Working With: Mismatched Kitchen Appliances

Today, I’m sharing another example of how a reader came up with a way to work with what she had.  After doing some updates to a really outdated kitchen, Tiffany found it hard to justify replacing perfectly good  appliances just because they didn’t match.

 

outdated kitchen before

 

 

Her work around?  Paint.  She used a two-color scheme on her cabinets so that the appliances would just blend in and be less noticeable:

 

painting kitchen cabinets

 

 

 

She painted the upper cabinets Benjamin Moore “Vanilla Milkshake”and “Ocean Floor” on the lower cabinets:

 

working with mismatched kitchen appliances

 

 

 

And, I think one of my favorite parts of this kitchen is the way she used an old farmhouse table for a kitchen island:

 

kitchen cabinet paint colors

 

***By the way, you’ll notice some of her appliances in the “after” photos are different but are still mismatched.  She said that when they eventually did need replacing that she liked the look so much that she ended up buying the same color of new appliances :)

 

Thanks to Tiffany for sharing this great solution.  (She blogs at Meaningful Home, if you’d  like to see more.)

 

And, don’t forget, there’s a couple of days left to share your “working with” solutions.  I’ll be sharing my favorite ideas from the link up party next week.

 

49 comments:

  1. That is a stunning transformation! Absolutely gorgeous!

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  2. It's a huge transformation, but it sure looks like she got a new/different refrigerator and dishwasher, only she stayed with the mismatched finishes. I love a farmhouse table as an island. It really works here with the perimeter cabinetry doorstyle!

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    1. You know--you're right. She actually did. The after photos were obviously taken much later in the process. She said that she liked the way it looked so much that when her appliances did need replacing that she still kept them mismatched. I should/will add that in my post :)

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    2. Wasn't trying to call anybody out, but I am crazy about details and it hit me right away!

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  3. Tiffany did a great job and a great idea! Very clever!

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  4. Genius! I love what she did--and the island is the perfect addition too.

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  5. Hey! Just wanted to respond to the fact that there are new appliances in this photo. I completed this makeover in 2008 and since then my dishwasher and my refrigerator both went out, but at different times, so I just replaced them with the same color appliances since I had already painted the kitchen to minimize the color of the appliances. Thanks everyone for your sweet comments!

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  6. What a smart and economical solution! Beautiful transformation, I love the farm table too!

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  7. She did an amazing job of updating her kitchen. Love it. Hugs, Marty

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  8. Wow, How beautiful! Looks like a total different kitchen.

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  9. Thank you for this! I have been struggling with this exact issue: annoyance of mismatched appliances vs. guilt over getting rid of perfectly functional, not-inexpensive fixtures. This is a great solution!

    Nora
    www.thecheapchiclife.com

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  10. This is such a clever idea and this kitchen looks great. Pinning this!

    Have a great day!

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  11. Great thinking, so get not spending the extra money so they all match! I love that she has the perfect amount of room for that amazing table! :)

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  12. Right on! And, her kitchen is small like mine...great idea for the island!

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  13. Looks great!

    Jenny
    Www.simcoestreet.blogspot.com

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  14. What an amazing transformation! It's beautiful AND brilliant. In the before picture those mismatched appliances probably would have driven me crazy. In the "after" they blend right in and look like they are perfectly and carefully selected. Love this!

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  15. Great job - and I totally agree! Isn't it cool how the old cabinet doors look so much like bead-board once they are painted.. super job!

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  16. Very clever and really works! Love those paint colors too - the power of paint!

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  18. That was clever, painting the cabinets different colors. I saw on Pinterest that someone had used contact paper on the fridge and that silver stuff that looks like old ceiling tiles you get at Home Depot on the dishwasher. Looked pretty darned good too!
    Brenda

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  19. That is a brilliant solution! And it looks gorgeous :)
    - Lora

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  20. Smart thinking, and so eco-friendly!

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  21. It looks lovely, very warm and inviting while still modern and up to date! It's super homey :) Smart solution when you can't or don't want to get all new appliances!

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  22. I love the cabinet colors! It looks so different.

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  23. I love this "working-with" series! Those are lovely cabinet colors and the kitchen is more charming for its mismatch.

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  24. brilliant- never thought of that! Any takers for painting appliances? Haven't looked into that either.. Thanks Emily.
    xo Nancy
    Powellbrowerhome.com

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    1. I know Lauren Liess painted a fridge with chalkboard paint. It looked great!

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  25. I am so impressed! Thank you for doing this theme. This is gorgeous and so practical.

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  26. She did such a great job updating the entire kitchen. And her tile/grout color choices help tie everything together too. I love the play between the dark and light colors.

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  27. What a great idea! I currently have a mismatched oven, and this post has me thinking... :) I love how her cabinets turned out too--what a transformation!

    ~Abby =)

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  28. Absolutely gorgeous and it gives me ideas! :) We HAD all the same color appliances (I'm one of the few who detests stainless) and then the dishwasher went; we replaced it with one my friend gave me in a different color. YAY, love this. Thank you!

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  29. What a great kitchen makeover and I agree the farmhouse table is awesome.

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  30. This looks SO good. It's definitely economical! The color choices are GREAT and seriously, I about die every time I see a table like that ~ they make PERFECT islands!!!

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  31. What a great Before and After! A complete transformation. I love the colored lowers and your right that Vintage Farmhouse Table is just Beautiful!

    I have posted a few times about spray painting old appliances to blend in. I just finished my painting my old 70's double ovens. (since i couldn't afford to replace them yet) You should check it out. http://mydalydesigns.blogspot.com/

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  32. WOW! It is not even the same space!! Very well done!

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  33. What a great job she did! It's solutions like these that so many are looking for....

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  34. What a brilliant solution and love the color blocking!

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  35. Great job - just love the color palette she chose!!

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  38. Dang...hard to believe that is the same kitchen! And I agree...the table is a wonderful focal point!

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  39. What a beautiful transformation! This is the perfect example of how an updated kitchen can be updated without spending a lot of money. The paint helps to heighten the space visually by blending the soffits into the cabinetry. Love it!

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Your comments make my day! If you have a question, I'll try to answer in the comment section by the end of the day. Or, you can email me at emily@emilyaclark.com.

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