I’ve been keeping a bit of a secret or keeping it under wraps at least. I wanted to let you guys in on it today in the hopes you’ll see the vision that I do. As many of you know we’ve been hard at work renovating our fixer upper for almost two years now. What a journey it has been. In those almost two years we have been slowly working our way around the house, room by room. We’ve spread the work of our kitchen renovation out over the last year and a half and I’m so happy to let you know that it’s almost done! Did you catch our fall home tour? You can see the planked ceilings that we finished in September. That was a huge task and man, what a difference it made! I wanted to share the last little details we’re currently working on or have just finished to wrap up the kitchen renovation.
So far the kitchen has been stripped of its old wallpaper and has had board and batten installed and been painted. We installed a few new cabinet doors, all new light fixtures and planked the ceiling. We’ve painted the cabinets and installed new butcher block counter tops as well as an apron sink. We installed almost all new appliances and transformed those that still worked with liquid stainless steel. You can read about that here.
Here’s the kitchen’s before –
Here’s it is just two months ago-
What a difference! While the kitchen and breakfast nook would be perfectly fine just as they are now, you know I can’t leave well enough alone. We knew that we were not going to leave the shiplap as back splash permanently. It was just something we had on hand at the time to cover the ugly laminate. I’m absolutely thrilled with the new back splash we chose. It’s awaiting grout as I type.
We chose a 4″x 8″ Carrera Honed Marble Tile. It’s absolutely stunning in person. The honed finished is beautiful and not as shiny as polished marble. I love the non-traditional size of it as well. It reminds me so much of the kitchen in the Biltmore Estate. The subway tiles that lined the bottom half of the room are larger than the average subway tile we see today. I’ve always loved the look. As soon as I saw this size tile I knew it was perfect!
I also took the dive and did something I should have done in the beginning. I ordered Brass cabinet hardware! From the very beginning it’s what I had my heart set on and last minute I caved and went with rubbed oil bronze. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with rubbed oil bronze but it just wasn’t what this little heart wanted. I decided to listen to some who thought that brass was a bad idea. Well, I can officially say, go with you gut friends! I typically follow my own heart when it comes to things. I still have no idea why I didn’t this time around. After almost two years I never stopped dreaming of brass pulls. I’m so glad to say I finally pulled the trigger and ordered those brass pulls and they’re on there way!
My kitchen wouldn’t be complete without a lovely brass, bridged faucet! This beauty arrived yesterday and it’s just as pretty in person. We have the single bowl apron sink from Ikea and it only came with one hole for a faucet. After combing Amazon we found an inexpensive pull down faucet that has worked great. We knew that we could probably drill a couple more holes for the faucet that I really wanted but honestly, I was too nervous too! The sink was an open box return and only cost $80, so I didn’t want to take the risk and crack it. After researching for a year and a half and reading posts of people who have done it, I finally got the confidence. I told J that I was finally okay with giving it a shot! Cross your fingers and say a pray friends. We bought the drill bit and the new faucet should be in place by the end of the week.
Let’s talk about the breakfast nook. This has always been one of the most used spaces in our home but it’s also been one that I have tossed and turned over. It’s never been quite right. Have you ever felt that way about a room in your home? I love the wall color we chose, Dove White by Benjamin Moore but the curtains were from our last home as well as the table. It just needed something. A couple weeks ago I decided the table top needed to be stripped. Boy, what a job but I’m so glad I did it! It changed the whole look of the table. The white paint came off not too terribly and the top is now the natural color – Golden Oak. The contrast between the walls and table look fantastic! I haven’t snapped a photo of it just yet. I’ll let it be a surprise.
I’ve also added two of these wing back arm chairs to the breakfast nook. You guys, I’m totally smitten! They add such a touch of elegance to the space and a whole lot of cozy! I moved the wicker arm chairs upstairs into my office and they’re working perfectly there. Win win!
I recently purchased some fabric for pillows. The colors are completely different than anything I’ve been doing in the house. I actually surprised myself with the choice. It was just one of those fabrics I kept coming back too. It’s a classic shabby chic fabric with red flowers. Unless it’s Christmas I usually stay away from reds but I really loved the feel of it. I decided to just go with it and I think it’s going to be a nice change.
I haven’t had a chance to make or purchase new drapes but I’m pretty set on ticking stripes in a warm beige color. I found these Wheaton drapes from PB, much like the duvet I purchased from them a couple weeks ago. They’re on the lighter side yet have a warmth about them that I really love over the solid white drapes that I have in the space. It’s funny because lately I’ve found myself gravitating towards the warmer beige tones again over the grays. Anyone else feeling the same too?
I decided to move the side board that was in the breakfast nook out and I love having that space back. The sideboard would regularly getting cluttered and you guys know how I feel about clutter. I really love a clean, less is more kinda space. As for the microwave, J ran a new outlet and added a built-in shelf under the desk area. The desk space was never used. I don’t think I sat there once in almost the two years. Now it’s a built-in shelf and holds the microwave and my cookbooks. It’s just perfect!
I’m really looking forward to a kitchen that isn’t a constant construction zone. We spend so much time in this space and my heart is just so happy to have finishes that I truly love. I only wish I had gone with them in the beginning. Knowing your design style and sticking to it can be a journey sometimes and I feel that my home is constantly evolving and I guess that makes it’s that much sweeter. I’ve learned so much about myself and my style throughout the whole process that I probably wouldn’t have had we renovated quickly. Charlie and I really looking forward to having our traditional Sunday morning pancake breakfast in our cozy new breakfast nook! I hope you’ll join me in the next two weeks as I reveal the finished room. I’ll also be sure to share the source of each new item 😉 Have a wonderful week friends!
Can hardly wait to see the finished room. I had pillows and some other items from that same fabric in my condo before I remarried and I loved it. Still love it in fact though I don’t have it anymore. My new husband didn’t like it but I think it is beautiful. You have wonderful taste. I love everything you’ve done to your house.
Thank you so much Carole! You’ve made my day 🙂 I’ve always loved the shabby chic type fabrics but have kept them it at a minimum because of the hubby as well. I figured he could manage since it’s a couple throw pillows, lol. Have a wonderful week!
Absolutely beautiful and I’m using your kitchen as a guide for our kitchen update that we plan to start in a few months. What color did you use on your cabinets and how are the butcher block counter tops holding up?
Wow, that you so much Julia! I’m honored to be your guide 🙂 The cabinet color is Fieldstone by Benjamin Moore. As for the counter tops, we love them! We originally purchased a slab just for the island to see how we were going to like it. After about 8 months we installed them in the entire kitchen. We’ve yet to encounter any staining. After a lot of research I came to the conclusion it’s all in the sealing. I have a blog post where I talk all about that. Take the time and seal them well and they’re great!
Your kitchen is shaping up beautifully. I have a bedroom and bath full of wallpaper that needs to come down. It was put up very well….stuck like glue. Do you have any advice on removing wallpaper?
Thank you so much Linda! You know after stripping almost every room in the house of wallpaper and trying all kinds of techniques, the best method we used was just using warm water and a scraper. Getting the paper really damp seemed to do the trick! We used a spray bottle and would let it sit for a few minutes and then spray again, let it sit and then would scrap. Getting it damp enough to peel off is key.
BM Dove White? I can only find White Dove on their website. And what’s the other color on the sample board? Love the changes!
White Dove is correct Sheryl! I have an old paint fan book and I did just check their website, it’s now called White Dove. and thank you so much! 🙂
I popped over from fb and the Farmhouse Decorating 101 page. I had to come see what you were doing with the Waverly fabric. It is my all time favorite! I used in a kitchen 18 years ago. I had chosen the fabric because I fell in love with it while on our honeymoon on Nantucket. The sitting room had pillows and window valances covered in it. Can’t wait to see the pillows when you get them done. The kitchen turned out refreshing and lovely; you really did a beautiful job!