Faucet: Kohler, Artifacts series, single hole.
Dining Table: Kiley Extendable Dining Table – similar here – Other Beautiful Options: here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here & here.
Host Dining Chairs: here – Others: here, here, here, here, here, here & here.
Side Chairs: Pottery Barn – similar here.
Vases: CB2.
“I was lucky here because the paneling was existing. Score! My biggest design tip is always paint your paneling one color! Don’t give it white base board and a white trim, that can make the paneling feel squished. It needs to breath and expand so the eye can enjoy it. (if you have white paneling and you’re afraid of color try a lacquered finish.).
The dining room had very dark and heavy window treatments as well. Once we pulled them down it was already a home run. I think I jumped up and down- a tad dramatic but it was very exciting! Layering thick and heavy layers is dated, so try swapping your drapes for something lighter or even leaving some windows undressed, as that can easily modernize any space. That is what we have done here, for now.
I loved the hummingbirds print and loved the idea of adding a bold paint color to compliment and modernize. However, so many colors could have worked here.” – Jennifer Acito from Design by Dama.
Paint Trim & Moulding Surround Walls: Midnight in the Tropics, Behr.
Wallpaper: Cole and Son, Hummingbirds – Available through the designer.
Ceiling Paint Color: Benjamin Moore Ceiling White.
Bar Cart: Pier1, Gold Joliet Round Bar Cart – similar here – Others: here, here, here, here & here.
Rug: Pottery Barn, previously owned.
“Just as in the dining room, pulling down the heavy roman shade was a breath of fresh air. Let the light in when you can! We knew we needed something to address privacy though. I loved the idea of shutters but not white. I had to convince my client (ok I begged her) and adding the warmth of those light oak shutters makes the room feel cozy and unexpected. The paper was a no brainer for this space and I added the paneling to give the walls a ground and let the paper surround the upper portion. If we papered the entire room in this print it might have felt too busy or too traditional. Swapped out the mirror and sconces to update and modernize. These are easy changes anyone can make to their bathroom. The power of paint, paper and a new light fixture is a beautiful thing!”
Lighting: Mitzi Robbie 12 Inch Wall Sconce Robbie.
Mirror: here, here & here – similar.
Accessories: Anthropologie, Vase Dried Flower.
Trim & Picture Frame Molding Paint Color: Sherwin Williams, Daphne.
Wallpaper: Caitlin Wilson, Grande Plaid Wallpaper in Eventide – similar here.
Window Treatment, custom light oak shutters by Hunter Douglas.
Sink: Kohler.
Faucet: Kohler.
Toilet: Kohler.
“In this room I wanted it to reflect pattern and style, but I also wanted their room to feel like a retreat of calmness with a touch of modern coastal elements. Which we did with the birds and plaid paper in the other rooms, just toned it down a bit more for the master. I painted all the trim a few shades darker than the wall color, which really helped ground and introduce the wallpaper. Everything else came together so easily once we finalized the paper.” – Jennifer Acito from Design by Dama.
Bench: McGee & Co Eloise Woven Bench.
Rug: here – Other Cozy Rugs: here, here, here, here, here & here.
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“If using a neutral palette I try to keep most of it in that color story. I wouldn’t want to see a black throw blanket in here, although a muted pink for summer or burnt orange in fall, could work great. I use color charts from my time in fashion and still dress the room, style with many of the same pattern, color, texture rules we used long ago.”
Trim paint Color: Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist.
Wall Paint Color: Sherwin Williams Alabaster.
Artwork: No longer available – Other Artwork Sets: here, here, here, here, here & here.
Bedding: Serena & Lily Sea Ranch Duvet cover, Euros King shams, in color Sand.
Bed: The client already had the bed but we reupholstered it through a local upholster shop (the recovered the bed for $400!) – Other Beautiful Beds: here, here, here, here, here & here.
Wallpaper: Zoffany, Spark, color is Chalk – Available through the designer – Others: here, here, here, here & here.
Nightstands: Ballard Designs, Grace 2-Drawer Side Table, finish is Washed wood – Others: here, here, here, here, here & here.
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Wayfair: Holiday and Furniture Sale.
Serena & Lily: 20% Off everything with code: LOVEHOME.
Joss & Main: Large Rugs for under $200.
2021 New-construction Home Trends.
New-construction Modern Farmhouse.
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Charlotte Custom Home.
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Beautiful Homes of Instagram: New-construction Home.
New England style Shingle Home.“Dear God,
If I am wrong, right me. If I am lost, guide me. If I start to give-up, keep me going.
Lead me in Light and Love”.
Have a wonderful day, my friends and we’ll talk again tomorrow.”
with Love,
Luciane from HomeBunch.com
