Updated kitchen in an old house needs further updating! ;)
Hi everyone! I just purchased my first home, and I am so excited. Some context first - the original part of the house is circa 1750, built of stone, and was used as a coopers shop. There have been several additions since then, including the kitchen. The style was somewhat generously described as colonial (it's more vernacular.) There is also a barn visible from the kitchen window. I love the original, older parts of the house, and these are what pulled at my heart strings. The kitchen is fine. I can't justify replacing something as functional and well-maintained. If I was designing a kitchen from scratch, I'd love soapstone counters and a mix of wood and painted cabinetry that is more like furniture, but another time.. :) Also, these pictures are from the listing and the furniture is not mine. I move in mid-month, but lately all I can do to stay sane during this time inside is think about ways to design the home.
Here are some things I'd like to change:
The backsplash - The idea was surely to coordinate the tile with the original exposed stone, but the tile is cooler and more blue. I think this is more apparent in the second picture. Also, I don't like the pattern. I have looked through pictures exhaustively trying to find something that works, but I realize now I need help figuring out what exactly that is. I thought of using something simple like bead board, but then read that food becomes caked in the grooves.
The hood - I don't care for how it is staggered with the cabinets. Also, do you feel like the matchy-matchiness of the cabinets ought to be broken up? I have considered replacement with everything from plaster to black stove pipe.
The pendant lights - is the one over the island Tuscan-style? This might be difficult to replace as the shift in height to the ceiling happens over the island, making placing three independently strung lights tricky. I'm not sure what can be done but I don't care for unit. Nor do I care for the unit over the kitchen table. I'd love to get something with genuine patina, but I haven't been able to find anything yet.
I'm also open to other ideas for items not mentioned above, but again, I'm not taking her down to studs.
Thank you!
Comments (11)
4 years agolast modified: 4 years ago- PRO4 years agolast modified: 4 years ago
Related Discussions
Update/further help with 'bog' garden
Comments (28)Hi everyone! Just linked to this thread for someone looking for "wet area" plants, and it was interesting to read through it again. I've been working on this garden, and it is coming along - slowly, lol. I wanted to once again thank everyone who contributed every idea in this thread, because every idea was investigated and researched and they all helped me - and they are *still* helping me, as I plant this area. I've planted two Winter Red ilexes on either side of the shed, with a male pollinator stuck in there temporarily till I find it's permanent spot. I've planted two each of clethra Ruby Spice, itea Henry's Garnet, cornus alba Ivory Halo, with one more of each to be added. Also, two cimicifuga White Pearl (although I'm suspicious that one is not a White Pearl!), a buttonbush, a viburnum Winterthur, marsh marigold (loving these!), lobelia cardinalis (gorgeous color!) and siphilitica, and lots of irises - Japanese, Siberian, and Lousiana. I've even started a bit on the left side, planting two salix that were generously given to me by fellow gardeners here on the forums, and sticking some siberian irises there after dividing a huge clump that was existing in the right-side garden. Oh, and some ligularia Brit Marie seedlings that were donated. :) I've also noticed some wild purple asters on the left side, which I will mark for future use, as well as some kind of eupatorium which will be moved to the left side. So, it is coming along nicely if slowly, and I have you all to thank for it. I will post some pictures either at the end of the season or next season to show you all your handiwork, lol! THANKS! :) Dee...See MoreHome office/sunroom update and WWYD with this old chair?
Comments (3)The top looks kind of Victorian? Can you get a better shot so we can see it with the sofa. I love that lighter green you chose. I don't think the darker ones you looked at originally would have looked as good in there or blended as well with the sofa. It's a bright and cheery place now....See MoreShort progress update-Old Sub in its new home
Comments (27)Okay, more options than I was thinking really. Should have known GW would come through with ideas! So, here are the top contenders as of now (keeping in mind that this fridge can't be a 'clown' since I have two already, not counting DH, haha) In no particular order: 1.copper of some sort: sheets a la Angie DIY, or ceiling panel material 2. cork 3. chalkboard paint (considering cork on the freezer side and chalkboard paint on the fridge side tinted to match the cork side. I do like to hang some stuff and the g-kids would have fun drawing on the chalk side) 4. veneering the existing panels in white oak to match the cabinets. Good idea, local! These panel are actually raised in the center, so I think I'd have them planed down to more flat-ish, but yeah, that would work to use them as the surface for whatever we do, since we have them and they fit. What am I going to do when this kitchen gets done?!...See More1949 Austin home - extreme exterior update help (good-bye old vinyl!)
Comments (1)Cute house. I like lighter colors in hot sunny climates, since they do a better job of reflecting the suns heat. Dark gray just sound hot, even with the shading that you have. How do you feel about pastels? Given the vintage of your house, it wouldn't have been unlikely for it to have originally been pink, or yellow, or mint green. Are you familiar with the imaging tools offered by paint manufacturers? You can upload a photo of your house and use tools to define areas for painting ("wall", "trim", "door") and then try out different colors. They are pretty easy to use. Here's a link to Benjamin Moore's but most brands have something similar....See MoreRelated Professionals
Fullerton Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Lisle Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Panama City Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Middle River Architects & Building Designers · Owasso Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Riviera Beach Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Cedar Rapids Furniture & Accessories · Adelanto Furniture & Accessories · Randolph General Contractors · Westerly General Contractors · Corcoran Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Martha Lake Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Placerville Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Bon Air Cabinets & Cabinetry · Town 'n' Country Cabinets & Cabinetry
4 years ago- 4 years ago
PRO4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoI don't have a problem with the backsplash. The only thing I might suggest is to paint the island a contrast color. There's a lot of wood going on there and I think you need something that visually breaks it up. I also like the idea of a butcher block top on the island. Here are a couple of photos with wood perimeter cabinets and a painted island:
Rustic Ski Home · More Info
West Chester Kitchen featuring Dura Supreme Craftsman Panel Door · More Info
4 years ago
4 years ago
4 years ago- 4 years ago
4 years ago
Massey Interiors