Finally - the Kitchen Reveal

Well it seems like it has been forever since we started this renovation. And to think we were just going to paint cabinets, get new appliances and counter tops. Then because we had to cut a wider doorway so the fridge door would swing open it turned into a gut job. But I am glad we gutted and started over as it turned out just perfect.

First lets remember how awfully ugly it was to begin with. It had white cabinets to start with but against that glaring red wall it hurt. So, I tried by painting the cabinets a light green. It worked for about 2 weeks then I hated it. Remember it had those terrible flooring as counter tops- kinda reminded me of a bowling alley. It had all the storage on one side of the kitchen with so much counter space that never got utilized. 

Then on the opposite wall it had all the cooking triangle. Yes stove then 9 inches of counter-top, sink then 24 inches with dishwasher underneath then the fridge. It was hard to work with it all on that one wall. 

Would you like a tour? Well come on in. Here is a shot from the newly widened doorway. We got new cabinets from Diamond - plain classic white. We did white bead board planks vertically up the walls and then did butcher block counter tops from IKEA. I sanded the floors then painted a distressed black checkerboard. It is a bit more distressed than wanted as moving in cabinets and appliances seems to have hurt it a bit - but I can touch that up later on. We installed a new island that is black and it hides the microwave down low so the kids can reach it. We also put a huge blackboard on the back wall. Nice for reminders. The appliances are all stainless steel. My faves - nice double door fridge, nice quiet dishwasher, wonderful Kenmore pro dual fuel stove ( love it ) and a wonderful farm sink from IKEA. It is truly a kitchen that is reflective of our old house. We wanted more light as our only window looks onto a screen porch (not much natural light) but cans just didn't seem to go with the look or age of the home. So, I found old school house pendant lights on eBay and got 3. Two are used in the kitchen over the island and the third is in the adjoining mud room. We also have two school house flush mounts (old from eBay) in a corner and over the sink.
Now enjoy the rest of the photos. 

We went with shelves on the sink side as I didn't want it claustrophobic with tons of cabinets and I love them. It makes putting up dishes so much easier and neater. I also painted the crown and window molding black for a pop of that color around the room. I plan on putting a skirt on the bottom of the sink to soften up the room a bit but that is a much later project :)


Now we will take some closer looks. Here is a tree I decorated for the island. Very primitive, plain and just candy canes. That is the kitchen theme this year. It usually is gingerbread men - but hey a girl needs some change once and a while.

Here is a view of my lovely open shelving. I just adore it.

Here is a close up of the left side of the sink. This the side for the plates and bowls and such. 

Okay had to throw in a couple gingerbread men. The kids love them.

I love using all the silver in the kitchen. And it is great fun to find it all at thrift shops and auctions. 

Here is the right side of the sink. It holds all the glasses. Don't worry there are plastic ones for the small kiddos they just go under the island - can't have those ugly things messing up the shelves. :)

Now we are on the stove side of the kitchen. It turned out great. 

Notice the feet my hubby cut out for all the cabinets? It is the same form as the brackets under the shelves. 

View of the stove side. I insisted on the appliance garage because I - hate - seeing appliances on my counter tops. Especially the coffee pot. It is a God- send.

And here is my pot rack. I was considering hanging one over the island but didn't want it to block the view or hit my taller kids in the head. So, I had bought this piece at an auction and thought about using it in the master bath but then it screamed to be here. I love the pots hanging there and then a shelf for display above. Okay I hate my pots - except my one nice Martha Stewart one but we are working on finding new ones. 

That is it for the kitchen tour. We still need to plank the ceiling and some small stuff but wanted to share it with you in all its festive glory.

Thanks to my hubby for doing all the work and changing it when I changed my mind.