When a young family had to fix up their dilapidated farmhouse on a very tight budget, a new kitchen was simply out of the question. But with a few clever ideas and lots of help from the owner’s father, they were able to create a beautiful kitchen at a fraction of the cost of a new one.

The Transformation

• Second-hand laminated kitchen cupboards consisting of six upper and nine lower cabinets were purchased on Gumtree; the doors were primed and repainted in a soft French grey (Dulux Pearl Glo in the colour Night Jewels). The cabinets were carefully configured to fit the walls, with leftover space in the corner being utilised as a shelf for cookbooks.

• Inexpensive and durable post-form tops were fitted – they’re heat, scratchand impact-resistant! New cupboard door handles and drawer pulls were also installed.

• An heirloom kitchen dresser was updated with a reverse-stencil technique (Cotton Candi Chalkboard Paint in the colour Bubblegum) on the lower doors and delicate porcelain handles from Poetry. Fixing pretty paper at the back of a glass-fronted cabinet is a quick and easy way to create a backdrop for a collection of beautiful teacups and crockery. In combination with the heirloom kitchen table, this rejuvenated piece creates a rustic farmhouse look.

• The splashback behind the stove was a simple DIY project. Inexpensive white tiles were fitted to a chipboard backing board, then primed and stamped with Plascon PVA in the colour Oceanos. The D&M ‘Made with Love’ stamp can be ordered online from homeology.co.za.

TIP
When purchasing second-hand fitted kitchens, make sure the carcasses are in good condition. Also look for a door design that you like – but don’t be too concerned about the finishes as you can always make changes with paint.

The Costs
The cost of the cupboards bought on Gumtree was not taken into account; here we show what can be done with an existing melamine kitchen.)

• Paint and laminate primer R780
• Countertops R1 800
• Handles and knobs R346
• Tiles, tile cement, primer and sealer R566
• Timber panels R330
• Rubber stamp R1 050

TOTAL R4 872

Are you thinking of revamping your kitchen?

Here is the kitchen trend that you need to know about, 5 steps to make your kitchen look more expensive and make sure your space is ultra organised.

Words and images: Home magazine