Bright Kitchen Makeover

This kitchen’s assets ― including well-made cabinets, vintage tile countertops, and a generous layout ― were hidden by layers of aged grout, worn paint, scuffed linoleum, and cutesy detailing.

Interior designer Jeffrey Alan Marks eliminated some of the dated look just by removing the wooden window scallop, replacing the knobs with metal handles, and covering the cabinetry with white marine paint.

For a lacquerlike finish, he used a paint sprayer to apply paint both to the doors and to the insides of the cabinets.

Guide: How to repaint kitchen cabinets

He also replaced the old grout and cleaned, buffed, and sealed the tile to bring out its vibrant yellow hue.

A new multipurpose cooking island solved a problem with the old layout: the stove was too far from the sink and blocked the door.

To give it a contemporary look, Marks topped the island with stainless steel and covered its wood sides with orange auto body paint. “I wanted the island to really punch, so I chose orange for contrast.”

Design: Jeffrey Alan Marks, Los Angeles (310/207-2222)

Next: More amazing Before and Afters