DIY Network

Contemporary Style From "DIY Decorating & Design" episode DID-149

Interior designer Nancy Golden works with Joan Steffend, host of HGTV's Decorating Cents, to transform a stark white contemporary kitchen into a colorful and vibrant room. Using bright accent colors and unique decorating ideas, they create a kitchen brimming with character for less than $500.

For less than $500, this plain white kitchen goes from spare to flower-bright.

Bright accent colors and clever decorating ideas create a fun-loving look just right for a family.

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Nancy and Joan begin the kitchen makeover by painting the soffits in bright accent colors -- red, lime green and turquoise -- to help stimulate the appetite (figure A). Black-and-white-checked wallpaper in easy-to-clean vinyl is applied to the sink backsplash. Square ceramic tiles in bold accent colors are glued randomly to the backsplash (figure B). Because the tiles were discontinued, Nancy got them at no cost, making this bright modern touch both colorful and cheap.

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

A cornice board added above the window, with the same black-and-white wallpaper and bright tile, draws the eye up and creates continuity.

A funky window treatment adds little privacy but lots of appeal. Five colorful water pitchers are hung in front of the window from beaded wires attached to a tension rod with shower-curtain rings. The lime-green soffit above the window is hung with multicolored plastic plates. Old plastic plates, like the plastic water pitchers, are a colorful, low-priced decorating accessory.

A custom-made shadow box brings together the kitchen's bright accent colors. This clever architectural accent will be used to hold utensils, a message board and decorative objects. When the box is empty, its bright colors and geometric lines give it the look of abstract modern art (figure C).