Kitchen Makeover Complete!

We have completed our kitchen makeover! Renovating the kitchen is always a challenge, especially when trying to keep some semblance of order during meal prep time. But, we are thrilled with our new cupboards and new look! Of course, look where we started from... whew!

It took a few years and we did various areas along the way. The old cupboards and walls were completely removed, electrical updated (yeah!) and new cupboards installed. We removed the old flooring and installed ceramic tiles that are family friendly (i.e. don't show every tiny thing).

It took a while to decide on the backsplash. We finally decided on tumbled marble.

We purposely chose not to grout in between as neither of us likes the look. After a couple of months, we love our decision.

The eating area contained a wall of ugly paneling when we moved in. Two re-dos later, we now have a smooth wall. This time, we chose to use lime paint from Sydney Harbour Paints. I love this paint! They have a great color selection and the lime naturally "blooms" without having to do glaze layers on top. Lime paints and plasters have lives of their own. You can not know exactly what it will do as it continues to interact with the air for a few weeks until it cures.

We chose Burnt Umber for the accent wall and Old Church White for the remaining three walls.

I made many samples to see what we would like and to look at them in different lighting. I cannot stress the importance of doing this. We thought we wanted a butter cream, light yellow, but when we held up the 22" x 24" sample, we quickly changed our minds. Honestly, this took the longest time of all! In the end, we were guided by the colors of our tiles.

Samples of trim colors:

Here is the result:

Our curtain rod is held up by two vintage, French decorative hooks that I purchased from Sharon's (My French Country Home) online brocante store here. Aren't they gorgeous? We use the two smaller brass hooks for a quick hanging of jackets.

Since we prefer open windows and lots of light, we went with this funky, open weave silver metallic/silk combination. The "rod" is actually a chair rail that I stained, gilded with aluminum leaf (instead of silver leaf that tarnishes very quickly) and aged.

Closeups of a few pieces found at estate sales:

Our copper envelope with cute little feet holds our spring welcome.

Bring on the guests!

Thank you to Cindy at My Romantic Home!

Raw Finishes

These are the colors I am working with on my kitchen walls. Figures- it is taking a while to get the colors just right! I can go to a client's home and pick the colors out quickly; in my own home, it has been challenging.

Stone, putty and touches of ochre, cream and cocoa- my tumbled marble and ceramic tiles are suggesting the direction to follow. I am loving the lime wash paints of Sydney Harbour Paints. 

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Hoping to win the acanthus leaf fragment sconce over Zinc Studio's giveaway for the kitchen!

Kitchen makeover begins

Part Two
OK, I am committing to this publicly- no backing out now!

This was my original kitchen. 50's cabinets, awful floor. You know the drill.

Seven years ago, we installed new cabinets and a ceramic tile floor, both of which we still love. We first  had our kitchen measured, sent the measurements to my brother-in-law in North Carolina and he built the cabinets for us. He had never even stepped foot in the kitchen! We drove down to North Carolina to pick them up in a truck, returning in the midst of a snowstorm (in North Carolina- Ohio was sunny) with a whole kitchen's worth of cabinets and countertops. It was a scary experience- one quick stop and we could have lost so much. Well, we made it back safely, removed the double doors from the kitchen to the back yard to just get the cabinets into the house, installed the cabinets and countertops, laid the new floor and that was it. For seven years! Life and business just got in the way. We've had no back splash, looking at primer all this time.

We have finally decided to complete our makeover! Here is where we are continuing the process from:

The cooking portion of the kitchen; see the lovely primer?

Here is the eating portion of the room. There is not much actual wall space, as there are so many windows, but the paint sure needs an update. 

As we complete the tasks, I'll share the results. The backsplash will be completed this weekend and I'll start the lime priming of the walls. We've decided to do a lime wash finish, after being inspired by Trish at Trouvais and her lovely results.

You'll know where to find me this weekend!

Connecting up to Cindy at My Romantic Home.