I Totally Transformed My NYC Rental Kitchen for $7,500

by admin January 14, 2020

gray kitchen with open shelving and blue wallpaper — Photography courtesy of Hamilton Gray Studio; Illustration by Madeline Montoya

With our New Years resolutions freshly penned, January at Domino is all about changethe demo and construction kind. Welcome to Renovation Month, in which we pull back the curtain on the highs (mood-boarding!) and lows (finessing the budgetagain) that come with creating the home youve always wanted, whether that involves a top-to-bottom remodel or a rental kitchen facelift. Sign up for our newsletter so you dont miss a thing.

When guests come over to designer Kate Hamilton Grays 500-square-foot Brooklyn apartment, theyre greeted first by her, then by her refrigerator. By most standards, having to walk through the kitchen to get to the living room and bedroom is an unconventional setup. But in New York City, the blueprint isnt all that unusual for a one-bedroom rental. What bothered Gray most wasnt that the heart of the home is also her entryit was the wonky cabinetry, drab gray floors, and dated backsplash that irked her.

Convincing her landlord to make some updates to the space was a non-issue: The owner of the two-story building is a good friend who saw the value in investing in the property, as long as Gray would oversee and manage the makeover. I live on my own, so I had free reign to be playful, she says. It was a good opportunity to just go for it.

Going for it doesnt even begin to describe the project, which she pulled off in just two weeks (!) for $7,500 (including the $2,000 for labor). The tin ceiling and floors were the only features Gray saved during the demolition phase. What came after was a whole lot of wallpaper, salvaged countertops, and a few clever DIYs. Here, she reveals what she learned from designing her dream kitchen in less than a month:

Dont Overthink the Layout

old white cabients — Photography courtesy of Hamilton Gray Studio

gray cabinets and open kitchen shelves — Photography courtesy of Hamilton Gray Studio

We didnt move any plumbing or make changes that required permits, which saved us time and money. Simply by taking out the upper cabinets, we opened up the small area. I wanted to take advantage of that wall while also getting as much counter space as possible, so we moved the fridge to the opposite corner and installed pre-assembled cabinets from a local place in Brooklyn that cost $1,200. Truth: They were cheaper than IKEA cabinets!

I live on my own, so I had free reign to be playful.

Anything Can Be a Pantry

The thing I debated the most was having a bigger pantry. But I wanted the room to feel as big as possible, so I ultimately prioritized that over maximizing storage space. Having a sparse kitchen has kept me in check. I like to keep the shelf and counter tidy, and I dont buy any non-essential appliances or cookware. I keep dry goods in the deeper drawers by the stove and fresh food and nuts in the fridge.

In the corner where I had considered putting a full-height pantry, I mounted a floating $90 IKEA cabinet and added vintage knobs to it that I found in London. I use the top drawer as a catchall for keys and store extra cooking supplies below.

Fix Up a Drab Floor with a Splash of Paint

entry area with floating chest — Photography courtesy of Hamilton Gray Studio

paint can on floor — Photography courtesy of Hamilton Gray Studio

I thought about replacing the original floor tile, but at the end of the day it seemed gratuitous they get dirty pretty fast. Instead, I freshened it up by painting it a slightly darker gray and adding splatters of white to make the marks that were already there seem purposeful. The final touch: a large, soft sisal rug.

I wanted to take advantage of that wall while also getting as much counter space as possible.

Save Any Materials You Get Your Hands On

I salvaged this Caesarstone counter from an old work project (my client wanted to replace it with marble). I had it in my old apartment tucked behind the sofa for the longest time. I knew I would find a place for it somedayits a traditional size, in that it has a sink cut-out with 24 inches on either side of it (the dimensions of a standard dishwasher or cabinet). I try not to be a hoarder, but it was one of those things that I couldnt let go of. Typically, this surface would cost around $40 per square foot.

Skip the Hardware Store

white pot on the stove — Photography courtesy of Hamilton Gray Studio

The cabinet pulls was a fun DIY: The knobs are actually made from lamp parts that I bought for a total of $100. I attached the brass balls to a threaded nipple (basically a ribbed pipe that connects to fittings) and screwed a nut onto the other side to secure it. They are the perfect sizenot to mention a lot cheaper than traditional handles.

Bring on the Wallpaper

woman sitting at a desk — Photography courtesy of Hamilton Gray Studio

Rebecca Atwood is not only a good friend of mine, but she also lives in the apartment below me. I knew that I was going to do an open shelf across the whole wall to open things up, so I wanted to have some fun with a print from her collection. The installation cost $400. The backsplash is made of five-inch-high marble tiles (another score from an old project; theyd cost about $15 per square foot IRL). Ive had a few cooking splatters, but so far there are no stains (I wipe any grime off with a sponge). I have the same attitude toward wallpaper as I do marble: Even though its this pristine thing, it should be a part of your life. The marks that develop over time make it more interesting.

1. EKET Cabinet, IKEA ($90); 2. Dotted Leaves Wallpaper in Ocean Blue, Rebecca Atwood ($70); 3. Alabax Large Mount Fixture, Schoolhouse ($180); 4. Brass balls, Grand Brass ($1.25); 5. Kraus KPF-2620CH faucet, Build.com ($150) Illustration by Madeline Montoya