{Before and After} DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget: Arizona Fixer Upper

Before and After DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget: Arizona Fixer Upper shares the transformation of the kitchen in a second home we bought in Arizona. While it wasn’t a neglected house like our Chicagland fixer, it definitely needed updates and cosmetic help. We did it all ourselves, and smart swap-outs in the kitchen meant no dust and no demo!

Serene Nordic French style kitchen renovation with pastels and grey cabinets by Hello Lovely studio

Two DIY remodel projects at the same time?

Were we out of our minds?

I continue to ask myself that, and I have

said it before, but we’re too old for this!

Here in Chicagoland, we finished every project

we planned to tackle (while working full-time jobs)

and our now considering

whether to add a bathroom and give the

finished basement some love…and I have

to control my ache to begin another project

and should probably focus on the last few

projects at this Arizona getaway.

(Yet wouldn’t designing and building a French

Farmhouse or European inspired stone cottage

on a piece of rural acreage with privacy and trees

be a natural NEXT for us?

Hopelessly Loony Von Loony, truly.)

If you have been following along on IG,

you know I just returned from a few weeks in Arizona

where I had the chance to tackle a few more little

DIY projects done at our house there…today

I’m sharing DIY kitchen remodel progress.

We bought the place a year ago and have

been making improvements each time

we travel to Arizona from Chicagoland.

My husband’s passion is golf,

and mine is creating art, so this

is our sunny place to escape,

unplug and create.

There’s a catch with this DIY renovation though…

teeny tiny budget and limited work time!

That means Ms. Frugal has been on

her game, schlepping to thrift stores,

garage sales, and Craigslist.

And the Mr. has to squeeze in

remodel and renovation projects

between golf games.

Before I dish, let me just add

it has been a very long day, wrought with

disappointments and real problems you

can’t throw money at to resolve.

This old DIYer is weary…so I’ll be rocking

out this post stream of consciousness style,

like it’s 2010, and it’s just me and you

chatting in my kitchen.

Our kitchen looked sad when we took possession.

B E F O R E

What I liked?

The view out the window and the linen

color of the porcelain floor tile.

Angry red faux backsplash and

black appliances? Had to go.

Cabinets? Cost-prohibitive to replace.

Hallelujah, the loveliest sponsors

helped us complete the rest!

Serene Nordic French style kitchen renovation with pastels and grey cabinets by Hello Lovely studio
A F T E R

Smudge-proof stainless appliances,

Viatera quartz countertops and backsplash,

Top Knobs silicon bronze hardware,

and Behr “Classic Silver” paint to the rescue.

A couple details to note:

1.

We tore off the small crown

molding on upper cabinets and replaced it with

a riser and larger crown…they are short

cabinets, and I hoped to make them appear

taller.

2.

We kept the existing sink and faucet.

Before shot of Hello Lovely Arizona Fixer Upper Kitchen
B E F O R E

I fell in love with a natural stone from

The Builder Depot, and SCORE, they

sponsored our statement wall so I was able

to replace a glossy red faux painted backsplash edged

in vinyl molding with a uniquely natural stone,

 Calacatta Gold honed marble hex mosaic wall.

Progress on Hello Lovely Arizona Fixer Upper Kitchen

Here’s my miracle-working husband (above) tiling the back wall.

The marble’s tones are white, blue-grey, light grey, and caramel.

Serene Nordic French style kitchen renovation with pastels and grey cabinets by Hello Lovely studio
DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget – Hello Lovely’s Fixer Upper

Not even David can stop staring.

B E F O R E

Painting the cabinets rather than demoing and

buying new was a risk that paid off.

Cost: $16 of paint from Home Depot.

When those mottled tan laminate countertops

went buh-bye, the cabinets looked even better!

Serene Nordic French style kitchen renovation with pastels and grey cabinets by Hello Lovely studio
DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget – Hello Lovely’s Fixer Upper

The new countertops are Viatera quartz in a color

called Soprano…they’re creamy with a warm

grey and caramel veining.
(We put a different quart color in our main home.)

I continued the quartz on the backsplash

as well for a calm look and to save

a lot of tiling labor.

We nailed beadboard horizontally to the back

of the breakfast bar, and I may

add simple corbels eventually.

My limber, energetic father graciously finished

painting the crown molding!

Before image of Hello Lovely Arizona Fixer Upper Kitchen
B E F O R E

Can you see the huge difference the full-size

quartz backsplash behind the sink makes now?

Way too busy and choppy before.

You can also appreciate the difference the

beautiful Top Knobs hardware makes.

All the sudden, the cabinets feel more

vintage chic and charming.

Serene Nordic French style kitchen renovation with pastels and grey cabinets by Hello Lovely studio
DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget – Hello Lovely’s Fixer Upper

Wall Paint Color: Valspar Salute (7006-12).

Serene Nordic French style kitchen renovation with pastels and grey cabinets by Hello Lovely studio
DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget – Hello Lovely’s Fixer Upper
Before image of Hello Lovely Arizona Fixer Upper Kitchen
B E F O R E

Here’s the refrigerator wall, and my eye was not

lovin’ the contrasts going on with the tomato,

honey, mottled tan, black, and olive walls.

It all needed to calm down.

I still need something interesting or

architectural to go above the pantry door.

Serene Nordic French style kitchen renovation with pastels and grey cabinets by Hello Lovely studio
DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget – Hello Lovely’s Fixer Upper

And I’ll upgrade these blinds that
came with the property soon

with something pretty.

Serene Nordic French style kitchen renovation with pastels and grey cabinets by Hello Lovely studio
DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget – Hello Lovely’s Fixer Upper

I’ll also add a rug or two since the

kitchen definitely needs more texture.

Serene Nordic French style kitchen renovation with pastels and grey cabinets by Hello Lovely studio
DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget – Hello Lovely’s Fixer Upper
Before Kitchen Arizona kitchen by Hello Lovely
B E F O R E

Not too shabby for low budget DIYers

who just had a few vacation days!

Serene Nordic French style kitchen renovation with pastels and grey cabinets by Hello Lovely studio
DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget – Hello Lovely’s Fixer Upper

The framed art on the counters

(by Loretta Lux)

may not be practical in a working kitchen

but since we’ll do very little cooking

using the place as a getaway, I can getaway

with it (see what I did there?).

Serene Nordic French style kitchen renovation with pastels and grey cabinets by Hello Lovely studio
DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget – Hello Lovely’s Fixer Upper
Serene Nordic French style kitchen renovation with pastels and grey cabinets by Hello Lovely studio
DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget – Hello Lovely’s Fixer Upper
Serene Nordic French style kitchen renovation with pastels and grey cabinets by Hello Lovely studio
DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget – Hello Lovely’s Fixer Upper
Serene Nordic French style kitchen renovation with pastels and grey cabinets by Hello Lovely studio
DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget – Hello Lovely’s Fixer Upper
Serene Nordic French style kitchen renovation with pastels and grey cabinets by Hello Lovely studio
DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget – Hello Lovely’s Fixer Upper
Progress image of Hello Lovely Arizona Fixer Upper Kitchen
B E F O R E

Notice the difference the cup pulls

and egg knobs made on cabinetry?

Serene Nordic French style kitchen renovation with pastels and grey cabinets by Hello Lovely studio
DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget – Hello Lovely’s Fixer Upper
Serene Nordic French style kitchen renovation with pastels and grey cabinets by Hello Lovely studio
DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget – Hello Lovely’s Fixer Upper
Before image of Hello Lovely Arizona Fixer Upper Kitchen
B E F O R E
Serene Nordic French style kitchen renovation with pastels and grey cabinets by Hello Lovely studio
A F T E R
Serene Nordic French style kitchen renovation with pastels and grey cabinets by Hello Lovely studio
DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget – Hello Lovely’s Fixer Upper
Serene Nordic French style kitchen renovation with pastels and grey cabinets by Hello Lovely studio
DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget – Hello Lovely’s Fixer Upper
Serene Nordic French style kitchen renovation with pastels and grey cabinets by Hello Lovely studio
DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget – Hello Lovely’s Fixer Upper
Serene Nordic French style kitchen renovation with pastels and grey cabinets by Hello Lovely studio
DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget – Hello Lovely’s Fixer Upper
Serene Nordic French style kitchen renovation with pastels and grey cabinets by Hello Lovely studio
DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget – Hello Lovely’s Fixer Upper
Serene Nordic French style kitchen renovation with pastels and grey cabinets by Hello Lovely studio
DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget – Hello Lovely’s Fixer Upper
Serene Nordic French style kitchen renovation with pastels and grey cabinets by Hello Lovely studio
DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget – Hello Lovely’s Fixer Upper

Lots of progress!

Lots of evidence you can do amazing

things with a builder’s grade space

to customize it with no demo or dust.

I’m just not sure why I can’t bring

myself to call this the reveal…

I suppose because I’m still tweaking,

need rugs, window treatments, and life in there!

When is a house ever finished anyway?

Pin Me to Save for Later!

I’ll share more shots of the dining room

soon…I found this pretty Frenchy

vintage set on Craigslist,

reinvented it with paint and recovered the

round seats with three different gorgeous

linen fabrics by Rachel Ashwell

Shabby Chic Couture.

Serene Nordic French style kitchen renovation with pastels and grey cabinets by Hello Lovely studio
DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget – Hello Lovely’s Fixer Upper

Thanks for journeying with me, friends!
I have lots more images to share of other
rooms here at the Arizona makeover!

You have been so supportive of me every
step of the way, and I love hearing from
you, so if you subscribe to my emails,
simply HIT REPLY and let’s chat!
Also feel free to ask any questions]
you may have about
our DIY kitchen makeover on a budget!

Visit more Arizona fixer upper stories
for more before/after renovation ideas.

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

Shop for items you already intended to buy on Amazon RIGHT HERE, and also find home decor here to keep decor inspiration flowing on Hello Lovely!

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White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
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Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
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Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing
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24 Comments

    • August 25, 2017 / 10:59 pm

      thanks, friend! 🙂

    • August 26, 2017 / 4:39 pm

      it is very tranquil and has such different light of course than what i'm used to. thanks for reading, leslie! xox

  1. August 26, 2017 / 10:53 am

    From the beginning of your sharing the AZ Fixer Upper, I have been in love with the kitchen. The colors and tones are so you and just perfect. It is a treat for the eyes and so thoughtfully done.

    • August 26, 2017 / 4:40 pm

      awwww shucks, joan. thanks for the kind words. your art is hanging on the wall in the chicago house but will be making its way southwest soon! xox

  2. August 26, 2017 / 2:07 pm

    Amazing, Michele! I love the backsplash going all the way up, it just expands the whole area. Your cabinets are perfect and everything looks shiny and fresh! Nice artwork too! Congrats!

    • August 26, 2017 / 4:42 pm

      merci, holly. my ethereal painting by you would look beautiful in here, but i'm not sure i want to be separated from it for months at a time! 🙂

  3. August 26, 2017 / 7:19 pm

    You two have a lot of talent and skills. I think the hardest part is knowing what needs to be done and making decisions. Needless to say — doing a remodel long distance — so brave. Are you selling it when you are done? The cabinet paint is fabulous. Will remember that color. With your changes in color it looks like a whole different house – former owners wouldn't recognize it. FABULOUS JOB – CONGRATULATIONS!

    • August 28, 2017 / 2:58 am

      So flattered, Colleen! It was tricky trying to split our time between vacation, visiting family, and DIY. What helped a lot was having a tiny budget! It forces you to be creative and flexible. Like our primary house, we are renovating to taste and not to flip. But who knows? We love the process for sure! Thanks. 🙂

    • August 29, 2017 / 3:24 pm

      thanks for reading and hosting! xox

  4. August 29, 2017 / 5:41 pm

    Your kitchen is absolutely gorgeous! I would have done it the same way, white cabinets, back splash, etc. So very lovely. If I were you I'd be dying to go back! Didn't know you're in Chicagoland ~ I'm in the suburbs! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm, always love to hear from you:)
    xo Kathleen| Our Hopeful Home

    • August 29, 2017 / 10:17 pm

      thank you so much, Kathleen. You are so lovely! Yes, Chicago girl here. Let's connect! xox

  5. October 21, 2017 / 8:01 pm

    What a beautiful kitchen remodel. I love the white cabinets with brushed nickel knobs and pulls.

    • michele
      Author
      October 21, 2017 / 8:34 pm

      Thanks. They’re actually light blue-grey cabinets I painted myself. 🙂

  6. Jeanne
    December 30, 2019 / 8:36 pm

    It’s almost perfect for me. I’d have to change out the round stools because of discomfort and make them upholstered. So calming a decor.

    • Michele
      Author
      December 30, 2019 / 9:07 pm

      Hi Jeanne. I agree – We didn’t stay in the home long enough to upgrade things like those stools. In fact, I never got to sit at that bar at all, but I truly loved that sunny oasis. Thanks for reading. 🙂

  7. Sherry
    August 29, 2020 / 12:34 pm

    Absolutely love your site and suggestions! I am doing a complete renovation of my kitchen, everything is torn out and now rebuilding. I have a galley kitchen and have ordered satin white cabinets (matt finish), looks like painted doors but it is theramafoil. I will be running the hardwood same as living room and dinning room into the kitchen (similar to your laundry room flooring), caramel colour. Stainless steel (finger print resistant) appliances. Now for the decision of the countertops. I went to the kitchen store today and brought home samples of Minuet & Soprano and cannot decide on which one to choose. I also like Calacatta Vincenza and Carrara Mist. The lighting is good, sunshine comes up in the morning in that window (one window in kitchen). I’m planning to paint the house in either whites or a warm beige. I’m looking for a calmly, comfy, welcoming feeling. Any suggestions??

    • Michele
      Author
      August 29, 2020 / 10:58 pm

      Thanks for the kind words! How exciting to be renovating – sounds so promising. If you possibly can, try to wait on the countertop decision until the cabinets are installed. I think you may have to anyway since they can only measure for quartz after they are in. I love your quartz options. Carrara Mist is very similar to Minuet but looks a little more grey. The Calacatta Vincenza is going to have larger expanses of white whereas Minuet is dense with veining. I’m not sure you can go wrong with any of them. If you feel like you want some warmth, the caramel tones in Soprano bring that. If you have an idea for a backsplash, that might help you narrow down the decision as well. I picked the quartz first then went shopping for backsplash tile. If you are doing a quartz backsplash – I am obviously biased about Soprano because I love how it turned out for counter and splash. I think Minuet delivers a very crisp French bakery look so if you like black accents or blue-greys, they pair nicely. I have never lived with a quartz that has veining similar to calacatta so I don’t know if I would like it or not. For example, I wonder if scratches are less visible when the veining pattern is more busy. Our kitchen gets pretty messy and abused so it’s nice to have a forgiving pattern. I love mixing warm and cool whites in a home so all of your quartz options lend themselves to playing nice with putty and all the whites on the spectrum.

  8. Bardhyl Atkinson
    March 3, 2021 / 9:19 am

    I would like to refurbish my entire kitchen and have you supply me with the necessary kitchen materials and also installation of new wall units. Is this something you can do for me

    • Michele
      Author
      March 3, 2021 / 2:09 pm

      Hello Lovely is my inspiration blog and supplies the ideas and images to save, Pin to Pinterest, and use as reference with your kitchen designer. If you would like me to create a mood board for you or send links to specific materials such as tile, flooring, lighting, and decor, that may be possible – click on contact to email me or subscribe and hit reply to the blog post arriving in your inbox. 🙂

  9. Sarah
    April 5, 2023 / 4:01 pm

    So are the cabinets and walls both the silver color? I only saw 1 paint color. Ty

    • Michele
      Author
      April 6, 2023 / 10:10 am

      Hi there. The walls are Valspar Salute – sorry for any confusion. 🙂

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Let’s SHOP!

White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing