In a $200 Redo, A “Stuck in 2009” Studio Kitchen Got the Dreamiest Backsplash
ABOUT THIS BEFORE & AFTER
HOME TYPE: Studio Apartment
STYLE: Eclectic, Organic Modern
SKILL LEVEL: DIY
RENTAL FRIENDLY: Yes
Studio apartment living has its own set of unique requirements. Namely, because it’s hard to create distinctions between the different areas of the home as they flow into one another, it’s important they communicate aesthetically so the space doesn’t feel disjointed. And when interior designer Marnie Salmon (@marnie_marie) moved into her 450-square-foot Toronto studio apartment in 2017, this was her mission.
The kitchen was swathed in shades of gray, like in the laminate countertops and faux marble backsplash. “While the kitchen wasn’t terrible, it never really felt like a cohesive part of the space. When I was updating other areas of the apartment, it became glaring how disconnected and dull it felt in comparison,” Marnie explains. “After seeing all kinds of TikTok videos showcasing the ease of installing contact paper and the variety of patterns available now, I decided to embark on a mini renovation project.”
Marnie wanted her entire space to have an “eclectic Parisian look,” including the kitchen. “I chose butcher block paper to harmonize with the hardwood flooring, giving it a cohesive, furniture-like feel,” she says. “For the backsplash, the terrazzo-inspired contact paper struck a perfect balance of vintage and modern all at the same time, adding brightness and character to this corner of the apartment. Overall, it beautifully ties in with the apartment’s aesthetic.”
When it came to actually making the changes, Marnie was prepared to do it all herself. For the butcher block counters, she successfully installed the paper on a 90-degree miter cut, and for the terrazzo backsplash, she made sure the seams overlapped so they wouldn’t be visible (making it look like real stone!).
An IKEA BEKVÄM cart was added to the space for extra storage (plus three IKEA ORDNING utensil holders), and all in all the kitchen refresh cost around $200 total. The new additions joined Marnie’s existing appliance and decor collection, which included her grandma’s vintage toaster, that pulled the room together. She transformed the space herself over the course of just one weekend.
“I love how the kitchen feels more unified with the rest of the space. It’s so much brighter now and creates a lively atmosphere,” Marnie shares. “Just this small change of revising the counters and backsplash had such a huge impact on the look of the kitchen overall. It even made the existing white cabinets themselves look better.”
If you want to see more of Marnie’s wonderful apartment, visit the full home tour on Apartment Therapy.
This post originally appeared on The Kitchn. See it there: Before & After: This “Stuck in 2009” Kitchen Got a Dreamy Facelift for Under $200
Further Reading
I Tried the 90/90 Rule and My Closet Is Now Fully Decluttered
Everything You’ve Ever Wanted To Know About Article’s DTC Furniture
We Asked 8 Pro Travelers What They Never Pack in Their Carry-On, and Here’s What They Said
