When artist and designer Lindsay Hollinger bought a house in Joshua Tree, CA, she went to work designing it into a bona fide bohemian beauty and chronicled it all on her blog, Casa Joshua Tree. The biggest transformation in the 1236-square-foot space? A once drab and dated kitchen that Lindsay turned into a bright white cook space. "I am a minimalist with bohemian leanings," Hollinger explains. "My inspiration for Casa Joshua Tree comes mostly from Scandinavian and Japanese design. I wanted a clean, fresh-looking functional space on a shoestring budget." We'd say she certainly got what she wanted.

The first order of business: updating the dark cabinetry, which crowded the room and gave it a dated feel. "Replacing the cabinets wasn't an option on my budget, so painting them and refreshing the hardware was my best bet," says Hollinger, who opted for a crisp white (Behr Marquee's Ultra Pure White) and classic cabinet pulls.

Related: How To Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets So It Looks Like You Totally Replaced Them

In the interest of maximizing a slim budget, Lindsay didn't shy away from additional DIY projects. After giving the original tiled countertops a serious scrub with a good dose of elbow grease and updating the light fixture with new glass and a coat of spray paint, she took to the floors to pull up the existing linoleum. "After demolishing the floors myself, I hired someone to coat the concrete with a low gloss acrylic coating."

Aside from the durable flooring choice (easy to clean in a desert abode!), the kitchen boasts other smart and charming features, like the series of hooks Lindsay installed to hang everything from oven mitts and aprons to cutting boards and even plants. A patterned rug at the foot of the sink warms up the space and adds a little cushion underfoot for whoever is stuck with dish duty.

Buy the rug: Printed Boucherouite Rug, from $49 at Urban Outfitters

The sun-lit kitchen is now a happy place for Lindsay and perfectly blends with the rest of her gorgeous home. "I love how light it feels, it's such a pleasure to cook here," says Hollinger. "Eventually I'll replace the stovetop and oven and retile the counters, but for now this budget refresh made a huge difference."