8/2/10

A Little Help For A Friend


A few years ago, a close family friend, 
asked if I would help with her kitchen renovation.

I'm not a professional decorator...
but sometimes I play one on t.v,
this blog.

She wanted a fresh look, but wasn't sure what to do.
Her budget was fairly small.  Within minutes 
of seeing her kitchen, I knew exactly what needed to be done.


Here are some of the "before" photos.


The light and the overall layout were perfect,
it just needed some tweaks and updating.


I convinced her to use the majority of the budget
on new appliances, as this would have a major impact.


The floor and counter tops were updated as well.

These are the "Afters":


The new wood floors, stainless steel appliances and 
black counter tops made a huge overall impact.


As did some fresh paint and a subway tile back splash...
Fortunately, my friend was thrilled with the results.


Unfortunately, she now is looking to sell this lovely 
town house...
If you know anyone who is looking in New Canaan, CT,
they would love this place!
For more info,
click here:

75 comments:

  1. Wow the after shots are amazing. I love what you did ...clearly you are talented and have an eye for this. Isn't it amazing what a few changes can do to the room and overall look and feel? Great job,
    naina

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  2. Anonymous8/02/2010

    It's amazing how much the updated appliances alone changed her room. I love the dark wood floors. I'm sure she won't have any problem getting this sold quickly! xo

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  3. Maybe you should be an interior designer!! :) Or you could just stick with being a fabulous blogger!!! :)

    xo Elizabeth

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  4. Charlotte Moss never went to design school! You have what it takes, girl. Love the kitchen!!

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  5. It's amazing what a small transformation can do for a room. I love her little bay window it really is a lovely feature in the room. Well done! Hope she gets a good price

    All things nice...

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  6. This house will sell because any buyer will appreciate a very tasteful move in ready kitchen! Good advice that I know your friend must have appreciated!

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  7. great job, sue! nice updates --
    any jobs in new canaan? i'd be up for a move.

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  8. Nice!

    It's possible to have a lot of impact on a small budget, isn't it? Going with higher end pulls can also really change the look of an entire kitchen.

    Kelly

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  9. That looks really pretty...You are wonderful and you have such a natural eye for this:)

    I love the little table by the window...and the floor is wow:)

    Great job!
    Kisses sweetie and have a wonderful Monday

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  10. Very smart decision, focusing on the appliances. I have a very old fridge (NOT in the charming way) and it's a total eye-sore.

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  11. Her kitchen looks so nice. Perfect choices!

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  12. Well done. I'm sure this "new" kitchen will help her sell the house now.

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  13. What a difference!! I love it! White cabinets, black counter tops, stainless steel appliances..perfect!!

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  14. wow - looks amazing! you are such a good friend. :)

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  15. Good jobbie!!!!

    Did you take a slice off the round table so it would fit all snug-like?

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  16. That looks great! You did a great job!

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  17. Job Well Don Zhush!

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  18. wow that made a huge difference! Very beautiful afters!! Nice work!!

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  20. Oh my god what a difference!
    The make over looks absolutely fantastic, you are obviously very talented!
    Well done!

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  21. Wow Zhush... pretty impressive!

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  22. Those simple changes made such a difference! I am sure the town house will sell with such a beautiful kitchen!

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  23. This looks great! Well done. So glad to have found you!

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  24. Wow what a great transformation. I'm sure it will sell soon.

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  25. You did a great job!:D It's amazing how one can dramatically change a room with appliances!:D

    http://allthingsmarie.blogspot.com/
    Beauty. Fashion. Interior Design.
    & Life According to Marie.

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  26. Beautiful, that dark floor just takes it to the next level! Fab job!

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  27. Looks great! Amazing at what a couple of things can do!

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  28. What a great transformation!! YAY!

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  29. The after transformation is great! I like that little dining corner, with the sun peeking it. Lovely. Hope this house find another lovely owner!

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  30. Outstanding job! Its the most important space in the house! right?

    Nice job on the floor!

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  31. Great job! You picked all the right things to spend money on. The next person will appreciate that!

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  32. Looks so fresh! I love the little breakfast nook :)

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  33. Love the make over of it!

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  34. You did a great job!! Great advice, and I bet she'll get her money back out of it.

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  35. Awesome "after"! Love the little breakfast nook :)

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  36. AMAZING! She's lucky to have you for a friend, sweetie! :)

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  37. Anonymous8/02/2010

    Great job; the kitchen looks lovely :)

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  38. Christopher Peacock - watch out! There a new game in town when it comes to zhushing up the kitchen!

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  39. What a great job, the "after" is beautiful. Your friend definitely asked the right person. Thank you for coming by and following, now I have found your fabulous blog. I really like your header fonts. I'm a new follpwer and will be back soon.
    Have a good week,
    Mimi

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  40. wow it looks GREAT!

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  41. I like the new look and I think it is the perfect style for someone looking to buy a home, neat, clean and ready for a dash of the new owners personality.

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  42. You did such an amazing job! I love it, Sue, and I would totally trust you with my house, too, for sure! Love the subway tile, you were ahead of the game there, weren't you? XO!

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  43. Lookin' goood...them's some great classic choices! Purdy Purdy!

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  44. A Mazing! All of a sudden the cabinets look fresh. You made me smile with "I play one on my blog." Don't we all!!

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  45. What a great blog!! Your friend is really lucky-the kitchen looks great!!

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  46. Are you freaking kidding me? THIS IS AMAZING!!! I wish I was moving there. Would totally love to own that kitchen!! What an outstanding job you did.

    xoxo,
    Carrie

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  47. WOW, that renovation is perfect!! I love the dark floors, dark counters with the white cabinets. Beautiful!!!

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  48. Classic decisions! Love everything you did.
    I hope your friend is ready to move quickly!

    xo
    Brooke

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  49. ok no joke, anything would be an improvement! But holy crap you did a great job!! I think playing a decorator on TV is rubbing off on you! haha
    xo
    amanda

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  50. Gorgeous!! I love what you guys did here. And this is really fun for me to see the finished project because I have subway tiles sitting in my garage waiting to be put up and we are choosing to put in black countertops as well, so this is like a sneak peek of what my kitchen could eventually look like! It really turned out beautifully.
    Nancy xo

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  51. What a pretty kitchen! I agree with the appliances, smart choice. Especially since she has to sell...I'm sure it will increase the value and she'll make money on her investment.

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  52. Wow! That was a great makeover! Girl - you got talent!

    xo

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  53. oh my goodness, the before and after are a world of difference! can i send you pics of my kitchen and get your advice!? ;) btw, i am new to your blog and i love it! new follower here! :)

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  54. Your friend should see a BIG return on investment. Beautiful job!

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  55. You did a fantastic job! I love stainless steel kitchen appliances with black granite; I think it looks so classy.
    xo Josie
    http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com

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  56. Wow! You did a wonderful job. I would love to have this kitchen!

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  57. What an amazing lift! The floor and appliances did it for me. Well done. You certainly don't need to be a professional to be great at design & decor. Love what you did.

    x Charlotta

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  58. You did great! A very classic kitchen :)

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  59. Now can you help me with my 1967 kitchen? Same town, bigger kitchen, bigger budget. Still don't know what style would be the best for a sale in 10 years. All white was in, then it wasn't, is it in again? Ann

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  60. How pretty!! I love the breakfast nook and the wood floors.

    Chic on the Cheap

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  61. Great makeover and use of her budget. Totally agree - new appliances and countertop really make an impact!

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  62. Awesome before and after! You did an amazing job!! I would definitely want this kitchen. Think of the impact that your advice could have. Instead of being on the market forever she could sell very quickly just because of the clean and classic kitchen. I hope she sells and gets exactly what she wants and needs :)

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  63. Great makeover! Amazing what a few changes can make - especially knowing where to spend the money : )

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  64. Anonymous8/03/2010

    Amazing makeover daaaahlng, this must have taken a lot of thought and hard work. Your friend is lucky to have you around :)
    *kisses* HH

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  65. Beautiful makeover!

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  66. Sweetie- you need to consider switching careers!

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  67. Oh wow! Great job. Can I hire you??? ; )

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  68. Wow! The difference is day and night! Love the new look. I'd love to have you on my team of consultants... if I ever have the space to update like this! Hope she was able to enjoy it for a while before deciding to sell!

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  69. what a difference some paint, appliances and countertops can do! looks great! i guess it will be easier to sell the place now!

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  70. oh no! ha! thats too bad. oh well i think your updates increased the value of the house no? :)

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  71. much better!! I'm sure the house will sell so much quicker now. Black and white is always a killer combination.

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  72. Dang girl, that looks great!!!!!
    Sleek and classic. Job well done!!!!

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