Color, Contemporary Touches Brighten All-Brown Kitchen

This all-brown kitchen receives a completely new look with fresh colors and contemporary materials.

Paint and Hardware

The lower cabinets are painted light green and the upper cabinets are painted a very light creamy yellow color. The soffit is painted a vibrant melon color. All of the hammered bronze cabinet hardware is replaced with contemporary pulls and hinges.

Backsplash

The backsplash is covered with removable vinyl panels. Masonite is cut to fit the backsplash and vinyl tiles in pale yellow, blue, green and cream are cut into small squares and rectangles. The vinyl pieces are then secured to the Masonite with mastic. Quarter-round molding keeps the panels in place.

Mirror

Two upper cabinets are left open for display, and mirrors are secured to the back for a more decorative look.

Floor Cloth

A striped floor cloth covers up the dated vinyl flooring. To make your own, purchase heavy-duty canvas from a tent company. Prime the material, sketch out your design and paint. Finish with two to three layers of polyurethane.

Breakfast Counter and Stool

A small breakfast counter is added to an existing cabinet. Plywood is cut to size and trimmed with molding; the top is finished to match the backsplash. A stool is set underneath.

Message Center

A piece of sheet metal is fashioned into a bulletin board above the breakfast counter.