See How Paint Makes Vintage Details Pop in This $300 Kitchen Redo

Sarah Everett
·3 min read
9
Kitchen before renovation.
This galley kitchen was updated for about $300.
Credit: Janis Daly Credit: Janis Daly
White walls in kitchen.
The central beam was one of the condo owner’s main complaints about the kitchen. It “was the only thing you saw when you walked into the space,” she says.
Credit: Janis Daly Credit: Janis Daly
Wallpaper in kitchen after renovation.
She also wanted to upgrade the countertops.
Credit: Janis Daly Credit: Janis Daly
White painted walls in kitchen.
The makeover was “mostly all paint,” the DIYer says.
Credit: Janis Daly Credit: Janis Daly
Black painted kitchen.
Furniture in kitchen painted black.
“The vintage dresser is my island and cutting board and storage,” she says. Furniture has to be multifunctional in a 100-square-foot space!
Credit: Janis Daly Credit: Janis Daly
Black painted walls in kitchen.
The beam had to stay, but the DIYer says the black paint made it blend in and that “your eyes aren’t instantly drawn to it.”
Credit: Janis Daly Credit: Janis Daly
Silver and white wallpaper in kitchen.
Paint was also crucial to the countertop upgrade: the DIYer did a faux marble treatment to refresh the look.
Credit: Janis Daly Credit: Janis Daly

ABOUT THIS BEFORE & AFTER

HOME TYPE: Apartment

PROJECT TYPE: Kitchen

STYLE: Eclectic, Vintage

SKILL LEVEL: DIY

RENTAL FRIENDLY: Yes

If you rent — or if you don’t plan on staying in your place for several years — it’s likely not worth it, money-wise or time-wise, to do any major demo or layout rearranging. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make some budget-friendly changes to make your apartment or house a more pleasant place to live.

In Janis Daly’s condo kitchen, for example, “the beam had to stay,” she says, but a DIY refresh helped her make the most of it (and the other things that irked her about her kitchen). “The support beam was the only thing you saw when you walked into the space,” Janis says. “I wanted to showcase the galley kitchen.”

A few DIYs totaling $300 helped Janis refresh several things she didn’t like about the before — including the beam!

White walls in kitchen.
Credit: Janis Daly Credit: Janis Daly
Black painted walls in kitchen.
Credit: Janis Daly Credit: Janis Daly

Black paint did wonders for the kitchen.

Janis says her kitchen makeover was “mostly all paint.” She painted the walls and the beam with Rustoleum’s Studio Color Black. “I think the dark color on the support beam made the biggest change because your eyes aren’t instantly drawn to it,” Janis says.

Plus, the dark paint makes her vintage items pop!

White painted walls in kitchen.
Credit: Janis Daly Credit: Janis Daly
Black painted kitchen.
Credit: Janis Daly Credit: Janis Daly

All of the furniture and decor is thrifted.

Janis says she “wanted something more warm and vintage feeling,” for her kitchen, so she added more wood tones and thrifted finds. “The vintage dresser is my island and cutting board and storage,” Janis says of one of her favorite pieces.

She’s also proud of her brass curtain rod solution for hanging pots and pans and her brass and marble shelving. “I love that everything is warm and cozy, and I’m able to access my tea china cabinet and pantry shelves,” Janis says.

Wallpaper in kitchen after renovation.
Credit: Janis Daly Credit: Janis Daly
Silver and white wallpaper in kitchen.
Credit: Janis Daly Credit: Janis Daly

The countertops got a makeover, too.

Speaking of marble, Janis painted her countertops with three coats of paint and gloss for a faux marble look. “The counter faux marble project was my hardest part,” she says. “But I did end up being pleased with it when it all came together.”

Janis’s best DIY advice is to not be afraid of paint. “You can always paint over it!” she says. “You’d be surprised what paint can do!”

Inspired? Submit your own project here.