Restoration Project
 Molly and Donald Livingston love their home near Syracuse, New York, as much as they love to cook and entertain. But their 1970s kitchen was worse for the wear. Country Living and Kenmore Elite came to the rescue with a battery of new appliances plus some ingenious remodeling ideas for an appealing new kitchen - that works.
Before: The old kitchen was plagued with dated appliances. Its stainless steel sink had lost its luster, and the faucet leaked. The cabinets were strong, but worn, and there wasn't enough counter space. Since the couple had frequent guests, this room - open to the dining area - did not work.
After: Their appliances were replaced with top-of-the-line Kenmore Elite stainless steel models from Sears. Then, using on additional budget of $2,500, Country Living's contributing stylist, Randy Florke went to work on the rest of the room. First,
the cabinet doors were removed and stripped. Next, a panel of framed wainscoting was applied for a contemporary farmhouse look. They were re-hung, painted a creamy white, and dressed with woven-metal pulls in a pewter-like finish. The wainscoting was continued on the soffit and backsplash in a soft slate-blue shade. The small space was further brightened by painting the window frame to blend with the cabinets. While the original wood-trimmed laminate counters remain, a new white sink and high arc faucet give them a lift. Florke then rummaged local antique shops and flea markets for a myriad of retro accessories. The finishing touch: a stainless steel-topped island that doubles as both extra countertop and visual divide between the dining room and kitchen.
Instant gratification: replacing dated appliances with the latest energy-efficient moels is an easy upgrade and worth the investment. The stylish appliances in our dream kitchen include:
Kenmore Elite 25.5 cubic-foot Refrigerator Model 52603 Energy-Star compliant unit with gently curved doors and easy-grip handles, Ultra Fresh temperature management, space-saving in-door ice storage, and an ice/water filter. |
Kenmore Elite Ultra Wash Dishwasher Model 15953 with a giant tub and stainless steel interior, an adjustable/removable upper rack, QuietGuard sound insulation, a high temperature Sani-Rinse, and Triple Action filtration. |
Kenmore Elite 40-inch Dual Fuel Rante Model 74503 featuring five sealed gas burners, including one with 13,000 BTUs and two that simmer at 5,000 BTUs, a self-cleaning electric convection oven, and a conventional auxiliary oven. |
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