DIY Network

Kitchen / Breakfast Nook -- Getting Started Kitchen / Breakfast Nook -- Getting Started From "Weekend Decorating" episode WDC-208

	Before
	After

Do you crave a kitchen that is warm and inviting, yet very functional? Then join Weekend Decorating host Nancy Golden as she takes a plain, outdated kitchen / breakfast nook and turns it into a recipe for success.

On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 having the greatest degree of difficulty, this project rates a solid 3 because of the glazed cabinets and the installation of floor tile. It took 11 hours, spread over the course of two days. Prep work, done in advance, included painting the walls of the kitchen and the breakfast nook, removing the old trash compactor, removing the old light fixture, priming and painting the cabinets and having a contractor install new countertops and beadboard in the kitchen. The cost of materials, furniture, accessories and tools used for this episode was $1,100.

When starting any project, it is important to be organized and efficient with your time: this is especially true when working with a weekend deadline in mind. The first step is to create a floor plan, detailing where everything will be placed. For this project, Golden used a computer decorating program that allows you to create a detailed diagram of the room without having to physically move the furniture around. For example, after adding the dimensions of the breakfast nook into the program, Golden chose a 42" round, glass table for the area because it doesn't establish definite traffic patterns: it allows traffic to easily flow around the space. Four chairs are added around the table, but a table this size can comfortably accommodate 6 chairs, if needed.

Tip: Always remember traffic flow when redesigning any room in your house.

advertisement

The homeowners wanted the area to have a clean, fresh look, with a retro feel, so, with the help of the computer design program, a sage green color was chosen for the walls. It will add a clean look when coupled with crisp white trim, giving the feeling of being both retro and modern at the same time.

Tip: When deciding on a color palette, remember: Cool colors have blue undertones, and warm colors have yellow undertones.

The almond countertops and dark cabinets had no continuity, plus they were terribly out of date, so the light countertop was replaced with a dark countertop and bead board was added to the kitchen walls and painted white, adding to the crisp, functional look. The cabinets were primed and painted white, but a glazing technique will be applied to give them an older feel.

When your floor plan is complete, gather all needed furnishings, accessories and tools prior to the weekend of the redesign project.

Materials:

painter's tape
paint
paint roller
paint pan
utility knife
ladder
wood stains
natural bristle brush
rags
gloves
nails
nail gun
caulk
hammer
speed square
floor tiles
knee pads
tape measure
marking pen
pry bar
cabinet hardware
drill
level
lighting fixture
table and chairs
baker's rack
wood shelves
wood braces
baskets
curtains
curtain rod
wall shelves
appliances
dcecorative accessories
Preparation:

• Paint the walls of the kitchen and breakfast nook (a sage color was used here, shown in figure A).

• Remove the trash compactor.

• Remove the light fixture.

• Paint the cabinets with a coat of white primer, followed by a coat of semigloss white latex paint (figure B).

• Have a contractor install new countertops and beadboard in the kitchen (figure C).

  Figure A

  Figure B

  Figure C

  
  
  Next: Glazing the Cabinets
  

  ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:
  	Kitchen / Breakfast Nook -- Getting Started
  	Glazing the Cabinets
  	Tiling the Floor
  	Finishing Touches