Beautiful Budget Kitchen

The kitchen before Kenneth gets his hands on it.

Shawnda and Randy have decided it's finally time to bring their outdated kitchen into the 21st century but they don’t want to spend a lot of money. Because the kitchen is a multipurpose area that includes a home office and laundry, the makeover needs to be stylish and functional. Kenneth Brown's new design is space efficient and features cost-effective elements such as exposed concrete floors and laminate countertops, which give the couple the contemporary look they're going for.

Click to see the updated kitchen.

When redesigning a kitchen, Kenneth says to to think function first. In Shawnda and Randy's kitchen, he removes the peninsula to create one large open room and repositions the washer and dryer in a nook to hide them from view. Making these two changes allows them to decide where everything else will go. He says, "When you start with the major functions of the room, other things will fall into place." Here are a few more of his tips:

• Use the perimeter of the room to guide your kitchen design because it will help you maximize storage and countertop space. As Kenneth says, "That's the key with kitchens--the more counter space, the better off you are."
  
• Use laminate in place of more expensive countertop materials. Shawnda and Randy don't agree with Kenneth at first--they're hoping for a concrete countertop but the cost is going to put them over their budget. In the end, they agree on a laminate that gives the concrete look they're hoping for. Kenneth also has it banded with a metal edge to tie in even more with the contemporary design.
  
• Save money by installing only lower cabinets and keeping the plumbing in place. In lieu of upper cabinets, Kenneth is able to showcase Shawnda's art collection. Another way they save money is by using the concrete floor beneath the dated laminate. Even though it's damaged after they rip up the laminate, Kenneth is able to smooth it out with a thin layer of concrete.

More Kenneth Brown
Read his bio, find out his design trends and tips and browse more of his rooms in Designers' Portfolio.

wall paint (Honeydew, 6428 ) - Sherwin Williams
ribbed edge molding on countertop tops (polished finish) - Gino's Malt Shop Collection
kitchen cabinet hardware (basic cynlinder bar pull with anodized red) - Liz's Antique Hardware
kitchen sink (deep single bowl with five holes, DLR3122-12) - EZ Kitchen & Bath, Inc.
fabric for laundry area curtain (silver metallic stretch net, silver metal chiffon) - Dazian
range hood (GE Designer Hood 36", JV 966 DSS) - Lowe's
shades - Designs by Bonnie Price
kitchen cabinetry, desk and desk cabinets - Ken Johansson Fine Furniture
kitchen island - Surfas Restaurant Supply & Gourmet Food
red stools - Civilization

Resources
decorative project materials
Gino's Malt Shop Collection
25 N Jefferson Ave.
Canonsburg, PA 15317
Phone: 724-743-1950
antique hardware
Liz's Antique Hardware
453 South LaBrea Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Phone: 323-939-4403
Fax: 323-939-4387
Email: shop@LAHardware.com
Website: www.lahardware.com

kitchen and bath supply
EZ Kitchen & Bath, Inc.
8865 W Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90035
Phone: 310-652-2862
decorative project materials
Dazian
Website: www.dazian.com

stainless steel sink
Elkay Manufacturing Corporation
Website: www.elkay.com

appliances
General Electric
Website: www.geappliances.com

decorative project materials
Lowe's
Website: www.lowes.com

window treatments
Designs by Bonnie Price
Phone: 818-261-7523
E-mail: bonnnieprice@aol.com

furniture
Ken Johansson Fine Furniture
Phone: 310-923-2063

furniture
Civilization
We apologize no further information is available.

restaurant supply
Surfas Restaurant Supply & Gourmet Food
8825 National Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
Phone: 310-559-4770
Fax: (same as above)
Website: www.surfasonline.com

paint
The Sherwin-Williams Company
Website: www.sherwin.com
Also in this Episode

reDesign : Episode HRDN-104
•	Beautiful Budget Kitchen