Jul 132 min read

Minimal Reno Work Before & After

Updated: Jul 13

You can make a huge difference with the look and feel of a space with little to no demo work and a lot of risk taking creativity. I would love to share with you an example of my work in East LA.

The owners were happy with their new home. It was freshly renovated by the investor who sold it and the biggest chunk of their budget was going towards furniture. What they saw as clean and white I saw as basic with many shortcuts taken by the seller to maximize profits. I guided them through the lightest of renovations to give the spaces more personality and let their new furnishings shine.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

The basic laminate white flat front kitchen cabinets stayed to avoid a bigger renovation project. We swapped out the cabinet knobs for pretty new brass fixtures. The butcher block counters were removed (it was starting to warp and crack) and replaced with a stunning red and pink Cristallo marble countertop. Instant game changer.

If you notice in the before photo the seller hadn't even bothered with a backsplash (cheap) making the floating shelves look sad and lonely. We added pink zellige tile to the undersides of the shelves that worked beautifully with the pink veining of the stone. What a WOW combination! We also changed the kitchen faucet and pot filler fixtures to brass. Its the small things that make the big difference, right? And don't forget adding warmth with natural fiber lighting pendants above the island that tie into the woven seats of the new counter stools.

Moving onto the staircase, which is the first architectural element you see upon opening the front door. I just knew there was potential there to make an impactful entry.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

The power of paint goes a very long way and is truly the most inexpensive part of any home improvement project. If you can DIY it, its only the cost of a gallon of paint ($25-$50) and your time. By using red and pink hues that work with the kitchen colors, the graphic nature of the staircase was celebrated.

What was once an unused space became the dining area. Why not have guests feel instantly invited to take a seat at the table upon being welcomed into the home?

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As you can see with minimal disruption to the homeowners and without spending an insane amount of money, a big improvement was accomplished.