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Design Dilemma DIY Kitchens

Kitchen project - making a 90s kitchen more rustic / scandi

3 years ago

I really love the rustic Mediterranean style as well as the cool tones of the Scandi style. We have a 1970s basic brick home which we are slowly renovating. It features nice mid-century wood details which haven't been removed (yay!). The kitchen is a 90s remodel but it's not terrible. The cabinets are in great condition, as is the benchtop. The tiles need work but it's mostly a superficial job.

please excuse the mess! family life :)

Advice needed:

replace benchtop, paint or leave as is? Replacing is last choice due to wastage
paint tiles, what colour? replace tiles?
remove overhead cupboard at end and replace with timber open shelves?
replace handles with black, brass? I'm not sure

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Comments (4)

User
Original Author
3 years ago
I'm thinking I could use marble contact paper to recover the benchtops and then paint the tile spashback a bright white
C P
3 years ago
I think painting benchtops plain black with correct paint would probably work better than contact. You can get a granite resurfacing done on laminate benchtops but that way be more than you're wanting to spend. I think relaxing handles will be an effective cheap fix.
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I think the layout is a great use of the space. It flows, there's room to move and everything is accessible. Think about replacing the cupboard next to the dishwasher with drawers. Drawers give a lot more usable storage area that is easily accessible. You could put in a blind corner cupboard as well (Bunnings have them). Pull out bins under the sink eliminate the need to have a bin in a corner somewhere (Bunnings have those too). Some open shelving on the wall to the right of the sink near the arch would be handy and would look lovely. It doesn't need to cost a fortune either. Don't be scared to get quotes. We've just recently had 15 quotes for the kitchen we're renovating and the price varied by $15K. Totally worth the run around to get extra quotes. We also picked up some great tips and advice along the way. We are paying a builder who does renovations and extensions to do it for us. He can get things so much cheaper at trade price than we could. He is also managing the tiler and painter as he uses guys that work with him all the time. We have decided to get a flat packed kitchen that is pre-cut. The builder is putting it together and making the timber counter tops for us at less than half the price of the kitchen places. We chose the tiles and he ordered them at a better price. Same for the sink, taps, handles etc. We have saved thousands of dollars doing it this way and he manages the entire thing for us. Added: I rang the builder. He said that if your budget is really tight, consider getting a Kaboodle kitchen and have a builder install it for you. He recommended not to order the Kaboodle hardware (hinges, drawer runners etc) as it's not the best quality and a builder can order others. The handles would be fine though. It would make it way cheaper for you and you would still get a decent quality kitchen.
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Austere Hamlet
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
If you want Scandi or rustic then an oak benchtop on your existing kitchen and new door handles will do wonders. I know you don't want wastage but your kitchen is already 30yrs old so it's hardly that. It's the colour of the benchtop that dates the kitchen the most.

A solid oak benchtop is a very minor update that will last at least a few decades to come. If you update the splashback then use a composite board or pressed tin over the existing tiles it's economical and fast with impressive results. I'd go pressed tin in brick or traditional geometric if I wanted rustic. You can have it powder coated any colour you like before installing and they do look great in modern homes. Easy to clean as well.

Here's a smart modern example of a final look....Oak and pressed tin on white kitchen

I would see painting either tile or laminate as a last choice. Unless you have it done professionally (they use an acrylic resin not paint btw) and spray it on with professional spray guns, it generally looks terrible and wears even worse. Having it done professionally is surprisingly expensive and you may find the upgrades above are the same or similar cost.

I wouldn't change your top cabinets for open shelves unless you love cleaning and the look of clutter. It looks fab on Pinterest but that's because they've got those shelves styled with rows of uniform bowls, glasses and canisters. I have in them in my current home the only way they look good is if you do exactly the same. I bought sets of canisters and changed all my glasware for that reason. With the usual mishmash of items in a normal house they aren't a good idea.
User
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you both! Yes, that pressed tin is amazing. Oh yes, I love it!

I've researched the cost of having kitchen cabinets painted professionally and yes WOW, so expensive.

We just changed the cooktop so would have to get an electrician in to disconnect and reconnect with a new benchtop.

Thank you both

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