My Cooking Station Is Now Complete
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I’m happy to say that my cooking station is now complete. It took a little while to get everything I needed to replace the stove that I gave back to the apartment complex.
I had been eyeing this highly-rated Breville toaster/convection oven for some time. Breville products are designed and engineered in Sydney, Australia.
Breville Toaster Oven:
The Breville Smart Convection Toaster Oven will bake pretty much whatever you want. I researched toaster ovens and convection ovens for months before buying this one for my cooking station.
I have not added much since you saw this just over a month ago. There’s now a tablecloth over the washer/dryer.
When in use, I pick up the tray and relocate it until I finish the laundry.
How The Countertop Contact Paper Is Holding Up:
I know you’re wondering how the contact paper is holding up. It’s holding up beautifully. I wipe the countertops down several times a day. It was an excellent investment for under $10, and it changed the kitchen’s entire look.
For those of you who haven’t seen it, here’s a before photo:
As you can see above, this kitchen was blah, gloomy, and generic. Now it fits my personality.
I had maintenance remove the stove to make room for my washer/dryer. Of course, I know most of you thought I’d lost my mind.
But now I love this kitchen. It has everything I need. Since I don’t use the dishwasher, I covered it with contact paper and painted every surface, including the refrigerator.
Now, this kitchen works beautifully for me. Do not be afraid to change things up to better suit your needs.
I moved the refrigerator not once but twice, finally getting it where I thought it looked best and where there was room for my washing machine. Then I had to figure out how to create a cooking station.
How Much Did I Spend?
What did I spend to resurrect this 1960s apartment?
I have a few prints, contact paper, the butcher block island I found at the antique mall for $45, the print above, and the washer/dryer. Since there was no plumbing for one, I purchased a portable washer/dryer similar to what they use in Europe.
I purchased the wood appliqué for the space under the sink at Lowe’s for $19.99. I also bought paint and new hardware for the doors and drawers.
The washer/dryer was the most significant expense at $1300. But with my ankle, I can’t drag laundry out to a laundromat wearing a steel boot in the ice and snow in winter. It both washes and dries in the same machine.
It takes longer to dry, so after a bit I take out the heavy towels and hang them over chairs to finish drying.
My purpose in this kitchen was twofold: to have everything I needed and to make it energy efficient to keep my utility bills down. I also wanted a cooking area without a stove.
How Much Am I Willing To Spend?
When you start a venture like this, you must ask yourself: How much am I willing to spend that I would have to leave behind with the apartment should I move? And what things can I purchase that I can take down the line?
In that light, I purchased very little that would have to stay with the apartment—probably under $50, and that was mostly for paint.
Everything else, including the decals, drawer, and door hardware, can be removed should I move.
Like I always say, love it while you rent it. Don’t abandon your dreams until you have “a better place to live.”
Life can be short. Live it now wherever you are.
You don’t have to spend much money for a functional and beautiful space. Even with the limitations of landlord rules, I promise you, you can still do a lot.
Changes I Made:
Moving the stove out and the refrigerator to a different location was no big deal. The washer/dryer works where the fridge once was because it’s close to the sink, as I have to hook it up to a water source.
My cooking station includes a microwave, electric skillet, egg maker, and toaster/convection oven. If I choose to move, they can all move with me.
Paint is your best friend. Many landlords will allow you to paint if you repaint it when you leave.
The contact paper comes off. I wanted to try removable wallpaper, but found it a bit pricey for my needs.
There is a way to take any-sized generic apartment and make it beautiful.
I call this “the little kitchen that could.”
Very creative! I love it!
Wow, what a transformation. From cold and sterile to cozy and homey. I move to my condo in two weeks and you have inspired me to transform that 80's kitchen into a bright comfy place to work. So happy I found your blog. Debbie
What a charming little kitchen and a great use of space! Happy to feature you at our party this morning. Thanks so much for sharing!
This looks incredible! Pinned. I'm always impressed with your creations. Please join us tonight at 7 pm. I can't wait to see what you have been working on! http://loulougirls.blogspot.com/
Happy Monday! Lou Lou Girls
Looking forward to post on all the fabulous recipes you will cook in the new convection oven!
It's super cute Brenda! I like that you made it work for your needs and how you use a kitchen.
Glad you are happy with your cooking station, and you won't heat up your whole kitchen in the Summer to cook for yourself! Do you mind if I ask what kind of jar candle is that on your island! I just love it!
Your kitchen is beautiful! It really paid off to think outside the box. You did good!!
Your kitchen is adorable. What a happy place to be. I love it all. You did an amazing job of reworking it to fit you. Perfect. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me.
I love your kitchen. It just shows what you can do with a little imagination and a little paint. It is so much cozier now.
Hey, Brenda, I see you still have the touch! Glad to see things are shaping up beautifully. xo
Cute as button! , and chuck full of efficient style.
I love your cute cottage style kitchen! You've done a wonderful job with it and it looks nothing like it started out. That is a tribute to you and what you can do with a space. I like the vivid colors you used. I can see how organized you are too.
Brenda ~ Wow! That shows just how creative and talented you are! I doubt very seriously if many of us would think to change your kitchen the way you did with that success. Your experience and eye with decorating really shone through with that project.
It looks FANTASTIC! I know you must be so proud!
For future reference, my grandma used to use fabric as wall paper…she used starch to make it stick. Easy peasy!
I did consider that. But decided on the contact paper.
You've truly revamped your adorable living space to make it a star! The kitchen is just too cute. You've shared some great ideas on how to function in a small kitchen, and better yet w/out the big old stove and oven! How nice of the ladies to gift you with the adorable egg cooker, and I agree Mr. Rusty will love this one! And that convection oven is fantastic.
My readers, you included Annette, are the best. Who needs a stove anyway? What is that phrase: Slaving over a stove? We don't want to be slaving over a stove, do we? That puts women back at least 50 years in the feminist movement!
I love what you've done with your kitchen, Brenda! You've incorporated art everywhere….it's almost hard to believe work happens there. 😉 Would you please share more about your electric skillet….the one that can bake a cake? Many thanks!
Haven't even had a chance to use it yet. But as I use everything, I will post about it.
Thanks for the tip on overlapping the contact paper. The people who make the stuff should send you a big thank you, I bet their sales are way up, because of your great kitchen.
I remember readers said that after I first showed my "galvanized garden!"
This is yet another kitchen of yours that is going to make it into a magazine! Just amazing!! However…in the first picture, the EAT sign looks like it says FAT!!! In my never ending quest to lose weight, I notice things like that! Ha!
Jane xx
The egg maker was moved after I took the pic. I just wanted a pic of all my cooking things together.
Love your kitchen. Suggest moving egg cooker to one side and perhaps adding something else. It reads FAT instead of EAT on the picture now.
I did move it after I took the pic. I just had it there so I could take a photo of all my cooking things all at one time. FAT. That's funny.
Ok, you have inspired me. The backsplash in my kitchen is old, old red linoleum. I covered it at one point with wall paper, but it didn't wash well and peeled above the sink. I removed the paper when we moved back to ranch 3 years ago. The backsplash is ugly. So, because of your kitchen, I found some contact paper in a pretty pale green and blue paisley print. I have a pale green, yellow and blue table cloth that goes with both the contact paper and my yellow gingham curtains. I am waiting for a cooler day to put up the paper. Thanks for sharing all your wonderful photos. By the way, I have covered my washer with red gingham tablecoths for years now, it keeps the finish scratch free and clean.
Overlap the contact paper just about half an inch, so water can't get underneath.
I could just sit and start at your kitchen pic's for hours!!! Such an amazing transformation. I would love to have a kitchen just like yours one day!! You have such an eye for beauty and I am so happy you choose to share it with us.
Well if you lived close, I'd help you and you would one just like it.
You've done a geat job! This is the first time I've read your very interesting blog.
Gillian, I'm so very glad you visited!
Beautiful! You are so inspiring! Thank you for sharing with us.
Everyone gets their inspiration from somewhere. I get mine from Pinterest, blogs, magazines. No one reinvents the wheel.
Your kitchen is so cute and completely functional. You used such great use of small space keeping cost down. Love your cooking station!! The colors make it so cheerful too.
Magazine worthy for sure.
Enjoy!!
Well, I've had a coffee station for a long time. Now a cooking station. Wonder what will be next?
That is adorable! You just inspired me! My son lives in a tiny apt. And he has very little money to spend. I can't wait to show him this! This is my first visit to your blog via Helen Phillips. Thank you both!!
Tell him he doesn't have to spend much money to have a home he loves to come home t.
I love your cooking station and the rest of your charming kitchen! I have lived without a stove (long story) for almost two years and don't miss it a bit. I use my crock pot, microwave, and a toaster oven and it all turns out wonderfully–plus I don't have to heat up the whole house!
You are so inspirational to me. Thank you!
I'll probably get a crockpot for winter.