From Dim to Dazzling: A Luminous Kitchen Makeover

Before: Dim
After: Dazzling
A Luminous Kitchen Makeover — From Dim to Dazzling!
(More extensive photos coming soon.)

My client just moved into a basement apartment. Quite a nice place, but the kitchen was windowless AND poorly lit (only 2 undersized ceiling fixtures for a large eat-in kitchen.) As a renter, she had limited options for addressing this problem.

Install more hard-wired light fixtures? Nope.

Install a window or skylight? Impossible.

Hire Katrina David for her amazing problem-solving skills and impeccable design sense? Without hesitation!

My client definitely made the right choice, so I set my gears to turning.

A rough mock-up of our plan to add light. — A rough mock-up of our best option

First, I Measured

All the upper cabinets had 18.5 inches between them and the ceiling: excellent for several short lamps.

Then, I found the corner cabinet had a triangular void behind it. Running an extension cord from a counter-top outlet through the void to the over-cabinet space provided easy power for the lamps. Thanks to this outlet remote, one touch let there be light!

Mock-up approved, I went to work seeking second-hand lamps that fit her style, while remaining short enough to fit in the 18.5″ space.

Collecting second-hand lamps for the perfect, luminous, eclectic look. — This particular collection of lamps included lots of adjustments. Note the 2 floor lamps somewhat visible behind the others. They were installed in 2 other dark corners of the kitchen.

Give the Lamps a Finished and Unified Look

My plan necessitated leaving off lamp shades (no space for them), while finding other ways to make the lamps feel finished and unified. I started with buying round, frosted bulbs for them.

Starting the installation with a few lamps and pre-collected herb boxes. — The lamp in the corner is a design dud, and the one above the fridge failed to turn on. Therefore: **more adjustments!**

See those adorable herb boxes between the lamps? My client had already collected them as part of her kitchen decor, giving me a rough sense of other pieces needed to make the space look balanced and complete. Now, off to the thrift store! (Possibly my favorite part).

Repurposed and Upcycled! This "Flourish" started as a worn $2 silverware tray from the thrift store. I added the black hooks, the script (with my Sharpie), and the herbs from my garden. — This started as a worn $2 silverware tray from the thrift store. I added the black hooks, the script (with my Sharpie), and the herbs from my garden.

My client instantly loved this “Flourish” piece.

Repurposed . . . Pillow Case?

Other pieces needing work included 2 adorable, but empty, white frames. I decided to forgo the delightful, yet time-consuming option of creating 2 paintings or drawings. With some help from my bestie, I found the perfect throw-pillow case, detaching the identical front and back fabric pieces. I selected portions to create the best design as artworks, cut and secured each to backing, and installed in the frames.

Repurpose and upcycle! These 2 artworks started life as as a decorative throw-pillow case. — Viola! Trendiest framed throw pillow case you’ve ever seen!

My client liked the idea of adding burlap to the lamps as a further finishing/unifing element, so after some research and adjustments, we landed on the just right combination of curvy black lamp, rough burlap wrap, and smooth white ribbon tie.

There were so many other fun pieces from the thrift store that didn’t need adjusting. Here’s a few close ups of the finished arrangement:

Throw pillow case repurposed as art in these thrifted frames. Grouped with one lamp and a wooden box of herbs — Both frames, their throw-pillow-case artworks, and the lamp were thrifted.

A wooden box of herbs grouped with more greens, wicker baskets, and a thrifted lamp and wall hanging. — The garlic-chive blossoms are from my garden (freeze-dried for permanence); the baskets were gifted. The “Home” decor, and lamp were thrifted.

Glorious grouping of lamps, cutting boards, and a picture frame with repurposed-pillow-case art. All from the thrift store! With wicker, and greenery added. — Both lamps, the cutting boards, the frame, and its throw-pillow-case artwork were thrifted. The wicker basket/ vase was gifted.

There you have it: four groupings of dazzling decor! Each of the end groups includes 2 lamps to better anchor the design. Every grouping has the perfect balance of light and dark pieces; warm woods and sweet greenery; straight lines and organic curves.

Coming soon: Photos of the under-cabinet lighting, and the 2 floor lamps in their once-dark corners.

Do you have a dreary den? A baffling bathroom? A cluttered corner that you know could serve a better function? You’ve saved up to renovate your kitchen, but you don’t know where to start?

Hire me.

As your interior designer/ renovation designer, and DIY coach; we can demolish every design dilemma together!