Sugar & Cloth Studio Kitchenette Reveal: A Budget-Friendly Mid-Century Modern Dream
Photos by Jared Smith
After much anticipation and a few sneak peeks along the way, we are absolutely thrilled to finally unveil the new Sugar & Cloth studio kitchenette! While a few finishing touches, like adding more vibrant dinnerware to the shelves and a couple more cacti, are still on the horizon, the transformation is largely complete. Considering the humble beginnings of this space, which you can revisit here, it feels like a monumental achievement in our book. We’ve poured our hearts into creating a functional yet stylish area that perfectly embodies the Sugar & Cloth aesthetic, and we can’t wait to share all the details.
This ambitious studio renovation project was made possible through an incredible partnership with the wonderful team at Lowe’s. They were an indispensable resource, providing us with an extensive range of materials – from twenty tubes of caulk and an arsenal of paint rollers to brooms, mops, scrub brushes, knee pads, nails, screws, grout, paint, and a thousand other small but essential items. Every single detail you see in this kitchenette, no matter how minor, has been touched by Lowe’s. We truly couldn’t have navigated the countless trips and material lists without their comprehensive support and expert advice. Their partnership was pivotal in bringing this vision to life.
One of the most exciting aspects of this project is that we managed to keep everything remarkably within budget. We’re eager to share our strategies for cost-effective renovation, all our precise sources for the elements you see, and, perhaps most thrillingly, the secret behind our incredible $36 countertop! Yes, you read that right – thirty-six dollars for a seamless, high-gloss countertop. This is no joke; it’s a game-changer for anyone looking to achieve a premium look without the premium price tag. So, buckle up for a full breakdown of how we achieved this budget-friendly masterpiece!
Designing a Functional and Fabulous Studio Kitchenette
Our core design philosophy for this space naturally revolved around our signature white and gold theme. However, for this new studio, we sought to infuse a few more vibrant pops of color compared to our previous studio. The intention was to create dynamic backdrops for countless future photo opportunities and charming vignettes that would be perfect for upcoming workshops and video productions. Functionality and aesthetic versatility were key. We also firmly embraced the modern/mid-century vibe that has become a strong current in our recent projects. And let’s be honest, cacti are absolutely nailing this aesthetic on all fronts! You can definitely prepare to see many more of these spiky beauties making appearances in our upcoming posts and studio features.
The Backsplash: A Mid-Century Touch with a DIY Spirit
Given that our kitchenette doesn’t boast full-sized appliances, we needed to strategically incorporate elements that would unmistakably give it that authentic “kitchen” feel, even within a wide-open workspace. A backsplash, therefore, became an absolute necessity. We opted for a captivating penny tile backsplash, which instantly infused a strong mid-century vibe into the area. Beyond its undeniable charm – frankly, who doesn’t love polka dots in tile form?! – it was also wonderfully budget-friendly. This choice made our retro Smeg fridge feel right at home, creating a harmonious and playful pairing. We can almost picture them enjoying a plate of spaghetti together!
To keep the aesthetic minimal and clean, we decided against splurging on a tile saw. Instead, we relied on simple tile nippers to create the clean, straight edges on both ends of the backsplash, entirely eliminating the need for trim pieces. This DIY approach, while saving costs, presented its own set of learning curves. We confess to making a few mistakes during the initial grout installation – a quick referral to Lowe’s “how-to” guides earlier would have been prudent, oops! We had to reapply a top coat of grout because our first attempt involved using too much water when wiping away the excess, which regrettably led to small air bubbles drying and popping. It was a good lesson in patience and precision.
An unexpected bonus emerged during the process: we discovered that the penny tile sheets themselves exhibited slight variations in color. As a result, the finished backsplash took on a beautiful, subtle marbled appearance rather than a uniform plain white. This was an accidental but utterly delightful win, especially since a genuine marble backsplash would have been our dream choice if budget and time constraints hadn’t been a factor. Sometimes, the most beautiful elements arise from happy accidents in DIY!
Brushed Brass Hardware and Thoughtfully Designed Open Shelving
Our choice of brushed brass drawer pulls and the stunning faucet are undoubtedly two of our favorite design elements in the entire space. They expertly introduce that coveted trendy, modern feel while seamlessly tying into our deep-seated love for all things gold. Above the countertops, the floating shelves serve a dual purpose: they are both functional storage and captivating built-in artwork. We’ve styled them with a thoughtful mix of colorful dishes alongside everyday white dinnerware, creating visually interesting displays that can be easily rearranged for photo shoots or workshops.
We did implement a clever little trick with the shelves. They weren’t quite long enough to span the entire length of the countertops, so we installed two shorter shelves directly next to each other. To create a seamless look, we caulked the seams between them and then painted the faces of the shelves the same crisp white as the walls. This simple yet effective method allowed them to blend beautifully, giving the illusion of continuous, custom-length shelving without the added expense.
The $36 Countertop Secret: An IKEA Hack Masterpiece
Now, for the pièce de résistance: the countertops. We faced a significant challenge here, as a custom high-gloss or acrylic version was simply beyond our budget. We were also decidedly not fans of the standard laminate look. This is where my incredibly ingenious Dad stepped in. Knowing we had a few extra white lacquered table tops from previous workshops, he devised a brilliant plan. He realized he could use a rotary saw to cut one down to precisely fit our small counter space.
To achieve this perfect fit, he meticulously cut the width of a tabletop down to 25 inches, ensuring the counter would extend just past the cabinet base. He then strategically placed the rough-cut end towards the wall. For the areas on either side of our farmhouse sink, he used the other rough-cut ends from sawing the tabletop in half, positioning them expertly underneath the edge of the sink. Once we had installed the penny tile backsplash and carefully caulked all the edges, the result was nothing short of stunning: a completely finished, high-gloss countertop that looked utterly seamless, all for the incredible price of a single $36 tabletop! My Dad is truly a mastermind when it comes to clever DIY solutions, and this countertop is a testament to his ingenuity and skill.
What Do You Think?
We are incredibly proud of how this studio kitchenette renovation turned out, blending style, functionality, and a tight budget with creative solutions. Every detail, from the choice of hardware to the innovative countertop, reflects our commitment to inspiring DIY projects. What are your thoughts on our new studio kitchenette? We’re so excited to get the rest of the shelves perfectly styled and filled to share with you all soon!
Sources:
- Gold Faucet: Delta Trinsic Kitchen Faucet with Diamond Seal Technology
- Drawer Pulls: Brushed Brass (Specific source to be updated)
- Backsplash: Penny Tile (Specific source to be updated)
- Sink: IKEA DOMSJÖ Single-bowl sink
- Cabinets: IKEA Sektion Cabinets (White)
- Floating Shelves: (Specific source to be updated)
- Smeg Refrigerator: Smeg Refrigerator
- Large Marble Hex Board: (Specific source to be updated)
- Small Marble Hex Board: Small Marble Hex Board
- Round Marble Board: Round Marble Board
- Gold Wire Fruit Bowl: Gold Wire Fruit Bowl
- Colorful Dishes on Shelves: Various sources