While there are a lot of super affordable readymade cabinets out there that I could likely get in a couple of weeks and paint (hello, Lowe’s or IKEA), I think it would be more fun to learn some basic carpentry skills, DIY kitchen cabinets, and then add a fancy floral curtain for this one. This kitchen is going to be small, think “first studio apartment,” and I think a fun challenge is making this work without spending a ton of dough.

I watch DIY renovators like Renee Renovates, who literally makes all her own cabinetry with drawers, cabinets, and interesting joinery (so impressive), so surely I could figure out how to build basic shelves and throw a curtain in front, right? Here is the inspiration:

Now we won’t have wallpaper (we’ll have paneling) or the pretty leaded window, but that floral curtain and the painted shelves made my heart so happy. So it feels pointless to have pretty finished cabinets just to cover them up. Thus, the journey begins…I needed to find inspiration images that showed a really simple way of doing it. No fancy joinery or gliders. I am NOT detail-oriented, so in order for me and my team to execute, it needs to be so basic that anyone could do it (I’ll put my twist on it, of course).

While this construction is kinda crude, this looks doable for me (with the help of someone who is handy, of course). The materials are so simple, and the construction feels really rudimentary. What could go wrong? This is where I started, and then, of course, the Pinterest rabbit hole started showing me more interesting versions.

This one has prettier joinery and clearly higher quality wood – so stunning. I definitely want the countertop to be really pretty (unsure what material as of now – tile, stone, or wood), but since the shelves are likely going to be covered, I’m not convinced I need to splurge on nice wood. But it’s so lovely, right?

Another great way to join the pieces together. I love that negative space in between the shelves and that the base adds some interesting architecture. I’m curious if this is even easier to construct than the first one?

I think this is WAY above my pay grade, but so pretty and I pinned it to show the detail of the joinery. I don’t think we’ll be doing a drawer.

This was one of the first images I pinned because of the simplicity and basicness, which felt appropriate for this cottage. Primitive, functional, and then I can certain layer on top.

Another example, but this time using reclaimed wood.

Obviously…This one doesn’t even have shelves, but I love it so much!!

I love this vibe, but it’s more French cottage than what I’m going for, which is more whimsy and color/fun. But love the tea towels as the skirt. I also love that there is one exposed shelf.

I’m staring at all the ways that they put this wood together, what screws you can see, what screw holes are plugged, and what the overhang is to house the rod for the curtain. God, I love Pinterest.

This was one of my first pins, where I said, “I think we could do this”. The construction looks achievable, and functionally, the two shelves feel like exactly what we need.

This is a great representation of what we would do with the sink, although for an even easier application, I might choose a wall-hung sink and build the cabinets around it, versus making the shelves strong enough to carry the sink.

Another pretty example!

This one shows the curtain installed inside the cabinets, rather than on the face or at the same plane as the framing. All good things to consider.

I LOVE these two as they feel finished and polished, but still really simple and powerful.

I LOVE the rods and pleats – I think that’s more the look I want for this project. More whimsical and certainly traditional, but with a fussy vibe that makes me smile (I realize this is counter to my simple structure, but perhaps that’s exactly what I’m going for).

Another version of this rod/ring/pleat combination. Imagine an incredible dead stock floral fabric curtain here (you bet I’ve been shopping on Etsy), and hell, I might even mix multiple florals together (maybe separate panels or maybe an Adam Pogue-style quilted curtain).

I know that many people might have hit their scallop threshold, but this house came with scallops and it feels like it wants them back in there, so I’m still open to the idea of doing something like this.

Any advice? Any suggestions? I’m looking for a carpenter to help in Portland that I can pay to teach me how to do this properly (so I can relay the proper drawings and instructions to you all instead of just making mistake after mistake), so if anyone knows anyone in Portland, let me know.

*Photos by Kaitlin Green