Space-Age Kitchen Makes Soft Landing

The most dramatic make-over in Marcus' and Anna's home was accomplished with the most minor changes.  Paint and hardware brought an out-of-character galley kitchen into sync with the rest of the house.

When Anna and Marcus purchased their 1930's cottage, the kitchen didn't match the home's style.  The Corian, handle-less cabinets looked like they came from a Star Trek set.  What was probably state-of-the-art in the 70's was incongruous with the home's vintage charm.

The kitchen was a no-frills space--long on efficiency, but short on personality.  Even though the style could have been labeled "modern", it was dated.

Moreover, the budget did not permit a kitchen renovation. What could be done?

Anna, always great at picturing potential, was up to the challenge.  I must admit to being skeptical, but she insisted that paint and pulls would do the trick.  As it turned out, these cosmetic touches were the repairs needed to bring the ship safely home.

The first thing Marcus and Anna did was to remove the yellowed finish on the butcher block countertop with stripper and sandpaper.  Then, they stained the wood a warm walnut brown. Next, the room was painted (lower cabinets--Benjamin Moore "Museum Piece", upper cabinets a lighter shade of the same color, walls  Benjamin Moore "Strand of Pearls"). Finally, Martha Stewart, brushed-nickel bin pulls and grooved cabinet handles from Home Depot were added.

Inset windows were dressed in a whimsical linen polka dot fabric.

Last, antique cast iron scales and still-life oil painting completed the vignette.

Isn't this face lift amazing?  The before and after shots tell the story: Lunar Module Lands Successfully.

Before

after