Rental Kitchen Makeover Inspired by Parisian Design
A New York City resident transformed her small rental kitchen through multiple design iterations, ultimately drawing inspiration from Parisian aesthetics and achieving a space she feels proud of.


Jillian Sayegh, a New York City resident, has lived in the same 1910 apartment for five years and has undergone several kitchen makeovers as her design preferences evolved. The original kitchen was described as 'sad,' with cabinets made of stained beige particle board and walls painted an 'equally yellowish beige,' creating a 'depressing and neglected' atmosphere (Apartment Therapy, 2023). [1]
Jillian's first kitchen makeover leaned into a dark, moody aesthetic using contact paper on the cabinets. However, over time, she found this style 'more oppressive than inviting' and decided to pursue a redesign that would be both functional and aesthetically pleasing, as the kitchen is a galley (Apartment Therapy, 2023). [1]
Inspired by 'Parisian, classical, and airy' spaces, Jillian incorporated elements like trim, painted cabinets, and brass hardware to give the kitchen a 'European feel.' She used 'Off White' paint on the cabinets and 'Bit of Sugar' on the walls, emphasizing her desire to leave the apartment in a well-finished state despite being a renter (Apartment Therapy, 2023). [1]
Jillian emphasized the importance of preserving original hardware when renovating a rental, recommending that it be saved and reinstalled before moving out. She expressed regret for not making the transformation sooner but was proud of the journey and the achievable nature of the project, which cost less than expected (Apartment Therapy, 2023). [1]
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Jillian Sayegh, a New York City resident, has lived in the same 1910 apartment for five years and has undergone several kitchen makeovers as her design preferences evolved. The original kitchen was described as a 'sad room' with cabinets made of stained beige particle board and walls painted an 'equally yellowish beige,' which made the space feel 'depressing and neglected' (Apartment Therapy, 2023). [1]
Jillian's first kitchen makeover leaned into a dark, moody aesthetic using contact paper on the cabinets. However, as her tastes changed, she found the initial design 'more oppressive than inviting' and decided to pursue a more functional and inviting space. She emphasized the importance of creating a home that 'makes me feel proud and excited to come home to' (Apartment Therapy, 2023). [1]
Inspired by 'Parisian, classical, and airy' spaces, Jillian incorporated elements like trim, painted cabinets, and brass hardware to give the kitchen a 'European feel.' She used 'Off White' paint on the cabinets and 'Bit of Sugar' on the walls, emphasizing her desire to leave the apartment in a well-finished state despite being a renter (Apartment Therapy, 2023). [1]
Jillian's only regret is not updating her kitchen sooner, but she expressed pride in the journey the small kitchen has had over the five years she has lived there. She noted that the project was more achievable than expected and that she was able to complete it mostly on her own, with the help of some sponsored items (Apartment Therapy, 2023). [1]
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Jillian Sayegh, a New York City resident, has lived in the same 1910 apartment for five years and has undergone several kitchen makeovers as her design preferences evolved. The original kitchen was described as a 'sad room' with cabinets made of 'stained beige particle board' and walls painted an 'equally yellowish beige' (Apartment Therapy, 2023). This initial state of neglect prompted Jillian to begin her first kitchen makeover, which leaned into a dark, moody aesthetic using contact paper on the cabinets. [1]
Inspired by 'Parisian, classical, and airy' spaces, Jillian incorporated elements like trim, painted cabinets, and brass hardware to give the kitchen a 'European feel.' She used 'Off White' paint on the cabinets and 'Bit of Sugar' on the walls, emphasizing her desire to leave the apartment in a well-finished state despite being a renter (Apartment Therapy, 2023). This second makeover was influenced by the design inspiration she had been collecting online over the years. [1]
Jillian added brass hardware to the kitchen, noting that changing cabinet hardware is a 'small detail' that can make a 'surprisingly big difference.' She also emphasized the importance of saving the original hardware when renting, in case it needs to be switched back before moving out (Apartment Therapy, 2023). Her final kitchen transformation was completed with a budget of around $200, including thrifting kitchenware and receiving some sponsored items. [1]
Jillian Sayegh has lived in the same 1910 apartment in New York City for five years and has undergone several kitchen makeovers as her design preferences evolved. When she first moved in, the kitchen was described as 'sad,' with cabinets made of stained beige particle board and walls painted an 'equally yellowish beige' (Apartment Therapy, 2023). The room was 'depressing and neglected,' prompting Jillian to take on her first kitchen makeover. [1]
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Jillian's first kitchen makeover leaned into a dark, moody aesthetic using contact paper on the cabinets. However, as her taste changed, she found the space 'more oppressive than inviting.' She decided to pursue a new design that would make her happy while remaining functional. This decision was driven by her desire to 'make her home a place that makes me feel proud and excited to come home to' (Apartment Therapy, 2023). [1]
Inspired by 'Parisian, classical, and airy' spaces, Jillian incorporated elements like trim, painted cabinets, and brass hardware to give the kitchen a 'European feel.' She used 'Off White' paint on the cabinets and 'Bit of Sugar' on the walls, emphasizing her desire to leave the apartment in a well-finished state despite being a renter (Apartment Therapy, 2023). [1]
Jillian added brass hardware to the kitchen, noting that changing cabinet hardware is a 'small detail' that can make a surprisingly big difference. She advised renters to 'save the original hardware somewhere safe and switch it back before you move out.' This approach reflects her thoughtful planning to ensure the apartment remains in a well-finished state (Apartment Therapy, 2023). [1]
Sources
Prepared with AI assistance from the cited sources.
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