This is going to be a long post…so cozy up!
If you will remember:
This is what the kitchen in this house looked like when the kids and I move into it. Not even my plants made it look better…ha ha!
I was originally planning to keep the cupboards and simply refinish them…
but, it was soon decided that these cupboards were in far to bad condition to try to work with them. Not even Magic would have given them new life. They were simply tired, worn out and seemed to be begging to be retired.
So…the decision was made. This kitchen would have to be re-done…Top to Bottom! They were not “character” cupboards…they were from the 70’s so it was not a hard decision to accept.
We got straight to work.
The cabinets were removed…
The walls were re-positioned. We moved this wall back just a little more than 12” to make room for the fridge. I didn’t need a huge useless closet at the back door, and the space was being wasted.
New flooring was installed (we had lots of help that day)
…and beautiful new cabinets were assembled. It seemed to take me forever to build those babies.
This kitchen was about to go from dated, tired and dark to bright cheery and timeless.
We decided to re-position the appliances to more efficient locations…the dishwasher was moved from beside the stove to the opposite side of the kitchen and closer to the sink…the fridge was also moved to the opposite side.
…cabinets and cupboards were installed, and a fresh new look was given to the walls.
I used bead board panelling on the walls in this room for a few reasons.
1. there was substantial damage to some areas of the walls that would have been very difficult to repair. (and I hate dry walling) The bead board panels were an easy and efficient way to handle this problem.
2. The bead board lends character and charm to the new style of my kitchen.
3. I simply love the look of it. ha ha!
With the cabinets all installed, walls all decked out, appliances all placed, and the flooring refreshed, there were only a few things left to do! The countertops needed to be chosen and installed, light fixtures needed to be changed, baseboards and trims needed to be chosen and installed…AND…
… something MUST BE DONE WITH THAT CEILING! When we took down the cupboards we found a LOT of ugly left to deal with…so…we had to do some fancy thinkin’!
By this time, it was spring, and I was sick and tired of all the renovations. I had been nursing as shoulder injury (well…as best as a Tootsie who can’t sit still can) and I decided to take a little break from this project. I left much undone in this kitchen for a couple of months and turned my attention to the greenhouse and a few other things.
Eventually, I returned to this project just slightly refreshed and ready to work. Feeling slightly adventurous, I decided to try my hand at tiling by own countertops.
I used black slate tiles and dark grout. I had a big project going on this time!
I spent the better part of one night to glue them, another to grout them.
Ta-Da!
The countertops are installed!
Now, I can say that I like that the tiles are so strong- they almost seem invincible (almost) I, however, will NEVER EVER EVER EVER install tiles EVER AGAIN. It seems that this Tootsie has finally found something that she HATES doing! My countertops are far from perfect, but they are in, and they are functional…and I am satisfied with that! Please don’t look too closely at my photos, there are a million flaws!
The ceiling…on the other hand…looks AWESOME!
These plastic tiles were ordered for a very decent price online and they are incredibly easy to install! There is nothing simpler than staples! To cover the staples there are little one inch self adhesive strips of trim that stick to the joins between the tiles…and VOILA!
…a beautiful ceiling loaded with detail and character!
Still to do:
light fixtures, trims and finishing details.
A new fluorescent fixture was installed over the sink, and a ceiling fixture replaced the original, which appeared to have suffered some sort of burn and did not work properly. I had originally intended to move a ceiling fan into the space, but soon realized that due to the placement of the electrical, this was not an option.
A simple, yet pretty fixture was chosen to compliment the ceiling tiles and give light when the sun isn’t shining in.
I installed some trims to the tops of the cabinets for added detail and then the decorating began!
The tops of my beautiful kitchen cabinets are filled with faux greenery and lots of my favorite things. My cherished antique silver tea sets are in the pretty cupboards with the glass doors.
Those silver sets are the first “junk” I ever collected!!!
That opening was just far too ugly to leave the way it was…it needed some character, so…
I hung some sheer curtains in the kitchen window…
…and pass through opening. I didn’t like it just so plain…BORING! So….
…I Tootsie’d It up!
I got busy one day and made myself some unexpected little valances…Do you know what they are made out of???
Look close…
Yep!!! paper! (I will be posting a tutorial in the next few days if you would like to make this garland valance.)
I thought it would be a fun touch for my little kitchen.
I trimmed out the swags of the sheers with burlap…
…and hung a berry wreath to help hide the UGLY of that window frame. The hardware for the locks etc is all right there under the top of the wreath…it was almost a focal point…so I hid it!
I think the window treatments are perfect for this kitchen. They soften the stark white…and add just enough whimsy.
I placed canisters and accessories around the countertops…
…this was a heat vent cover from a house that is over 100 years old.
I think it is very pretty and adds just enough ‘fun’ to this side of the kitchen.
With the curtains, paint and accessories all in place, i don’t even really miss the trims and moldings anymore! It will be nice to have them all installed…but until then, I am quite happy with the current appearance of my kitchen.
I am very partial to this kitchen.
I have enjoyed this transformation – for the most part. The mess got to me a little bit, but in the end all of the stress, blood…(yes there was blood) sweat and even some tears were worth it. The majority of the work was done by me, myself and I. I did have a little bit of help from family and a friend or two…it was fun. I learned a lot doing this project, and I have made mental notes of things that I would do differently if I had it to do over again…but isn’t that the way it always goes?
There are still lots of things to be done before the renovations in this house are complete, but for the most part, the biggest job is done.
Trims and moldings still need to be installed, but I have opted to wait until all of the renovations are done and install all of them at the same time. I’d rather do it all at once, and have the mess to clean up for the entire thing, than have it room by room…that would be painful!
I don’t think the kitchen turned out too bad (especially since none of the work was done by a professional) We are definitely not professional carpenters, and this was our very first major renovation project. It is FAR from perfection…but it is PERFECT for me! There are already a lot of memories already in my little kitchen…and that is the best part!
Now…I just need to learn to like cooking…ha ha…
And now you know why I haven't been around blog land a whole lot lately!
Until Next Time…Happy Decorating!
*)*)*) Sometimes you miss the memories, not the person. Just sayin’
(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.
www.tootsietime.com
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