Photography by Sarah Elliott
I have shared with you all my recent purchase of a townhouse in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. Many of you have asked when I will reveal a glimpse into my design process. Believe me, I too am super anxious to get started, but it’s gonna be awhile. I have been designing and finessing the plans these past few months and filed with the Department of Buildings this past Friday. As I await approvals, which can take up to six months (eeek), I decided to temporarily move our family into a teeny apartment within the home. We will move out and gut-renovate the house in early summer.
Since the kitchen is my domain, where I spend time in the evenings cooking for my family and during the days shooting for EyeSwoon, I knew the dilapidated 1970s rendition would not do! I was left with a quandary – I could not pour money into a kitchen to only rip it out in a few short months, BUT I was also uninspired spending the majority of my time in a not-so-swoony space. I decided to execute a few minor and inexpensive upgrades that completely transformed the room.
Here are the steps I took:
While this is a temporary solution for myself, I share it as inspiration. Undergoing a massive kitchen upgrade — particularly in a rental — is not ideal for most, but it’s incredible how a coat of graphite paint, the warmth of butcher block, and the function of a new LG dishwasher can elevate and transform a space on a budget!