Wednesday, February 03, 2010

Upgrade my Kitchen?

This is pretty much my dream kitchen...


And this is my actual kitchen..,


I have the beautiful stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops. But I'd die for some espresso cabinets and a beautiful backsplash.

Since moving is out of the questions and I "can't be with the one I love", I've been thinking about "loving the one I'm with" and upgrading my kitchen.

Due to budgetary reasons, I'm not even thinking of replacing the basically new cabinets. But a new backsplash could really add a lot the kitchen (and after that maybe new paint in the rooms near the kitchen)

I did some searching around the interwebs for backsplashes paired with wood that looks like ours. Here is what I found:

Pretty huh?!

So I have a few questions:
1. How much do you think the purchase and installation of a small backsplash would cost?
2. Our granite is a blackish-green color and our floors are a beige marble. What color would you do for the backsplah? My gut says some combo of brown, beige, and green would be good.
3. Would I need to remove the the granite the comes up onto the wall or just add a backsplash above it?

17 comments:

Jessica @ How Sweet said...

I am kind of in the same stage as you - I really don't know the answers to prices. But I LOVE that first kitchen too. I spend all my time in the kitchen!

Patience said...

We just added a backsplash to our kitchen and we added the backsplash above the granite. We picked a more expensive backsplash and our kitchen is quite large and L installed it by himself. Doing tile work is not hard at all. I think we did the entire kitchen for about $1600.00. I would stick with neutral colors for the backsplash. I think if you went with something with green in it, it would blend with your counter tops and not give you with pop effect you want. We went with a slate and I love it because of all the different colors.

d.a.r. said...

For glass tiles like that, you are looking at about $1500. We just did porcelain tiles and spent around $500, but seriously...ANYTHING is better than just paint! I think a backsplash, even just a plain jane one really dresses up the kitchen and makes it look more expensive!

And instead of replacing all of the cabinets, have you looked into refinishing them? Might be pretty time consuming, but would probably be a pretty cost effective method of getting exactly what you want :)

ELP said...

Oh, fun stuff! I have been dying for a backsplash in my kitchen. I pretty much have the same color cabinates and granite as you but have been stumped on what color to do for the backsplash!

Anonymous said...

I haven't done a backsplash but would love one so I am curious what people say. I love the small square tile look! Do you ever watch Divine Design on HGTV? I feel like she does really great kitchen backsplashes!

Nicole said...

Your kitchen is absolutely gorgeous!!
I loved the difference that a backsplash made in our kitchen in our first place. I can't wait to have one in this house. (If you are interested, you can view the before & after pic's here: http://fromournest.blogspot.com/2007/08/new-kitchen.html)
We had corian countertops and did not take that trim that comes up the wall off. I can't help you with cost because not only did we do this project a few years ago but my dad was able to do it for us so we only had to pay for the supplies.

Crazy Shenanigans-JMO said...

I'm gonna guess that the backsplash will be around 4-5 hundred. I love those pictures of your dream kitchen!

Sweet Simplicity said...

I think a tile back splash would look amazing! I'm not the best at picking colors, etc. But I would think that you would just leave the granite in place and tile from there up. Perhaps, the price of tearing of the granite would be the biggest factor.

Sara said...

You can definitely add a backsplash above the granite. In fact, it would likely cost a bunch more to remove the granite since it would likely have to be done by a pro. We just upgraded our kitchen and the backsplash portion was $800. We went with tumbled marble and I love it!

the BLAH BLAH BLAHger said...

I've got a So Cal company who redid my kitchen for CHEAP. Email me if you want a referral... : )

Ams said...

I am terrible at answering any of those questions but a) your kitchen is really nice b) omg the dream kitchen is MY dream kitchen! I LOVE it!!

Sarah said...

I really like both the different types of kitchens you are looking at. I have a suggestion though, maybe you could sand down your current cabinetry and stain it a darker color like you really want? I know its labor intensive, but you could always hire someone to do it and it would sure cost a lot less than buying new ones!

Meant to be a mom said...

I'm with you, I want that kitchen also. I'm not sure on how much it would cost to upgrade the backsplash but I do like the idea of the mixture of all the colors you already have. I would just add it above the granite.

Chic Runner said...

Being in your kitchen before, I do think that the back splash would add a lot! :) It would look really good in there especially with your entryway tiling that is done. :) As for pricing, I obvs. have no idea! BUT if you decide to do something, I can't wait to see it!

Mama Mahvelous said...

I love the backsplash idea! I think that would bring a lot of color in! What about beige and turquoise (as I notice the turquoise paint in one of the pictures)? I don't know if that would work in your kitchen but it seems like it would tie in with the rest of your house. Good luck!

Kassie said...

I'm a real estate agent, and I can say that anything you do to the kitchen will only bring it up in value! :) It already looks great for the space, but I think a neutral backsplash with pops of green would look great. It's a little more money and annoying to tear out the granite, but I think it would look better and more even. Also, it does cost a fair bit, but have you considered having the cabinents refinished rather than replaced? Just an idea! :)

In This Wonderful Life said...

I don't know how much remodel type things cost but I never think it hurts to get estimates for something that would make you happy :)

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