A cottage kitchen before and after

Nothing is quite as inspiring as a good before and after picture. This one is from Sunset Magazine. It's hard to imagine that the kitchen below

would grow up to become this:

The cottage was built in the 1920's. Its owner, Caroline Willis, made minimal changes, but each one had a huge impact. A fresh coat of paint in soft, neutral tones and baskets on shelves instead of cupboard doors make the biggest difference in the small room.

I couldn't believe it when I read that the new kitchen uses the old countertops. I didn't even recognize them! The tile trim around the island looks 1,000 times more updated in the white kitchen.

The rest of the house is just as cozy. The den is filled with a sea grass rug and the cutest little pair of checkered chairs.

And in the living room, Caroline painted the insides of her bookshelves darker than the walls to help her creamware collection stand out. I'm also admiring the dark wooden fireplace with the tile trim. A very small addition of color, and it's just perfect for the room.