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  1. well, my dear you are not only inspirational, but clever and have a great eye for colour, and what you have done is almost miraculous, making this space all your own, even if it is rented, you are right.. better to live with what you are happy in, and lose the deposit if it comes to that, but meanwhile your heart is uplifted by living in a space you like and feel good in… oh such cleverness must make your heart sing afterwards. I know ours did looking at it, and the improvement it made to the kitchen. I am so glad I found your blog and love coming back to seeing how you are doing.. all thebest from over the pond. J

  2. Brenda it is FABULOUS!!! I love it, each detail is drawing the eye in. I adore the vintage linens on the window, the colorful bowls and sign, the gorgeous tiles and the white counters. I think you are very clever. Having the cupboard doors on streamlines the look and draws the eye to the colors. I liked the one before but this is phenomenal. I wish I had rental freedom to make changes but here in CA our deposits are over 1500 or more, (my current deposit was 3000)( and they specifically disallow any changes in the lease which is common here. They also do not do upgrades or approve any request for changes. So you are very lucky and to have a on site handyman, wow. What a great deal. . I make do with décor I love but to have the freedom to make real changes must be so fun. Well Done! Just beautiful. It sounded like it was a extreme amount of work and to accomplish all those upgrades by yourself is very impressive.

  3. Brenda, I absolutely love the new look of your Boho cottage kitchen! You are so wonderfully creative! Those stick-on tiles are amazing! I love your humor while describing the process of redoing the kitchen. In love every detail.

  4. Wow! Is about all I can say! Though I like it all, I really liked the red place mats behind the clock and the lid and then using the lid as a tea towel hanger. How do you keep the lid on? Are those white tacks you have around the edges of the place mats? Like the frame around the 3 little dress hot pads. I save (hoard?) kinds of vintage hot pads but not the dresses. Love the Boho you've done on the front room and the kitchen.
    Do you miss your full sized oven? I've lived (rented) where I am for almost 1 year and I think I've only used the oven once. Mostly the microwave. Use the same burner all the time. I don't intend on staying here for much longer (fingers crossed!) and I think it's going to be something to think about.
    Can't wait to see what you're going to do next!
    All the best,
    Cathy

    1. Nope. Don't miss the oven. Don't miss checking it three or four times to make sure I turned it off before I could go anywhere either. I was compulsive about that!

  5. Wow, Brenda!!! It looks amazing. Another great redo!!! Please come and redo my kitchen. lol

    Enjoy, Janie

  6. Hi Brenda, LOVE your Boho Cottage kitchen. Those faux tiles are awesome and putting the doors back on the cabinets was a great idea. The floor molding was a grand idea too for your back splash. You did a great job!! and ~ I love the window treatment using the linens and hankies.
    CM

  7. Absolutely love it!!!
    I knew it would be fabulous!
    I'm sure someone mentioned it already in comments, did not read them all but plants tend to "grow toward the window/light.

  8. Nice bright and happy kitchen! Looks so fresh and ready for spring!
    You did a great job Brenda
    Jeannette

  9. This blew me away Brenda! I was not expecting such a great makeover and done on a dime as well. The tiles are awesome and you did good by limiting the color going on. I like the valances, too, that's thinking outside the box! LOVE IT!

    Jane xx

    1. I realize the other one I did last year was a bit overwhelming. I like this one better.

  10. I was thinking plates in the area above the cupboards, or maybe flat baskets or trays….but some other thiings could work also. I have seen pics of faux ironwork made from paper towel/toilet paper tubes. Even stenciling could be interesting. You could probably think of something creative.

  11. Love it Brenda! The tile cover things look so nice and like real tile and I love the window area. The bottles with the cute valance – soo pretty! So glad you found a solution to the counter top problem – it looks good. I like the cabinets with the doors on – I've never been a fan of open shelving in a kitchen. Great job!

    I agree – you have to be happy where you live so if you're renting that may mean putting in a little bit of money. We're probably moving in October but that didn't stop us from chaining a few things and paying to have the yard cleaned up!

  12. Brenda, Brenda, Brenda – I haven't visited with you in quite awhile so I've caught up today. Wow, you are amazing. I wish you were right down the street so I could tap into your talent to help me with my home. Kudos, Brenda, everything is drop dead gorgeous. 🙂

    1. I kept adding white paint, and wondered if I was overdoing it. But those colors are just so bright.

  13. Brenda….long time follower, first time responder…. Girl, you knocked this out of the ball park! I absolutely LOVE it! Enjoy and I totally agree with you that if you don't get your deposit back it was so worth it, but I can't imagine that happening. It looks so much cuter than it every could have as a rental.

    1. Thanks for commenting, long time follower! However, I just appreciate that you read it.

  14. It looks great! I never heard of those tiles before but Iove them. I'm sure I need some!

  15. Brenda i love your adorable kitchen!! I love everything about it!!! The tiles are perfect. It's just adorable.

    Kathy

    1. Well, one thing you can usually count on is that whatever I do, it's going to look a little different because I look for ways to go the cheap route. Now I've taken the black metal piece that was above the washer/dryer off and am trying to figure out what I want there. I knew I wasn't pleased with that area. It will come to me.

  16. And I'll be SO happy for you when you get your own place and can put your own special stamp on it, Laura!

    1. Well, thank you. Go check out their shop in India. They make the most beautiful designs if you like that sort of Boho Moroccan look. They have different color combos too.

  17. The last version was cute, but this is fantastic! You might need to start charging people for consultations on what to do to a rental!

    1. I'd love to write a book on what to do in temporary dwellings, which to some people don't end up being temporary. Who knows? I may live here forever. However, I did some things that I know the management would probably have a real problem with. But I did it anyway. Not that I wanted to break the rules, but what I had to work with was SO ugly, I just didn't know what else to do. Every unit has the very same kitchen I think. So at least mine is different!

  18. Oh my goodness I love it Brenda! Those stick on tiles really make the whole room, I'm definitely going to go check out that Etsy shop! It looks very homey and cozy. I agree that you should try and love where you live and make the best of it.

    Tania

    1. I just love that Etsy shop. And they were so accommodating. I hope you find something you like, because they can make it however you want it.

  19. Brilliant! Brenda, you've outdone yourself! Such original thinking…using "cove molding" for your backsplash, to using tile decals…wow! And the best part…your kitchen looks bigger, more cohesive and definitely boho! Looks fantastic! 😉

    1. I wanted a boho look without being "totally boho." I wanted to cut down on the clutter and color, which I think I did. A sort of a cottage-y white and clean kitchen with a bit of whimsical color on the back splash. It sure beats the oil cloth debacle!

  20. I love the new look to your kitchen! The bright tiles really stand out against the fresh white areas. I am noticing one thing….please don't take this as criticism….but the white area above your cupboards (soffit?) looks like it could use your special touch…it looks a bit blank to me. But it is YOUR kitchen, so please do what suits YOU!

    1. Do you mean put something on the walls above the cupboards? Like plates or something? I don't take it as criticism. After all, I asked you all what you thought of course. I thought about putting something there, but feared it would be too much. Let me know your thoughts and I'll sure take it into consideration!

  21. Hi Brenda…I visit here often and always love what you do! Your cottage boho kitchen is absolutely beautiful. Love those sticker tiles. I would have never known they were'n't the real thing. I'm in the middle of a total kitchen renovation in my older mobile home. The hubby and I decided to renovate what we had that was paid for instead of going into debt to build a new home. We get to personalize it and put our touch on everything we do which I am thoroughly enjoying. You are always an inspiration. I love the colorful boho look you are going for. Happy perfection!

    Blessings, Vicky

    1. Like you, I'd rather keep what I had and not go into debt. Been there, done that. Have fun with your renovations. Take chances! Be different! Enjoy!

  22. I thought your previous kitchen re-do was very clever, but I like this new look even more. It has a softer, more easy-breezy look to it. The faux tiles are so pretty, but what really makes the room look light and airy are the small touches like the embroidered pieces for curtains and the EAT sign in aqua, the plates on the wall by the window and the pastel bowls on the bottom of the island. Very lovely.

    If you feel worried about what you spent on the faucet, you could always put the old one back in and take this new one with you when you move. But, let's say you are only there for another six months, and you leave the faucet behind — the cost of the faucet will average out to only about $12 a month. I'd say you definitely will find it is worth $12 a month to you! Enjoy it.

    1. Considering I never go to movies or use a smart phone and rarely go out to eat, it is my indulgence. I was actually afraid the embroidered linens on the window wouldn't go with everything else. But then I said to myself: Oh, to heck with it. I'm doing it. Taking some of the red out helped the kitchen I think, and most of the black I had previously. I didn't think anyone would notice the bowls on the bottom of island. You are very perceptive!

  23. Count me in as someone who loves the tiles. In fact, I'm heading over to etsy now to see if they have any that might work for our stairs.

    The kitchen looks perfect and so 'you'! Love it!

    1. I love them on the stairs! They are beautiful in their photo. Makes me wish I had stairs, but then of course I couldn't walk up them! If you do it, you must post it for us!

    1. I have to laugh because you all didn't see the disaster that was the oil cloth glued down with hot glue that I fussed with for a week trying to make work. When I gave up on that, I just felt deflated. Then I found these tiles and got excited again. Where do I go for ideas that might not be exactly what I want, but will summon an idea? Why, Pinterest of course!

  24. Brenda, It looks lovely. So bright and cheerful! It has encouraged me to get myself in order and do the next couple things on my list…paint that dining table and my island. Think that will be my projects for the week :~)
    Kath

    1. Once you get all the materials together, it really doesn't take long to get things done. By the time I'd get one coat of paint on something, it would be time to add another coat to something else. Like a factory line.

  25. Love it! Looks fresher and not so busy. I have already checked out the Etsy shop for those tiles because I think they'll work for my kitchen. Also the stuff on top of the counters (I think it's called cove molding) would work for my kitchen also. Thanks for the great ideas. Well done Brenda!

    1. Yes, someone above said it is called cove molding I think. Oh, I'd love to know your experience and see photos if you get the tiles! Which ones are you looking at? They have various combinations. I bought the 5 inch tiles, but they'll make them whatever size you want them. They were very nice. And I love all the other ideas I saw on their site for other ways to use the tiles.

  26. Great re-do Brenda…your kitchen is so bright and cheerful. You can store those extra plates
    from the cabinets into the dishwasher.

    1. Oh, I have that poor dishwasher filled with cookie sheets and pots and pans and lids since I don't have an oven anymore!

  27. saying this as I have my head tilted to the left and a smile….looks great. I love the freshness, cleaness and order. you are pretty ambitious to paint the counters and appliances and i love that. enjoy.

    1. Thanks, Laura. When I was married, I had everything most everyone gets now. The fancy stuff. (Except I never liked the stainless steel appliances). It was fine for a time, the granite counter tops, the fancy floor tiles. But it bored me after awhile. Truly I'd rather just paint my appliances when I'm bored with the look, and that goes with the counters. I don't know if things will work till I try them. (Remember the hot glue oil cloth fiasco?), but when it works, it's great! Won't know till you try!

  28. I adored your kitchen before, but now? It rocks, Brenda!! Cottage Boho!! I think the tiles is what did it! Wow, I really like it! The coloured bottles in the window must be a colour feast when the sun shines on them! Sorry about all of the exclamation marks, I am just so happy and excited with the kitchen!
    I will say that I think I may have woke my daughter up when I hooted about the Fritos truck! Who gets run over by a Fritos truck? I really hope it wasn't you 🙂 I will think about that all day 🙂
    Have a restful day. You deserve it 🙂
    Hugs,
    Deb

    1. No, just made the Fritos truck comment up. I think I used to say the milk truck, but think that's long out of vogue! I was really struggling until I found those tiles on Etsy. Once you find one magical piece of the puzzle, the rest falls into place, I've learned.

  29. Oh My! I love, love those tiles! Was it difficult matching the corners/edges?
    So bright and cheery! Also, I love the window treatment 🙂
    Good job!!

    1. Well, I had to pull them up and get them straight here and there. I know it's best to just lay it down once and be done with it. But I'm a stickler for getting things straight. And even then, I wish I could have gotten them straighter. I told myself if they come up, I'll decoupage them down maybe with Mod Podge. So if you have a better eye, should be easy for you.

  30. Hi Brenda 🙂 Just introducing myself from Australia. I have been checking in with you since finding your blog a few weeks ago. I absolutely love how you have decorated your home and garden. It is so me. I love mixing old and new with a pop of colour thrown in. Love it. Your kitchen is perfect. I'll be totally honest here and say I think it is 100% on your past scheme. Your tile stickers are gorgeous. So, pat on the back and job well done. Thanks for your continued inspiration. 🙂

    1. Well, it's completely different! I appreciate your honesty. I always love feedback. I too love mixing old with new. And you're welcome, of course.

    2. HI again Brenda. I just re read my comment comparing your new kitchen decor to the previous and I hope I didn't come across as rude? However you decorate your home is how you love it and that's all that matters. It's funny, because back in the day, I would have had a similar style to the previous scheme in my own home. I have found it interesting how our tastes change and evolve as we get older. I love mixing things up, not just for the look, but also out of necessity, due to finances, or the lack of at times 🙂 Take care 🙂

  31. Love it! Seriously. It's so bright and cheerful that it should make you smile when you go in there. I love the big ice sticker on your fridge. It reminds me of the Icee slogan when I was a kid 🙂

    Live the tile stickers, the island, the linen window covering, the bottles, the faucet…. everything.

    The runner thing that you used for a backsplash is the thing they put underneath the bottom cabinets on top of the floors in new builds. I know this because I took it off my wood cabinet flooring about three houses ago. It looks great the way you used it!

    xo,
    rue

    1. I'm always after finding something I can use as something else. That ICE slogan reminded me of my youth too. I found it on Etsy and I believe it's in Denton, TX where he makes them. You can choose your size. I think I paid about $15 for it. Everyone seems to love that when they walk in, because they remember those buildings where you bought ice that had that logo.

  32. You should re-post pictures of the kitchen when you moved in, the first redo and this one all on one posting. It would be amazing to see where it started and where it is now. Love it! Liked the first one – so Mary Englebreit looking, but all the accessories against the crisp white makes it another visual feast!

  33. Oh! That is so pretty. Airy and it also looks bigger. I am so tempted to pait my cabnets. My kitchen is so dark!

    1. Paint them! If you hate it, paint it dark again. Or put something else over it Paint is cheap. And yes, I am surprised that it does look bigger. A nice surprise I wasn't expecting! Whatever you do, don't hot glue oil cloth to your counter tops!!!

  34. Brenda, No matter how you decorate it always looks fabulous! You have a real eye for design. What inspired me most is your willingness to take risks and make mistakes. I am going to try to remember this in my own life. I love the clean lines of the kitchen. Enjoy your new space.

    1. If you don't take risks, you won't fail. But if you don't take risks, you won't know what you can do that will look wonderful either. I am not a risk taker in life. But I LOVE to wander a Lowes or Ace Hardware and just look at what they have. And ask myself what I might use it for that they don't. I love the unexpected!

    1. I don't know now that I'd want anything other than white counters again. Others can have their fancy counters made of high-end materials. I have had them too. But you can see everything on white. And I like things to be clean.

  35. I love your new look! I actually like it better than the re-do last summer (not that that one was "bad"; I just like this look better). I really like the stick-on tiles and I love what you did with the window treatment. You worked so hard and your efforts show. Pat yourself on the back – and now go take a much deserved rest!

    1. I really try to rest. But I'm one of those people who doesn't like to be still for long. Which is probably why my ankle does not get enough rest! I liked last summer's too. But now that I have this one to compare it too, I too like this one better. Lighter and easier on the eyes!

  36. I like your changes! The colors are happy and the white counter top really lightens things up–both light and bright, and lighter vs. heavier looking. Good job! (And on a totally different note…I finally read The Good Girl this week…and really liked it! I've had it on my list since you did your review of it and it didn't disappoint! Looking forward to her new one!)

  37. Absolutely fabulous! I'm stealing the kitchen window idea, too beautiful and I have a ton on inherited linens. The faux tiles are beautiful and I love the 2 plates that go perfectly with the backsplash.

    1. I hate to keep pretty things in drawers. Such was my vintage linens. Layer them for use as a curtain. It is fun! I'd be proud if you copied my work!

  38. I love it! I need a nap after reading about all your work. You should be very proud of the finished kitchen (as if any room is ever really finished).

    1. I am catching up on my rest for a few days before I get something else into my head! And of course, spring beckons.

  39. Hi Brenda! Oh, I love your little kitchen! Those tiles you used for your backsplash look wonderful! I love it that you're making your pretty now! I think many folks are afraid to just jump in and begin. your happiness matters most where you live and I'd say your little kitchen thanks you very much!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia 😉

  40. love it – I totally agree with you that if you rent you might want to paint and change things up a little bit – small expense – My daughter and her husband rented a house for 5 years and the landlord would never agree to repaint the interior even though it was dingy – I told them just go get the paint – so you loose your deposit you planning on staying here awhile so make it your own for now and surely a coat of paint would improve the place! they never did paint and were unhappy with it the whole time they were there but they got their deposit back and they were happy with that

  41. Now that you are finished (at least temporarily;-) are you entertaining?? Must be tons of people lined up to come to your cozy little cottage Boho Kitchen!! How could there not be? LOVE this–all of it. so weird, but my husband and I just finished putting in Mexican Talvera sinks in our Master Bathroom. We used wood to make a vanity. I stained it and put the kind of poly they use on ships to make it more water friendly We also ordered Mexican tiles to use a back splash and toe kicks.Talk about Boho!!…;-) .Thanks for sharing!!

    1. Oh, those sinks must be beautiful! No, I only know a few people in this whole big city. All my friends are online. And I entertained today by having all of you see my kitchen.

  42. Brenda, I am tired just reading about everything you have done. Sit and have an iced tea to cool off. The peal and stick tiles are very clever, and look so attractive in your kitchen. Such a cute happy space! Sheila

    1. I am SUPER tired. My back is killing me. My ankle is holding up pretty well. Yesterday was worse. I just wanted it done. I'm like a dog with a bone once I get started.

  43. Brenda, you've done it again. Genius!!!! The tile looks so beautiful, what a wonderful idea, alto you said it was expensive, it looks more expensive than what you had to pay. How did you ever find it? It looks like it was made for 'your' kitchen. And your vintage linens for your window treatment. LOVE! Again, I don't know how you think of such great ideas, You are a true artist…The white piece behind the faucet looks so nice with your white counter tops. I can't even imagine what a difficult job that must have been..
    But,I certainly know what you mean about a new faucet making you happy. We down-sized from a large home, into a brand new custom-built mobile home, where I was able to draw the floor plan, length of different walls and room arrangement, choose the counter tops, closets, shower, tub, appliances, floors, carpets, size of windows,(and doors) drapes, lighting in the kitchen, crystal Chandeliers,
    everything. The one thing I couldn't change. was the kitchen faucet, because it came with the sink. So even tho, it was a nice new faucet, not shabby, I replaced it with the bridge-faucet I wanted, and it just looks so much nicer, and I love how it looks. Like you, it is fun to make your living space "your own".
    I enjoy reading your blog each day, and really enjoy all of your pictures. Thanks for sharing with all of us.

    1. I would LOVE to design a custom built mobile home. If my ex had paid me what he was supposed to, I'd have had more than enough to do that. And that WAS my dream. Good for you that you didn't just live with the faucet that was there. You deserve to have what you want.

  44. Fabulous job, Brenda! Your kitchen redo looks wonderful. I have to admit when I read that you were redoing it, I couldn't imagine it looking better than what you'd already done. But it does! Love the faux tile and I'm going right now to check them out. Thanks for sharing the link.

    1. The guys who make them, and they'll make them any size you want, emailed because I sent them the post, and said they hoped it brought people their way. I wrote back that their faux tiles were the hit of the kitchen.

  45. I have to use that faucet to wash dishes, do laundry. And you just can't clean between those plastic ones. They always looked dirty.

  46. Wonderful job, Brenda! I like all of the white with your new "tile" back splash. You have such creative ideas. I think you're smart to change out things that really bug you even if it does cost a little to do it – totally worth it to be happy especially when it's something you look at everyday!

  47. Love those colorful tiles, Brenda! What a great solution. It's such a cheerful room.

  48. I love your kitchen redo! I'm glad you put the doors back on the cabinets. Open shelving bugs me. I like everything behind closed doors in a kitchen.

    Your new window treatment is so pretty. I really like that idea of using vintage linens.

    1. I had all these varied sizes of embroidered linens. It just came to me: why not use the varied sizes to my advantage? Otherwise they're sitting folded in a box.

  49. Brenda, it looks great! I love those 'tiles' and how colorful they are. I'm a renter also and I have been thinking about buying a new kitchen faucet also. I hate the one I have and so what that I can't take it with me, I'll be happier while i'm here and I should be here another year plus at least (probably longer). Love how the counters look also. You really searched out some great products to use! Cottage Boho at it's best!

    LInda

    1. Spring for a new kitchen faucet. You'll pat yourself on the back every day. When Volare took that old one out, I thought, well, I may eventually get rid of the one in the bathroom, which is the same cheap kind. But for now I'm satisfied with that one in the kitchen!

  50. Once again, you never cease to amaze me! Those faux tiles are terrific. I'd never have known unless I started looking for grouting! They add such interest to your adorable kitchen. It is the perfect size for one. Everything looks so crisp and clean and I never realized you painted the dishwasher! Love the curtains. They keep the sun out and let light in at the same time. So cute. The back splash was a great idea to keep the water off the walls. I so agree w/you, even if we live in a rental, the kitchen is a place we need to be comfortable and we use the sink all the time. Best to be happy w/it.

    1. I tend to start painting and not know when to quit. After I did the wall behind the fridge, I ended up painting the next wall, then the next wall, and before I knew it I'd painted one wall of the living room! The dogs better keep moving if they don't want to get a coat of paint!

  51. You should be so PROUD, Brenda, with the way you accomplished this redo. In the meantime you have learned to not mess with oilcloth!
    Deeds done/attempted are what count, not how many succeed.

  52. I sure didn't rock that failed oil cloth. Kicked myself for days for wasting $20 worth of Etsy oil cloth. Oh well. Live and learn.

  53. I love it all – especially those tiles which I am pinning. The vintage linens as a curtain is genius. Such a clean and pretty kitchen. i think I'd be in there putseying about most of the day!

    1. Today I'm doing laundry, which I've been putting off because it entails me dragging a hose over to the sink. Go look at that Etsy site I linked above and see what all people put those tiles on. I may have to have more!

  54. the new kitchen is beautiful and so fresh lookingI love, love, love your window treatment. Everything you did looks amazing. And I live your statement to live where you are now. Don't wait for the future.The furure is not "for sure."
    Have a great day!

    1. No, it isn't for sure. Enjoy your life wherever you live. I was guilty of thinking "when I" as a young adult. Now I'm wiser and live in the moment.

  55. Well, for all your troubles that sure looks good now, Brenda. I'm smiling thinking about what your handy man was thinking to himself when he had to put your cabinet doors back ON….lol
    That rubber piece is baseboard-they used to use it a lot when they installed vinyl flooring to act as the finishing piece between wall and floor.
    You have done a great job all the way around.
    Do you know what Ooops is? The product? Ooops will take paint off almost anything…and a little can of it goes a really long ways. It is handy to just keep a little squirt can of it around.
    Hope you have a great weekend. xo Diana

    1. I'll have to look into Ooops. And I did take the doors off last year. But it was not as easy to put them back on. So here he came with his electrical tools!

    2. Yeah, I imagine he thinks I'm as nuts as the guy with the 10,000 square foot house who is so unhappy. We Americans probably really confuse this simple man who cannot understand why I'm doing these things!

  56. Your kitchen is adorable! I can't believe how neat the backsplash is. Way to go Brenda. 🙂

    1. The faux tiles are not behind the white splash guard. I was afraid when I put that on and painted it the final white coat, I'd manage to get it on the tiles. so they're just cut up to the edge of it.

  57. You'll have to tell Volare that he is famous and we all feel like we know him. The tiles are fabulous. I never knew they existed. You did a great job and it looks wonderful. I'm so glad you got this finished and can rest for a little bit – until the next project that is.

    1. I have tried to tell him. I don't think he understood. I asked him how his name is spelled so I could get it right. I didn't have a pen handy, but there's I think an "i" and a "y" in there somewhere. Anyone familiar with Russian names?

    2. He also ended up putting those cabinet doors on for me. I tried for about an hour. But having one foot on a step stool and the other foot on the counter trying to balance a door to put a screw in just was not working. I walked around and found him and he came and did it for me. Nice man! I gave him this beautiful painting I'd had since 1985 for him to give to his wife. I'm always giving things to him so I feel like I'm not taking advantage of him. He's not supposed to do this stuff. I imagine he walks in the door with stuff and she says: "So what did you do for her today?"

  58. Looks great, and I know you love it! I do too! Who put in the faucet for you, the handy man? The material you used for splash guard or back splash is called cove base. It is often used for a what is a baseboard in some houses though most are wood, like mine are oak. Picture commercial installations like a hospital or school, that is what they might have, in stead of wood baseboard. Usually with vinyl flooring… or it is for a toe kick area. That small, recessed space between the bottom of your cabinets and the floor is known as the toe kick. The toe kick allows you to stand next to your base cabinets without stubbing your toes. Mine are oak also, but many are this hard rubber. AT least it looks like that is what it is ! Either way it looks great.

    1. Now I know where I've seen that before! In hospitals, schools, and the like. I'm so glad you told me what it is. Cove base. Well, it works!

    1. Good that you brought this up. Very timely. Because I've got dried red paint on a mirror I painted turquoise. I'm thinking of putting it above the washer/dryer so I have a mirror that makes a space looks larger. Will try this for sure!

    1. Well, it was a cheap fix. Put polyurethane on when you're done and let it cure and you can wipe the counters down like they were laminate or anything else.

  59. Since my surroundings are so important to me, and since I spend so much of my life in here, I have to have something I truly love or I won't be happy living here. This is a 1960s apartment. It wasn't exactly my taste when I decided to move here. But the fact that I'm kind of off to myself, as much as I can be living in an apartment, and the size of the fenced in patio, sold me. I knew I could take care of the rest.

  60. I'm in love with your new tile backsplash. It's a brilliant idea and so beautiful! Everything you painted looks sparkly fresh and new. I just absolutely LOVE that shot of your colorful bottles on the window sill beneath your pretty new valance. I agree, the chance of losing your deposit is worth having a look that makes you happy.

  61. I felt a little guilty buying the faucet. I don't take big purchases lightly. And $69 wasn't a small purchase for me. But I absolutely love it!

  62. Brenda, I LOVE IT! The faux tiles are what I noticed first and thought you had gone out and bought some vintage tiles. The tap (faucet) is so much better, and as you have to use it all the time why not change to what you want. Everything looks brilliant, be proud of what you achieved here it's fabulous! x

  63. I'd say this was around a two hundred dollar job. What with all the paint, the faux tiles, the switch plates, brushes, faucet, etc.

  64. Love that peel and stick backsplash! The whole kitchen looks wonderful.. You did a great job for so little money!

  65. Brenda love love love those tiles they look beautiful!! Would you consider going all the way across near your washer and pot rack I think that would look awesome! Loving your window treatment too…so pretty!

    1. Well, these aren't cheap. Even faux. With them being shipped from India, that was a good expense. So just my half was nearly a hundred dollars. Can't afford to buy more! And also, what I put them over was laminate. The wall behind the washer is sheetrock. I had a stopping place at the end of the laminate, and that's where I stopped. I didn't have enough to go farther.

  66. Wow Brenda. Great colours with white areas of peace. Painting the center island white was a great idea. The fridge and dishwasher look like new. Great idea to put the rubber backing on the counter. No more water down the back of the counter. Love the updated faucet and replaced outlet covers. It was worth the expense to have something you like rather than putting up with the faucet that you disliked. Having your groceries all together makes life easier too. Great window treatment, I think I will try that too. A huge job Brenda that looks wonderful. You took what you had done when you set up your kitchen and made it better.
    Joy

    1. Thanks, Joy! I respect your opinion highly. I didn't want it to be a jumbled mess. But my inclination is always to add more. I tried to cut back on that.

    1. Yes, now that I look at this kitchen up against the first kitchen, I do see that it was a bit overwhelming!

  67. I think your kitchen is lovely! I wasn't sure about the boho look, but you have done a wonderful job. The tiles are so pretty!

    1. I really struggled with this kitchen. Just like last time. But I'm liking the lighter/brighter look.

  68. Love, love, love it! You are my inspiration! It's so bright and colorful Thanks so much for sharing with all of us.

  69. I seriously thought you took up tiling! Those Moraccan tiles look authentic and really add to your boho cottage look you've go going on. I love your window treatment made from embroidered linens, too! I think you're wise to make your home your own by investing a few dollars. Your makeshift backsplash adds a nice finished look to the kitchen and your white painted countertops give you a neutral backdrop to add whatever colors you like. I'm pulling my hair out over the mistakes I made when I installed the tongue and groove planking, but they're up and I'm probably the only one who will ever notice…..I hope! Well done, Brenda!

  70. Brenda, what would you do with brown (fake wood) formica cabinets? What I've seen online looks so complicated. Thanks

    1. I'd paint them. Paint is cheap. If it doesn't look right, you can always do something else. I'd ask the paint shop guy to show you a really thick paint like I got, then paint over it with something else.

  71. Oh and about that plant ~ try turning it a quarter turn each day and it will straighten itself out.

    Susan and Bentley

  72. I love the new backsplash! Years ago before I was married, I was very Boho. It's a fun and happy style and it really allows one to let the creative juices flow. I liked your kitchen before and didn't know if I would like this better, but I do! I am also with you on making your space your own even if you rent. I always changed fixtures and painted everything when I rented. As it turned out, the new tenants always liked it and the landlord didn't have to change a thing. One's happiness and contentment is worth much more than a $300.00 deposit.

    Big Texas Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

    1. I think so too. You have to like/love your space. Otherwise you won't be happy in it. Life is short. Be happy!

  73. I like the new look. As for the "leaning" plant, maybe if you put it somewhere for a couple of weeks where it faces the sun it will pull to the other side, and even itself out.

  74. Well, I couldn't figure out what to do with that window. The windows here are terribly ugly and cheap. You sure don't want to highlight them. I thought of all kinds of things, but finally, this was the easiest and I rather liked the concept of layered linens in lieu of a curtain.

  75. I really like the new look! Much lighter and airier with the white instead of black ~ and I LOVE your window treatment!!
    Good job!

  76. Brenda, I think your faux tiles look just great! They are really show cased with all the fresh white you have painted. I hope it's ok to say, I like this so much more than the previous make over you did on the kitchen. The two plates look very pretty with the new "tiles". Well done girl!!

    1. Of course it's okay to say! I love feedback, good or bad. This look is more cleaned up and light I think. I wanted black counters because that's what I'd ordered and had put in at the little blue house. But really, the white fits this kitchen better I think.

    1. Do you have any idea what they use that for in flooring? Must be at the bottom of the wall is all I can imagine. Oh well, cheap and worked!

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