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Apartment Kitchen Redo #3

Decorating & DIYs, Kitchen
131 Comments

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Believe it or not, this is my apartment kitchen redo #3.

I got the knobs painted black, and things dried faster than I thought. So now my kitchen redo #2 is complete, and I can show it to you.

In apartment kitchen redo #2, I ended up putting the cabinet doors back on and DIYing them. this Idea

First Apartment Kitchen Redo:

This was redo #1. When I used contact paper on both the countertops and the backsplash. I loved it at first, but then all the color and pattern started being too much.

Below was my first kitchen, before the boho tile decals, and you see the shelf liner on the wall here.

The first kitchen I DIYed after I moved in.

The contact paper applications didn’t hold up well. The liner on the wall kept coming down. So I had to scrap that and come up with something else.

Which leads me to apartment kitchen #2.

Second Apartment Kitchen:

I decided to go for a bohemian look, but have it be more muted than all the checks that came before. From an Etsy shop, I ordered this boho backsplash.

The kitchen doors were reattached, and I repainted them. I gave them a coat or two of fresh white paint.

In apartment kitchen redo #2, I ordered these bohemian-style adhesive tiles for the backsplash.

I went with this look for a while, but the decal tiles didn’t hold up all that well. When hot water creates steam in a kitchen, sticky things sometimes come undone. And after a bit, pressing them back in is a bother.

I put my thinking cap on once again.

The vintage linens I layered over the kitchen window.
In apartment kitchen #3, I took down the adhesive tiles and painted the backsplash and applied a GianiGranite kit to the countertop.

Third (+ Current) Apartment Kitchen:

So, this is the third redo in less than two years. Have I lost my mind? Maybe. Sigh. Probably.

I guess I get restless and want to try something new. Does that happen to you?

Using GianiGranite Countertop Kits:

This is the GianiGranite countertop project I DIYed. I got a free product kit of my choice from GianiGranite. After all the detailed applications, which are done in stages to give it a granite-like look, you apply the topcoat.

With GianiGranite, you can order various types of styles and colors of paint.

When using the GianiGranite kit, first, you roll on black primer. Then you have three colors to sponge on with the sea sponges they send you with the kit. You keep going while it’s wet, sponging on each color. One after another.

As soon as I started applying it, I worried that the boho-style backsplash wouldn’t work with the GianiGranite paint kit. 

I just didn’t like the granite look with the colorful bohemian backsplash tiles. Which led me to take down the colorful bohemian decals. 

Then I went to Lowe’s to pick up paint samples and trim. 

I ended up painting the backsplash wall a tan color and was more pleased with the result. A more sedate look seemed to work better, I thought.

Giving The Cabinet Doors Personality:

I headed to the stores for inspiration for the cabinet doors. Sometimes I get ideas just walking down the aisles in stores.

Using colorful reed-style placemats I found at Bed, Bath, & Beyond tacked up on the doors. Then I painted woodwn spoons I also found there and hung them up as well.

I walked through Michael’s to see what they had, but came up empty.

Then I strolled through the kitchen section at Bed, Bath, & Beyond. I found the colorful reed-style placemats and decided they might work on the cabinet doors.

Then I came upon bags of wooden spoons and other utensils. They were in a net bag, and I bought four bags for $5.99 each. 

I ended up tacking the placemats to the middle of the cabinet doors. Then I applied strips of black-and-white checked contact paper I had from the previous kitchen redo to resemble a frame of sorts.

The place mats are simply nailed on the cabinet doors with short nails, as were the wooden spoons. They can easily be taken down if need be.

I had enough of the black-and-white contact paper left to apply to the smaller doors up above. This brought every cabinet door together, so to speak, I decided. They were too small for the larger placemats, and that would have looked too busy anyway.

Apartment kitchen #3 came with newly painted door knobs.


I painted the brown knobs I purchased for another kitchen renovation black. And I painted them using the trick you see above. The instructions are below.

How to Paint The Knobs Using a Cardboard Box:

First, you find a cardboard box that has room for all of the knobs. The whole point is to get all parts of the knobs painted well, and do them all at once to save time.

You poke holes in the cardboard with the knob screws. Then you hold the screws underneath while screwing the knob on from the top. And then you apply the spray paint.

Valance from a Quilt Shop:

The valance was gifted to me by an online quilt shop. The fabric is good quality, and I love that the valance is lined, because the hot sun comes through this window in the afternoon.

The lined fabric will help keep the heat out during the summer months.

So the layers of vintage linens I had across the curtain rod were taken down to make room for this valance.

Over the washing machine, I used some of the contact paper in the middle to match the faux frame around the placemats I tacked on the doors.

Coffee Bar on Opposite Wall:

This is my little coffee bar arranged on the World Market Wooden cart I ordered.

I found the red cupboard, already painted red, at the antique mall and hung it on the wall. This gave me more storage space, which is always a good thing in a kitchen.

Apartment kitchen #3 came with a red cupboard I found at the antique mall, which gave me extra storage. The wooden cart has my coffee bar.
A rake end I painted red and hung on the wall for vertical storage.

I’m using a little cow planter I found at the thrift store to hold my kitchen sponge. The rake is painted red and hung on the wall for vertical storage.

Apartment kitchen #3 has a cow planted I use to hold my kitchen sponge.
The spray painted knobs.

So that is the completed kitchen redo. Number 3. I believe that I’m done for a while!

How it all looks once finished.

I decided that my instincts about the backsplash decals were correct. The tan paint job looks much better. Less busy, which was the point.

So there you have it. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea. But I like things to be a little unique. 

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131 Comments

  1. Just stopping by to say thank you so much for joining us in Thoughts Of Home On Thursday!
    You are always so inspiring and I just love the creative way you used these cute spoons:)
    xo
    Jemma

  2. Brenda, your kitchen counters look amazing! Love the placemats on the cabinets, that is creative and different! Great job and I know you will enjoy! Pam @ Everyday Living

  4. Great job on the counter tops, and I love the new look! Beautifully done!
    1

  5. Splendid job, Brenda! I cannot believe how realistic the final result looks! You definitely have an artist's eye! One can read the directions and follow then to a T but it takes a real eye to know how much colour to add or not to add. Your new kitchen is so cool and serene. Perfect for the dog days of summer.
    I always loved your first kitchen, though. Not a visual overload but certainly visual stimulation. So joyful and
    thoroughly engaging.

    1. I remember I did the side next to the washer/dryer, but I couldn't quite get the other side of the sink to look at all the same for some reason. I had to add a little more of each color. Just dabbing with the sponges lightly until I got the effect I was going for. It is more a matter of preference.

  6. Love it Brenda…the counter top is so nice…Great job once again…I may copy your idea with the place mats…Could you tell me where you got the little lights attached to the bottoms of your cupboards to light up your counter space??..I need them desperately..lol..Thanks..

    1. Bought them at Lowes last year. Can't recall the exact price, but it was under $20 for both.

  7. It is just gorgeous !!! You should be a decorator.

  9. Fantastic re-do! Love the countertops; they turned out great. Very creative with the placemats and spoons on front of the cabinets. Love the colors.

    1. I wanted the spoons to not stand out "too" much. I simply used paint I already had.

  10. You are an inspiration! We are repainting our whole house and adding me color, thanks you!!!

  11. The counter tops look amazing! Very,very nice. The windowsill looks very 'quiet'..nice but so different than before. I have my blue things in my windowsill. I love to look at them and the plants outside.

    1. I felt that this kitchen style called for a more "quiet" windowsill.

  12. Love, love your kitchen. The counter tops look amazing. Can I ask a dumb questions….does the paint have a strong odor? I want to paint my tops but I have horrible sinus problems and I don't know if I could take a strong and long lasting paint odor in my house. Thanks for any info you can share.

    1. I didn't think they had a strong odor, and I have asthma.

    1. I just thought the place mats and spoons made it more whimsical, and matched the other side with the red cupboard better.

  14. THe counter tops are beautiful , you did a great job.Oh my— what a fun and exciting cabinet doors.. You are so talented… I love your new kitchen..
    ps and I really love that rolling pin.

  15. I love the placemats and the spoons on the cabinets. It is a really unique and fun treatment! I am like you, I crave color…

    1. So you understand my need not to stop with the counter tops…

  17. Your kitchen turned out great! I've been thinking about redoing my counter tops and you've convinced me to try this product. Thanks for the inspiration!

    1. My advice to you: Watch the video multiple times. I even had it on on my desk top near the counters so I could pause and view it again and again.

  18. Love the old rake head holding utensils! I will be copying that idea! I also love your creativity!

    1. I probably saw that rake idea in a magazine somewhere and stored it in my brain. It's a fun look!

  19. You are an incredibly creative woman Brenda! I love your cabinets with the black and white check and place mats. Also that Giani product is fantastic. I did the kitchen counters in my friend's beach house and am still amazed at how fabulous they look. I have been kicking around the idea of using it on my island in the sand color you chose. Now I have a great visual on how it may come out. Thanks! Have a great weekend!
    XO Barbara

    1. As I said, I think I added more white than the sample used. But I wanted a lighter look.

  20. It's adorable Brenda. I only wish I had Mt desktop to view it on.

    As I mentioned before, our countertops still look good after several years. You'll be amazed how nicely they hold up.

    1. I hope you're right. I figure automobile sealant should be strong and hold up well as a top coat.

  22. What a wonderful place to contentedly putter in!!!
    Love, love, love the black and white check around the mats and over the fridge! I do miss the colorful bottles on the windowsill…they had a lovely "stained glass" Blessings and Joy to you!!

    1. Those colorful bottle are outside on a table underneath my big sun. I was gifted a gorgeous set of colorful solar lights a few months ago. I spread the lights around the bottles, and it just looks gorgeous at night!

  23. Simply amazing. I love it!! Great job.

  24. Those countertops look fantastic! You did a great job! Please let us know how they hold up! Love your idea for the cabinets…that says Brenda! 😉

    1. For me it says "Brenda." I know some will think it says "tacky." But I don't care. I'm always up for a new adventure!

  25. Clever girl! It's always fun to see what you will dream up next. I like the idea of the mats and spoons — saving it in the memory bank.

    1. Well Ellen, if I hadn't added those, no one could have known it was "my" kitchen.

  26. Everything looks fabulous! You are very creative and talented.

    1. And energetic. I often think I have too much energy for my own good.

  27. Your countertop looks great. I am sharing with my daughter who wants new countertops. I love your pops of color as I am a "color" lover also. Sheila

    1. I think your daughter would be very pleased with the results.

  28. I got so excited when I saw that you had posted this….I was on my little iPad and had to run and get the laptop with the bigger screen so I could see every little detail!!! I love your kitchen…and I have loved every single one of your kitchens – we just have such similar style with the color, color, color everywhere! What a brilliant idea to use the placemats on the cabinet doors – seriously, brilliant! I think you're right – a little wood trim would finish them off nicely. The utensils on the doors as a pop of color are too cute for words! And I can't believe how nice the 'granite' looks – really looks great! You'll have to do a follow up after a while to let us all know how it stands up to use. Great job, my friend!!!

    1. I will definitely do a follow-up on how the counter tops hold up in a few months. And I think the wood trim on the cabinets will be next. I just can't decide if I want to take the black and white checks off when I add the trim.

  29. Your kitchen re do looks fresh and original Brenda! I love how you keep recreating your own style but in different contemporary ways over the years, that is very clever!
    Happy weekend!
    Helen xox

    1. If I hadn't added the place mats and spoons, it would have just been a certain style. Adding them made it more "my" style.

  30. You really are so creative, Brenda. You hit on just the right balance and it looks so fresh and cheerful and ready for a magazine shoot. I have a feeling you'll be happy with this look for a long time. It's a real keeper!

    1. That's what I was trying so hard to achieve: Balance.

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