DIY fans give dated kitchen a Studio McGee-inspired makeover with faux shiplap - and it looks amazing

Even those of us who hate to cook appreciate the beauty of a newly decorated kitchen. There's just something about the clean lines of a modern kitchen that has us pinning kitchen ideas for our dream space.

• See also: How to plan a kitchen – 10 steps to creating your dream space

Inspired by Studio McGee, mum-of-five (almost six) Sarah and her husband worked wonders on their retro kitchen. They managed to create a stunning space using some cost-effective options, including faux shiplap and marble effect laminate on the counters.

Before

The pair only moved in a year and a half ago, but they quickly made their mark on the property in the heart of the home. 'I instantly knew I wanted to change things up,' Sarah tells us. 

'I was really inspired by Studio McGee and some of the green cabinets they have done - and it kind of just took off from there!'

She and her husband moved some elements around, including the pantry cabinet, and they removed an old desk area that used to be down by the double doors.

After

The pair made their own shaker-style doors from poplar and painted all of the cabinets in Ben Moore Rainy Afternoon pant. They picked up the new gold hardware from Amazon.

On the walls, they used Ben Moore White Dove paint and had steel brackets made for shelving from Etsy. If your dream kitchen has white walls, take a look at our white kitchen design ideas piece.

Sarah's husband made shelves from oak plywood and veneer made to look like much more expensive solid wood slabs. If modular shelving is too open for you, take a look at our kitchen storage ideas, which is brimming with smart solutions.

As for the faux shiplap, they used strips of MDF - much cheaper than wood - spaced with nickels. The vertical lines create the impression of higher ceilings and definitely make a Studio McGee look. With our DIY wall panels step-by-step piece, you could transform your kitchen walls this weekend.

'Our countertops are laminate made to look like Calcutta marble,' Sarah says. 'We made them square edged with no backsplash to resemble stone, and added a warm gray subway backsplash.'

They also replaced the sink with a very durable and kid-friendly white sink and added a fun gold modern faucet. In the eating area, the pair built a bench for more seating - an aspect that makes it a really functional and sociable space. 

• See also: Shea McGee's shower hack will make your bathroom smell like a spa

We're loving the contrast of the black chairs against the wooden kitchen table, and the addition of indoor plants and decorative pieces on the open shelving. While much of the layout is the same as before, it feels ten times lighter and brighter.