Sharing peeks of progress at the Arizona snowbird kitchen which feels more like my style after easy DIYs. No fantasy design or dramatic before/afters (yet!). Instead, this buider-grade 2020 kitchen’s story involves realistic small moves and DIYs. Fortunately, these easy ideas for a calm kitchen don’t break the bank or require demo so hopefully there are takeaways for others on a budget. Here’s where it is at today at the snowbird home we’re gradually customizing.
Snowbird Calm Kitchen: Easy DIYs
1. Paint Kitchen Cabinets a Calm Neutral
After deciding Sherwin-Williams Natural Choice worked for walls, doors, and trim, I painted honey-hued cabinets a balanced greige. By balanced, I’m referring to an equal amount of warm and cool undertones. Agreeable Gray feels neutral and atmospheric rather than gloomy.
Very tone and tone blank slate, I know! Not for the color lovers, but it will evolve with more layers. It may be difficult to see the subtle contrast of colors from these images, but the cabinet color is different from the ivory walls. Because we get beautiful western exposure sunlight, the colors change throughout the day.
Here’s a shot of the cabinets after painting but before we added moldings and hardware.
I am tolerating the laminate counters a bit more now that the brown is gone.
I handpainted cabinets with a satin finish and don’t have a special tutorial for you since those are easy to find on youTube. The one thing I recommend is getting clear on the look you’re after.
Do you like a factory finish look with no brushstrokes? Then you’ll probably want to spray the paint rather than hand apply it as I did. I love a handpainted finish.
2. Add Traditional Molding to Existing Cabinets
My husband and I love this cabinet upgrade because it is so inexpensive, quick, and high impact. We added light rail molding at the base of wall cabinets…
as well as a riser/filler piece and top crown molding.
You can see from the before how there’s a tiny little piece of “crown” on top of the cabinets and nothing below:
No problem if your DIY or carpentry skills are too beginner – any contractor could get this done for you. Since we used paint-grade molding, it was super inexpensive.
3. Add Cabinet Hardware
It was a relief there was no existing hardware on the cabinets (apparently this is the norm in the Southwest for newly built homes?) so we could decide on a style and size. We went for understated. Even the bin pulls are more refined and furniture-like than rustic.
Here’s a reminder of the before without any knobs or pulls.
Initially I was thinking of matte black for the hardware finish, but I found these antique silver options which have a blackened, interesting finish. After all, the black appliances may go away soon. 🙂
4. Accent Lighting
Not only is this a low-cost easy idea for a calm kitchen, it may be a no-cost idea if you shop your home.
I brought the vintage Italian marble MCM lamp from home, and the color of the marble is perfect with the laminate counter’s pattern. We’re living with the countertops for now. A marble lamp definitely elevates the look and is needed as cozy ambient light when we prefer Swiss cheese ceiling lights not blind us.
I also think cordless lamps help in the kitchen when you don’t want to add under cabinet lighting or desire more of a living room, calm kitchen feel.
I showed you these cordless lamps the other day when I shared peeks of our bedroom/bath:
Psst. I’m sharing all of the resources on this mood board so you can find the exact items I bought.
5. Idea for Living With Laminate Counters
I mentioned we have yet to upgrade laminated countertops though they aren’t my favorite. What to do if what you truly want is white marble? Add accents.
These French kitchen white marble rectangular trays from Crate & Barrel are perfect to hold any number of supplies on the counter.
They are as beautiful as they are functional, and I use them in the bath (above) as well.
I have these candlesticks on the dining room table (just out of the frame), but they would also be beautiful on an island or counter to bring white marble in the kitchen. They are heavy, natural stone, and you won’t believe the price!
Finally, you could always opt for a marble table lamp (plenty in the Homegoods aisle) to live with this beautiful stone.
6. New Counter Stools
If these industrial stools look familiar to you, it’s because I have used them in two other homes in various rooms.
We needed something that would fit within the small-ish space where the flooring curve follows the island shape. At $48 each, these swivel stools will do.
7. Sculptural Serveware
Yes, the shape of a bowl may contribute to a calm kitchen feel! A great example is this ruffle bowl I cannot live without. I use it to hold napkins, to serve a tossed salad, and for chips or popcorn. As functional as it is beautiful:
8. Alternative to Messy, Costly Demo of Unattractive Tile
What a difference an inexpensive 4×6 rug can make when a busy dated (but not old) style of tile covers the floor.
A muted beige rug is not for every kitchen (kids! pets! red wine! marinara!), but it’s just right for offering softness visually and underfoot.
9. Pretty & Mood Lifting Fragrant Cleaning Supplies
If a calm kitchen makes you happy, I wonder if you’ll fall for this Meyer Lemon collection I have been using for decades. The fragrance, the essential oils, the packaging, the quality from Williams-Sonoma!
My favorite product may be the counter spray – but I also buy the hand soap for our bathroom…heavenly (spy it below?):
How convenient is it to have a little ceramic dish to tenderly hold your dish scrub brush? Looks so zen at the sink!
Psst. The creamy ivory paint color is Sherwin-Williams Natural Choice, for just about everything in our snowbird home on walls, trim, and doors.
More Resources for Snowbird Home
Thanks for peeking at our progress, friends! Plenty of ways to add even more style to this pale snowbird kitchen (plants! backsplash! accessories!), and I’ll keep you posted on improvements.
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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