Laura and Michael are remodeling a 1970s Cape Cod and chronicling their progress on their blog A Nurse and a Nerd (love that name!).
This outdated kitchen was one of the first rooms they tackled.
Keep scrolling to see how it looks now!
A Cape Cod Kitchen Makeover
Beautiful!
Laura says, “The biggest change we made was opening it up to the dining room and living room. Taking down the wall allowed us the opportunity to put in a large island.”
They replaced the linoleum with hardwood floors.
“We chose inset cabinets. White Shaker style on the perimeter and black beadboard cabinets on the island. I love the copper lights too. It’s what our kitchen needed. Every country kitchen does. I think they are beautiful and add some much needed warmth to the room.”
I agree!
“For the countertops we went with a quartz made to look like marble called Bianco Carrara on the black island and Silver Wave Granite on the white cabinets.”
The old exterior door was replaced with a pantry.
The kitchen, dining, and living room were all separate spaces before:
She says, “We love how it turned out,” and I can see why!
Here’s one more look at the space before and after the walls came down,
bringing in more natural light and a view of the river outside:
Thanks to Laura for sharing her kitchen makeover with us!
For more photos and details, visit her blog A Nurse and a Nerd.
Kay says
This delightful kitchen re-do has inspired me to spring for ‘warm’ metal light fixtures in our upcoming black + white kitchen.
By ‘warm’, of course I mean copper or antique brass.
FUN!
JoAnne Weisser says
This is a gorgeous kitchen! I love how they opened it up and those copper lights are beautiful – they add a lot of character. The curtain fabric really caught my eye too – it’s up to date but still has a cottage feel – so cute!
hookedonhouses says
I’m loving those curtains, too, JoAnne. So pretty!
Alie B says
LOL @ “A nurse and a nerd”! This is stunning! There’s nothing not to love in this kitchen. 🙂
lynda says
Amazing! You did a perfect job. I am sure this kitchen will inspire many others attempting a remodeling project.
Catherine says
What a stunning transformation! This is pretty much my dream kitchen.
Laura says
Ahhh! Wow! Thank you so much for the feature! We, ourselves, are over the moon in love with our space… but we are pretty glad you guys like it as well! 😉
hookedonhouses says
Thanks for sharing it with us, Laura. Love it!! 🙂
Karen says
I too love Laura’s kitchen! I hope she doesn’t mind if I use it as inspiration for when I get to remodel my kitchen 🙂
Laura says
Um… mind?! That is fantastic!!
Jano says
Laura – looking over your blog, not only is your home lovely and a reflection of good planning and hard work, but the advice you offer about you AND your husband budgeting and then reviewing your monthly expenses is immensely valuable. I worked in banking for years and was so dismayed by the failure of borrowers–not just the first-time homebuyers–to understand household budgeting, the real costs of home ownership, and how consumer debt can sink dreams. Congratulations on letting common sense guide you both to your goals.
Brandy says
Beautiful. The paint on the walls is gorgeous–not too nursery, too pre-teen, or too beachy, just cottage-y goodness.
Esther George says
Hi Julia this makeover is just beautiful and the colour choices perfect. You realise I’ll be looking at my kitchen and because it’s morning over here I’ll be daydreaming with a sigh…. Thank you for sharing beauty. Regards Esther from Sydney. PS have a beautiful weekend.
Destiny says
A Nurse and a Nerd is hands-down the best blog name, possibly EVER! Curious to read more about this couple, after being absolutely transfixed by their gorgeous remodel, I clicked over to their blog and found that they also have one of the best blogs, too. So clean (easy on the eyes, which is a huge deal for me. I can’t read blogs that overwhelm or are too busy.) and informational. I also found this couple to be just really nice, and in addition to digging their style, digging their “person” is huge because in my world, nice still matters!
This, new-to-me, blog just made my blogroll.
Laura says
Oh my goodness Destiny! I am so so so humbled by all your sweet words! I am so glad you have liked our little corner of the web. That seriously means SO much to me! I’m so glad to have you as a part of it! Nice matters to me to. Lets be friends!
Carolyn says
Wow! Fantastic transformation. I love the moldings and beadboard they used, too. Along with the new door, they really made a difference in the feel of the place. I like the mix of surfaces and the inset cabinets, too. Great job.
Julia says
Love the height of the bead board in the dining room and especially that ” Come to the river…” sign. Nice touch.
maryrose says
Yes, this was going to be my response as well! And those copper light fixtures are swoon-worthy!
Cheryl in Wisconsin says
Oh, wow. Nailed it!
Kim says
I love what they’re doing with this house. Every room looks amazing and I love the different touches they’ve made throughout. Like the breadboard, the curtains, and so forth.
Christina from Dallas says
What a wonderful transformation! I can’t believe it’s the same kitchen!
Susan says
Wow! Love this kitchen- so inviting and beautiful. I envy the kind of vision they have as I look at the “before” photos!
franki says
Susan sent us over…AH-MAZING transformation. KUDOS on the KITCHEN!! franki
Shelia @ House of Highlands says
What a transformation! I love this kitchen – it is definitely updated yet they were able to keep the vintage look! Great job!
Shelia
Judy says
I love the rugs! Where did you find them? I need some new rugs for my kitchen.
Beautiful!
Laura says
I got them from ballard designs.
Brett Stave says
What a Beautiful kitchen! love the rugs
Lourdes says
Such a beautiful make over! You have given me hope – we just bought a house a year ago and my kitchen right now looks like your before – we are hoping to remodel it within a year. Enjoy your new kitchen – may you make many wonderful meals and memories in it!
Lorelai says
My goodness, I gasped out loud when I scrolled down to see the “after” picture. WOW. Stunning — seriously!! Amazing job. Truly a kitchen that can be the centre of a stunning home.
Meghan says
Beautiful