My 95% finished kitchen - pics!

mommycooks

16 years ago

Oh shoot - I don't have a song. Does it still count, kitchenkelly?

Before:

You used to look directly at a . . . wall when you came in the front door:

And now from the front door (yes, the same camera place and angle!)

Thanks for looking . . .

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Comments (34)

pugger
16 years ago
Very nice job!

I thought we had the same cooktop for a moment. Is that a big drawer underneath? I like your style - any close-ups of your drawer pulls?
cat_mom
16 years ago
As kk would say--are you sure it's really the same kitchen? LOL!

Seriously, it looks terrific! What a difference :-)
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Thank you so much, all, for the lovely compliments, I'm so glad you like it. We're pretty pleased, and the only thing we have that we simply could not fit in is a warming drawer, a Frigidaire scratch 'n dent special, so it wasn't expensive, but it's just sitting in the barn. Maybe I'll put it in CL, but I'm still delusionally holding out hope that I can find a way to use it. To answer your questions, the stuff hanging on the wall is mostly plastic (melamine, I think), the only exceptions are the fish on either side of the sink and one or two of the stuff on the wall over the slider door, they are hand painted ceramic. I know that TJ Maxx is routinely derided on this forum (for good reason), but most everything on the walls is from there, collected over a period of years, some of those pieces are over 15 years old. You can find good quality, unique pieces at the TJX company of stores, you just have to pick through and pounce when you see something you like. There are also several dollar store numbers up there, as well as a few vintage things. I am all about fun and colorful stuff, and while I try not to buy a lot of made in China stuff, I don't especially care about the retail provenance of things. Now to the questions. justgottabeme, below are a few more pics of our house, and I think I mis-typed, we're not almost done, I think that was wishful thinking, we're kinda, sorta almost done with the downstairs, we still have a whole bath and a lot of work in our 2 upstairs bedrooms... amysrq, thank you for the tip on the tile, I may look into it. We really wanted Marmoleum, but I damn near fell off my chair when we got the quote(of course, ahem, it was for a pattern with one of their cool edge treatments). The next day we were at an auction, this tile was there, I paid .25/foot, and we installed it. My first, and last, experience with tile outside of the bathroom, we detest it, it's too hard and cold for us. workinprogress08, I don't think the pears are pewter, they are some kind of milled metal (made in India), and they came from Marshall's (hem). I love pewter and brass and have a few vintage pieces of both, it's common to see them at my fav junque haunts, they aren't popular (at least in these parts), so the prices are excellent. I'm glad you liked the icefishing pic, it's funny, people fish all summer, but 10x as many fish in the winter. One of our dogs roams the ice looking for treats from friendly fishermen. She eats well out there. Here are some more pics of the main entrance and mud "area". We're too organizationally and house cleaningly challenged to have a mud room with a door, it would be a total disaster, so we created the mud area by our main entrance. The wall color is BM Med-evil Times (mixed in Aura matte), trim is BM Navajo Red (Aura semi-gloss) and the white is BM White Marigold (Aura matte). The stuff on the walls is mostly from our local junque shops. Looking from the kitchen: From kitchen, looking up the stairs (just fixed the nail pops, gotta touch the White Marigold, yikes!: Coat areas (yup, we have two), the shelving unit is part of a display, painted in BM Buttered Yam (Aura, semi-gloss): Bench (CL special): Looking down: Yes, that is laundry drying, we have 2 indoor lines set up: Message center (metal office thing, came from Kodak in Rochester, NY, free from my cuz): Entry way to kitchen: Cabs are BM Bainbridge Blue (Aura semi-gloss): My poor topless range, someday I'll get her a lid: What she really needs is a nice Modernaire, but mr. sandyponder won't let me sell the kid: More cabs: Bainbridge Blue outside and Med-Evil Times inside: OK, I think I have bored you all enough for one post. Of course the kitchen isn't done yet, but the entryway mostly is...one small victory. sandyponder
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What a transformation! I'm loving the stone and the colors you have chosen. Especially the chairs and the faucet colors. The only thing that strikes me is the big stainless refrigerator. It sort of dominates that very pretty wall. Maybe at some later time you could consider putting panels on the refrigerator. It really doesn't look at all like the original kitchen. Great job!
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kitchenkelly
16 years ago
OMG yes that counts! You don't need a song.... you need an award. What a fabulous transformation.

Congrats
lynninnewmexico
16 years ago
What a huge difference! Love the new colors; they're so warm and cozy now. Love the new lights and the way you added the curved eating area, too. The difference in wood tones is really striking there! Great looking hood, BTW. What kind of counters did you finally come up with. They resemble mine~ Silestone's Dark Canyon. Whatever they are, they look beautiful with your cabs. Lynn
cpang74
16 years ago
WOW! I love how your removed the partial wall when you enter! Beautiful tile backsplash-looks great! So much bigger!
fran1523
16 years ago
Talk about the blue bayou transformed. I love the two tone wood on the island (raised island, I presume). You did a great job.
rmkitchen
16 years ago
Love it! It's so warm and cosy-looking but in a spacious way. Your bartop is gorgeous.
vicnsb
16 years ago
It looks wonderful congratulations!

I tried to click on photos to see whole album, maybe I did something wrong?

Is that a pass-through I see? Do you have another photo of that and where it passes into?

Thanks and enjoy your great new open kitchen!
agnesackneback
16 years ago
I actually really like the old blue cabinets. Hehe. Nonetheless, your new kitchen is gorgeous!
neeter3148
16 years ago
Actually, I was really excited to see painted cabinets that are not white then I realized it was the before pics... I liked the old kitchen. But ooh,la la... very classy new kitchen! Great job!

What brand is your hood and where did you get it?

-Anita
brutuses
16 years ago
Wow, doesn't look like the same room. Great job!
mommycooks
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for the comments, everyone!

pugger - we have a Caldera 36" gas cooktop. There is indeed a BIG drawer under it with the handles patiently awaiting time to install inside. It is large enough to house my 12 quart stockpot and pressure cooker with top on it. I'll try to post pics of the pulls (Lee Valley Hardware ROCKS!) and knobs.

cpang 74, it was actually a full (as in floor to ceiling) wall forming a hallway along the stairs, with a powder room to the left right before you came into the kitchen (the clock is on the bathroom wall). The kitchen was separated from the front room by a full wall as well, and we demolished the whole thing. So glad we did!

lynnenewmexico, fran1523, and rmkitchen: counters on the perimeter are dakota mahogany; island counters are maple butcherblock, and the raised bar is mahogany with only a few of the many varnish coats we have planned. We are pretty psyched by how the bar turned out!

Thanks for the kind comments on the original cabinets as well - those were our doing about 8 years ago, when we first moved into the house and needed to do something with the original dark stained oak. Painting makes a huge difference, and those cabs are serving as a great workshop in the garage.

I'd say 50% was DIY - we had a contractor who was great who did the major structural work, and DH did all the electrical and plumbing. We did plan, layout, painting, floors, painting, and more painting. Did I mention painting? Could not have done it without GW help, for sure!

vicsnb, I don't know enough about photobucket to know about albums and such. I will post a link to the blog we did if anyone wants to see more. Yes, it is a pass through, to what will be our new dining room - but it is pretty high up to be really useful. Could be a future project to bring it down a bit.

Anita, the hood is a Sirius 23, sourced from Universal Appliance. I'd find another source!

Here is a link that might be useful: Blog to kitchen remodel
amcofar
16 years ago
You've created a beautiful kitchen that's certainly fitting to be seen from the front entrance. I like the way that gorgeous bar separates the casual area from the working area, too. Pleasing, rich colors--wood tones, wall color, backsplash tiles--it all blends wonderfully! A great transformation, for sure! Enjoy your amazing new kitchen!
atd_oc
16 years ago
Wow! I love the richness of the new colors and woods.
igloochic
16 years ago
Funny...I saw the new space and loved it...it's gorgeous, but that big blank space under the cooktop! I said to myself "Poor planning" thinking it was a fake drawer and there was a huge amount of wasted space there. I was trying to think of a polite way to say "well you could at least put some pulls on the thing so it flows" LMAO

I guess I was wrong! :) And what a fabulous deep drawer :) I bet you're loving that (and thank god it's not wasted space LOL) BUt umm could ya put some pulls on it? heh heh

Really the space transformation is pretty amazing. It's wonderful to see what removing a wall can do for a space! (that and blood sweat and tears of course LOL)
raehelen
16 years ago
How unique!

What a great kitchen with tons of personality! You guys must be a hoot to party with!
mommycooks
Original Author
16 years ago
Come over and party whenever! I need to figure out how to do that on gardenweb . . .

Thanks for the compliments!
raehelen
16 years ago
mommycooks,

You can actually 'have a party' on the Conversations side of the forum. We 'had one' earlier this year! :>)

Probably not as much fun as the East Coasters had in person...but heh! it was worth a try!
lily1342
16 years ago
You must be really happy with the transformation. I sure would be. It's beautiful! Love the warm and cheerful yellow (what is that paint color?) and the Dakota Mahogany granite. How wonderful it must be to have a DH who can do all the electric and plumbing! And where did that powder room go, the one that was behind the wall with the clock? You have really made some drastic changes. I'm envious!
osswb
16 years ago
Wowsers! That is just beautiful! I know you are loving it!!!

Looks like those fellas are tying up a water balloon ... LOL

MaryT
tgpdd
16 years ago
Wow, how lovely! It's breathtaking.
gsciencechick
16 years ago
I also like the blue cabinets with white doors! That would look so cool in our kitchen, but DH is making a face.

The new kitchen is awesome, and I'm sure it works great in your house. It must be so much fun to have that much open space now.
mommycooks
Original Author
16 years ago
lily1342 - paint color is Eddie Bauer DAHLIA (got it at Lowe's, in the Valspar Signature paint). My 6 year old dd came down the morning after we had painted and looked at me and said, "Mommy, it doesn't look like winter in here. It looks like summer!" I agonized over colors and am so happy with what we did.

Powder room has moved and morphed into a full bath (complete with shower, no tub). It now sits off the new mud room, to the far left as you come in the house (separated from the front room by a wall). It's a little less central but still on the first floor. I love the colors in there too - soothing spring green.

New space is incredible, and we can't believe it took as long as it did to do (in terms of living in the house).

If anyone wants details, I will be happy to post 'em!
lily1342
16 years ago
That's so cute - DD nailed it, you did go from winter to summer! That's the feeling I aimed for with my new kitchen, warm and sunny and summery.
bob_cville
16 years ago
Wow, that's quite a transformation. It looks incredible. Not only the transformation of the kitchen but the overall reconfiguration of the space as shown by some of the posts on your blog, its such a better flow and use of your space.

Please do post details, and if you can post larger versions of the last two pictures from your initial post. I can't seem to find them in your blog. Looks great.
mackswim
16 years ago
Wonderful job! Looks like a great kitchen to entertain in. Hope you enjoy!
cpathens
16 years ago
mommycooks, my favorite part of your new kitchen is the wood on the island. It's very warm and beautiful. I loved your original kitchen as well, so cute and homey. Enjoy your new space!
mommycooks
Original Author
16 years ago
Okay - details:

floor: bamboo (spice color) and red oak, sourced from Lowes and DIY install
Wall in kitchen: Eddie Bauer Dahlia in Valspar Signature
Wall in front room: EB Summer
cabinets: Kraftmaid Wickstrom Maple Square in Praline
cabinet hardware: Lee Valley art deco suite (pulls)/ classic knobs
wall oven: KitchenAid convection 30"
microwave: GE Profile
Fridge: GE Profile counter depth
Dishwasher (old one) Whirlpool Gold
cooktop: Caldera 36" propane
hood: Sirius 23
sink: Ticor single bowl
faucet: Blanco Kontrole
counters: perimeter - dakota mahogany
main island: rock maple from John Boos
raised bar: custom mahogany
barstools: Crate and Barrel Basque collection
pendants: Lowe's rail lighting
"cozy chairs" in kitchen: Crate and Barrel "Times" chairs and "Colina" table

More pics (sorry I made the other ones so small). Bob, these are for you!

and one more . . .

Enjoy!
pdxgal
16 years ago
Can't remember if I already commented or not, but beautiful! The view from the front door is such a drastic change. Very nice work. I love the color scheme in the kitchen too. Very warm and cozy.
cookpr
16 years ago
Where did you get that built in microwave trim? Is that GE? Its a great look versus some of the other built ins I have seen.
mustbnuts zone 9 sunset 9
16 years ago
The after shots literally took my breath away. Absolutely beautiful! Congrats on a job well done!
mommycooks
Original Author
16 years ago
cookpr- yes, the micro trim is GE Profile - the micro itself is the countertop model that has an available trim ring. We liked the look and the price vs. other built in ones.

And to all - thanks for the comments. I realized at the end that, unlike many on this board, I did not have a "vision" of what the whole thing was going to look like, just a knowledge of the feeling I wanted to create. So far, we couldn't be more pleased!
ruddycat
16 years ago
Wow - your kitchen turned out great - what a dramatic change! And if you don't mind, I'd love to know more about your Blanco Kontrole faucet . . .

I was initially going to order it from eFaucets and then instead ordered from Faucet Depot because of a better price. The description on EFaucet said "with pulldown spray" and "pulldown all-metal handspray" so I assumed it had a spray feature even though it looked to be smaller than most. Now that I've received it, it doesn't appear to have a spray after all, only a pulldown hose with an aerator. Is this correct? And now when I look back at the Faucet Depot description, I see that it only says "pulldown spout".

We haven't installed it and our first response was to rule it out and return it but I like the look and size of it and thought I'd ask you about your experience with it before making a decision. Any feedback you could give me would be great and if it's not too much trouble - maybe a close-up picture :-) Thanks!
louisa_smith03
16 years ago
i love the way the upper cabs are minimal-- and what little is there provides a strong "vertical" element that I find uplifting-- now, talking about "uplifting"-- that Dahlia is wonderful! very bold! Looks GREAT! congrats!