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Designing New Possibilities for Your Home and How You Live ™

How to Avoid an Expensive Kitchen Renovation

by Debra Gould
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Kitchen redesigned by Debra Gould

I redesigned this kitchen with paint and accessories instead of ripping out cabinets and putting in new counters. It was even featured in Woman's Day Magazine! Runner on the counter is from the Debra Gould Home Collection

Many families don’t have tens of thousands to spend on a new kitchen, or they don’t want to live through the significant inconvenience of ripping out this critical room and waiting for it to be rebuilt from scratch.

I did it once on my second property and it was a nightmare. The day after I moved in with my toddler I had the kitchen ripped out so that I’d have better cupboard space and a spot for a dishwasher. It took over two months to complete and in the meantime we lived in a construction zone with all the dust, noise and danger that entails.

I managed to set up the fridge, microwave and toaster oven in the living room, but every time I turned on the microwave we’d blow a fuse. Let’s just say it was one of THE most stressful periods of my life. From then on I vowed to never buy a house that didn’t already have a dishwasher built in or a space that I could use a portable one.

If your biggest problem is that your kitchen is just plain ugly, before you go spending tens of thousands of dollars tearing out cabinets and counters, putting in expensive tiles and back splashes, etc., consider the magic that can be achieved with well chosen paint and accessories! You’ll be amazed at the new look you can get with a cheap kitchen makeover.

kitchen before redesign by Debra Gould

kitchen after redesign by Debra Gould



This kitchen looks dramatically different with bold colors and new cabinet hardware. Even the 1930s arborite back splash and counter top were transformed with melamine paint— not a permanent solution, but it still looked great after 5 years!

Need help with your own kitchen makeover project?

With a two to three hour consultation in your home, I will give you new colors to consider and suggest many other changes that will transform your kitchen at minimal cost. Contact me to learn more.

If you’re outside the Toronto area, I can still help you by phone working from photos you email me. Learn more about this virtual consultation service.

Debra Gould, President Six Elements Inc.

Design and color expert Debra Gould is president of Six Elements Inc. She creates environments that are warm and welcoming while reflecting the spirit of the people living there.

{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }

Janie Bugg January 11, 2014 at 6:26 pm

l did this to a very out dated kitchen and it came out wonderfully.
l was so impressed, it was unbelievable the way it turned out.

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