Retro Appeal

This homeowner upped the cabinets' charm quotient by tacking lacy organza napkins inside the bottom panes of the glass-front cabinets. An old porcelain sink rests atop porch posts framing a vintage-tablecloth skirt. Mismatched lower cabinets are topped with new butcher-block countertops; one was retrofitted to house the dishwasher.




Farmhouse Kitchen

"Creating a country kitchen inspires us to cook, something we rarely do at home on weekdays," says the homeowner.

New overhead cupboards were fashioned to mimic original cupboards near the sink. A vintage-style island was custom built with wheels so it can be rolled out of the way or to a new location.




Pretty in Paint

Follow this basic approach when painting your kitchen floors:

Decide a design. Do you want a border? Where do you want the design to begin? Sketch it out and play with the proportions.

Sand and prime the floor. Then paint the entire floor with the lighter color of the design, using interior latex paint in a flat finish.

Draw the pattern onto the floor with water-soluble colored pencils and a ruler, then put down painter's tape. Using 2-inch-wide rollers, apply the second paint color in your pattern.

Finish with sealant. A few coats protect the floor and add gloss.




Thrifty Chic Kitchen

Repurpose furniture for a truly unique kitchen. This homeowner bought a steel cabinet for $75 to use as an island and replaced the top with a butcher block. She added wheels to make it more portable.




Modern Stove with Tin Backsplash

Pressed tin was painted with a faux finish for the backsplash.





photo credit: Keith Scott Morton