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Apartment Therapy reported on Nate Klass’s makeover of a kitchen he described as “very early 2000s.” He kept the existing layout and used Farrow & Ball’s Brassica paint, replacement backsplash tile, contact paper on the dishwasher and a disco ball to shift the room toward a 1970s-inspired look.
Nate Klass refreshed his early-2000s kitchen with purple-gray paint, a replacement tiled backsplash and a disco ball, according to a before-and-after report published by Apartment Therapy. The makeover retained the room’s existing layout and centered on cosmetic changes rather than a full renovation.
Klass told Apartment Therapy that the original kitchen had dark wood IKEA cabinets, pink marble flooring and a white subway-tile backsplash. He said the room was not in bad condition but did not feel interesting. Because he liked the small kitchen’s layout, he focused on its appearance instead of reworking the space.
He painted the cabinets in Farrow & Ball’s Brassica, which the report describes as a purple-gray shade. He then used the same color on the walls and ceiling, applying different finishes: flat paint on the walls and high-gloss paint overhead. The article identifies paint as the central change in the makeover.
Klass also replaced the backsplash tile, a job he described as difficult. He said removing the old tile exposed drywall that needed patching, and that his tile snippers could not make the notches required for the new tile. He rented a tile saw despite being nervous about using one, and said it proved manageable. For the dishwasher, he applied contact paper and painted it Brassica. The report says he plans to use the same approach on the fridge and stainless-steel parts of the range; those changes are plans, not completed work.
A Finish-Led Kitchen Makeover
The project shows how a homeowner can change a kitchen’s visual character while keeping its existing layout and cabinetry. In Klass’s case, paint supplied the main color shift, while the backsplash and appliance treatment helped carry the look across more surfaces. The disco ball adds a playful finishing touch, but the reported work was not a full remodel.
That distinction matters to readers weighing a cosmetic refresh against a larger renovation. The article does not provide a project budget, a schedule or a comparison of costs, so it cannot establish how much money the makeover saved. It does document the specific work Klass undertook, including the unexpected drywall repairs and the need to rent a tile saw for the backsplash.
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From Dark Wood to Brassica
Apartment Therapy framed the finished room as a 1970s-inspired kitchen, a change from the earlier combination of dark cabinets, pink marble flooring and white subway tile. The disco ball is part of that retro direction. Klass said afternoon light reflects across the room and can illuminate the ball hanging from the ceiling.
The design decision began with a smaller idea: Klass first considered adding colorful hardware to make the original cabinets stand out. He ultimately decided he wanted more color and painted the cabinets instead. Since the layout was already working for him, he concentrated on finishes and surfaces. The article describes this as a relatively limited makeover, though it also records the extra work involved in replacing the backsplash.
Budget and Appliance Plans
The Apartment Therapy report lists the project cost as not available. It does not give a total budget, a timeline, the amount of paint or tile used, or a breakdown of material and tool costs. The article also does not specify whether Klass owns or rents the home; its project details do not establish that the makeover is suitable for every rental.
The fridge and range are not reported as finished parts of the makeover. Klass said they were next on his DIY list, but the source does not say when he will tackle them or whether the plan has since changed. No independent assessment of the finish’s durability is included.
More Appliance Updates Planned
Klass told Apartment Therapy he plans to apply contact paper and paint to the fridge and stainless-steel parts of the range to match the dishwasher. The source provides no completion date, and it does not confirm that those updates have taken place. Readers seeking further details can refer to Apartment Therapy’s full before-and-after report and the home tour it links to.
Key Questions
What did Nate Klass change in the kitchen?
He painted the cabinets, walls and ceiling in Farrow & Ball’s Brassica, replaced the backsplash tile, covered and painted the dishwasher, and hung a disco ball. He kept the existing layout.
What did the kitchen look like before the makeover?
Klass described the original kitchen as having dark wood IKEA cabinets, pink marble flooring and white subway tile. He said it was not bad, but lacked visual interest for him.
How much did the kitchen makeover cost?
The Apartment Therapy report lists the cost as not available. It does not provide a project total or itemized expenses.
Did Klass finish updating the fridge and range?
The report says he planned to update them with the same contact-paper-and-paint approach used on the dishwasher. It does not confirm that either appliance has been changed.
What made the backsplash work difficult?
Klass said removing the old tile meant patching drywall, and his snippers could not cut the necessary notches in the new tile. He rented a tile saw, which he said was easier to use than he had feared.
Source: apartmenttherapy.com
