Hey Friends! Today I am so excited to show and tell you about an incredible makeover. Last year, Sarah contacted me to help her and her husband make their home feel more like them. I was extremely happy to help. I spoke with the couple about their desires and then went off to come up with a plan that would turn their home into a space that was open, airy, colorful, modern, and totally them! You will not believe how it turned out!
Here’s what it looked like the day I came to visit (the Befores).
And here is the same space after the couple completed the plan I proposed to them!!!
Obviously the fireplace is the focal point in this room, so I proposed that Sarah and Ryan make it worthy of the spotight! I suggested the couple make a mantle that span the entire wall to make a bold statement. Above the mantle, horizontal wood boards provide a modern element, texture, and help the room to feel bigger. Custom built cabinets flanking the fireplace provide tons of hidden storage which was a necessity for all the kiddos toys!
Here are a couple of close-ups of the finished space.
This before shows how the kitchen felt dark, dingy, and cut off from the living space.
I suggested opening up the space by removing the upper wall and replacing it with this open shelving idea. The kitchen is somewhat small so getting rid of the storage completely was not going to work. . . but see-through storage was the perfect solution.
Now let’s get a good look at the rest of the kitchen! One more before.
And the after!!!
Painting the cabinets a white and light gray totally transformed this kitchen! The power of paint is proven again! I chose gray because it complimented the terra cotta floors and granite countertops that were going to stay in the space. The backsplash is a combination of bead board and stainless steel (above the sink and stove). I think it turned out great.
Ryan is the man of the house and he took on the renovations himself. Didn’t he do a fantastic job!!? I love to see my designs come to life and Ryan totally impressed me with his building skills! Yay Ryan!!
A fun little kitchen close-up.
So what do you think!? Didn’t Sarah and Ryan do an incredible job with the renovations!? Do you love the open and airy feel of the space now!? If you’re wondering why these photos are so gorgeous, it’s because Sarah is an amazing photographer! See her work here!
PS- If you are interested in your own specialized design consultation, please e-mail me (kara.paslay@gmail.com)! I’d love to help you make your home a beautiful representation of you!
I love the new space!! It looks so much calmer!
wow!! this makeover turned out fabulous!! i just love the idea of extending the mantle across the whole wall above the fireplace. everything looks great!
This looks great! I’m always amazed at how a coat of paint and a few tweaks can make a space look entirely different. Well done 🙂
that looks amazing! i LOVE the fireplace wall with all the art. great way to hide the tv in plain sight. 🙂
wow! this makeover is amazing. awesome job!! where’s the best place to find those great vintage suitcases?
That looks great!
Bravo! Amazing transformation. Simple- yet, what an impact!
That is amazing!!! Beautiful! I never would have thought to do all that with the mantel and the open shelving. It looks terrific!
Impressive and sooo cute and personal!
Awesome!!! What a transformation with relatively small changes! well done Kara (and well done Sarah & Ryan)!!
The space looks amazing, you did a wonderful job.
I love it! What a huge transformation!
Kerry at housetalkn.blogspot.com
love the open cabinet replacement! we’ve removed upper cabinets before but what a good idea to put open shelves in their place.. great post!