Bright Updated Kitchen Reveal

Psssst… this post *might* contain affiliate links: see my disclosure here.

Updating Our 70s Kitchen

updated connecticut kitchen reveal

Disclosure: I am SO grateful to GE Appliances, Liberty Hardware and The Home Depot for sending me products to make this kitchen update a reality. Like , so so grateful. Opinions and 21st century images are all my own!

Frankly I’m surprised I didn’t share this with you at 4:30 in the morning the day I finished taking the pictures! But self control is clearly my super power so today’s the day. Feast your eyes on our new and improved renovation-free KITCHEN!

Shop my favorites!

white bright kitchen reveal

Let’s back it up to when we first moved in. The remarkable color of the walls… the unmistakeable green tone of the floors… the dated pine cabinets… fruit and vegetables on the backsplash.

kitchen before

A full kitchen renovation was never in our budget and, honestly, I don’t mind the layout. I love having the working part of the kitchen tucked away a bit from the site lines of the family room. The open area is plenty big enough for a table around which we can all sit, there’s great counter space, great storage… so the aesthetics were really the biggest problem.

kitchen work area

Lighten and Brighten

This summer we had our painter paint the cabinets, then I replaced the backsplash, and then we pulled up the green floor tile and put in the same hardwood that was in the rest of the room. New hardware and a couple of new appliances and that, my friends, is how we do that!

kitchen update with paint and hardware

You’ve already seen the backsplash here. The smaller hexagon tiles are much more contemporary and stylish and I LOVE how it gives the space a little neutral depth. It’s not perfect, but… my eyes don’t zero in on the imperfections quite as much as they used to.

new backsplash tile for kitchen

updated Connecticut kitchen

I’m SO grateful to Liberty Hardware for providing me with knew knobs… when I chose those black hexagons, I had no idea that I would echo that shape with my tile selection. I mean, I chose them both so I guess it’s not a huge shock, but I didn’t do it intentionally! The black knobs bring a clean modernity to the space that I love. There was nothing wrong with the old silver knobs, but swapping out the hardware always changes the mood of a space and I love these new ones.

hexagonal knobs in updated kitchen modern hex knobs in updated kitchen

modern knobs to update the kitchen

Modern Additions: Updated Kitchen Appliances

Last but certainly not least… I owe the folks at GE bed in breakfast for a year! They provided us with a new fridge and a new dishwasher both of which make the whole room feel like it belongs in the 21st century! When we bought the house, there were already two refrigerators in the kitchen and that’s been a handy feature for our family of seven. We had to replace one right when we moved in and landed on the GE Monogram. When the second one started misbehaving, I reached out to GE Appliances who provided me with this smaller one that fits the space perfectly.

new refrigerator for kitchen update

GE monogram in connnecticut kitchen

As for the dishwasher? I’m mildly obsessed. Say tuned for a post on all the things you’re screwing up with your dishwasher… I maybe kind of was. GE Appliances sent us this cafe model to better coordinate with the monogram fridge handle and it’s whisper quiet and has a setting for everything. It fits allllllll the things and looks so so so pretty.

GE cafe dishwasher white bright kitchen with new GE dishwasher

It’s In the Details: Colors and Furniture

What else? I shared that fun makeover I did on our chairs a few months ago. They’re in perfect shape (except for a few footprints on the seats) and I love the surprise pop of pattern on the back. That table was $70 on Craigslist. I used my favorite glossy paint on the top and then gave the legs a fun coat of pink paint to match the rug.

chair and table makeover for updated kitchen

I’m still not great at it, but I’m trying SO hard to keep the counters clear in here. I made those marble canisters for  coffee grinds and reusable keurig pods.  Our command center is still getting HEAVY use and I added a round tray to the counter to help corral the rest.

keeping our kitchen counters clear kitchen counters clear

Undoubtedly some folks would walk in and balk at our kitchen because it doesn’t have sleek new countertops or updated modern cabinets or a temperature controlled peanut butter drawer. Granted I’ve never lived in an updated kitchen, but this space is proof that paint, finishes, and some accessories can make a room feel completely new and improved without demolishing things down to the studs.

kitchen seating area reveal renovation free kitchen update

I cannot thank my friends at GE Appliances, Liberty Hardware and The Home Depot enough for helping to get this kitchen over the 21st century finish line…. Just a reminder of how bad things were, here’s the before again:

seating area in kitchen before
BEFORE

And the beloved AFTER:

Seating area AFTER

Another…

Kitchen before our makeover
BEFORE

And After…

bright kitchen after updates
AFTER

Last one! Promise… nothing like seeing that yellow burned into your brain one last time, huh?!

family room view into kitchen before

family room view into kitchen aftre
AFTER

I swear it’s the same space. I swear we didn’t do any major construction. The biggest project was replacing that green tile with hardwood floors (we had someone else do that!). Smoke and mirrors I tell ya! If you want to shop similar items from this space, click the images below… I tried to gather up all the things I used to update our dated kitchen!

shop-this-picture

Looking back through all the rooms when we first saw the house makes me want to share a before/ after post with you so keep an eye out for that. It’s AMAZING what some elbow grease and new vision can do to a house.

pin-me-pin-me

Our kitchen got a complete transformation without any major renovating!

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41 Comments

  1. Oh my gosh! It is so beautiful, and I love that it wasn’t a total demo/reno that most of us can’t afford. Keep up the good work-love the inspiration that it gives the rest of us!

  2. White paint is nothing short of miraculous! i know it hurt to give up those green floors but……well done you.

  3. Charlotte this is huge! It looks like a different kitchen ALTOGETHER! And you did it without anything involving those costly handymen. I am so impressed by the power of paint. And I bet little arthur also helped out!

  4. It is amazing what a little paint can do. I am glad you shared this easy update, without a major reno. This has been on my list to do for our 1970’s orange wood kitchen, Maybe now i will have the confidence to tackle it! Oh, and I love that rug and the cute back detail on those chairs!

  5. YOUR KITCHEN IS A REALLY GREAT SPACE, CHARLOTTE, MADE BETTER WITH YOUR UPDATES. IT’S ALL WORTH CELEBRATING. CHEERS, ARDITH

  6. Charlotte this is seriously insane……I can’t believe this transformation without ripping out your old kitchen, it’s so inspiring!! Such a great before and after!!

    1. I laugh that I didn’t realize how bad the BEFORE was until I saw the AFTER! 🙂 It always felt a little dark and a little dated, but not… THAT dark and dated. Ha! Thank you! xx

  7. Hi Charlotte
    Don’t understand why you went to all that trouble. I loved it Before.
    Did I get you? JK It is so fantastic. I would’ve capitalized Fantastic but for some reason everything is in caps(?).
    I love color , so you are getting an a++
    The rug is so beautiful , I recently bought it in a runner , for in front of my sink.
    Well done , girlie.

  8. Looks amazing! Honestly i am a little bit confused tough, as to what your current house is at the moment? Under the “home Tour” is a “Current Home” listed, that does not loook like that house?

    Thanks so much for sheding light in what i am missing here!
    All the best!

  9. Love your kitchen especially the fact that you have a table and chairs instead of an island! I spent most of my childhood around the kitchen table.

    1. Hi there! Do you have the Pinterest extension on your browser? Sometimes I have a tough time with these shop widget thumbnails if my Pinterest extension is there because it identifies every image as one you want to Pin. I double checked on my end and it *should* be working, but let me know if you are still have trouble! Thanks so much for letting me know!

  10. This is fabulous & inSpIrational! I love the brightness! I am curreNtly painting my kitchen….white! And off of the kitchen is my dining room….and I have the Same pink rug in there! I know I am going to look at your amazing transformation over & over

  11. Oh, the power of white paint! I have no idea why my caps lock won’t turn off- sorry.
    Sitting in my “cave kitchen” admiring the white cabinets and all the light. Do you have a tutorial on how to paint them? Not that I don’t just love the Golden Oak look but i’m ready for a change. Thanks for sharing your beautiful renos that are budget friendly and realistic.

  12. What is an astonishing transformation! Frankly, I’ve never seen a kitchen update this stunning! the before/after photos are an eye-opener and this project is truley inspiring. Can appreciate your excitement when you finished the remodeling.

  13. Nice job and so inspirational! After years of moving from new home to new home with my husband’s corporate career. we landed in a little 1950s Cape Cod that is our favorite house ever. I even like the worn spots on the original kitchen drawers. But our neighborhood is changing as people “age out” of their homes, so now I am thinking about re-sale. Especially kitchens and baths need to look clean and fresh. Just like YOURS! Thank you very much for showing how white paint can update a kitchen, and how to bring in your personal style with color.