My budget kitchen makeover has finally started!

My kitchen definitely doesn't look like this right now. (Image above via DeVol Kitchens)

When we bought the Gold is a Neutral house almost two years ago, it was very much on the proviso that we would do a side return kitchen extension as soon as we possibly could. That was the plan anyway. But then I took a 12-month maternity leave after having Nellie. And then when I did finally decide to get back to work, it was to start this very blog. And as exciting as that is, it ain't paying the bills right now. So basically the extension is on hold...and it's all my fault.

I've reconciled myself with that fact. And since I'm doing something I love for the first time in ages, the extension can wait.

But that doesn't change the fact that the kitchen in its original state was not a happy space. It's narrow, with a low ceiling; orangey melamine units; green, rust and terracotta tiles and orangey laminate flooring. Nice. I had been reluctant to spend anything at all on it as I thought we would be ripping it all out quite soon. Now I know I'm stuck with it for a bit longer, it's time to give it a much needed makeover and hopefully turn it into a pleasant space for us all to hang out in.

I'm reluctantly sharing an image of the 'before' situation here because I think it's only fair you should all see what I'm dealing with.

SO much melamine. I still don't want to spend a lot on it as it is a temporary fix. Because this extension will happen won't it? So that means painting the melamine cupboards and tiles. Yeah that. I've also decided I'm going to rip up the laminate flooring. I'll probably have to work around the worktop for now. But we will treat ourselves to a new sink as ours is pretty shabby. There's also a window seat to the right which I'm aiming to jazz up and make more of a feature.

I did my research and everything seemed to suggest that Zinsser primer is the best for covering both cupboards and tiles. So I bought a big tin and got to work. Two days later and the orangey melamine and terracotta had been replaced with a white wash. And oh my god, it looks SO much lighter in there! Which presented me with somewhat of a predicament. Because I had been thinking I was going to paint the cupboards either dark green or olive, or Farrow and Ball's Railings (see below).

Image via Pinterest - Laurel Bern Interiors

Image via Pinterest - Plain English Design

But I don't think I can do it. I'm loving how light it is in there. I'll have to save the dark colours for when I've got a big, airy, space. But white is also absolutely not an option for me. So it's back to the drawing board and some serious Pinterest scouring for kitchen colour inspiration. Tune in next week for an update. 

I'd love to hear your thoughts on what colour I should go for in the comments below!

Jess x