BEFORE & AFTER: AFFORDABLE, DIY KITCHEN

In this kitchen update, the only material I used was paint and that was the only cost involved! This is what I would call a true paint makeover. Here are a few BEFORE pictures:

And a few more of the AFTER pictures. I painted 8 different surfaces in this kitchen, can you spot the changes?

Painted surfaces included:

1. The fridge: in black chalkboard paint, probably my favourite part of this transformation and was so easy to do!

2. Upper Cabinets: white

3. Lower Cabinets: F & B, mouses back

4. Counter

5. Backsplash: you might be able to see in the 'before' the backsplash had a dated flower motif throughout the tiles

6. Hardware: spray painted all the old hardware silve

7. Range hood: it was an 'almond' colour before and didn't match the white stove

8. Dishwasher front: painted in lower cabinet colour to blend in

DESIGN INSPIRATION: OPEN CEILINGS

I've always loved the look of open ceilings – it gives a room such a bright, spacious and open feeling. In the room above I have an open beam ceiling that adds a lot of character to the space. Of course my open ceiling (and room) is painted white. This room isn't as high as some cathedral ceilings, but still has a similar look and feeling. If you're renovating or building and have an option to create a room with an open ceiling, it can definitely add a lot of style to your home. I've always liked the look of an open cathedral ceiling, and many of the rooms below have beams and exposed boards painted white. Here are a few of my favourites in my inspiration file!

INSPIRATION: ANTIQUE TEXTILES

I love the picture above that shows how fabulous old, worn textiles – like rugs can work layered with new rugs. I sometimes layer old rugs with a sisal underneath. I'm always searching for antique kilim rugs and here are a few more in my house. I'm now on the hunt for additional antique textiles to make into pillows, more on the results of that coming soon.

DEB'S DIY: CREATE A COLOURFUL VASE

This is an easy DIY and all you need is a clear vase and some decorative paper. The idea is to line a clear vase with patterned paper – it can be any kind of paper – maybe left over wallpaper, wrapping paper, etc. You can use the vase to hold items, like rolls of wrapping paper or branches (any dry arrangement that doesn't require water). Another fun part of this DIY is that you can use it over the holiday season with your favourite wrapping paper, or for a children's birthday party and match the wrapping paper in the vase to the theme of the party. The options are endless! Here are the simple steps:

Use a clear, clean vase.

Make sure the paper is wide enough to wrap in the vase. Use the vase to measure the height of paper.

Use a pencil to mark where you need to cut the paper to fit.

Place the paper in the vase, I put the 'cut' edge of the paper at the bottom of the vase. I also used a bit of clear tape on the inside to keep the paper taped in place.

BEFORE & AFTER: KITCHEN SIDE DOOR

In my kitchen there is a side entry with a charming old door. I wanted to make this a functional area – an extension of the kitchen with the BBQ and a small porch off of this side of the house.

I wanted to keep the original door (I even have the old skeleton key for it), but pretty well everything else around it changed. You can see it here in the “before” picture – this is pre-renovation.

At this stage there was a wall to the right and a sink on the left with a washer. There was a drop ceiling, the floors were uneven and the great views at the back of the house weren't visible.

When the renovation started and the place was being gutted, opening up the wall on the right hand side made a huge difference to the light in the house.

This end of the house required some structural underpinning so the floors were actually completely removed as that work was done from the inside and outside of the house.

Then came a new subfloor, beams, wiring and insulation. Bigger changes are visible after the new drywall is up. Things start to feel like a house again!!

Finally the new floors are in and the cabinets and counter go in back here. There is a coat closet, pantry and the two chairs in front of the window. The sun rises here and there’s an ocean view out the window, so it’s a great place to sit in the morning.