My dear friend asked me for help improving her 1950’s kitchen. She had two caveats; 1) DIY and 2) tight budget. I jumped right in! The space hadn’t seen an upgrade for years which can be a blessing and a nightmare. The kitchen had neutral flooring and gorgeous original wood cabinetry. The wall color was a horrible dull green and the cabinets were painted a beige that had yellowed over time. First on the list, painting all the trim, baseboards, walls, and cabinetry a fresh white (Pure White by Sherwin Williams). We were nervous about painting the cabinets but found a lot of prep and organization made it a ton easier. This included washing the cabinets with a tsp solution, a light sanding, and thorough drying.
She wanted to replace the counter tops but her budget demanded she put that on a future to-do list. Ideas for the backsplash were black chalk paint, tiles, or wallpaper. I suggested she look at Spanish-inspired wall tiles to give the space texture and pattern. She loved the idea and searched for an affordable option. With a little inspiration from Pinterest and Instagram she found a lot of options. The black/white tiles she found are are an affordable vinyl adhesive that she installed herself. DIYing at it’s best!
This 1950’s inspired kitchen with a boho feel is bright, efficient, cute and budget-friendly. My friend is thrilled with the result and I was happy to lend a hand and guide her along the way!
