Budget Makeover: A Natural Kitchen

Holly Marder from the Avenue blog, based out of Delft, in the Netherlands, did something that most of us have to deal with: renovate a kitchen amidst a busy life and a tight budget. Don’t get me wrong, I do love myself a gorgeous superstar designer makeover, but they often come with a steep price tag and exclude sources that mostly aren’t readily available to the general public.

With some thrifty and creative ideas {check out her Carrera marble countertop made from 60cm square marble tiles instead of a more expensive slab} she transformed her kitchen into a modern, luminous, streamlined and functional space.

Here are some of the key features that got me to cheer loudly

The said marble tiles counter that you can see in this post. And you know what, the joints are barely noticeable. A great way to save a bunch. { I am also putting on my to try list the lime infused lentil and roast veg salad, nom nom nom }.

The Marz Designs pendant light. I am crazy about this one but with a little time and craftiness, one could really make one about as cool with geometric wooden shapes pierced through and through in different wood essences.

Another inexpensive idea to both decorate a bare wall and free up some counter space is to introduce some brass rails and suspend the kitchen utensils.

But the showstopper feature of the makeover is definitely the simple oak doors made to fit with Ikea cabinets. Brilliant. Holly world with Koak Design on her own doors but I am sure you can find a good carpenter or even a company with a similar offer in your neck of the woods.

The stand alone pantry {it also houses the fridge}. I do love me an open kitchen with no upper cabinets to crowd the view, but let’s be real, we have a bunch of stuff to hide away and there is just not enough space after you’ve discounted the lost space taken up by the oven, dishwasher and under sink area. So that custom piece of furniture is built upon an Ikea base where shelving & panels have been added.

Click on over to the Avenue to see all the before and after pictures of this über cool transformation.