Towards the end of 2023, after a whirlwind of life changes (I left my corporate job and, just three weeks later, my husband lost his), we decided it was time for a shift. We sold our new construction home and downsized into a charming 1970s rancher while we grew and invested in @thesouthernsource. Initially, we were drawn to the layout and character of this older home, but we knew from the start that the kitchen needed some love. Small but mighty, see how we transform this kitchen into something amazing!
For nearly two years, I debated whether we should completely gut the kitchen and open up the space.
But one big obstacle was the laundry room, smack dab in the middle of the house (right behind the double doors). With no realistic way to relocate it, we ultimately decided to keep the existing galley layout and work with what we had.
If you’re considering giving your kitchen a luxe refresh without breaking the bank, this post is for you!
Cabinets: Leaning Into the Charm
This home was built in the ’70s, and let me tell you—solid wood cabinets just aren’t made like they used to be. At first, I wasn’t in love with the ornate cabinet fronts, and I even looked into having them refaced. A rep from Home Depot gave me a quote between $15,000 and $19,000. Yikes. That just didn’t feel like a smart investment at the time.
So, instead, we decided to embrace the cottage charm and stick with the original cabinets.
The original cabinet color had potential, but the previous paint job was poorly done and peeling. Proper refinishing starts with sanding the cabinets down. For paint, I always recommend using a high-quality, semi-gloss finish. One of my favorite brands is C2 Paint—their colors are rich, and the finish feels ultra-luxurious.
We went with “Paper Clip” by C2 Paint, a soft light gray with subtle blue undertones. It gave the space an elevated, timeless feel.
Tip: We also painted the soffets (the drywalled space above the cabinets) the same color as the cabinets to extend the eye up and give the illusion that these older cabinets went all the way to the ceiling. Thanks to my friend and designer, Ciara Word with Word Interiors, for this suggestion!
Countertops: Goodbye Linoleum, Hello Marble
Next on the list: those tired old linoleum countertops. I headed to my go-to spot, Cottage Supply Company, to source stone for the project. They have something for every budget and make the process so approachable. Whether you’re looking for scrap stone for a powder bath or full slabs for a kitchen, they’ve got you covered. They even have tile, wallpaper, flooring, and hardware, which is where I found these lovely and affordable pulls!
During my visits to their stone yard in Cottondale, I kept coming back to Alabama White Marble. I know marble can be a bold choice—it’s more delicate than quartz or granite—but it’s so stunning, and I’ve always wanted to use it in a kitchen.
We ended up choosing a slab with beautiful gray and gold veining. Knowing marble shows wear over time, I felt the extra veining would help camouflage life’s inevitable messes. We also went with a “honed” finish (a bit more forgiving than polished) and added a “cove” edge for a custom touch. That edge detail was an additional $600, but it was worth every penny—it brought in a level of sophistication that really elevated the whole kitchen.
Sink + Faucet: Tried and True Favorites
When something works, you stick with it—just like finding a pair of jeans you love and buying them in every color. That’s how I feel about the sink and faucet combo we used here. It’s the same pairing we used at the lake house, and I still love it just as much.
We sourced both from GLS Supply in Birmingham, one of my favorite hidden gems for luxury kitchen and bath finishes. Their showroom is super approachable, and the staff is incredibly knowledgeable. Even if you’re not a builder or designer, they’ll make you feel right at home.
Here’s what we chose:
- Sink: HAMAT CHE-3219SU-WH Undermount Fireclay Single Bowl in White
- Faucet: Newport Brass Single Handle “Taft” Faucet in Unlacquered Brass
This combo brings such a clean, classic look with just the right amount of shine.
Backsplash: Budget-Friendly Zellige Style
To finish things off, we added a zellige-style tile backsplash. While real Zellige tiles are handcrafted and can be pricey, we found a great alternative at Home Depot. These tiles mimic the look—glazed terracotta with all that lovely, organic variation in texture and tone—at a much more accessible price point. If you love the look of Zellige but need a more budget-friendly option, definitely check these out!
Final Thoughts
This galley kitchen refresh proves you don’t need to spend a fortune to create a space that feels high-end, cozy, and full of character. With a little creativity, smart sourcing, and a focus on what matters most, you can completely transform your kitchen—even within its original footprint.
Any regrets? Yes. I wish I had the forethought of sourcing and installing hidden door hinges during the cabinet process. I was in the middle of my first trimester (brain fog), and we were headed to Disney during this renovation project, so it just slipped my mind. I had my painter just paint the door hinges. It’s not ideal, but it works in a pinch.
Overall, we are extremely happy with our kitchen makeover. Thank you to our wonderful partners on this project:
Visit GLS locations in Birmingham, Huntsville and Cullman or call them over the phone if you’d like to order any of the items I featured in this blog post.
Visit Cottage Supply in Birmingham and Tuscaloosa or their stoneyard in Cottondale.
Spoiler alert: We won’t be calling this kitchen home for much longer…
This week, we officially put our house on the market in hopes of finding a space that better fits our growing family.
While we didn’t expect to say goodbye so soon, we’re proud of the love, care, and intention that went into transforming this once-dated galley kitchen into a cozy, inviting space.
Whoever steps into this home next—we hope they feel that same warmth in every detail.
Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter to see where we land next!
Let's Chat! Leave your comments, questions or requests