Reader Feature: Spectacular Kitchen Redo

Hello!

We’re getting back into the swing of school around here, and while my 2nd grader greets each school day with enthusiasm, my boys – 7th grade and (gulp) freshman, aren’t quite as thrilled in the early hours of the morning.  I really can’t believe I have a son in high school.  It seems like I just sent him off to school as an ambivalent kindergartener.  What saddens me is that I know time is going to move at warp speed as we navigate the next four years.  I don’t remember reading about this in the Motherhood Handbook…

Any words of wisdom from veteran mothers out there?  I’m all ears.

Let’s move on to some kitchen goodness, shall we?  Nearly a year ago, I got an email from Kelly, asking some questions about painting kitchen cabinets, along with some photos of her kitchen.  Well, I was thrilled that Kelly thought to circle back with me to share her kitchen transformation, and she was kind enough to let me share them with you.  I know you’ll love it as much as I do.

Let’s start with the before – definitely great bones in this kitchen!  Already spacious, warm and welcoming, right?

Oh, but look at it now!  So bright, fresh and beautiful!  I have to give Kelly some serious snaps on her before and after shots – they couldn’t be more perfect.  I told her that I felt like I was playing one of those “compare the photos” games – trying to figure out the differences between the two.  And no, she doesn’t have a blog.  She should, right?

They ended up hiring out the painting/carpentry work.  I can’t say that I blame them – this is a HUGE kitchen and suffice to say, her hubby was a bit ambivalent about Kelly tackling the painting on her own with “zero experience”.  She went on to say,

“I ended up doing a bigger remodel than I originally planned so
my husband and I did the backsplash, lighting and plumbing work
ourselves.  I think it turned out well and I am so glad to be rid of the
orangey oak!

 

Kelly discovered that there is a big market for nice kitchen items that are in good condition, and was able to sell all of their old appliances, sinks and faucets on craigslist.  On top of that, they had their old kitchen granite recut and installed in their kids’ bathrooms, which didn’t have granite originally.  So resourceful – I love it!

 

Are you catching all of the subtle changes that were made in this kitchen?  Hardware, appliances, wine fridge…  Yes, please.

 

 

I know your heads are swirling, and you want details!  Lucky for you, Kelly listed out all of the changes, which should help to answer your inquiring minds!
 Improvements:

  • New appliances (Dacor double ovens, microwave and 36″ rangetop.  Miele dishwasher).  I have been so happy with these appliances. And I am glad I stacked the microwave over the ovens.  I was nervous about that, but it has been great for us.
  • New sinks (Blanco granite composite sinks in café brown).  Best sinks ever.  I love the look of a farmhouse sink, but just couldn’t afford it.  Now I am so happy I went with the composite sinks as opposed to the Kohler enameled cast iron sinks because my sinks do not scratch or stain at all.  And they are so much cheaper.
  • New faucets (Danze in oil rubbed bronze).
  • New granite (Typhoon Bordeaux)
  • Painted and glazed kitchen cabinets (SW Shoji White on perimeter and SW Anonymous on island).
  • New cabinet hardware (Top Knobs).  I especially love the refrigerator/freezer pulls. 
  • Moved wine fridge from the island to the desk area.  And replaced space in island with drawers.
  • Reconfigured desk into a “wine bar” area, with new cabinet doors.
  • Added pot drawers under the rangetop.
  • New backsplash (tumbled travertine)
  • New lighting: chandelier over the island and three pendant lights around the outside countertops
  • Changed outlets from brown to cream.

 

So, what do you think?  Pretty spectacular, right?  Thanks again to Kelly for sharing your gorgeous space! 

Do you have a space you would like to have featured?  Please give me a shout – I would love to see it and share it! 

11 Comments

  • Reply
    Calypso In The Country
    August 28, 2013 at 12:35 pm

    I am going to be staring at this all day – and I am definitely showing my husband! We have the orangy/yellowy oak cabinets and they are killing me! You are right, she needs to start a blog! Love this transformation!
    -Shelley

  • Reply
    BrianAngieMattTimMeredith
    August 28, 2013 at 1:49 pm

    That's a lot of apples in the one pic. 🙂 I've noted the sink info b/c I'm determined to have the perfect kitchen sink at some point in my lifetime, so I'm noting all recommendations. Thank you for sharing, and congratulations Kelly on a perfect execution!

  • Reply
    Suzy Handgraaf
    August 28, 2013 at 2:40 pm

    Wow – I'm amazed at the transformation! Kelly did a fabulous job. Would LOVE to to something similar to mine.

  • Reply
    Lisa @ Shine Your Light
    August 28, 2013 at 9:07 pm

    Wow!!! What a difference paint makes!! I LOVE that they moved their wine fridge to the desk area and repurposed that area as a beverage center. It's perfect in that location, on the edge of the kitchen where guests can help themselves to drinks without being in the way. Also, great choice on the granite, and the ss appliances make a great change. Thanks for sharing, Jenny, you know I am loving this post!!!

  • Reply
    The Ballard Family
    August 29, 2013 at 3:43 pm

    This kitchen is beautiful! I kept scrolling back and forth to see the differences. One of my favorite kitchen remodels I've seen! Thanks for sharing!

  • Reply
    safaffect
    August 29, 2013 at 6:19 pm

    Ha! I too did the scrolling back and forth thing to find the differences. Beautiful. Inspiring me to paint my kitchen cupboards too…

  • Reply
    aek269
    August 29, 2013 at 8:13 pm

    Great redo of her kitchen – thanks for sharing. 🙂 I wish my kitchen was that big!
    As for your request for advice from veteran mamas: YES, the next four years are going to zip by. You'll hardly get used to one stage before it's time for a new one (just like when they were babies). The only things I can say are ENJOY EVERYTHING, and keep parenting. He can call you "friend" later. Keep up with the work you've put in for all these fourteen years now.
    Both my boys have graduated high school and are happy college students. My BABY is a freshman in high school, and I have just four more years to enjoy the ride. I plan to do just that.

  • Reply
    antiquenehomes
    August 30, 2013 at 3:06 am

    I love white kitchens. They made a great choice painting those cabinets. The transformation is fantastic and so warm and inviting! I have an old Victorian home that needed tons of work on a relatively small budget. We painted our kitchen cabinets white as well, changed the hardware, updated the countertops, etc. A huge bang for your buck! No need to go buy new cabinets. Put the money toward nice appliances, hardware and faucets.

    Great job!
    Take care,
    Christine

  • Reply
    Thomas Anderson
    August 31, 2013 at 9:20 am

    Everything is great !!! I like it……

    kitchen remodeler college station

  • Reply
    ThreeSheatstotheWind
    September 11, 2013 at 12:45 am

    Do you know what the paint color of her kitchen is? I notice she didn't change it and it is lovely!

  • Reply
    sidney
    June 21, 2014 at 5:11 am

    Seems nearly criminal to me to spend so much money on a kitchen that is already so nice. I'm a big "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" person. I could see repainting the cabinets if the dark wood bothered you, but all that new granite must have cost a fortune and I'd give my eye teeth to have the old stuff. And replacing appliances that are in great condition is silly.

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