Tuesday, October 5, 2010

My First Kitchen Remodel

As I was looking for old pics of my kids to blow up for Halloween... I came across photos of my old house. It was our first home. We are in our second home now. I gave the kitchen a face lift, and thought I would share it with you...

This is how it looked when I was finished:


The home was built in 1979, and the style is "Salt Box." It was a two story, with three bedrooms on the second story, in the back of the house, so it didn't look like it is a two story from the front of the house, and had a very slopped roof. I always thought the home had a sort of cottage feel, and wanted to keep the same feel inside. I loved the features, including the beams in the dining room.

Only problem: Like I said... it was built in 1979. The cabinetry and hardware was original (as was the yellow oven), and all the walls were pure white, from baseboards to ceiling. Also, it had a lovely drop ceiling complete with fluorescent lights.

These are the only pics I could scrounge up. I really hated going in there, and tried not to take any pics. I should have though!!! What can I say? This was before my blogging days.



I couldn't take it, and replaced the hardware with brushed nickel right after moving in.



I decided I wanted a "French Country," feel in the house, so I took my color theme from a vase I had in my home. It was mustard yellow with a brown glaze. I wanted variety with my cabinets, and wanted them to look like they were separate pieces.




I wanted to carry the beam theme throughout, so I built the faux beam above the sink, and made it look like it was held up with corbels. Did I mention I did this ALL BY MYSELF, with NO HELP from my husband??? Well, he did buy me a miter saw... Thanks Honey :) He just came home from a trip one day, and I had sanded all the doors. I wasn't familiar with the wonders of spray paint at the time :)

This pic is before the new counter came.


I popped the panel off the dishwasher, and replaced it with bead board.


I wrapped the entire base of the bar in bead board, and well as the back splash. The legs on the end of the bar, are off a headboard I got from the DI for $6. I just painted and attached them.

I had no money in the budget for new flooring, but this is the finished product. I was very happy with the result! Oh, I forgot to mention, I also had under cabinet lights put it, while the back splash was off. That was a nice touch.


Now to the dining portion...

I really have no pics at all of how it looked at first :( Imagine all white walls, and an ORANGE brick fireplace, straight from the 70's... I painted soon after moving in, and we had super nice neighbors who helped us cover the fireplace with wood. I kept the original mantle, and just painted it.


Can you see in the pic below? I also left the brick and just painted it on the hearth and around the opening. I didn't want a fire hazard. See the yellow pots? They were my inspiration for the cabinets.



It was rather large and plain...

Before:

After:



I ended up finding a separate mantle from the DI, which I painted and put in front of the opening. I felt like it gave added interest, and helped with the proportions.


I put metal corbels in the windows for added interest.



I also chipped all the old 70's tile out of the windows, and replaced it with wood and these decorative plaques I got from Tai Pan Trading and painted white.





We replaced the faucet. I also replaced the hardware. The switch plate and outlet covers were wrought iron, and charming :) Click on the above pic for a better look. Look at the mouldings - crown and under the window.


I have so many great memories in that house. Thanks for sharing my walk down memory lane with me today!

Have a Happy and Creative Day!



Thanks for your comments. I love them :)

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18 comments:

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

Great job!! My last home was also built in the 70's - 1977. It had a kitchen very similar to that. I love the beadboard that you did!

xxo
Jen

Brian and Lindsey said...

Wow, Risa. You are awesome at redecorating! I might be giving you a call whenever I finally get into a house. Bet you'd have great advice!

Brooke said...

You are amazing!! ALL BY YOURSELF??? Wow, I think I might need to just figure things out and do my projects MYSELF. My kitchen looks similar to your before... it needs a face lift badly!
thanks for the ideas. Love it!

Kim said...

I remember when it looked like that, so cute!!

Jennifer Interiors said...

Risa!!! I LOVE YOUR PIX!! You've got the touch girl. PS I too have a weakness for french country. :)

Jeanine said...

That is a lot of work! However, IT has such big returns that every bit of sweat is worth it.

It looks incredible! Love the little girl, reminds of my baby sister when she was little, made me smile and warmed my heart!

Great job!

Jeanine said...

P.S. I have the beadboard to do my island as well. I actually bought the beadboard foam paper that was shown on Southern Hospitality's blog. And there is still sits! I have to get that done! You have inspired me, but I have to do the pillows first!

Hanna said...

Hi there! I'm your newest follower. I found you on the Friday link up. Lovely blog:) You can find me at www.bouffeebambini.blogspot.com


LOOKS GREAT

Jill said...

Kitchens are always so much work, but so worth it! love the chair rail and 2 colors by the fireplace.

Candace @ Candace Creations said...

GOOD WORK! I love those bar chairs...those really stood out to me, love em! And what a cute family! Thanks for linking up!

Lori@Paisley Passions said...

WOW!!! Those are some fabulous afters! Thanks so much for linking up another fabulous link to Thrilling Thursday @ Paisley Passions :)

Laura at Ms. Smartie Pants said...

Great job! What a difference paint makes. I love the bead board that you added and the legs from DI, great idea!!! Beautiful redo and so creative!

Envymycooking said...

We would love to feature you. Come on over to our site and check us out..

Also we have a free beadboard giveaway going on now

Baylee - The Kitchen Flooring Expert said...

Wow…. Those pics are pretty awesome. Kitchen Flooring should be selected in such a way that it should hold up to wear and tear over the years, as kitchens takes a lot of traffic. Excellent Post!

Katie said...

Wow, can you come over and redo my kitchen too? I love the paint treatment on the cabinets! Thanks for sharing with us at A Crafty Soiree! Hope you'll join us at the newest one, it begins tomorrow!

Brittany@Love Stitched said...

you did a great job! I love the beadboard...oohh I am dying to find a spot in my house to do it too...and I am thinking my kitchen nook! thanks for linking up to my party ! xoxo

Rebecca Neville said...

Total walk down memory lane!! You did such a beautiful job. So many good memories looking at those pictures! I miss you!

California Faux Beams said...

Really nice job on this! I like what you did with the faux beam over the sink!

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