This kitchen is situated in one of our garden cottages which we are currently using as a work studio, it needed a quick & cost effective facelift to complement the decor & feel of the rest of the interior space.

And with a wave of a brush, we achieved a brand new look, the magic of paint never ceases to amaze me, beautifully transforming a space every time.

Here are the steps we took:

 Out with the old:

– We removed the outdated tiles & top cupboard to open up the space.

Add a little paint & wallpaper:

– We then painted the previously tiled wall with a dark grey textured paint. Paint required to achieve this look: If you live in South Africa – Fired earth Suedette Light Flannel.  Europe – Pure & Original Chalk paint/Krijtverf Thunder Sky www.pureandoriginal.nl

– We wanted a feature wall and needed  some contrast against the dark grey & went with Pure Home Demure Light Wallpaper Ref 15005. This is one of my brothers designs, which I love! He really got me hooked on using wall coverings in almost all of my design projects, it really elevates a room to another stylish level, adding a unique artistic touch. This wallpaper is available in Europe at www.wecobv.nl or in South Africa at www.wallcoverings.co.za

– We then needed to update the kitchen cupboards, and we choose Annie Sloan chalk paint which is a great go to paint for all sorts of projects, chalk paint adheres to furniture beautifully without usually the use of a primer depending on the piece. A quick cleaning is typically all you need & you’re ready to start painting. We used the colour Graphite, two or three coats will be needed. And then seal with Annie Sloan clear wax. The wax is hard wearing & I’ve used it successfully in a few kitchens. In my own kitchen the wax has lasted for over two years and the dirt just wipes off, but if you’re looking for a more durable product with a bit more shine the Annie Sloan lacquer is also available, just be aware that it slightly darkens your paint colour, as does the wax. www.anniesloan.com

In with the new:

– We added new matt black handles as a finishing touch to the cupboards.

– We transformed the counters with reclaimed pine wood that we still had from a previous project, we measured the area, then cut the wood to fit. We added a thin wooden cross beam to the bottom of the planks to hold them together. We wanted a darker, warmer colour than the pine so we stained the wood with an oak/teak wood stain & then added Annie Sloan white wax to highlight the rustic look of the wood.

Styling to bring it all together:

– And then for the fun part, the magic of putting it all together.

– No look would be complete without some beautiful green plants.

– In a kitchen you need chopping boards! They come in all different shapes & sizes & are a display piece all on their own.

– Baskets bring great textures to any room, and in a kitchen they are perfect for storage & can double up as a tray.