Kitchen Face-Lift

By: Elaine Martin Petrowski (Page 1 of 6)

photo by Jeffrey A. David

photos by: Lynne Wilde

BEFORE: Dark corners and tired, old appliances characterized the Wilde kitchen before the remodel.

The owners of this California kitchen opted for an "inside" look so the area can be closed off during inclement weather. Though most outdoor grills don't require a vent hood, one is needed here to keep the space from getting smoke-filled. The folding louver doors keep postmeal messes out of sight and allow the owner to button up the area during the winter months.

Illustration by: Trevor Johnston

Future plans (blue-shaded areas) include a family room addition. The kitchen will gain a center island with snack bar and about 6 ft. of base cabinets and counter space.

courtesy of Décorage Ltd.

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Like many young homeowners, Lynne and Brad Wilde had a number of good reasons for wanting to tear out their old kitchen and start over. The work area was cramped, the space dark and uninviting and the appliances were barely working. "The oven switched from bake to broil all by itself and scorched dinner —usually when we had company," Lynne says.

But the Temple, Texas, couple had at least one good reason why they couldn't consider a major kitchen renovation. "With all our other financial obligations," Lynne explains, "a new kitchen had to be put on hold for a few more years."

So they put off the total remodel and family room addition they had blueprints for. Instead, they brightened the existing kitchen and made it work better with what they call an interim face-lift - freshly painted cabinets as well as new counters, flooring and appliances. Each change was tied into their future plans to add more cabinets, an island and a family room.

The Wildes' "new" kitchen cost just $6,153 (a major remodel typically costs close to $20,000). "Going this route bought us time and made the entire house more cheerful and livable without getting us deeply into debt," Lynne says.