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Maybe a nice back splash to break up the monotone? I am not a fan of tile on the floor like another poster cause you will loose anything that falls on it! I had some once, pretty to look at but lots of shatters. I also agree with reconsidering the ceiling fan, directional track lighting works nice. I think the last thing I would tackle would be the cabinetry, you might be able to take the focus off of it with a few other upgrades. Good luck!
You don't say HOW cheaply you want to do it, so I assume you must keep the awful Formica.
I would put down a terrra cotta tile floor.
Keep the cupboard doors the way they are.
Put in a stainless steel sink.
Put in a black fridge and microwave.
Put a black wrought iron hanging fixture over the sink, and a nice chunky textured earth tone fabric Roman shade on the window.
Replace the recessed lighting with black wrought iron fixtures.
Paint the walls with a nice deep rich color of your choice...like pumpkin, maybe.
Hope you show us what you decide to do.
You don't say HOW cheaply you want to do it, so I assume you must keep the awful Formica.
As inexpensive as possible, at least for the time being.
I think the countertops are old Corian. They're in excellent condition, I just hate how it looks.
After getting so many great suggestions here, I am going to try painting the countertops and see if it actually comes out looking like this. The product reviews, as well as the photos, indicate the finished product isn't as shiny as granite. I'll try using polyurethane as a top coat, instead of the top coat that comes with the kit. The kit is only $70, so the entire countertop project will cost, round numbers, around $100. If I dislike how it comes out, there wasn't much invested.
I'll change the sink to stainless steel and upgrade the faucet. I'll also put in a new black stove, microhood and a black refrigerator. This looks like something nice to use for the backspash and the price is right. I may have to mute it down a tad with a small amount of dark stain.
Since I'm one of those types who has to see things with my own eyes, I won't know if I will like the cabinets better once the countertops are done until I actually see it. If I still dislike them, I'll try both staining and painting a couple of small sections on their blind side (the side which butts up to the refrigerator) and decide from there. I do think the outside is a thin veneer, as suggested, so it might turn out terribly, but I'd be willing to try it anyway if I still want them changed. Again, nothing much lost money-wise and at worst I will have what I began with: cabinets I don't like, which need to be replaced.
While I realize the room should be painted first, I don't want to choose a color until I know how the cabinets and counters will end up. Ditto the floor. I am reluctant to pick out a ceiling fixture until I have a better idea of how the rest of the room will look, too.
As inexpensive as possible, at least for the time being.
I think the countertops are old Corian. They're in excellent condition, I just hate how it looks.
After getting so many great suggestions here, I am going to try painting the countertops and see if it actually comes out looking like this. The product reviews, as well as the photos, indicate the finished product isn't as shiny as granite. I'll try using polyurethane as a top coat, instead of the top coat that comes with the kit. The kit is only $70, so the entire countertop project will cost, round numbers, around $100. If I dislike how it comes out, there wasn't much invested.
I'll change the sink to stainless steel and upgrade the faucet. I'll also put in a new black stove, microhood and a black refrigerator. This looks like something nice to use for the backspash and the price is right. I may have to mute it down a tad with a small amount of dark stain.
Since I'm one of those types who has to see things with my own eyes, I won't know if I will like the cabinets better once the countertops are done until I actually see it. If I still dislike them, I'll try both staining and painting a couple of small sections on their blind side (the side which butts up to the refrigerator) and decide from there. I do think the outside is a thin veneer, as suggested, so it might turn out terribly, but I'd be willing to try it anyway if I still want them changed. Again, nothing much lost money-wise and at worst I will have what I began with: cabinets I don't like, which need to be replaced.
While I realize the room should be painted first, I don't want to choose a color until I know how the cabinets and counters will end up. Ditto the floor. I am reluctant to pick out a ceiling fixture until I have a better idea of how the rest of the room will look, too.
I'll let you know how it goes.
Are you prepared to replace the countertops if the paint job doesn't work? If so, try the paint, if not, don't touch them.
FOR LOVE ALL THAT IS HOLY -- if you buy a kit from a multi-billion dollar PAINT AND COATINGS firm that has probably spent a small fortune making sure that all the stuff in the kit works together AND will last a reasonable amount of time AND IS SAFE TO USE AROUND FOOD do you REALLY think it makes anysense at all to "try using poly instead of the top coat that comes with the kit"???
Sheesh.
Please, at least call or email their customer service people before you do something you'll regret!
Are you prepared to replace the countertops if the paint job doesn't work? If so, try the paint, if not, don't touch them.
If I absolutely have to, I will bite the bullet and replace them. I would much prefer taking a frugal approach and not though.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chet everett
FOR LOVE ALL THAT IS HOLY -- if you buy a kit from a multi-billion dollar PAINT AND COATINGS firm that has probably spent a small fortune making sure that all the stuff in the kit works together AND will last a reasonable amount of time AND IS SAFE TO USE AROUND FOOD do you REALLY think it makes anysense at all to "try using poly instead of the top coat that comes with the kit"???
Sheesh.
Please, at least call or email their customer service people before you do something you'll regret!
I'm not overly concerned about the food safety aspect, although it's a good point. I have lived with (real) granite countertops for the past decade and have yet to knead dough, chop or anything else on it, nor would I. There is something about putting food directly on a countertop that I find unappealing no matter how clean the counters are and since I am the only one who uses the kitchen, it's a non-issue in my case. Excellent suggestion to call customer service first though. Thank you.
On a separate note, congratulations!
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