My kitchen facelift is almost done!

last year

last modified: last year

I'm just waiting on a few accessories and the cushions and bolsters for the window seat.

This is generally what it looked like before (this pic is from the PO listing. We had changed the floor to stone and didn't have plates on the wall) . I wanted a kitchen that felt warm and maybe a bit french. I knew it would never be magazine worthy, but honestly, that wasn't what I was going for. I wanted a kitchen where people could gather and feel welcomed. I think I got it. The color is Benjamin Moore White Cloud which in person is closer to eggnog.

Thank you to everyone for all the suggestions and vetoes. This really was a group effort.

Let's first talk about my alphabet plates. You know, the ones where the wall looked dinghy behind them? I ended up painting that area the same color and sheen as the cabinets and trim. it's much better. There are things that would make it perfect, like hanging each plate individually instead of using the plate rail groove, but project fatigue has set in and I'm sort of over it. I would not have the patience to try to make 22 plates look evenly spaced and level. I'm waiting for one more plate--Z for Zebra--that should arrrive this week. I'm missing four, but again, I'm over it and not really looking for them.

Is it perfect? Not a chance, but it feels really warm and inviting and that was my goal. I'm going to add a painted canvas floor cloth to the area where the lug of a dog is. I think it will be a blue harlequin pattern maybe with some other colors on the corners. Not sure yet.

More pics to follow when the cushions are in.

Featured Answer

Ally De

last year

I'm just here for the dog pics. (😄)

Seriously though, fabulous job! You're inspiring me.

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Comments (63)

DLM2000-GW
last year
Magazine worthy is overrated! Home-worthy is real life and still beautiful. I think you got exactly what you set out to achieve and it hits all your notes perfectly. It's really lovely.
jojoco thanked DLM2000-GW
amykath
last year
The minute I saw your after I smiled and kept smiling. I adore it. Wow! Everything looks amazing. Love your colors, the plates look stunning, the grid in the window, the stools, the hutch, the touches of warm gold brass and your sweet big loveable dog! He is a doll!

You have truly outdone yourself! I am drooling!

The only thing missing is a little lamp. I love lamps! 😉
jojoco thanked amykath
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Oakley
last year
Well done, but I can't take my eyes off off the dog. He's huge! What breed is it?
jojoco thanked Oakley
DawnInCal
last year
Turned out beautifully! You did a great job and have created a space you can be proud of. That's one big dog there - looks squishy and cuddly! :)
jojoco thanked DawnInCal
Kswl
last year
I did not even realize that was a dog— I thought it was a RUG! As I read the comments I wondered what dog they were talking about and clicked on the picture to see it bigger and more clearly. That is one big dog!

Congratulations on a successful kitchen makeover, Jojoco. It’s calm and charming and just right and just you.
jojoco thanked Kswl
nini804
last year
Wow! It is amazing what a difference painting the cabinets and the trim white made…I did a double take bc I initially thought you enlarged the opening into the breakfast room! And the plates look great displayed like that, I don’t think you need to hang them. Great job, beautiful space!
jojoco thanked nini804
salonva
last year
Such a great update! I think you accomplished everything you set out to do.

Enjoy.
jojoco thanked salonva
ilikefriday
last year
The before and after are remarkable. This is fabulous!
jojoco thanked ilikefriday
eld6161
last year
❤️
jojoco thanked eld6161
Irish2
last year
Your kitchen facelift turned out beautiful!

The finishing touch is your beautiful ”fur” kid 😍
jojoco thanked Irish2
porkandham
last year
It looks great!
jojoco thanked porkandham
rubyclaire
last year
Such a great update - it really looks lovely. And bonus points for the matching dog!
jojoco thanked rubyclaire
OutsidePlaying
last year
It’s beautiful, jojoco! Love the color, granite, and how the new cabinet blends in so nicely and makes it all look so welcoming. I’m glad you didn’t paint the muntins, as it adds to the warmth imo.
jojoco thanked OutsidePlaying
Bunny
last year
It's lovely, Jojo. What a beautiful space. And pup is the best part. I'd love to see a pic in the daytime.
jojoco thanked Bunny
gsciencechick
last year
The kitchen turned out great, the white is just perfect, and I love your floofy doggo. 😍
jojoco thanked gsciencechick
Eileen
last year
last modified: last year
It's pretty darn wonderful! And yes, it is magazine-worthy!

When hanging the plates was suggested, I was thinking "Doesn't that defeat the purpose of a plate rail?" Glad it worked out!
jojoco thanked Eileen
1929Spanish-GW
last year
I love it! But really Jojo….keeping a horse in the kitchen????😂 My dog would fit in your dog’s mouth.
jojoco thanked 1929Spanish-GW
teeda
last year
So peaceful, warm and welcoming! You've done a great job--and quickly!
jojoco thanked teeda
eld6161
last year
Our dogs and cats are definitely our decorating inspiration!
jojoco thanked eld6161
Yayagal
last year
It's perfect and now you can breathe again, relax and enjoy.
jojoco thanked Yayagal
cran
last year
Wow, both rooms look terrific.
jojoco thanked cran
pudgeder
last year
Oh it's so lovely!! Can't wait to see w/the final product!

Are you sure that's not a sheep in your floor? ;-)
jojoco thanked pudgeder
Sueb20
last year
Great job!!
jojoco thanked Sueb20
czarinalex
last year
You did good! I love the hutch there. Warms the kitchen up. A rug by the sink will be the finishing touch!
jojoco thanked czarinalex
OutsidePlaying
last year
Jo, if you don’t mind sharing again, which granite did you use?

I’m thinking about painting and doing a minor kitchen redo myself sometime in the next year and keeping ideas handy. I’m really on the fence about cabinet color so haven't made any decisions. I just don’t think I want pure white and no dark granite. TIA!
jojoco thanked OutsidePlaying
tuesday_2008
last year
Beautiful job! What type of paint did you use for your cabinets and backsplash? I know you stated BM White Cloud...just curious about the specifics (i.e. sheen, type, grade, etc).

I am guessing that your pretty plates ”show up” better in real life than pictures.
jojoco thanked tuesday_2008
Funkyart
last year
It looks wonderful ... the hutch was the perfect find to add warmth and character and I love the creamy colors! It is clean and fresh and, yes.. so inviting!
jojoco thanked Funkyart
mtnrdredux_gw
last year
last modified: last year
Brava! You work fast! You did a great job of reworking the space for the counter seating you want, but still preserving it as an EIK for resale. The rug colors work very well --- can you get another, smaller one for the working side of the kitchen? Can't wait to see the windowseat.
jojoco thanked mtnrdredux_gw
jojoco
Original Author
last year
Thank you all for the kind words❤️.

Mtn, here is the other side

The stone is Taj Mahal quartzite:

Here is the paint that was used in a satin sheen:

And here is a couple of shots of Scout, our Great Pyrenes ( she was focusing on popcorn)

And one more:
jill302
last year
Beautiful update! Very warm, the perfect place to spend time cooking or visiting. Love your idea of a blue harlequin floor drop; Scout will look quite handsome lounging there.
jojoco thanked jill302
Irish2
last year
I guessed right that your ball of fluff was a great pyrenees-Scout is a beauty !
jojoco thanked Irish2
mtnrdredux_gw
last year
The counter looks like it was always set up that way.

Scout is gorgeous! Holden, too of course.
jojoco thanked mtnrdredux_gw
Feathers11
last year
It looks great! Congratulations! You've turned it into more of a blank canvas for showcasing your decor. I love the countertops, too.
jojoco thanked Feathers11
Sueb20
last year
Do I spy…3 coffee makers?
jojoco thanked Sueb20
jojoco
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
Sue, your’re right— one coffee maker is mine ( decaf only), one is dh’s ( “decaf isn’t-coffee”)and the third is my 20year old old Breville cappucino maker that still kicks you know what. . and then of course there is the coffee bean grinder…
Annie Deighnaugh
last year
Very nice! So much to like, but I think my faves are the counter and how it coordinates with the floor, and the faucet color!
jojoco thanked Annie Deighnaugh
jojoco
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
Anne, one of my favorite details is the old paneling that suddenly looks fresh. I am so very glad we kept it!
jojoco
Original Author
last year
here is a VERY rough mock up of the floor cloth that I am ordering. The scale is wrong here--the center will be larger and the cherry pattern will be scaled down a bit. The colors will be cream in the center and behind the cherries with the lines and borders painted to match the tile behind the stove (I'm sending the woman who makes these an extra tile.)

The cherries will be a darker red, vs the current fire engine red pictured here. I don't want a huge rug, just a 3 x 5 area rug for in front of the sink area.

Btw, these hold up forever. I have one in front of my sink at my cottage that used to be in my year round home. It is at least 20 years old. They are sealed a million times and spills wipe right off.

hand painted floor cloths
cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
last year
Cannot top what everyone else has said. It is just wonderful. Of course, Scout is the best part and matches beautifully. I also love the muntins being natural and with your cupboard, both add so much warmth to the rooms.

We had a Newf when I was growing up in PA, but as much as I want another, too hot for them down here. :-(

Is your flooring limestone, travertine, or something else? I have been looking at stones for our lower level, but online shopping just doesn't work for that.
jojoco thanked cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
Bluebell66
last year
Very charming and inviting, for sure. I especially love the new counter and old panel backsplash. And of course sweet baby and handsome dog.
jojoco thanked Bluebell66
barncatz
last year
Agree - it's charming and inviting. And that counter - what a gorgeous choice!
jojoco thanked barncatz
jojoco
Original Author
last year
Cyn, this is the second floor like this that I have installed. It is travertine and the layout pattern is "Versailles". Both times I have purchased the stone online from Stonelocator.com

It is a medium (I think, French) ivory with chiseled edges. It was very reasonable and the quality is great.
Tina Marie
last year
I love it! I'm so glad you shared the info on painting the cabinets. I keep thinking about having ours done. I need to just bite the bullet!
jojoco thanked Tina Marie
dani_m08
last year
@jojoco - please send me your address - I want to come kidnap your dog! LOL.

Kitchen looks great also - you just showed how it’s not a waste of money to paint cabinets + add new countertop + new floor + few other more minor changes. Definitely not ”lipstick on a pig” - a saying that’s been repeated too many times on Houzz when someone wants to do an update like you have! Enjoy!
jojoco thanked dani_m08
lizbeth-gardener
last year
Such a quick transformation! Love your backsplash/paneling and they did a great job on the cabinets. Feels so fresh. Will be fun to see your floor cloth and window seat!
jojoco thanked lizbeth-gardener
cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
last year
Oh thanks, Jojo! I will check out the link. Still haven't painted the porch, but after that, the downstairs! Woohoo. At least I hope it will be woohoo and not yikes.
pricklypearcactus
last year
last modified: last year
Wow I am just blown away by how wonderful your kitchen looks! I loved all of the choices you were making as you made them, and everything works so well together. I'm really glad you used the lovely stone floors and the Taj Mahal quartzite is just a crowning jewel. I'm feeling some kitchen facelift envy right now. (Mine is showing its age even though it's perfectly adequate.) Also, Scout is the perfect accessory. I find my kitchen looks much better when my shepherd, Kona, is on the floor in the middle of it.
jojoco thanked pricklypearcactus
jojoco
Original Author
last year
We need a "dog in kitchen" thread. Starting with Kona, please. (And cats that act like dogs, or cats that won't deign to acknowledge a dog, are also welcome.)
Kswl
last year
The perfect finishing touches—- a boy and his dog. They are both precious!