Hello, hello! What a month. I’m so pleased at the progress we’ve made in our new Japanese rental home. A huge thanks to the challenges I participated in this month. Last week, I shared the $100 room makeover featuring our global eclectic master bedroom and today it’s time for the New Year, New Room Refresh Reveal hosted by Casa Watkins Living.
New Year, New Room Refresh: Global Eclectic Rental Kitchen
week 1 | week 2 | week 3 | week 4
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First, let’s revisit the inspiration board. 
The space is very small but I managed to squeeze in enough elements to get the global eclectic style I was after.
Looking at the befores and afters, I’m kind of shock what difference the few changes made!
Before
After
I wanted to break up the dull tile and cabinets with warm wood tones, copper, and a fun botanical print. I used many of the same copper accents in our last kitchen, like chalkboard and copper seasoning jars and DIY Ikea glass canisters.
We were lucky to find a wood kitchen cart at the local thrift store. I changed the wood knob to a brass pull and hung a pineapple print from Minted. Command strips are working so far on the tile so I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
Here’s a close up of our fish oven. It’s very common in traditional Japanese homes. I have yet, however, cooked fish in it. The black countertop oven to the right is what I bake in. A full size casserole dish fits in it, so I’m happy. 🙂
Before
Before
After
After
Having the kitchen cart and pots and pans rack really helped open up countertop space and create more storage.
Before 
After
When we first walked through this house, I knew immediately that I wanted a bold wallpaper in this space. The kitchen is so dark but opens up to a bright living area. It feels much more cohesive now. Especially with plants carrying the green hues throughout the house! I can’t wait to show a complete tour of this floor. It’s super cute! A little boho and definitely global eclectic.
Here’s the view, looking out into the piano studio/living area from the kitchen sink. 
The only thing on the to do list I wasn’t able to complete was to replace the cabinet hardware with repurposed copper hardware from our last rental kitchen. Unfortunately the size was too small.
If you love the vibe in this small space, you can acheive a similar look with this shopping guide. 
- kitchen bar cart | 2. copper pulls | 3. IKEA rail | 4. copper pots and pans | 5. bohemian pink rug | 6. herb garden removable wallpaper | 7. gripperwood cutting board
Please join me in visiting all the other amazing reveals of these talented bloggers! I can’t wait! 
Casa Watkins Living // A Designer At Home // Bigger Than The Three Of Us // Domicile 37 // Fresh Crush // Iris Nacole // Monica Wants It // Pocketful of Posies // Seeking Lavender Lane // Sharon Joyce Interiors // This Is Our Bliss // Up To Date Interiors // Vintage Romance Style
Ariel says
January 31, 2017 at 11:24 pmomg that is a small kitchen. I will never ever ever complain about the size of my small kitchen ever again.
I love who your brightened it up and added some small touches that really make a difference. Way to go!
Kathy says
February 23, 2017 at 7:11 amlol Thanks Ariel!
Stephanie @ Casa Watkins living says
February 1, 2017 at 12:17 amAmazing Kathy!!!! I’m blown away with your ability to transform this small space and make it look so much larger and definitely more stylish! Beautiful transformation and I’m loving the way the backsplash/wall pops next to the new wallpaper!
Kathy says
February 23, 2017 at 7:10 amThanks Steph! I can’t believe my kitchen is actually cute now. lol
Jessica says
February 1, 2017 at 1:29 amI am loving the vibe of this kitchen and I bet your family is thrilled to have the kitchen in order. I also like the wooden elements. So good!
Kathy says
February 23, 2017 at 7:08 amThanks Jess! I really like the wood too. The family likes it as long as it’s just one of us in there at a time. lol
Jen @ Fresh Crush says
February 1, 2017 at 1:43 amSo. Much. Style! You totally worked it, and I’m still loving that paper!! Looks great!
Kathy says
February 23, 2017 at 7:08 amAw! Thanks Jen!
Cassie Bustamante says
February 1, 2017 at 1:56 amloving that paper so much and i love how you’ve made this your own!
Kathy says
February 23, 2017 at 7:07 amThanks Cassie! It’s starting to feel like home.
Sharon Williams says
February 1, 2017 at 8:45 amThe wallpaper is gorgeous and does a great job brightening up the space. I love the hanging pots and how much pattern the rug adds to the kitchen. Very pretty!
Kathy says
February 23, 2017 at 7:06 amThank you Sharon!
Deb says
February 1, 2017 at 9:07 pmThis is so pretty Kathy! I’m loving those copper pans and that area rug! Just love the style that you added to this space.
Kathy says
February 23, 2017 at 7:06 amThank you Deb!
Paula says
February 2, 2017 at 12:04 amThe wallpaper looks great, as does the copper pots hanging. Everything looks amazing.
Kathy says
February 23, 2017 at 7:05 amThank you so much! Come see us!
[email protected] says
February 2, 2017 at 12:25 amThe wallpaper gives life to the space and I adore seeing it come through from your living area. Love the refresh girl!
Kathy says
February 23, 2017 at 7:05 amThanks Ashley! It looks so cool from the living room. Can’t wait to share all of it. Almost done. 😉
Iris Nacole says
February 2, 2017 at 5:26 amSeriously Kathy, you are hands down amazing! It doesn’t even look like the same place, and heck if you ever move, I’m thinking they will want you to leave everything as is, it’s so great!
Kathy says
February 23, 2017 at 7:04 amI hope so! I wanted to cry when I removed the floral paper from our last kitchen cabinets. lol Thanks for the sweet words.
Rachael @ This is our Bliss says
February 2, 2017 at 7:36 amYou are ah-mazing!! AND tackling 2 spaces this month..I give you such an incredible amount of props!! Your kitchen is stunningly beautiful. Your paper was made for a home like yours and the copper pans and pineapple print also stole my heart! Lovely, lovely job, Kathy!
Kathy says
February 23, 2017 at 7:03 amThank you so much Rachael! That put a big grin on my face this morning. xoxo
Corinna - ADesignerAtHome says
February 2, 2017 at 7:57 amCan you do this to my kitchen!?!?!?!?!?!?There’s just so much awesome here I can’t hardly contain myself. I really love it. I truly do. You are a rental kitchen magician!
Kathy says
February 23, 2017 at 7:02 amAW! Thanks! You can have it. With the little fish oven. 🙂
Sara @ finditfixitorbuildit.com says
February 8, 2017 at 4:47 pmIt’s beautiful! All the color you added makes such a huge difference. I love posts like this because you show people that a small space can be pretty and functional!
Kathy says
February 23, 2017 at 6:52 amThank you so much Sara!! What a sweet comment. I needed that!
StoneHouse Bespoke Kitchens says
March 27, 2017 at 8:23 pmLooks amazing. Thanks for sharing Kathy.
Kathy says
March 28, 2017 at 3:36 pmThank you!