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Decor

Get the Fullmer Kitchen Look for Less

July 23, 2019

Last week, we broke down the full budget of the Fullmer kitchen--you can read about that right here. (You can see the full reveal right here) In the comments, there was a big request for a LOOK FOR LESS. The whole kitchen was full of splurge and save pieces, so we took the splurgiest items and found more budget-friendly alternatives.

BUDGET SOURCES:

1. Chandelier $484
2. Faucet $160
3. Cabinet knobs $41 for set of 12 ($3.50 per item)
4. Bin pulls $22 for set of 10 ($2.30 per item)
5. Sconce $99
6. Cabinet doors: Semihandmade X Chris Loves Julia Cove cabinet doors mixed with Semihandmade Supermatte White doors
7. Refrigerator $1,884
8. Range $1,884
9. Stools $148 for set of 2 ($74 per item)
10. Runner $99 (this is the one we used)

ORIGINAL SOURCES:

Stools $1,000 (the original stool is no longer sold, but it's worth keeping an eye out on eBay if you want the same ones)
Runner $99
Hardware: Bin Pulls (4″),
Cabinet Knobs $800
Sconces $558
Chandelier $1,999
Faucet $924
Refrigerator $3629
Range $7299

Swapping the budget sources for the original ones would save approximately $11,445 total, or you could pick where you want to splurge a bit and save. I always recommend splurging on at least one thing you really love--it will help elevate your whole space!

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  1. I’m looking at the backsplash and it appears to be slightly grey in pictures? I’m confused because the link shows white. Any guidance would be appreciated. Thanks!

  2. This is so helpful, I have every intention of getting the Fullmer kitchen for less with these links for the new house, I'm so pumped!

  3. Olive that chandelier! We have a U shaped kitchen with an open peninsula and middle island. There are three hanging pendants over each one. I’d love to do one statement piece over the island, but don’t know if it would throw it off if they would be different? Do you have any thoughts about island and peninsula lighting?

  4. Quick question! Did you use end pieces/trim for the backsplash tile where it ends without meeting another wall? I can see in the main photo before the full post the backsplash ends at the end of the counter, wondering if you had to use trim so it looks 'finished' or if it's just the edges of the tile. Hope that makes sense; I'm having this tile installed in my new kitchen soon and not sure I need to buy trim or not! Whatever you show looks great :)

  5. Hi Chris and Julia,

    I was wondering (since we are in process of redoing our kitchen), when you use Ikea cabinets and semi handmade doors does the white base cabinet showing through the “cracks” between the doors? I’m sure if kitchen is white it wouldn’t be so noticeable but I want to go with black doors like your old kitchen and I’m worried the base cabinets will be picking through at certain areas.
    Thank you,
    Olga

  6. This kitchen is gorgeous and I really appreciate some of the budget alternatives you've shared.
    Just another budget option to add for folks - We used Semihandmade shaker supermatte fronts for our dark blue island, but used Ikea Akstad for the perimeter - Akstad is a new, bright white, almost-shaker door style that saved us some money over using Semihandmade for the whole kitchen. It's not a perfect match to the Semihandmade shaker (rail & stile widths are different) but since our island is a different color and the doors aren't directly next to each other, we felt they were close enough match to look great.
    I love Semihandmade gives you so much flexibility in your kitchen design- we love our custom island and they were so easy to work with!

  7. Love it! It would be so awesome if you could redo a kitchen with these exact finishes and do a side by side comparison. That would be so fun to see!

    1. Hahaha, that sounds like a lot of work on my part to create something we've already done. But would love to see a photo if someone else decides to implement some of these ideas!!

  8. I always love that you take the time to do this! It makes renovating a space way more encouraging! Thank you :)

  9. I'm so appreciative that you take the time to do the look for less options. Super helpful and encouraging to know you can aspire to a certain look at multiple price points.

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