Makeover Takeover 2021: A Magical Before & After Kitchen
Country Living teamed up with North Carolina–based DIYers Victoria and Marcus Ford to update their 1970s Dutch Colonial–style home, one DIY-filled endeavor at a time. This installment: bringing their cook space from kinda blah to downright beautiful.
"I think we started taking down the cabinets above the peninsula three hours after we moved in,” says Marcus Ford (@marcsford), referencing the kitchen renovation of his North Carolina home, creatively tackled in tandem with wife Victoria Ford (@prepfordwife). That peninsula is also no longer, because the couple’s priority involved opening up the small layout. Next up: adding cozy character. While the former kitchen was perfectly fine, it wasn’t very “them.” Enter beadboard, shiplap, functional collectibles, and stylish smart appliances (“you can preheat the oven from your phone!” says Victoria). Now that the space is complete, the Fords have moved on to a slightly less daunting construction project. Hint: It involves gingerbread.
Related: Take a tour of the rest of Marcus and Victoria's house and see all their amazing room makeovers: the front exterior, entry, and dining room; the bedroom, bath, and laundry; the living room; and the backyard.
Victoria and Marcus Ford
Before: Kitchen
Nondescript cabinetry, standard white appliances, and run-of-the-mill flooring equaled a less-than-inviting builder's basic space.
After: An Open and Inviting Cook Space
“Originally we thought about going for a moody kitchen, but there’s just something really nice about a bright white kitchen,” says Victoria. Two walls of Shaker-front custom cabinets by StarMark Cabinetry feel both current and classic. Their clean white finish is offset with a creamier beadboard backsplash, while dark wood floors balance the white surround. In lieu of a traditional island, a freestanding butcher block–topped table (a Facebook Marketplace score!) fits the space and brings loads of function. Overhead, sky-colored shiplap creates interest.
Get the Look:
Wall Paint: "Antique White" Satin Emerald Urethane Paint by Sherwin-Williams
Ceiling Paint: "Dutch Tile Blue" Satin Emerald Interior Paint by Sherwin-Williams
Cabinets: "Bridgeport" in Maple White and Rustic Alder Cappucino by StarMark Cabinetry
Hardware: "Rodino" Knobs and "Klein" Pulls from Signature Hardware
Flooring: "Woodmore" in Oak Autumn by Mohawk
Appliances: Café Range and Refrigerator in Matte White with brushed bronze hardware by Café Appliances
Lights: Nautical Pendant and Flush-Mount Lights from Shiplights
Painting: "Victoria" from Shop Vintage Supply
Before: Kitchen
A peninsula with a bank of cabinets overhead made the entire kitchen feel dark and claustrophobic.
After: Classic, Farmhouse-Inspired Details
Patinaed hardware dresses up the white cabinets, while brushed-bronze handles accent white appliances, and an unlacquered bridge faucet tops the fluted apron-front sink. “I always choose brass when given the option,” says Victoria. “I love how it ages.” Up top, brass flush-mount ship lights provide nautical charm.
Get the Look:
Wall Paint: "Antique White" Satin Emerald Urethane Paint by Sherwin-Williams
Ceiling Paint: "Dutch Tile Blue" Satin Emerald Interior Paint by Sherwin-Williams
Cabinets: "Bridgeport" in Maple White and Rustic Alder Cappucino by StarMark Cabinetry
Hardware: "Rodino" Knobs and "Klein" Pulls from Signature Hardware
Sink: "Oldham" by Signature Hardware
Faucet: Bridge Faucet by Watermark Fixtures
Range: Café Range and Refrigerator in Matte White with brushed bronze hardware by Café Appliances
Ceiling Flush-Mount Light: Nautical Light from Shiplights
Striped Bowls: Red-and-White Striped by Cornishware
Striped Rug: "Birmingham" by Dash & Albert
After: Furniture-Like Cabinetry
To make the room feel more like a “cobbled together” English-style kitchen, Victoria and Marcus capped the kitchen layout with a stained-wood furniture-style cabinet with feet, glass fronts, and brass wire inserts. “It feels like a special piece of furniture,” says Victoria. “And we get to put all our pretties on display.”
Get the Look:
Cabinet: "Bridgeport" in Rustic Alder Cappucino by StarMark Cabinetry
Hardware: "Rodino" Knobs and "Klein" Pulls from Signature Hardware
Countertops: "Jurassic Black" granite from Mogastone
Striped Mugs: Red-and-White Striped by Cornishware
Before: Breakfast Nook
A room wrapped in muddy browns (and with a popcorn ceiling!) felt dark and tired.
After: A Welcoming Gathering Space
Victoria and Marcus (and dog, Remus) now start most mornings at the kitchen’s space-maximizing banquette made of additional cabinetry by StarMark. (“They all have deep drawers for even more storage,” says Victoria.) Cushions and pillows in striped and block print fabrics keep it extra cushy. Victoria accented the hanging back cushion with handmade leather straps.
Get the Look:
Wall Paint: "Antique White" Satin Emerald Urethane Paint by Sherwin-Williams
Ceiling Paint: "Dutch Tile Blue" Satin Emerald Interior Paint by Sherwin-Williams
Banquette Bench: "Bridgeport" in Maple White by StarMark Cabinetry
Pendant Light: Nautical Pendant from Shiplights
Cushion Fabric: "Morrison" in Red by Schumacher
Block Print Pillow Fabric: "Poppy" in Rose and Sky by Schumacher
Leather Straps (on back cushion): by American Layers
Table: "Jozy" from World Market (painted Pure White by Sherwin-Williams)
Chair: Threshold Windsor Chair from Target
Sweater-Wrapped Mugs: Sweater Mugs by Our Name is Mud for the Country Living Holiday Collection
Artwork: Vintage Photographs from LMC Vintage Goods
Jennifer Kopf is the Executive Editor of Country Living. She also covers antiques and collecting.
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