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!
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!
 |
| 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.
 |
| 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.
Here’s my miracle-working husband (above) tiling the back wall.
The marble’s tones are white, blue-grey, light grey, and caramel.
 |
| 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!
 |
| 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!
 |
| 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.
 |
| DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget – Hello Lovely’s Fixer Upper |
Wall Paint Color: Valspar Salute (7006-12).
 |
| DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget – Hello Lovely’s Fixer Upper |
 |
| 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.
 |
| 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.
 |
| 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.
 |
| DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget – Hello Lovely’s Fixer Upper |
 |
| B E F O R E |
Not too shabby for low budget DIYers
who just had a few vacation days!
 |
| 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?).
 |
| DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget – Hello Lovely’s Fixer Upper |
 |
| DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget – Hello Lovely’s Fixer Upper |
 |
| DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget – Hello Lovely’s Fixer Upper |
 |
| DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget – Hello Lovely’s Fixer Upper |
 |
| DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget – Hello Lovely’s Fixer Upper |
 |
| B E F O R E |
Notice the difference the cup pulls
and egg knobs made on cabinetry?
 |
| DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget – Hello Lovely’s Fixer Upper |
 |
| DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget – Hello Lovely’s Fixer Upper |
 |
| B E F O R E |
 |
| A F T E R |
 |
| DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget – Hello Lovely’s Fixer Upper |
 |
| DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget – Hello Lovely’s Fixer Upper |
 |
| DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget – Hello Lovely’s Fixer Upper |
 |
| DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget – Hello Lovely’s Fixer Upper |
 |
| DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget – Hello Lovely’s Fixer Upper |
 |
| DIY Kitchen Remodel on a Budget – Hello Lovely’s Fixer Upper |
 |
| 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?
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.
 |
| 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!
Hello Lovely is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Oh man….WHAT a difference. Nice work!
thanks, friend! 🙂
Huge change!! so Beautiful! So peaceful!
it is very tranquil and has such different light of course than what i'm used to. thanks for reading, leslie! xox
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.
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
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!
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! 🙂
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!
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. 🙂
Terrific makeover! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home.
thanks for reading and hosting! xox
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
thank you so much, Kathleen. You are so lovely! Yes, Chicago girl here. Let's connect! xox
What a beautiful kitchen remodel. I love the white cabinets with brushed nickel knobs and pulls.
Author
Thanks. They’re actually light blue-grey cabinets I painted myself. 🙂
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.
Author
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. 🙂
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??
Author
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.
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
Author
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. 🙂
So are the cabinets and walls both the silver color? I only saw 1 paint color. Ty
Author
Hi there. The walls are Valspar Salute – sorry for any confusion. 🙂
Wow, what a transformation! Your kitchen looks amazing, and it’s inspiring to see how much you were able to achieve on a budget. The new countertops and hardware really elevate the space, and the pops of gray throughout the cabinets and backsplash tie everything together beautifully.
I’m particularly impressed with the decision to keep the existing sink and faucet. Did you find it easy to source complementary hardware that fit the new aesthetic without needing to replace everything? It seems like a budget-friendly strategy that can still yield a cohesive look.
Author
Thanks for the kind words. It made sense to keep the sink/faucet since they were like new and the appliances we bought were also stainless. Using the existing cabinets saved a ton of money, along with working with the floor tile. Once you start making those changes, things get dusty. And I love upgrading counters and backsplash where we don’t have a thing to do with the install! We loved this makeover. :0