kitchens and friends...

The all-time sweetest and most supportive blogger in all the blogosphere has to be

my friend, Lisa @ Shine Your Light! 

She's getting ready to do a kitchen renovation, one of my favorite projects ever,

 and asked if I'd share some scoop on mine today. 

Want to know where I hide the toaster? 

What I did that would make kitchen designers cringe?

See Before and Afters?

Check it out over at her blog ~ click here. 

If you don't know her here's a peek into her awesomeness...

brave...

bold...  

bostonian...

baker...

brainy ~ built board and batten by herself...

brilliant...

and beautiful inside and out!

And now completely embarrassed!

Stop over and say Hi to my sweet friend, here!

Don't forget to check out my kitchen details while you're there! :)

client project update...

Last week I told you about a new favorite client, another favorite is her mom!
We've been working hard to finish up what we started over a year ago,
 our project was interrupted by life. 

You may remember this big ol' jail cell stairway between the living room and family room.
I suggested she lighten it up, literally!
It got a few coats of white paint, and every other rail as well as a couple of large and
 unnecessary handrails were removed. We consulted with a professional to ensure that it
 wouldn't compromise the integrity of the structure.

Carpet and tile were removed to make way for beautiful hardwood floors.
 Kitchen cabinets painted white.
A new chandelier installed.
A tiny peek at her rug in the bottom right corner.

Today we're transforming this classic style pedestal table from pinky-beige to a rich stain. 

Our inspiration was the Arhaus Luca Dining Table, we took the Arhaus catalog and a
 leaf from the table to Guiry's Paint Store and the awesome employee tested a few
 colors and products on the bottom side for us until we came up with something similar.

We're using two new Ikea chairs and two chairs she picked up from the neighbor's trash,
 (not shown) wait till you see them, she is good!
We're giving them a little sprucing up today, too!

This wall on the opposite side of her kitchen had a door to the bathroom, we couldn't
enclose it fast enough! We have a plan for a gallery of these Mary Delany botanicals on black backgrounds. They've been a favorite of my client's since she first saw them, I'm so excited
 for her to have a collection in her kitchen to enjoy everyday!  

And you're up to date!
Watch for the table and chair reveal sometime next week!

how to get a high end look from stock cabinets

As promised, when I showed you our kitchen remodel here,

these are some of the ways I used less expensive stock cabinets to get a high end look.

 Stock cabinets mean the dimensions are standard, and the wide variety of choices

 available in semi-custom and custom cabinets are limited.

HIDDEN OFFICE/COMPUTER DESK

I created this by STACKING THREE STOCK CABINETS and had our contractor insert
 a pull out for the keyboard between the bottom two. I had it adjusted to a height that would
 allow me to use the bar stool at the island.  

For interest and function I chose mirrored mullion doors for the two top cabinets, the mirror

obscures the computer and office supplies. When ordering the cabinets I specified no glass,
 and had a local company install bronze mirror.

SIDE VIEW

I used 1/8" plywood as an end panel to conceal the cabinets.
It was painted using a paint/stain kit available for purchase from the cabinet manufacturer.

   

INTERIOR

NEATLY TUCKED AWAY!

CUSTOM LOOK REFRIGERATOR PANELS

I purchased a Kitchen Aid refrigerator (style that could accommodate custom panels)

 from the Sears Factory Outlet, it had a couple scratches which I knew wouldn't matter

 because we would be covering them up. The factory outlet sells new appliances that are

 slightly damaged at discounted prices, I kept checking back and found it about

six months prior to starting our remodel. 

  

FOR THE PANELS I ORDERED REPLACEMENT DOORS WITHOUT HINGES.

I used a 1/8" plywood cut to fit each side as the back panel, it slides in from the top.

(painted with a paint/stain kit available for purchase from the cabinet manufacturer) 

 The doors are glued to the panel.  
The total cost for this configuration of doors is $235.

ISLAND

I knew I wanted an island base of high gloss black cabinets, but it wasn't a choice the stock
 cabinet manufacturer offered. I went to my local auto body shop (unfortunately, we're
 on a first-name basis) and asked if they would be willing to spray them. It was that easy.
I had the cabinets for the island delivered directly to their shop, went by and looked
them over for any damage before they began. They did a sample for me that looked great.
We've had them for five years, they are still as beautiful as they day they were installed,
 a couple of teeny-tiny nicks you couldn't even find, that I covered with a sharpie.
I'm sorry, I can't remember how much they charged, I remember thinking they under bid!
Maybe $300 - $400?

The cabinets I used for the base are a 27", 24"- 3 drawer, 24"- 3 drawer and a 24" on an
 angle at the seating end (you can get a better idea in the photo above of the entire kitchen). 
The 27" base was initially a three drawer cabinet, I had the contractor remove the two
upper drawers and build a base for our microwave, I was able to purchase a microwave
surround kit, so it looks completely built in.
The way we angled the cabinet on the end created a small triangular shaped area that
 would have been wasted space...not happening!


I ordered a 15" door, and had our contractor build a shelf, it's perfect for my mixer and
food processor.  I included an outlet for easy access to the island. The outlet also serves
as a convenient way to use our crock pot on the island if we have a buffet set up.


I put my ruler in there for scale, you really can use every single inch of your kitchen!

For a custom look we ordered panels to cover the front and end of the island.

Whew, that is my longest post ever!
I'll share a few more details next week.
Hope you're inspired to think outside the box!


Join me at Remodelaholic for more kitchen projects here!

the transformation...kitchen #2

Our kitchen remodel started with me interviewing kitchen designers for

ideas and bids, I had a file of my favorite elements I wanted to include.

Ten years worth of magazine pages to be exact, it wasn't as bad as it sounds,

actually they all looked alike, so a pretty easy task for a designer... it seemed.

One designer suggested the refrigerator be placed where I have the hood (pretty focal
point, huh?), another suggested the island be placed across the room instead 
of the length of the room (seriously!), another wanted big bucks for painted cabinets and even
more if they were black. After three years of frustrating appointments, I decided I liked my
 ideas better than theirs and could do it for MUCH less than they were quoting.
 So I put a rough plan together, headed to Home Depot to transform stock cabinets
 into a designer kitchen, hired a contractor and the rest is history....

Since our kitchen isn't large, I wanted a minimum of upper cabinets for a more open feel.
The cabinet on the left is my office, obscured by mirrored doors.

I chose a black ceramic cook top for a clean, seamless look.
A mix of hardware including crystal knobs on the black island and the desk
 cabinet adds interest. 

Beveled harlequin tiles lend a rustic texture, I took them to ceiling for continuity.

I had the island cabinets painted by an auto body shop, they have an indestructible enamel finish.
Pantry cabinets flank the refrigerator.

Black granite and granite composite sink.

Panels on the island front for a custom look. 

Stained concrete-like product counter top for the island.

In case you missed the 'move in day' photo...

and my quick fix, painted cabinets and updated appliances...



and today...

Next kitchen post will have DETAILS of organization - what's behind the cabinets,
and the tricks I used to create a higher end look on a budget.
For example, how to stack three stock cabinets to make an office,
how to create custom looking refrigerator panels,
how to get more storage out of the smallest spaces,
and functional places to install outlets.

And, in yet another post I'll give sources and prices.

Thanks so much for coming along on the kitchen tour,
if you'd like to check out the other transformation posts
it was love at first sight (exterior) here
family room fireplace and built ins here
kitchen #1 here.

the transformation...kitchen

Hope you all had a great weekend.

We're still crossing things off our Summer Bucket list, yesterday we had a big family

 BBQ at our house to celebrate the awesome dads!

Remember when I started showing you the transformation of our home,
if you want to catch up you can check these two previous posts: 

it was love at first sight (exterior)  here
transformation...chapter 2  (family room fireplace and built-ins) here.

I thought it was time to share our lovely kitchen...

MOVE-IN DAY - 16 YEARS AGO

AFTER - BUT BEFORE THE MAJOR REMODEL

I was DIYer long ago...I couldn't wait to paint those cabinets white!
I ripped out the dropped ceiling one day and then we lived
with a flattering overhead fluorescent fixture for years.
I didn't want to do much because I knew a major remodel was
right around the corner 10 years later...seriously?!

SINK OVER LOOKING THE BACKYARD

We changed out the sink and faucet, everyone else was doing nickel,
I didn't care I loved gold even then. We kept the original tile back splash and
white and gold speckled formica counter top.

MORE LOVELINESS

In order to open up the kitchen a bit we inserted glass into the existing cabinet doors.
Anyone else sponge paint their walls back then?
I specifically bought the refrigerator with the intent it would go in the basement,
 (you know right after the remodel)
and it would perfectly accommodate large trays for parties.
I was so proud of my first Ballard knock off - the chalkboard!

View into the family room, all of the walls and that window are gone now.

It's tough to see (which reminds me, I apologize for the horrible photos, whoever knew
I'd be blogging) but, beyond the counter is my dining room! The tulips are sitting on the table
and there are only two chairs on the far side, because both chairs and barstools wouldn't fit
next to the counter - check the first photo.  

10 YEARS LATER...I'd never seen anything more beautiful!

To be continued...

the transformation...chapter 2

Do you remember back in January I said it would be fun to do a weekly series on

the transformation of our home... how about every three weeks?

If you missed Chapter 1....It was love at first sight,

 go here to see the beautiful scary place on the day we bought it!

Today I'm sharing our family room fireplace and built-in bookcase.

BEFORE

Yikes! You thought the outside was bad! I wish I could blame the bad decor on the

 previous owner, but it was all mine. I painted the knotty pine walls & bookcases.

I thought it was gorgeous!  

AFTER

I used stock cabinets from Home Depot, and had a contractor raise them about a foot
 and build the shelves above for a custom built-in look without the price.
 The fireplace is constructed of a thin brick veneer,

I showed the masons a Pottery Barn photo (similar to below) of a brick wall

 and asked them to replicate the look of aged brick.

They took such pride in their work, and cringed with every imperfect swipe of their trowel,

 as I yelled, "Yes, it's perfect, just a little messier!" 

jeffandabbey2001.blogspot.com

The mantel is from HearthCo Inc.

Did you notice my round mirror over there - it's one of my favorite thrift store finds for $8!
I emptied the bookcases in preparation for my next diy project!

Any guesses?

it was love at first sight!

I thought it would be fun to do a weekly series sharing the transformation of our home.

We've lived here for 15 years, and completed a remodel 5 years ago,

while living in our delightful 1938 basement for 6 months...can you say f-u-n!!

 So, without further ado...

Chapter 1

Here is the gem I found, if only I had a picture of mr. simple's expression

when we drove up and I said, "I LOVE it!"

 I'm sure he was having second thoughts about his wife of three months.

I don't think I've ever mentioned it, but handy, diy and power tools aren't in his DNA!    

As they say, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

View looking from the front porch out to the street.

Have you ever seen such a beautiful mess of jungle, weeds and trees?

All I saw was that gorgeous flagstone walkway and those massive landscape rocks!

(you saw them, right?)

A few months later...

A year and a half later...

Two years later...view from front porch out to the street.

mr. simple gets credit for the lawn and garden! 

Today...

So, would you have run in opposite direction bought a beautiful new home

or

paid more than asking price to insure you had a project for years to come?