First, a tour of the metamorphoses of our kitchen.
Below is what it looked liked when we bought the house in 1997 -- plain with carpet on the floor, but lots of storage and counter space!
It was the 1990s -- I couldn't leave it alone. Had to have wallpaper and a border that I personally cut around every last one of those paisleys. What was I thinking putting in a dark blue countertop when the kitchen was already dark? We also replaced the sink, laid hardwood floors, added glass to four of the upper cupboard doors, and changed out the appliances from beige to white.
The darkness got to me -- here are new light formica countertops AGAIN, the addition of six new can lights, and the start of the removal of the wallpaper.
Here's the mid-2000s metamorphosis - lighter wall paint and crown molding.
Still too dark - painted the cupboards a cream color and added a chandelier. Also, in this reincarnation, we built the microwave in above the stove.
I thrive on change -- so here we go again in 2013! It all started with a discussion about getting a new sink. The old one was losing its sparkling-clean look. Decided it was time to upgrade from Formica countertops to a solid surface product with an integrated sink. That required a new backsplash, also.
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| Countertops and integrated sink - HiMacs 'Tambora' solid surface, fabricated and installed locally by Dan Madone of Cedar Rose Wood Works. |
I was ready to change out the 1980s cathedral-design cupboard doors, and wanted a simpler Shaker-style.
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| Demolition and mess; new soffit trim before painting and before new doors and drawer fronts. |
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| Interior of cupboards painted 'Blue Sonata' from Color Place (Walmart) Backsplash - American Olean subway tile from Lowes, installed locally by Craig Hayden Tile and Flooring. |
Also, I would have loved to have a new refrigerator; but the budget made me choose between the doors and the refrigerator. No new appliances this go-around. They will be updated as a need arises.
We have never had any knobs and pulls on the cupboards and drawers -- time for a little bling. The new doors also have concealed hinges.
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| Cupboards and walls painted 'Pure White", Pro-Classic by Sherwin Williams; towel bar is a Moen grab bar from Lowe's bathroom section. Cupboard doors and drawer fronts made and installed locally by Matt Micci (woodworker, contractor, friend). |
I wanted to demolish the soffit, but that was nixed! So, we just beefed up the molding to make it more a part of the cupboard architecture.
We contracted out the cupboard doors, countertop, backsplash, plumbing, and electrical. In our younger years, we have done a lot of DIY renovations; but now that we are older, it seems wise to hire some stuff out. As the saying goes, retired people have more time than money, but sometimes more money than energy!
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| Replaced the falling-apart shutter with new curtain. Fabric from JoAnn's. |
We were very pleased with all of the craftsmen that contributed their talents. Bob and I (mostly Bob - after all, he's 26 days younger than I am) took care of demolition, painting, molding construction, moving stuff out, dust removal, sewing, and cooking under unusual circumstances (example: go find the oregano, please -- I think it is on the floor in the living room!). Still need to install some of the hardware, and we are in the process of washing every dish, pot, and pan that goes back into the cupboards. However, the end is in sight; we love it; and it was worth it!
Pieced Pastimes for Saturday Sparks
Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special
Creative Home Expressions for The Creative Home and Garden Hop Sunday
Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
So Much Better with Age for Give Me The Goods Monday
Smiling Sally for Blue Monday
The Heart of Your Home for Amaze Me Monday
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Tuesdays Treasures
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday
Cozy Little House for Tweak It Tuesday
The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursday
No Minimalist Here for Thursday Open House
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
The Dedicated House for Anything Blue Friday
38 comments:
What a difference....love the lighter look...it looks like a totally different room....and as for those blue counter tops....we had new carpet installed in our master bedroom suite and the first thing daughter said when she heard was..."get anything but that "Star Wars" blue....which we had over at the hood....we went with a light taupe...it's lovely....and so is your new kitchen...Now start cooking!!
Great redo, I love it. The new doors and moldings are wonderful. Thanks tonsf or linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty
It looks like the time, effort, and $$ was really worth it! I can totally imagine the oregano scene as things here are about in the same shape. I'm finally working on my lower cabinets in my kitchen. In fact, I need to be putting on another coat of primer right now. Enjoy the fall weekend!♥♫
It is beautiful....you have got a lot of cupboards! Love the butcher block in the middle too!
Oh my goodness, you've completely transformed your kitchen with those new doors and counter tops. I say leave the soffitt because you are right...it looks like part of the cabinets. Great job!
For others who have lived in the same house for 20 or more years and gone through various looks, this has to be such a fun post! Of course the kitchen started with space and room for cabinets and that is such a huge plus in a home. Beyond that though it is all your fabulous work and design that makes this such a great makeover.
Sally! What great transformations! that was really fun to see all of the different changes that your kitchen has gone through. I really like your current kitchen the best. My husband and I are older too and he usually gladly pays plumbers, carpenters, etc. when we need work done...can't say that I complain about that.
It's so cute! I love what you did to the soffits. Now they look part of the cabinet. Actually I like the weight of them with the weight of the island. It looks sort of craftsman or farmhouse now.
Third time's the charm!!! Great job!
I like it! That is--all of it. Even changing out the blue countertops for light.
Thanks for playing.
Happy Blue Monday, Sally.
Oh, Sally! I love your kitchen. I didn't think it could bet any better than what you had but the redo is gorgeous! I love the new doors and hardware and the blue backs! Y'all did good.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
I really like your "21 century " kitchen. One yr. ago we had our 50 yr. old kitchen remodeled and what a difference. Thank you for the update. I hear yah! we are in our 60's and just can not do some things like we did. We do not have more money than energy. But we fit it into our budget when we need to hire someone.
I loved seeing your kitchen change over the years. Our kitchen has been through the same changes. Gradual this and gradual that.
It all looks great.
Wow, what a difference! I only rearrange the furniture for something 'different'--that does it for me!
Your new cabinet doors and countertops are just beautiful, but I cannot take my eyes off that gorgeous butcher block taking center-stage!
Love how well lit your kitchen is! I love how you have those glass doors cupboards to showcase your pottery!
What a beautiful transformation! You really made your kitchen look up to date without demolishing it -- well done!
Great job! Your kitchen looks fantastic, and I am in love with that butcher block!
WOW! What a beautiful kitchen! I love the new countertops and shaker style cabinets! Great job!
It sure does look pretty and up to date! I like all the brightness and white. We are at the do it yourself stage. Sometimes I wish we hired some of our projects out. It takes so long some times. But saves us a lot of money we don't have to hire out right now. Thanks for the advise about my sewing machine. I did go into Ruth's. I will more than likely be taking some fun classes there.
Blessings,
Susie
White kitchens are my favourite! I really like how you've worked with the bones of the original kitchen.
Sally, what a wonderful transformation! I'm with you girl. In our younger years hubby and I never hired out. We opted to hire out our basement finishing and so glad we did! Other wise we would still be working on it. Your cabinets are a lot like what I did in our basement kitchen. Love them! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
I love white kitchens so I of course would love yours. What was really fun was viewing all of the changes over the years! :)
What a great change! I love how you did all over time...that's how mine is going to be due to budget. You have such a pretty space to work in now!
Wow what a great before and after. It looks amazing. I love the new sink and now I am thinking that type of sink would work great in my kitchen. Enjoy the new kitchen!!
Cheers
Wow! The before and after doesn't even look like the same place. Thanks for sharing! Stop by my Friday's Five Features tomorrow and link up this post (and others)! http://diy-vintage-chic.blogspot.com
Oh my gosh....you wore me out over those years of change! lol....I like change but I am to old to fool with all that now! The kitchen does look the best it has. I love it.
WOW! Your kitchen looks brand new. I love the lighter color.
Great makeover! You did a wonderful job. It looks so light and bright.
Thanks for linking up to The Creative Home & Garden hop! : )
Envious of your kitchen! I'm stuck in the dark and dreary phase :) Thanks so much for sharing on The Creative Home & Garden Hop! I can't wait to see what you share today :)
Wow, what a transformation. Everything looks beautiful!
OH I LOVE IT!!!!!! That is so beautiful. Isn't it interesting how our tastes change over the years?
xo rachel
This is looking lovely! I love the butcher block.
Hi Sally, just hopping by to let you know that I will be featuring you at SYC this week.
hugs,
Jann
Forgot to mention. Also, one of the top two most viewed links too. Congrats!
hugs,
Jann
Great post. Love the detail you provided. You guys did a fabulous job and thank you for sharing!!! Visiting from SYC. Have a great week!
What a lovely kitchen you have! Love the new doors on the cabinets. Your kitchen is light, bright and so pretty!
Sally,
This is a great post and an inspiration for all for keeping the kitchen fresh. Love it!
Bests,
Kim
WOW, Sally...what a tranformation! I am getting up the nerve to paint my kitchen cabinets. I had done this where we lived before...they were very dark like yours...what a difference it makes! And I ciuldn'y help but chuckle when I read about you cutting out the wallpaper border....GUILTY of that one too! Anyway, it looks just wonderful!
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