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CONSCIOUS<br />
Makeover<br />
Kitchen<br />
Learn how <strong>to</strong> redo your space <strong>to</strong> suit your t<strong>as</strong>te — and your budget<br />
by Jenny Stanley<br />
PHOTOGRAPHY BY PHIL LEISENHEIMER AND TRACY WALSH<br />
ILLUSTRATIONS BY JENNIFER SCHULTZ AND STEPHEN HUTCHINGS<br />
18 HANDY f e b r u a r y / M a r c h 2 0 1 0
BEFORE<br />
FEW PROJECTS IN LIFE ARE AS REWARDING<br />
<strong>as</strong> turning a house in<strong>to</strong> your home, especially when you put in the time<br />
and effort <strong>to</strong> do it yourself. But big jobs, such <strong>as</strong> a kitchen makeover, can<br />
seem more daunting than exciting when you first dive in — just <strong>as</strong>k<br />
HANDY’s <strong>as</strong>sistant art direc<strong>to</strong>r, Tracy Walsh, a first-time homeowner who<br />
surrendered her outdated kitchen <strong>to</strong> us for the greater HANDY good. Her<br />
s<strong>to</strong>ry shows that with some planning and a little creativity, you can give<br />
your ho-hum kitchen a timeless and affordable transformation.<br />
Get a game plan<br />
Before you rip out old flooring or choose new<br />
tiles, you must first identify attainable goals<br />
b<strong>as</strong>ed on your budget. Figure out how much<br />
you want <strong>to</strong> spend; then research improvements<br />
that will fit within those parameters.<br />
Next, make a list <strong>of</strong> the functional<br />
upgrades and cosmetic enhancements you’d<br />
like <strong>to</strong> implement, in order <strong>of</strong> importance.<br />
This way, even if you can’t <strong>complete</strong> everything<br />
at once, you can keep working <strong>to</strong>ward<br />
your overall goal. Keep in mind, though, that<br />
it’s logical <strong>to</strong> group some projects <strong>to</strong>gether. For example, if you’re planning<br />
<strong>to</strong> replace the counter<strong>to</strong>p, sink and faucet, it would make sense <strong>to</strong><br />
do them at the same time, <strong>as</strong> they all involve work in the same area.<br />
Also consider focal points. If you cut costs in are<strong>as</strong> that are less visible,<br />
you’ll have more money <strong>to</strong> splurge on eye-catching items such <strong>as</strong><br />
cabinet doors, accent tiles or decorative hardware.<br />
“Luckily, we didn’t need <strong>to</strong> replace the flooring or any large appliances,<br />
so we decided <strong>to</strong> focus our makeover budget on updating the<br />
cabinetry and counter<strong>to</strong>p,” Tracy says. She and her husband also saved<br />
a bundle by tackling most <strong>of</strong> the demo and installation t<strong>as</strong>ks — with<br />
the help <strong>of</strong> fellow HANDY staffers, <strong>of</strong> course.<br />
Cabinetry<br />
Although Tracy allotted a large portion <strong>of</strong> her kitchen-makeover budget<br />
<strong>to</strong> cabinetry, there w<strong>as</strong>n’t enough for all-new cabinets. So rather than<br />
dip in<strong>to</strong> her life savings, she sorted though options that would cost less<br />
yet still provide a dramatic change.<br />
“It w<strong>as</strong> a little overwhelming at first,” Tracy says. “There were so<br />
many choices, and we wanted <strong>to</strong> make the right decision.” But she<br />
quickly narrowed the field by choosing <strong>to</strong> keep the existing cabinets<br />
and replace the doors. This would allow for a fresh look without the<br />
expense or disruption <strong>of</strong> tearing out and installing new cabinets.<br />
Her next challenge w<strong>as</strong> <strong>to</strong> find a new door style that would hide<br />
<strong>Handyman</strong><strong>Club</strong>.com f e b r u a r y / M a r c h 2 0 1 0 19
“We were ple<strong>as</strong>antly surprised that simply replacing<br />
the cabinet doors created such a dramatic change.”<br />
Tracy Walsh, HANDY staffer and homeowner<br />
REPLACE DOORS<br />
Because she kept the existing<br />
cabinets, Tracy w<strong>as</strong> able <strong>to</strong> splurge<br />
on high-quality wood for the doors.<br />
ADD NEW HINGES<br />
Hidden hinges are e<strong>as</strong>y <strong>to</strong> install<br />
and allow for larger doors.<br />
CUSTOMIZE A PENINSULA<br />
Instead <strong>of</strong> eliminating the peninsula,<br />
<strong>this</strong> new design opens up the space<br />
while preserving the work surface.<br />
enough <strong>of</strong> the face frames so that she<br />
wouldn’t need <strong>to</strong> paint or refinish<br />
them. She consulted a local cabinetmaker,<br />
who helped her design cl<strong>as</strong>sic<br />
shaker-style doors using solid and<br />
veneer rift-sawn red oak. (Unlike the<br />
large grain patterns in plain- and<br />
rotary-cut oak, which can create a<br />
visual distraction, the tight grain pattern<br />
<strong>of</strong> rift- and quarter-sawn oak is<br />
understated and complements an<br />
updated design.) The doors were<br />
made large enough <strong>to</strong> cover the face<br />
frames except for 1/8-in. gaps<br />
required for clearance. Hidden<br />
European hinges and a finish that<br />
closely matches the existing face<br />
frames helped <strong>to</strong> pull <strong>of</strong>f the seamless<br />
transformation (pho<strong>to</strong>, <strong>to</strong>p left).<br />
For Tracy, hiring a cabinetmaker<br />
and opting for high-quality wood w<strong>as</strong><br />
worth the splurge, but there are lessexpensive<br />
cabinet-makeover options.<br />
For example, if you have woodworking<br />
<strong>to</strong>ols and skills, you can make<br />
your own cabinet doors. (Learn how<br />
<strong>to</strong> build your own frame-and-panel<br />
doors on p. 24.) Other cost-effective<br />
options include painting or refinishing,<br />
adding gl<strong>as</strong>s panels or open<br />
shelving or simply replacing knobs<br />
and pulls.<br />
Counter<strong>to</strong>p<br />
Another area that Tracy chose <strong>to</strong><br />
emph<strong>as</strong>ize during her kitchen<br />
makeover w<strong>as</strong> the counter<strong>to</strong>p. To<br />
open up the space yet preserve the<br />
existing layout and work surface, she<br />
removed a short wall under the peninsula<br />
and built a new furniture-style<br />
support (pho<strong>to</strong>, left). She <strong>complete</strong>d<br />
<strong>this</strong> project before moving<br />
forward with the counter<strong>to</strong>p, <strong>as</strong><br />
the new peninsula changed the<br />
counter<strong>to</strong>p dimensions.<br />
Learn how <strong>to</strong> get plans for <strong>this</strong><br />
project on p. 3.<br />
20 HANDY f e b r u a r y / M a r c h 2 0 1 0
Next, Tracy and her husband<br />
combed through scads <strong>of</strong> counter<strong>to</strong>p<br />
options. “We wanted something that<br />
w<strong>as</strong> durable, looked natural and didn’t<br />
cost an arm and a leg,” she says. She<br />
found all <strong>of</strong> those qualities and more<br />
in Wilsonart’s HD High Definition<br />
Laminate counter<strong>to</strong>p (pho<strong>to</strong>, right).<br />
According <strong>to</strong> the manufacturer,<br />
Wilsonart HD counter<strong>to</strong>ps feature<br />
three times more scuff- and wearresistance<br />
than industry-standard<br />
high-pressure laminates. And the use<br />
<strong>of</strong> both matte and gloss finishes combined<br />
with natural patterns give the<br />
counter<strong>to</strong>p a unique look and texture.<br />
Wilsonart recently introduced a<br />
first-<strong>of</strong>-its-kind under-mount sink<br />
option for its HD laminate counter<strong>to</strong>ps,<br />
a feature that w<strong>as</strong> once only<br />
available with expensive solid-surface<br />
and s<strong>to</strong>ne products. The thermalformed<br />
acrylic HD sinks seamlessly<br />
integrate in<strong>to</strong> the counter<strong>to</strong>p, providing<br />
a luxurious look that is both<br />
durable and affordable (pho<strong>to</strong>, above).<br />
Though Tracy’s counter<strong>to</strong>p<br />
required pr<strong>of</strong>essional installation, she<br />
saved some dollars by removing the<br />
old counter<strong>to</strong>p herself. If you’re up <strong>to</strong><br />
the challenge <strong>of</strong> DIY demo, remember<br />
<strong>to</strong> remove all traces <strong>of</strong> glue along the<br />
cabinets, <strong>as</strong> it can interfere with<br />
smooth installation <strong>of</strong> the new surface.<br />
Other inexpensive counter<strong>to</strong>p<br />
options include ceramic tile, DIY concrete<br />
and even wood. (See instructions<br />
for crafting a concrete vanity <strong>to</strong>p on<br />
p. 30.) Consider the style <strong>of</strong> your<br />
kitchen when choosing counter<strong>to</strong>p<br />
materials, <strong>as</strong> it can help <strong>to</strong> narrow<br />
down your many choices.<br />
Flooring<br />
The floor in Tracy’s kitchen w<strong>as</strong> in<br />
good shape, so there w<strong>as</strong> no need <strong>to</strong><br />
replace it. However, <strong>as</strong> she implemented<br />
the new peninsula design, she<br />
discovered that the floor would need<br />
UPGRADE PLUMBING<br />
Wilsonart’s HD laminate counter<strong>to</strong>ps<br />
(a 2010 HANDY Innovation Award nominee)<br />
now feature an innovative under-mount sink<br />
option. This Eco-Performance faucet from Moen<br />
is the perfect complement.<br />
<strong>to</strong> be patched after the partial wall w<strong>as</strong><br />
removed. Luckily, the previous homeowners<br />
left behind a few flooring<br />
planks from the original installation.<br />
They were cut <strong>to</strong> staggered lengths<br />
and blended in with the existing floor.<br />
If replacing the floor is part <strong>of</strong> your<br />
kitchen-makeover <strong>to</strong>-do list, start by<br />
pulling up a corner <strong>of</strong> the old floor.<br />
You might find a hidden tre<strong>as</strong>ure that<br />
simply needs a few repairs. But if<br />
you’re not that lucky, there are plenty<br />
<strong>of</strong> practical options that will refresh<br />
your space and your feet.<br />
Even if you don’t have enough in<br />
your budget <strong>to</strong> splurge on naturals<strong>to</strong>ne<br />
tile or exotic hardwood, you can<br />
achieve a similar look with lessexpensive<br />
materials such <strong>as</strong> laminate,<br />
ceramic tile, vinyl and linoleum. All<br />
are well-suited for the kitchen and<br />
e<strong>as</strong>y <strong>to</strong> install yourself.<br />
A couple <strong>of</strong> things <strong>to</strong> consider are<br />
durability and cleanability, <strong>as</strong> a<br />
kitchen is usually a heavy-traffic area<br />
prone <strong>to</strong> spills. Also, when you’re laying<br />
out your flooring budget, remember<br />
<strong>to</strong> fac<strong>to</strong>r in the necessary substrate<br />
and underlayment required for the<br />
product you choose.<br />
Walls<br />
It’s no secret <strong>to</strong> a DIYer that a fresh<br />
coat <strong>of</strong> paint is an inexpensive way <strong>to</strong><br />
change a room. For the kitchen, it’s<br />
important <strong>to</strong> use high-quality paint<br />
that will hold up <strong>to</strong> heat, humidity<br />
and stains. Eggshell and satin finishes<br />
are common choices, <strong>as</strong> they are<br />
durable and e<strong>as</strong>y <strong>to</strong> clean. Satin features<br />
slightly more gloss, making it<br />
ideal for frequently scrubbed surfaces<br />
near s<strong>to</strong>ves and sinks. Also, remember<br />
<strong>to</strong> thoroughly w<strong>as</strong>h walls with<br />
trisodium phosphate (TSP) before<br />
painting <strong>to</strong> eliminate any oil residue.<br />
Another simple way <strong>to</strong> update<br />
kitchen walls is <strong>to</strong> add or replace a<br />
backspl<strong>as</strong>h. This is a popular place for<br />
homeowners <strong>to</strong> splurge, <strong>as</strong> it’s a small<br />
area <strong>to</strong> cover and can become a dramatic<br />
focal point.<br />
Even if you don’t spring for<br />
soaps<strong>to</strong>ne or natural slate tiles, lessexpensive<br />
ceramic tiles can still add<br />
color and character. And though some<br />
large or intricately detailed ceramic tiles<br />
can be expensive, you can create a<br />
unique design that incorporates only a<br />
few <strong>of</strong> those tiles <strong>as</strong> accents. (Learn<br />
about the ins and outs <strong>of</strong> tiling on p. 58.)<br />
Sink and faucet<br />
Deciding on a new sink w<strong>as</strong> e<strong>as</strong>y for<br />
Tracy, <strong>as</strong> it w<strong>as</strong> integrated in<strong>to</strong> her new<br />
counter<strong>to</strong>p. But when you’re only<br />
replacing a sink or when your counter<strong>to</strong>p<br />
and sink are separate projects,<br />
there are more details <strong>to</strong> consider. If<br />
you’re not reconfiguring your counter<strong>to</strong>p,<br />
you can simply rely on your<br />
existing sink’s shape and size <strong>to</strong> find a<br />
new one that fits the space. Changing<br />
the counter<strong>to</strong>p, however, frees you <strong>to</strong><br />
explore different sink options.<br />
You’ll need <strong>to</strong> determine the number<br />
<strong>of</strong> bowls and bowl sizes <strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong><br />
the shape you prefer. There’s also a<br />
wide variety <strong>of</strong> materials and styles <strong>to</strong><br />
choose from. A couple <strong>of</strong> affordable<br />
<strong>Handyman</strong><strong>Club</strong>.com f e b r u a r y / M a r c h 2 0 1 0 21
IMPROVE LIGHTING<br />
This track fixture adds more light and a<br />
fresh look <strong>to</strong> the sink area.<br />
To see a more extensive pho<strong>to</strong> gallery <strong>of</strong> <strong>this</strong> kitchen makeover or read<br />
more <strong>article</strong>s regarding cabinetry, counter<strong>to</strong>ps and other facets <strong>of</strong> a kitchen<br />
makeover, go <strong>to</strong> www.<strong>Handyman</strong><strong>Club</strong>.com and click on WEB EXTRAS.<br />
options include stainless steel and<br />
acrylic. Both are durable and feature<br />
high heat-resistance.<br />
There are three main sinkmounting<br />
choices, which greatly<br />
depend on the counter<strong>to</strong>p. Topmount<br />
sinks work for most flat<br />
surfaces, flush-mount sinks are appropriate<br />
for tile, and under-mount sinks<br />
are usually only available for solidsurface<br />
or s<strong>to</strong>ne counter<strong>to</strong>ps.<br />
When it comes <strong>to</strong> kitchen faucets,<br />
there seems <strong>to</strong> be a style and finish<br />
MAKE MORE STORAGE<br />
This simple panel-and-cabinet<br />
project disguises the refrigera<strong>to</strong>r<br />
while adding s<strong>to</strong>rage.<br />
for every t<strong>as</strong>te imaginable.<br />
For Tracy, efficiency<br />
w<strong>as</strong> paramount. She<br />
selected the Dorsey Eco-<br />
Performance kitchen<br />
faucet from Moen,<br />
(pho<strong>to</strong>, p. 21) which features<br />
three spray options,<br />
two <strong>of</strong> which are low-flow and can<br />
add up <strong>to</strong> about 32 percent water savings.<br />
“It w<strong>as</strong> nice <strong>to</strong> find a faucet that<br />
not only looks beautiful but also<br />
saves money,” Tracy says. When<br />
selecting a faucet, consider the other<br />
fixtures, appliances and hardware in<br />
your kitchen <strong>to</strong> maintain consistency<br />
in style and finishes.<br />
Installing a new faucet is an e<strong>as</strong>y<br />
project. It requires only a handful <strong>of</strong><br />
common <strong>to</strong>ols and materials and<br />
minimal skills. Many faucet manufacturers<br />
are also making more DIYfriendly<br />
products that feature twist- or<br />
click-<strong>to</strong>gether fittings, which simplify<br />
the process.<br />
Lighting<br />
Sometimes all it takes <strong>to</strong> lighten up a<br />
kitchen is, well, light. And though<br />
Tracy’s space didn’t require any additional<br />
lighting that would require new<br />
wiring (and in her c<strong>as</strong>e, hiring an electrician),<br />
she did opt <strong>to</strong> replace a couple<br />
<strong>of</strong> outdated fixtures.<br />
“We found a pendant that we liked<br />
at a home s<strong>to</strong>re, but when we installed<br />
it above the sink, it didn’t look right,”<br />
Tracy says. The couple returned it and<br />
found a track fixture that better suits<br />
the space and features four adjustable<br />
lamps for optimum lighting in the<br />
surrounding area (pho<strong>to</strong>,<br />
<strong>to</strong>p left).<br />
Tracy’s undercabinet<br />
lighting<br />
w<strong>as</strong> already hardwired<br />
<strong>to</strong> a wall<br />
switch, which she<br />
Learn how <strong>to</strong> get plans<br />
for <strong>this</strong> project on p. 3.<br />
liked, but it put <strong>of</strong>f excess heat and<br />
w<strong>as</strong>ted energy. Her solution w<strong>as</strong> <strong>to</strong><br />
simply replace the bulbs with lowvoltage<br />
xenons that produce bright<br />
white light but remain cool and l<strong>as</strong>t<br />
longer than traditional halogens.<br />
Other energy-efficient options include<br />
fluorescent bulbs, puck lights and<br />
LEDs. These options differ in heat output<br />
and light color, so if possible, test<br />
them in the s<strong>to</strong>re before buying.<br />
Appliances<br />
Although all <strong>of</strong> the appliances in<br />
Tracy’s kitchen matched, the placement<br />
<strong>of</strong> the refrigera<strong>to</strong>r created an<br />
eyesore. To disguise the bulky appliance<br />
and employ the unused space<br />
above it, Tracy added a floor-<strong>to</strong>-ceiling<br />
wood panel and a deep cabinet<br />
(pho<strong>to</strong>, bot<strong>to</strong>m left). The two parts<br />
were built separately but installed <strong>as</strong><br />
one piece <strong>to</strong> create a built-in look that<br />
matches the new cabinet doors and<br />
adds an impressive amount <strong>of</strong> s<strong>to</strong>rage.<br />
Other suggestions for hiding unattractive<br />
kitchen gadgets include appliance<br />
garages and pullout cabinet<br />
accessories. If you plan <strong>to</strong> replace any<br />
appliances, be sure <strong>to</strong> keep energyefficiency<br />
in mind. Plenty <strong>of</strong> options<br />
<strong>of</strong>fer significant savings compared<br />
with older models. For lists <strong>of</strong> products,<br />
visit the Energy Star Web site (see<br />
SOURCES ONLINE).<br />
Completing a kitchen makeover<br />
takes time and money, but when you<br />
nail down your budget and understand<br />
your options, you can achieve a<br />
transformation that’s <strong>as</strong> e<strong>as</strong>y on your<br />
wallet <strong>as</strong> it is on your eyes. u<br />
SOURCES ONLINE<br />
For online information, go <strong>to</strong><br />
www.<strong>Handyman</strong><strong>Club</strong>.com<br />
and click on WEB EXTRAS.<br />
Energy Star, www.energystar.gov<br />
Lee Valley Tools (Modern Oval Handles),<br />
800-871-8158<br />
Moen (Dorsey Eco-Performance kitchen<br />
faucet), 800-289-6636<br />
Wilsonart (HD laminate counter<strong>to</strong>p with<br />
under-mount sink), 800-433-3222<br />
Woodworker’s Hardware, 800-383-0130<br />
22 HANDY f e b r u a r y / M a r c h 2 0 1 0