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    Home » Blog » Easy DIY » Real Life Remodeling

    November 30, 2012 | By Jami

    DIY Kitchen Remodel: From 80's Ranch to Farmhouse Fresh

    Our budget-conscience DIY kitchen remodel took our space from dated 80s ranch to farmhouse style with wood counters, beadboard, and glass doors.

    DIY Kitchen Remodel-See how we turned our 80s ranch kitchen into an age-neutral farmhouse kitchen through easy DIYs.

    I'm over-the-moon-excited to tell you we are finally done with our kitchen remodel and it's time for the reveal! Oh, and that we're not living with this anymore. Can the do-it-yourself sigh of relief be heard around the world, do you think?

    To give a brief recap, we started with a dated 1982 ranch house kitchen that had good bones and quality cabinets. Along with disgusting harvest gold tile, wagon-wheel light fixture, and dark wood everything. Doing it ourselves, we started with painting all the cabinets and changing out the light fixtures when we repainted the great room and rest of the house.

    Then we took on smaller projects as we had time and finances. We removed some upper cabinet door centers and had them replaced with glass. We retrofitted the cabinet above the stove to hold a microwave and save precious counter space. We replaced every hinge and knob (in the whole house, too!). I created a vintage-looking mercury glass pendant.

    And then we started on the final stretch: repainting all the cabinets (it had been a few years since the first painting, a-hem), installing a new countertop, sink, faucet, and remaking an area I call the butler's pantry.

    Are you ready? Here's the kitchen in all her new glory:

    DIY Kitchen Remodel After

    I'm in love with everything: the counters, of course, but also the new beadboard backsplash, huge single sink, and farmhouse faucet.

    Brian said the other day that it's like being in somebody else's kitchen, because our kitchen has a broken faucet, chipping, uneven & ugly tile counters, holes in the cabinetry and a stove that doesn't fit. Ha! But we are SO glad that it doesn't exist anymore - it's fun to be in this kitchen.

    Oh, on a side note, isn't it amazing how tan the "white" color we painted originally (now only on the walls and ceiling) seems agains the cabinets?

    DIY Kitchen Remodel

    Just to see how far we've come in eight years, here's our one photo of what the kitchen looked like when we bought the house (note to self: take more before pictures!).

    Before:

    Kitchen before

    Can you say brown? I seriously can't believe we don't have a picture from inside the kitchen - we really did run around taking before pictures after we moved in while we were getting ready to spray everything white. Grrr, well at least it's enough to give you an idea of what it looked like.

    And here it is today:

    DIY Kitchen Remodel-farmhouse fresh

    It's like a breath of fresh air, right?

    Of course, we never lived in any of the house like we found it. We removed wallpaper and painted everything the first week we owned the house and then we did these big-impact-low-cost updating projects to get us through until the full remodel:

    • Changed every.single.hinge from "antique" brass to silver.
    • Changed the small white ceramic knobs to more substantial silver bin pulls and glass knobs.
    • Converted the recessed light over the sink to a pendant and added a vintage fixture we bought on ebay.
    • Installed a vintage (ebay, again) main light fixture.
    • Removed the inset panels from 6 upper cabinet doors: one on each side of the sink and on the "butler's pantry" wall.
    • Removed the sink cabinet doors and added a curtain plus a towel rod.
    • Bought a new stainless refrigerator (there was no fridge) and then replaced the dishwasher after it broke around year four.

    So, it was livable and even pleasant for awhile. Until more things started breaking. And the counters got even more grody, if that's possible. Just take a look at these before-and-after photos and you will see why we are loving our new space:

    kitchen-before-after-left

    Look at that long expanse of counters...sigh. And the new sink and faucet are wonderful! I sewed a new sink skirt out of black and cream ticking to tie in with all the other black. Plus, it's pretty classic, so I don't think I'll get tired of it soon.

    kitchen-before-after-right

    This remodel started more than a year ago with the installation of the overhead microwave which included retrofitting the cabinet above the stove (find a full tutorial here).

    We finally finished the area with a piece of beadboard behind the teapots which can be removed to access the electrical outlet we installed.

    butlers-pantry-before-after

    I think the butler's pantry area is the most dramatic - and it took the most finagling trying to figure out how to deal with the holes left from an awkward gigantic breadboard in the lower cabinet and the weird cut-out in the upper cabinet skirt. (Again: take better before pictures!)

    DIY Kitchen Remodel-butlers-pantry-after

    I'm so proud of Brian for figuring out a way to make my vision for the upper cabinet skirt to come to life here - it wasn't easy to make scrolls with a jigsaw on attached cabinets, but it looks like it was always meant to be this way, doesn't it?

    And to cover up the base cabinet holes, we attached simple flat molding, both along the length and down the middle. Caulk and paint make everything look like it's always been there.

    DIY Kitchen Remodel-wood counters after

    I refinished the original wood breakfast bar to match the new counters and even though one is a wood veneer and the other is oak, the dark stain helps them coordinate nicely, I think.

    DIY Kitchen Remodel-desk-after

    Since we had everything out for staining and it really needed it, I went ahead and refinished the built-in desk, too. It looks 100 times better, so I'm glad I did (you can see a closeup of the desk before in this organizing post). Um, yes, next up is repainting the desk, too.

    There will be a more detailed article with more details on our DIY kitchen remodel with a cost-breakdown, plus another article just on the counters. (UPDATE: here is the Details and Cost Breakdown article for the remodel and here is the article all about the wood counters.)

    For now, though, how giddy do you think I am to be checking all these things off the master kitchen remodel to-do list?

    1. Sand all cabinet doors and bases (filling holes and sanding as necessary)
    2. Demolish remaining tile counters
    3. Cover openings left in a cabinet from an unused breadboard with molding (and a few other places to finish cabinets) – caulk and paint
    4. Use a jigsaw to even up the underside of one cabinet that had been cut out by previous owners
    5. Move small cabinet by fridge over a couple inches to gain space between stove and corner cabinet (?)
    6. Paint all cabinets and doors 
    7. Add beadboard as a backsplash – trim all edges, caulk/fill and paint (though there's still a bit of caulking left)
    8. Measure and cut wood counters
    9. Stain and finish counters
    10. Install counters
    11. Install new sink
    12. Install new faucet
    13. Install rod for hanging utensils behind stove (decided against this after we rearranged our utensil drawers)
    14. Replace old off-white electrical outlets with new white ones
    15. Sew a new curtain for sink cabinet
    16. Added 12/1: Cut, stain, and finish quarter-round to edge all the countertops

    And that's it! I'm calling it done and won't bore you with a list again. So tell me - what do you think?

    DIY Kitchen Remodel Reveal at An Oregon Cottage

    Like some more details? Go to this post to read more about the kitchen redo, including links and cost breakdown!

    About Jami

    Since 2009 Jami Boys has been helping readers live a simple homemade life through whole food recipes, doable gardening, and easy DIY projects on An Oregon Cottage. From baking bread, to creating a floor from paper, to growing and preserving food, Jami shares the easiest ways to get things done. She's been featured in Cottages and Bungalows, Old House Journal, and First for Women magazines as well as numerous sites like Good Housekeeping, Huffington Post, and Apartment Therapy.

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    1. RK says

      August 04, 2021 at 3:54 pm

      Hi, Would you happen to have the model number for that Jenn-Air Range? If it hasn't been defaced by age, it'd be on a sticker on the right hand inside wall of the oven.

      Reply
      • Jami says

        August 09, 2021 at 9:49 am

        Sorry, no - we've since moved from this house.

        Reply
    2. kim @ hunt andhost says

      June 07, 2015 at 6:01 am

      Jami - Your kitchen makeover is so beautiful! I love that it looks doable. Some minor changes made a HUGE impact. I adore your wood counters. I have a friend who has some and I am always envious. They are so warm and unique. Thank you for sharing at the Hunt & Host Home Tour link up!

      Reply
      • Jami says

        June 07, 2015 at 12:38 pm

        Thank you so much, Kim! We still are loving our wood counters and even did a video on how they've held up. 🙂

        Reply
    3. Mama T says

      July 23, 2014 at 12:57 pm

      My husband and I are planning a kitchen remodel (maybe arguing over it is better). He still likes the "hunter green & mauve with a chair rail and two different wallpapers" look. And I have to fend off that chair rail at least 3-4 times a year. Now I come across the GEORGEOUS wood countertop and I fall in love. I just hope he falls too. Pray for me ladies!!!

      Reply
    4. Dena Weigel Bell says

      June 26, 2014 at 7:56 am

      Gorgeous remodel! I'm interested in your wood countertops. How much care is involved after installation?

      Reply
      • Jami says

        June 26, 2014 at 10:01 pm

        We get a lot of questions about this, actually, Dena - we're planning on a 2-year update soon. 🙂 They actually look the same as when we finished them! We've had two 'accidents' from our kids using knives on the counter, but they were easily sanded and touched up with stain/poly and you'd never know it.

        Reply
    5. Fran says

      July 20, 2013 at 3:08 pm

      I am in love with your kitchen!! We painted our cupboards white already and need to do the floors and counters. I am voting for the butcher block. Maybe if I show my hubby your amazing kitchen he will want it also 🙂 . Great job!!

      Reply
      • Jami says

        July 21, 2013 at 7:51 pm

        Thank you Fran - crossing my fingers for butcher block for you! 😉

        Reply
    6. Janet says

      March 30, 2013 at 7:52 pm

      Jami: how did you hang your sink curtain? Does it slide on a curtain rod? Love your kitchen - you all are so creative! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Jami says

        March 31, 2013 at 10:37 am

        It hangs on those simple, inexpensive rods they sell for hanging curtains on doors. It's metal and you attach holders on each side of the cabinet to slide the rod in and out of - works great. 🙂

        Reply
    7. Teresa says

      February 12, 2013 at 2:10 pm

      The gaping hole was probably where the cutting board went, but the board must have been lost. Personally, I love that feature in old kitchens for handy storage. ... Great job overall. I've been thinking of doing beadboard in my white kitchen, and yours convinces me that it's the right thing.

      Reply
    8. Shannon Fox says

      December 29, 2012 at 3:38 pm

      Just had to stop in and say Happy New Year!! From one Oregon gal to another. Still loving your Qt kitchen!! ~Shannon

      Reply
    9. Sarah {20 State} says

      December 10, 2012 at 1:55 am

      Wow!! Where to begin, love the white and timber combination, so clean, warm and classic. I bet you just stand there some days and take it all it. Your kitchen is just lovely and a great inspiration.

      Reply
      • Jami says

        December 11, 2012 at 11:07 am

        Actually, I do Sarah, lol!

        Reply
    10. Linda @ it all started with paint says

      December 08, 2012 at 9:18 am

      It just looks fabulous! I'm in love. You worked so hard on this project and are -- deservedly -- very proud! Thanks so much for your amazing inspiration!

      🙂 Linda

      Reply
    11. Christina @ Floridays Mom says

      December 07, 2012 at 8:16 am

      Saw you on The Shabby Creek Cottage...this makeover is truly amazing! I can't begin to tell you how much I love it..and those countertops are amazing! Just stunning!

      Reply
      • Jami says

        December 07, 2012 at 3:41 pm

        Thank you, Christina - I really did slave over them and wondered a couple times if we shoulda just put laminate or something cheap down. Gasp! Of course now I'm SO glad for these beautiful counters. 🙂

        Reply
    12. Sherry says

      December 05, 2012 at 8:02 pm

      Jami, it's wonderful! I am so jealous of your countertops! I am just chompin' to get my countertops done. I really love how you revamped the cabinets...it all looks so good.

      Reply
    13. Mary @ Ms Redo says

      December 05, 2012 at 5:49 pm

      Beautiful!

      Reply
    14. Angie W. says

      December 05, 2012 at 8:36 am

      This looks fantstic!

      Reply
      • Jami says

        December 06, 2012 at 10:16 am

        Thanks Angie!

        Reply
    15. Teresa says

      December 05, 2012 at 6:26 am

      Absolutely Gorgeous!! I LOVE the new breadbox canister!! Where did you get it? Breathe a sigh of relief and enjoy your new kitchen! So what is your next project to tackle?

      Reply
      • Jami says

        December 05, 2012 at 7:38 am

        Thanks, Teresa - I found the bread box at a thrift store last summer - can you believe it? My heart seriously started pounding when I saw it and I was sure they were going to have it priced high, but it was just $3.99! Love those moments 🙂

        Reply
    16. Athena at Minerva's Garden says

      December 04, 2012 at 8:14 pm

      Absolutely gorgeous kitchen remodel, Jami! I love the white cabinetry with the dark countertops--so pretty! Isn't it nice to have a kitchen that is exactly how you want it? It makes working in there so much easier and such a pleasure. Well done--so much work obviously went into this, and what a beautiful result.

      Reply
      • Jami says

        December 05, 2012 at 7:36 am

        Thank you, Athena - I'm definitely in the honeymoon stage still and enjoying every minute in the kitchen now. 🙂

        Reply
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