corner solutions

So, I know I STILL haven't shown any house tours,

but it's probably because even after a gagillion hours of "rehab"

and a serious update, it still doesn't feel complete enough to share.

Case in point, the kitchen.

At it's current state it's 100% better than it was, 

but my dream of a big white kitchen (on a budget) looks amateur and DIRTY.

Also, as the rest of the home has developed, the color palette is all wrong.

So, like any design minded lady crazy person,

I'm planning a complete overhaul (still on a budget)

Out with the white cabs and in with the moody grey!

Open shelving, breakfast nooks, wood backsplash and 

a MUCH SMALLER, "built in" fridge are on the agenda.

One of my many hurdles is this awkward, unusable corner I'm trying to mend.

Storage shouldn't be taken away, but for a cute enough option, I'm willing to knock something down :)

Here's what I'm talking about:

The new Craigslist fridge will be the same or only slighter deeper than the counter, 

and were planning on creating a "built in" look to be able to better utilize the uppers.

(Inspo pic from John + Sherry)

Still, the awkward corner seems dark and unusable.  

What should I do to make it better?

lose the doors and add some pretty storage like these?

lose the cabinets altogether and insert a little appliance garage?

rig up some window-facing storage?

make a little nook for cookbooks?

maybe just leave it alone and add some extra storage/organization on the outside?

I mean, let's be real, if there was no budget we'd be working with something like this:

{1}  {2}  {3}

So QUICK! What do you think? I'm off for paint/fabric samples...TODAY!

xoxo