We all know the standard ’90s honey oak kitchen: heavy wood grain, dated yellow Formica countertops, visible brass hinges, and a bulky microwave dominating the range area. While the footprint of these kitchens is often functional, the aesthetic can leave the whole home feeling tired and dark.

For our latest project, our clients loved their kitchen’s original layout, but they were ready for a bright, classic, and sophisticated update. Instead of a costly full-gut remodel, we executed a strategic kitchen refresh that transformed the entire room, proving that smart design tweaks, professional finishes, and the right color palette can completely redefine a space.

This was the kitchen when I first met with them. The before:

The Power of Paint: Benjamin Moore Louisburg Green

The centerpiece of this transformation was the cabinetry. We professionally prepped and painted the original oak cabinets in Benjamin Moore Louisburg Green, an earthy, muted sage that adds instant character without overpowering the room. To soften the surrounding walls, we selected Benjamin Moore Classic Gray, providing a warm, subtle contrast that keeps the space feeling airy. You can see this beautiful and classic combination below.

Louisburg Green

Classic Gray

And here is the after with the right combination of paint, finishes, new counters, and customization.

Elevating Details & Smart Spatial Hacks

• The Soffit Trick: To break up the choppy visual line above the cabinets, we added crown molding directly to the soffit and painted everything to match the cabinetry. This seamless, tone-on-tone treatment draws the eye upward, instantly adding perceived height to the room.

• The Microwave Niche: The clients wanted to open up the cooking area, so we removed the over-the-range microwave and built a custom open shelf, painting the niche to match for a tailored, cozy focal point.
• Modern Hardware & Hidden Hinges: We swapped out the dated external hinges for modern, hidden, soft-close hardware, instantly giving the cabinet doors a sleek, custom look.

• Coordinated Finishes: We installed durable white quartz countertops, a soft white subway tile backsplash with matching white grout, an undermount sink, and warm metallic hardware and plumbing fixtures to anchor the classic aesthetic.

Once we are finished with a project, we always encourage our clients to consider some new styling in the space. Adding thoughtful touches, like plants and small pictures create a warm feeling and can easily tuck in the background, allowing room for practical needs (fresh fruit or cooking utensils) to still remain.

Ready for Your Own Transformation?

Whether you are staring at a dark and dated kitchen or a lacklustre living room, we’re here to help. Our team doesn’t just dream up the design, we work with you to help bring the vision to life!

To get started, schedule a design consultation so we can create a plan for your home. Click the link below to book an appointment. We offer VIRTUAL or IN-PERSON consultations, so we can work with you no matter where you are located.

Want to Start With a FREE Cabinet Painting Quote

If you are ready to begin with a free kitchen quote, contact us today. Just send us some photos and the count of your doors and drawers, and we can start you off with a free quote for painting your cabinets!

Final Thoughts

Thank you all for following along! If you’d like to get this blog in your email once a week, please sign up for our weekly newsletter by adding your email in the little box below my picture at the top of this page. 

If you’ve enjoyed this post, please like FunCycled on  Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest if you don’t already. Keep up to date on the newest finds, vote on colors and give your input on our creativity. We share fun tutorials, great before and after, and new design inspirations. 

We offer interior design, kitchen cabinet painting, and custom built tables, barn doors, and repurposed furniture. Thank you, again, for working with us and for taking the time to spread the word about what we do. This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As always, I only recommend products I genuinely love and trust.

Happy FunCycling Friends,
Sarah ; )

Because home is where peace begins.

Every kitchen has a story, and this one’s started dark wood cabinets and overworked hardware, equally as dark, leaving no room for distinction and a little lack-luster. Despite being open to the living room, the kitchen felt disjointed, weighed down, and lacking in personality. Our goal was to honor its great layout while giving it a new sense of depth, style, and modern character. The result? A dramatic transformation anchored by Black Evergreen cabinets, brushed gold details, and a reimagined island that now feels like a design feature instead of an afterthought.

Here’s a picture of the kitchen before

Why We Chose Black Evergreen by Behr for the Cabinets

Addressing the cabinet color was the first place we started. Instead of defaulting to white or light tones, we chose Black Evergreen by Behr, a deep green-black that instantly elevated the space. This shade has the richness of black with gorgeous, rich green tones. Against the existing black granite countertops, the color feels intentional and striking, providing enough contrast without overwhelming the room.

Painting the island to match brought a cohesive flow across the entire kitchen, tying together what once felt like disconnected elements. The shift from dark brown wood to this bold, moody hue gave the kitchen a new identity. It now feels modern, timeless, and tailored.

Here is a swatch of Black Evergreen, which helps demonstrate its depth.

The Power of Details: Gold Hardware & Arabesque Backsplash

With these cabinets outfitted in such a rich color, we needed to account for some new details to match their depth and personality. Out went the dated hardware, and in came brushed gold pulls and knobs. The subtle gleam of gold immediately brightened the cabinets, creating warmth and sophistication.

For the backsplash, we installed a classic white arabesque tile. The shape adds movement and texture, while dark gray grout outlines each curve, ensuring the pattern holds its own against the bold cabinetry. I love how this shape and color provide balance to the kitchen design.

Together with gold hardware, this white backsplash layers depth into the design, preventing the dark counters and cabinets from overpowering the space.

Pro-Tip from the funcycled design team

Turning a Builder-Grade Island into a Design Statement

Originally, this kitchen island was purely functional. Yes, serving its purpose but lacking style and causing it to feel disjointed from the rest of the kitchen and not really even part of the adjoining living room. We reimagined it by wrapping the base in board and batten, then trimming out three sides with molding to match the design of the cabinet side. Painting the island in Black Evergreen unified it with the cabinetry, while the added millwork elevated it into a focal point.

Now, instead of blending into the background, the island anchors the kitchen and enhances the open flow into the living room. It feels custom, thoughtful, and designed to belong.

Styling That Brings Warmth & Balance

With such high contrast between the black granite and white backsplash, styling became key to softening the overall look. For the photoshoot, we layered in natural textures: vintage wood canisters, a cutting board, stacked bowls, and a candle. The warmth of the wood tones brings depth, while greenery adds life and freshness. These small, thoughtful touches bridge the gap between sleek finishes and everyday livability, ensuring the kitchen feels welcoming as well as stunning.

More Kitchen Transformation Inspiration

Here are some other great kitchen transformations from FunCycled.

Blue & Gold Kitchen with Open Shelves

Clean and Bright Kitchen Reveal

Classic & Farmhouse Feel Kitchen Makeover

Final Thoughts

I hope you have gleaned some inspiration and perhaps discovered some key takeaways for your kitchen! To see more kitchen inspiration, check out all of our KITCHEN MAKEOVERS.

Are you considering getting your kitchen cabinets painted (OR MORE!), follow these three easy steps to getting your FREE QUOTE today! If you are even remotely considering a kitchen refresh, I encourage you to CONTACT US today!

Final Thoughts

Thank you all for following along! If you’d like to get this blog in your email once a week, please sign up for our weekly newsletter by adding your email in the little box below my picture at the top of this page. 

If you’ve enjoyed this post, please like FunCycled on  Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest if you don’t already. Keep up to date on the newest finds, vote on colors and give your input on our creativity. We share fun tutorials, great before and after, and new design inspirations. 

We offer interior design, kitchen cabinet painting, and custom built tables, barn doors, and repurposed furniture. Thank you, again, for working with us and for taking the time to spread the word about what we do. 

Happy FunCycling Friends,
Sarah ; )

Exquisite Spaces. Sustainable Designs. Brighter Futures.

Note some of the the links provided are affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from any qualifying purchases.

Hi Friends!

It is so exciting when I get to share with you stunning makeovers that display the correct way to add color to a home! This summer, I have focused on incorporating color into your design which I know can be a scary or intimidating idea. That’s why I am glad to share today’s kitchen makeover story with you. Julie and her family reached out to us knowing they wanted to update their kitchen but needed some guidance on making the right selections for their project. Thanks to our team, we were able to completely change the look of their kitchen while keeping the cost down.

Here are a few before photos of Julie’s kitchen. This kitchen is what I would call a busy or disjointed kitchen. There are 2 different colors of wood tones between the cabinets and island, 2 different countertops, and 2 different colors of hardware used throughout the space. The good news…everything was in good condition, so we knew we could use the existing cabinets and drawers.

Here are a couple more photos

Next we determined that Julie and her family were going to keep the counters and backsplash. Yes, the two different counters were mismatched, but they are solid surface and in really good shape. As for her backsplash, it actually contained all of the colors that were present in her heavily veined granite counter AND the even, streamlined dark gray countertop. Now, we just needed to make all of the elements tie in together.

Here is a close up of the backsplash and the paint swatch we decided to use for the cabinets.

It was great that their tile actually contained ALL of the elements that we needed to pull together a cohesive plan. Plus, it helped to confirm our color choice!

This color is by Behr. It’s called Black Evergreen. It is a rich, deep green and can be used to add a dramatic element to a room or to provide a moody space that helps warm and welcome a room.

And here is the beautiful outcome with our cohesive design plan!

In addition to selecting the right paint color, we decided to paint the underside of the cabinets. For Julie’s kitchen, this was an important component in achieving a cohesive design plan. It’s a good idea to do this when you want to ensure the visual appearance is not interrupted and the colors are evenly spread out around a room. Choosing the right color, ensuring a continuous visual presence, and selecting matching hardware were the essential

See how well this paint color works with both counters?

Look at how well the color works with both counters…and check out the rich tone of the deep green next to the movement of the granite on their island. Isn’t is just stunning?!

And the last detail to complete the cohesive plan was to ensure we used the right hardware. Sometimes using one kind for your doors and another for your drawers is a good idea, but since Julie’s kitchen plan was to pull everything together, we decided the best option would be to select all of the same hardware. And to add just a little more interest, we decided on these black and gold handles. Here is the link where you can purchase them: Black and Gold Cabinet Pulls.

We just loved completing this project! Thanks, Julie, for working with us and for trusting FunCycled with your design plan!

Thank you all for following along! If you’d like to get this blog in your email once a week, please sign up for our weekly newsletter by adding your email in the little box below my picture at the top of this page. 

If you’ve enjoyed this post, please like FunCycled on  Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest if you don’t already. Keep up to date on the newest finds, vote on colors and give your input on our creativity. We share fun tutorials, great before and after, and new design inspirations. 

We offer interior design, kitchen cabinet painting, and custom built tables, barn doors, and repurposed furniture. Thank you, again, for working with us and for taking the time to spread the word about what we do. 

Happy FunCycling Friends,
Sarah ;)

Note some of the the links provided are affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from any qualifying purchases.

Hi friends!

Well it is just about here and in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, let’s celebrate green! I mean isn’t that what we should do?! Speaking of green, remember that we’ve launched our Earth Day Upcycling Contest. Redo something and share before and after photos HERE for a chance to win!

Over the years we have refreshed, updated, and repurposed countless numbers of kitchens, making them over into new and fresh spaces our clients want to spend time in with friends and family! Join me as I share some of my favorite GREEN kitchen makeovers, and I hope you will stick with me to the end to learn a few cool facts about St. Patrick himself and to gain a better understanding of why green is so essential this time of year and how to bring that into our homes!

If you are having trouble viewing the images, click here.

Here are some of my favorites over the years!

DID YOU KNOW?

Originally, the color of St. Patrick’s Day was blue (it’s true-Google it!). Seen in this early depiction of St. Patrick himself, blue garments were donned during early feast celebrations in honor of St. Patrick. It wasn’t until the late 1800’s when the color association shifted from blue to green (TIME magazine article).

Image Credit to FLIKR c/o Pinterest

WHY GREEN?

Okay, so besides the festivities of St. Patrick’s Day, what is it about green that we love so much this time of year?

Green elicits feelings of harmony and peace and is associated with growth and renewal. I think all of these emotions are things we all want to feel and cultivate in our everyday lives. For that reason, green makes a great color option for anyone’s home! Whether it is embracing a full paint project in your kitchen, refurbishing a tired piece of furniture, replacing pillow covers, or placing fresh greens inside or out, green is more than just a color for St. Patrick’s Day-it’s a color we can love any time of year in any place in our homes!

If you would like to know more about getting your kitchen painted (green or otherwise!), or maybe you have a piece of furniture that could use a facelift, check out the links below to learn more about those services! I would love to help!

Kitchen Cabinet Painting

Furniture Makeovers on our Projects Page

Or you can reach out to us on our Contact Us page where you will find additional details about working with us!

DON’T FORGET THE EARTH DAY UPCYCLING CONTEST HAPPENING NOW! Click the image below for more details!

Thank you all for following along! If you’d like to get this blog in your email once a week, please sign up for our weekly newsletter by adding your email in the little box below my picture. 

If you’ve enjoyed this post, please like FunCycled on  Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest if you don’t already. Keep up to date on the newest finds, vote on colors and give your input on our creativity. We share fun tutorials, great before and after, and new design inspirations. 

Happy FunCycling Friends,

Sarah ; )

Hi Friends!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend! I’m giddy, excited to share with you all about the kitchen makeover in our Trolley House Flip. It might just knock your socks off! As you may know by now, we purchased an old trolley stop in 2022, and completely remodeled it before putting it on the market at the end of October.

If you have trouble viewing the photos on this post, click here.

Here’s what the kitchen part of the trolley house looked like the day we bought it:

This was the most damaged section of the house! John actually fell through the floor after we closed on it. We ended up ripping this whole section off, adding a foundation and all new framing. My favorite part about this design is that we also peaked the ceiling to match the roof line of the rest of the house. The roof before wasn’t even 6′ tall on the door side.

Check out this ceiling!!! We installed shiplap on the ceiling and a large beam to add visual interest.

Next, we worked on the flooring. I knew I wanted rectangular tile that wouldn’t show dirt easily since it’s the main access area to the house. I really wanted to do a herringbone pattern with the tile which is not a great return on investment since a 1-2 day project turned into over a 4 day project. I was so happy with how it came out though!

I went back and forth about the color of the cabinets. I know white sells quickly, but I really wanted to do something with a custom feel. So we asked our FunCycled fan’s on social media and they voted! It was almost a 50/50 vote so I went with my gut and painted them green.

We repurposed most of the kitchen cabinets by buying them on a local online marketplace, then we bought a few extra to make the whole configuration match.

John reminded me that we had strips of copper from a project that we could use in this space if I wanted. I LOVED that idea because I love how copper and dark green go together! We custom built the hood vent; adding the copper strip at the bottom. We also added all copper hardware. This is a good example of how mixed metals work together well in one space. We have gold, black, and copper, and it looks so high end.

The cabinets are painted a Behr color Black Evergreen MQ6-44. I love how in some lighting it looks black, other lighting it’s almost evergreen, and then in others it’s almost teal. This picture is a good example of the way lighting affects this color.

On the right side of the front are, we create a small eat in nook and laundry room!

We purchased a huge, old door for the Historic Albany Foundation, and it completely makes this space.

We also found a hutch in the house when we bought it. We completely redid it and added it to the laundry room. One of my favorite parts about the trolley house when we came to look at it was the stairs. They were so tiny and adorable:

But would you look at them now!!

We also installed beautiful subway tile with dark gray grout, picked Quartz counters, and a black faucet.

I couldn’t love it all more!!

Would you like help designing your kitchen? Check out our Interior Design Services page or book your consult today!

Thank you all for following along! If you’d like to get this blog in your email once a week, please sign up for our weekly newsletter by adding your email in the little box below my picture. 

If you’ve enjoyed this post, please like FunCycled on  Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest if you don’t already. Keep up to date on the newest finds, vote on colors and give your input on our creativity. We share fun tutorials, great before and after, and new design inspirations. 

We offer interior design, kitchen cabinet painting, and custom built tables, barn doors, and repurposed furniture. Thank you, again, for working with us and for taking the time to spread the word about what we do. 

Happy FunCycling Friends,
Sarah ;)

Hi Friends,

How are you? I hope you’re back into the routine of normal schedules after a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend and that your hearts are full from the practice of giving thanks. It’s such a good discipline in the valleys or on the mountaintops. We all have something to be grateful for!

For this week’s makeover, I’m excited to share a kitchen makeover where I did the design and then we painted the kitchen cabinets. I feel like we most often paint kitchens white, but in this case the kitchen went from white to green! If you’ve ever tried to pick a medium sage green, you can know how tricky that process can be. We went back and for on this kitchen, but landed on Benjamin Moore’s cedar mountain 706. I couldn’t love it more!! It’s hard to photograph this green because it looks so different based on the lighting, but click the link above to see the color on Benjamin Moore’s site.

Here’s the kitchen before:

Kitchen Before

Kitchen Before

Kitchen Before

We painted the kitchen main cabinets and peninsula Benjamin Moore’s cedar mountain 706. We also added new hardware, removed the wine fridge in the island and made a shelf for a microwave to free up more counter space, and sprayed everything with a protective clear coat. 

What an beautiful transformation!! 

If you’d like to see how we paint Kitchen Cabinets, click here to check out our video on YouTube.

Ready for the after photos?

Kitchen After

Kitchen After

Kitchen After

Kitchen After

Kitchen After

Kitchen After

Kitchen After

Thank you all for following along! If you’d like to get this blog in your email once a week, please sign up for our weekly newsletter by adding your email in the little box below my picture. 

If you’ve enjoyed this post, please like FunCycled on  Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest if you don’t already. Keep up to date on the newest finds, vote on colors and give your input on our creativity. We share fun tutorials, great before and after, and new design inspirations. 

We offer interior design, kitchen cabinet painting, and custom built tables, barn doors, and repurposed furniture. Thank you, again, for working with us and for taking the time to spread the word about what we do. 

Happy FunCycling Friends,

Sarah ;)