Projects
4 secrets to nailing a kitchen renovation
She’d lived with her kitchen for seven years, but the pandemic put Rashida Banks over the edge. Spending so much time at home, the blogger and DIYer realized she’d had enough of the existing space.
In 2021, she undertook a renovation, and the results speak for themselves. But one thing you can’t tell from looking at the pictures is that she pulled this renovation off without breaking the bank. Lucky for all of us, she’s sharing her experience.
1. A focused vision is key
Banks had a vision of a modern classic kitchen in creamy shades of white. To make it happen, she decided to focus on surface renovations rather than layout. “I wanted every finish to change,” Banks said. This meant redoing the cabinetry, flooring, countertops and even windows and a door.
“I needed a showstopper” she said. It came in the form of an unfinished oak door, which anchors the entire space and provides a warm contrast to the cream color scheme. To further that contrast, she also updated her windows with black frames and a 2-over-2 grille pattern. The combination of the contemporary color with a traditional grille pattern was a perfect match for her modern-classic vision.
She chose to include windows and doors in her renovation too, instead of waiting to replace them. This gave her the chance to use them as focal points in her design, creating a stronger and more cohesive aesthetic.
“I needed a showstopper” she said. It came in the form of an unfinished oak door, which anchors the entire space and provides a warm contrast to the cream color scheme. To further that contrast, she also updated her windows with black frames and a 2-over-2 grille pattern. The combination of the contemporary color with a traditional grille pattern was a perfect match for her modern-classic vision.
She chose to include windows and doors in her renovation too, instead of waiting to replace them. This gave her the chance to use them as focal points in her design, creating a stronger and more cohesive aesthetic.
2. There’s a right way to DIY
To create her dream kitchen, Banks was willing to get her hands dirty. As an experienced DIYer, she has her process down.
- Create a vision. Her go-to sources of inspiration include Pinterest, Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, the House and Home YouTube Channel and a few favorite designers on Instagram.
- Do your research. “I did so much research — hours and hours,” Banks said. “I watched a ton of YouTube and just pulled from what I thought was best for my project.”
- Order your materials. “Have all your material on hand, ordered before starting, if possible,” she said. You want to avoid putting things on pause because the necessary materials haven’t arrived.
- Set up a support system! Banks recommends the “phone-a-friend" route. “I actually did my renovation alongside one of my friends, and it was so helpful because she understood my pain,” she said.
A mood board helped Banks pull together her inspiration and create a focused vision for her project.
While Banks DIYed much of this renovation — even painting her own cabinets — she also looked to professionals for a few tasks. Find out why in the next section.
Loading component...
“There’s nothing wrong with being your own general contractor unless you’re ordering custom materials that you've never ordered before, such as windows and doors,” - Rashida Banks
