Day #5: My Favorite Way to Update Your Kitchen
It’s here! The final day of the Postbox Designs 5 Day Design Challenge-I hope you have been inspired, motivated, and your own creative juices are flowing now! If you missed any of the days, here is the easy breezy shortcut to them all:
DAY #1: Update your Bedroom with 4 Items and 20 Minutes
DAY #2: Create a Mini Command Center (with 24″ of space)
DAY #3: Mini Laundry Room Makeover + 2 FREE Mood Boards
DAY #4: Create a Workstation Anywhere in Your Home
But before we start the final Challenge, I’m here to fiiiiinally announce the BRAND NEW Postbox Designs Launch that is going to rock your world! If you:
-are overwhelmed with your home and don’t know where to start
-know what you like, but need some help pulling it all together
-have no time to wander down store aisles hoping something hops into your cart
-have some existing pieces you want to keep, but need to update with small pieces and accessories
-love the Postbox Designs projects you have seen but a custom design isn’t quite in the budget
Then you are going to L-O-V-E my Brand New “Choose Your Style” Pre-Designed Mood Boards.
Today is the official launch of my series of Family Room Packages! I’m currently offering three different styles to choose from:
Farmhouse Family Room
Modern Family Room
Boho Chic Family Room
They have all of the pizazz of my custom designs, but at a fraction of the price! Even better, as a huge THANK-YOU to you guys
I’m offering a limited time special launch discount.
The normal price for these Mood Board Packages are $149, but for the next 7 days only you can grab any package for just $99!
Here’s what you do: Simply purchase your Mood Board Package and you will shortly receive your Mood Boards + Shopping Lists in your inbox. Simply click below and buy! Or check it out HERE
What’s included? I created two full Mood Boards chock full of furnishings, fixtures, and accessories-everything from your sofa, coffee table, lamps, curtains, artwork, rugs, accessories, (and much more!) is included. Everything selected is from a mid-price range, and fits into the style you chose. With some of the bigger items I included two options. Depending on which Style you choose, you will receive 25+ hand-selected items as part of your Mood Board package. You will also receive a digital Shopping List that has the sizes, colors, prices, and the direct link to every single item.
What If I don’t Like What is Included? I have chosen mid-priced, durable items that fit into that particular style. I tried to included enough options of different items to give you loads of possible combinations. Even if something isn’t the perfect item for you, I have found that with most of my clients, when they have a Master Plan vision, they feel comfortable swapping out one or two pieces to fit their style without being overwhelmed. Additionally, if an item is no longer available after 30 days I will happily find a replacement for you! Everything is sourced for national stores so you can order directly without designer mark-up. Order all at once or use as a Master Plan and order items one-by-one as your budget and schedule allows.
Have questions? Or want to put in a request for a future room or style? Just drop me an email at Kristin@postboxdesigns.com and put in your vote!
And finally….Day #5: My #1 Way to Update a Kitchen
I’ve been a kitchen designer for the past 12 years and I HEART KITCHENS. They are honestly one of my favorite spaces to design because I know that family is going to spend so much time in there. In my house, our entire world revolves around our kitchen. Not only do we cook and eat in it, but we also have our craft table, and my kids even get dressed and brush their teech in there. I guess we just all really like being together in one room in the mornings. 😊
So over the last 12 years I have done mini kitchen updates and $100,000+ full scale kitchen remodels. I’ve designed for just about every budget and every style. There are a lot of little things you can do to update a tired kitchen: replace the cabinet knobs, swap out the counter tops, paint the cabinets, add some molding…all of these can make a huge impact.
But what’s my #1 favorite way to update a kitchen?
Install a new tile kitchen backsplash.
When I go into a tile store, it is like a kid in a candy shop for me! Tile is such an easy way to add color, style, and personality to your kitchen. I also always tell my clients to go classic with the “big ticket items” such as cabinets and counter tops. But if you are going to go trendy or inject some fun into your kitchen….the backsplash is the way to do it.
Adding a new backsplash can be relatively inexpensive (especially if you are DIY handy and can do the installation yourself). And I think it is the best way to give your kitchen an entirely new look.
What style tile backsplash should I choose?
If you love Cottage, try: ogee tile, subway tile, glass tile (especially in beachy hues), penny tiles, marble hex tile. And if this happens to be your fav style, check out this Cottage Style Kitchen (All from Home Depot!) that I designed-find how to create this look for yourself plus get the Shopping List right HERE
If you love Farmhouse, try: subway tile (classic 3×6, or in one of the unique sizes), glazed or crackle finish tiles, basket weave pattern, soft and subdued colors, subway tile with a bevel edge
If you love Boho Chic, try: cement tiles, subway tile, pops of bold colors, hand painted tiles
If you love traditional, try: natural stone (travertine, marble), a herringbone pattern, or adding accent border or decos
If you love Modern…then you’re also in luck today! I created this 3 Modern Kitchen Combos (+5 Must Read Tips Before Remodeling Your Kitchen) for Remodelaholic. I created three custom looks for a modern kitchen, find the entire article AND all of the sources to find every item you see.
Best places to find backsplash tile:
-your local tile stores are always a great place to start and you can see a lot of tiles in person (regionally in my area I love Virginia Tile, DalTile, and the Tile Shoppe)
-Wayfair.com: I was SHOCKED to find a huge selection of gorgeous tile at amazing prices
-Lowes & Home Depot: Home Depot is my hands down big-box fav and be prepared for tile overload if you check online. If you want less options, they have some great options on site
-StoneCenterOnline.com: I love their selection of marble tiles, I even bought my own bath’s Carrara marble hex tile there (for less than $10/SF)
Some tips about tile installation to remember:
-Some countertops have an attached backsplash (especially laminate or Corian), in this case, just install your new backsplash above this
-If you have an existing tile backsplash that you are removing, be sure to have the proper underlayment for your new backsplash so it will adhere properly. Some tiles (such as glass ones) are transparent enough to actually see through to the underlayment-so make sure you prep!
-If you are DIY-ing it: If you have never installed tile before, you might want to start with a smaller, mosaic tile that can be cut with a simple hand-held tile cutter. Otherwise you will have to buy, rent, or borrow a wet saw designed to cut tile.
-if you have exposed edges, be sure to order a coordinating bullnose or liner tile to finish off the sides (many tiles have unfinished edges)
-keep in mind that more intricate patterns (such as a herringbone pattern) will be more costly to install than a simple pattern (such as a subway pattern)
-grout can make a huge difference! Depending on what you want, it can blend in, or it can bring attention to the pattern of the tile. Look for grout that has built-in mold and mildew resistant properties
-make a big impact by taking your tile all the way to the ceiling. A great area to do this is over your cooktop. Or if you have open shelves, install tile behind them counter-to-ceiling
8 Tiles for Under $10 Round-Up
I recently created this Mood Board of 8 Tiles Under $10, all of these would work beautifully as a kitchen backsplash (or in a bathroom, or mudroom, etc.). Find all of the sources + a Free Farmhouse Bath Mood Board HERE
Thanks for following along during this Postbox Designs’ 5 Day Design Challenge. Let me know on FACEBOOK what your favorite Challenge was!
And don’t forget to pre-order your Pre-Styled Mood Board for just $99 (which saves you over $50 from the regular price!):
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