My passion for interior design derives from helping people just like you solve design dilemmas. My hope is that I can inspire you through my own life journey and what I’ve learned along the way. Thank you for your support. -Tiffani
Out With The Old… In With The Newly Refreshed Kitchen
An outdated kitchen gets a fresh coat of paint.
When we purchased our house in 2020 we knew that the Kitchen would need a facelift. The layout is perfectly functional, but the overall aesthetic was mismatched and outdated.
The Before
The layout of the Kitchen works for us, but the reddish brown cabinet stain and pink beige tile felt outdated and clashed with the black and white granite countertops.
The hanging pot holder served no purpose and was crooked and off-center. When we removed it, we found out the hanging pot holder wasn’t even secured to a ceiling joist! Thankfully we never hung any pots from it.
The Flooring
The flooring had to go! The pink beige builder-grade tile was chipped, cracked, and clashed with the black and white granite countertops.
With kids and pets, we ultimately decided to install a wood-look LVP (luxury vinyl plank tile) throughout our first floor due to its durability and water resistance.
When installing this type of wood look flooring, it is important to try and run it continuously throughout. Never try to install the flooring up to another type of wood pattern. It will not ever look right because the wood tones will be different and you could timestamp your house.
BEFORE
Do you see how awful the installation was? The previous owners of our house installed LVP next to the old tile. The tile is much thicker than the LVP so we constantly stepped on the “ledge”. Plus, they didn’t bother removing the tile that created a pointed angle that butted up to the column. It drove me nuts that the point was not centered on the column!
AFTER
The Walls and Cabinet Paint
We painted the walls and ceiling with a fresh coat of paint. The walls are Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray SW7029 in a satin finish.
The reddish brown cabinet stain represented the Tuscan trend from when the house was built in 2008. The cabinets themselves were in great condition so we opted to paint the cabinets a fresh bright white. We also replaced the cabinet door hinges with soft-close hinges as well as replaced the knobs.
Want to find out how I painted my cabinets? See more here.
The appliances were replaced with a matching set and we swapped out the sink faucet for a taller spot resistant brushed stainless steel sink faucet from Moen.
The Result
The Kitchen now feels brighter and makes the entire space feel even more spacious!
What do you think about this Kitchen Refresh?
FREE download! Start planning your next home refresh with this Room Budget Calculator.
-Tiffani Michalenko
HSR Certified Home Stager & Expert eDesigner
Hot Home Trend: Lighter Flooring
Homeowners are brightening up their interiors by replacing flooring with lighter wood planks.
Spoiler Alert!
Lighter wood-tone floors are taking center stage
According to a recent poll taken by the National Association of Realtors, 31% of Americans want to undertake replacing their flooring as a home improvement. Source
Softer wood tones are available in more expansive, longer planks to instantly modernize the floors.
Why is this trend happening?
Dark wood has been the popular choice for flooring up until recently. We are seeing lighter tones re-emerging but in wider and longer plank versions. The wider and longer planks achieve a fresher, more updated modern look.
Engineered Hardwood
Laminant
Actual flooring shown in open living space above.
Actual flooring shown in the bathroom above.
Are there advantages to installing lighter wood tones?
Why yes there are!
Don't show as many scuff marks
Don't show dust as easily as darker wood tones
Pet hair is more difficult to see
Softer colors and wider planks of wood can lighten the overall look of the space making it appear larger
Wood flooring in blonde shades such as a greige (mixture of gray and beige), and whitewashed hardwoods are definitely on-trend right now.
What flooring material is right for me?
Hardwood: Actual hardwood will always be a classic and timeless flooring material. If you have hardwood floors consider sanding them and refinishing the wood with a lighter stain. Hardwood floors are beautiful but, the cost and upkeep of natural hardwood floors can become costly.
Laminate: Laminate floors are durable and made of layers of high-density fiberboard with a photographic image laminated to the surface. Due to a wear-resistant coating, laminate holds up really well. Laminate floors are relatively easy to install and are a great choice for a busy household in areas not exposed to moisture. It should be noted that many people have complained of laminate flooring types feeling cold and hard underfoot and are also noisy.
Engineered Luxury Vinyl Plank: LVP is by far the most durable and easy to maintain flooring option if installed correctly. LVP mimics the look, texture, and warmth of real wood with the added benefit of being 100% waterproof. I would advise having underlayment installed because the flooring will be easier on your feet, almost cushioned-like, and quieter. LVP can be installed on top of virtually any flat surface as it easily clicks into place. I have Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring on my first floor and also on my second-floor bathrooms. I absolutely love it!
HOT TIP: When considering which direction to install the planks, avoid installing them in the left and right orientation to avoid an outdated look. Doing so can make a space feel shorter and smaller. Instead, start at your front door and turn the planks so that they go straight towards the opposite side of the house. This will elongate the space and draw the eye from the front door into the rest of the home.
Need help choosing a flooring material for your home? I’m here to help!
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