What's your favourite room in your house? Mine is our kitchen. This room has gone via the largest transition of all of the rooms in our residence. Come see how an unsightly duckling kitchen actually grew to become a white swan. Get concepts and inspiration to your personal kitchen and see the evolution of a kitchen.
Our kitchen has gone via massive, massive adjustments! It began out because the ugliest room in our residence and was reworked into my favourite room. Unquestionably, the largest change and transformation our Tanglewood Home has gone via occurred within the kitchen. I’m so glad you stopped by to see the evolution of a kitchen!
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Ann, Lory, and I are sharing how our downsized (or right-sized) houses have developed. At present’s publish is a part of our downsizing collection! Now we have shared The Evolution Of A Dwelling Room, and The Evolution Of a Eating Room and now we’re sharing our kitchens! You may see hyperlinks to my pal’s stunning kitchens on the backside of the publish.
OUR DOWNSIZING STORY AND DOWNSIZING SERIES
As a result of I do know that lots of you, like me, have downsized or are fascinated about downsizing I began a collection on DOWNSIZING!
You would possibly prefer to learn Our Downsizing Story, Half 1 and Our Downsizing Story, Half 2 and Our Downsizing Story, The Finale. And please share your individual story with us within the feedback.
Additionally, right here is one other useful downsizing publish, 10 Issues To Know About Downsizing. We’d love to listen to your greatest downsizing suggestions within the feedback!
OUR KITCHEN STORY
We had by no means supposed on downsizing. On a whim, we did a walkthrough of a home on a close-by nation golf course and fell in love with it. Properly, most of it. And rapidly, it made sense to downsize from our massive StoneGable residence!
Nonetheless, there have been a couple of adjustments that have been non-negotiables for me and Bobby must comply with them earlier than I might even contemplate transferring! Renovating the kitchen was primary! And Bobby was on the identical web page too!
Right here is how the kitchen regarded…
The cupboards have been a pleasant shaker type however the wooden was a darkish cherry. And so they clashed with the oak flooring! And though the flooring weren’t my favourite, they have been one thing that was going to remain.
There was a tall bar top counter round the primary a part of the kitchen. It actually fenced within the kitchen. UGH! And didn’t permit for any seating!
I had by no means considered a U-shaped kitchen however as I used it day-after-day it grew to become fairly evident simply how environment friendly and simple it was to cook dinner in!
Right here is the unique range, microwave, and backsplash at a distinct angle. There have been three totally different backsplash patterns on this kitchen they usually have been all ugly!
A part of the kitchen additionally included an space with numerous home windows. This was clearly a spot to place a small desk and chairs. I discovered this space awkward as a result of our eating desk was simply steps away. It was redundant so as to add one other!
The evolution of our kitchen was a makeover! Our kitchen actually didn’t evolve, it occurred in a span of a number of months!
WHAT WE LIKED ABOUT THE KITCHEN
We didn’t change something within the kitchen for 8 months. So I had numerous time to stay in my kitchen and work in it and determine what I appreciated and didn’t like about it. It was a time of many professional/con lists, and conversations with Bobby and our kitchen designer!
This kitchen was an unsightly duckling! However fortunately, there have been truly issues I appreciated and cherished about it.
The most important factor was the format! I discovered the U-shaped kitchen was very environment friendly! The U form additionally corralled my kitchen area and gave it boundaries in our very open idea residence.
We have been additionally fairly happy with the situation of the kitchen and its total footprint.
As a result of the kitchen will be seen from so many rooms I appreciated the concept of getting or not it’s nicely outlined, although it’s open too!
The second factor I appreciated was the type of our cupboards. The edited shaker type labored so nicely with the bones and elegance of our residence they usually have been superb high quality. The cupboards are a bit modern. And since they’re seen from our front room and sunroom in addition to our eating room their type didn’t scream for consideration.
These two issues together with the great sunny home windows made this homely kitchen appear promising.
THE PROCESS BEGINS
The kitchen makeover began three months after all the things shut down due to Covid in June of 2020. We have been in a position to transfer ahead as a result of our undertaking supervisor constructed plastic partitions across the kitchen. And the employees got here and went via a separate door to the storage. We spoke by cellphone via the plastic wall and solely when all the employees had gone did we enterprise into the kitchen to see the progress.
Bobby and I arrange a makeshift kitchen within the eating room on a protracted utility desk. We made dinners utilizing a multipurpose sensible oven. The all-important espresso maker sat on the utility desk within the eating room too so we might make espresso. And we ate on paper plates and used plastic utensils and drank from plastic cups.
We saved a big Artic cooler, that acted as a make-shift fridge, subsequent to the desk and bottled water got here in helpful to drink and cook dinner with.
I saved bows of fruit and snack luggage available for us. And we used the grill quite a bit that summer season!
Any soiled dishes have been washed up within the utility sink within the storage.
I can’t say this was a enjoyable option to stay however we did eat fairly nicely regardless of not having a kitchen.
KITCHEN CABINETS
One of many first choices we made involved the kitchen cupboards.
We opted to color the cupboards as a result of the cupboards have been new, good high quality cupboards, and the fitting type for our new kitchen.
And we additionally added small glass-front cupboards above the prevailing kitchen cupboards and added molding to the ceiling. I selected a evenly seeded glass.
To interrupt up a protracted wall of cupboards, we added a glass entrance to the middle cupboard.
Right here’s the earlier than and after…
CHOOSING THE PAINT COLOR
Since our entire residence was painted Merely White by Benjamin Moore we determined to color the kitchen that colour too.
Merely White has very slight yellow undertones that reads a gentle white on partitions.
The paint colour for the kitchen cupboards was the toughest choice we made when it as come to this home.
I assumed I would love a two-toned kitchen or a lightweight taupe kitchen. And I thought of portray the bottom across the kitchen one other colour, however all the time got here again to white.
Right here’s why I made a decision to color the kitchen the identical white as the remainder of the home…
- I simply didn’t need the kitchen to combat for consideration once we have been sitting in the lounge or sunroom
- I’ve had a white kitchen for 25 years and cherished it
- I might add colour with accent decor or dishware
- White kitchens are traditional
- All kitchen colours have a lifecycle. White is timeless and by no means goes out of favor
I like white and neutrals so a traditional white kitchen appeared like your best option for me.
PAINTING THE CABINETS
Portray the kitchen cupboards was a giant, massive undertaking!
Cupboard fronts have been taken off and despatched away to be painted. Plastic was taped over the openings and the remainder of the cupboard bins have been spray painted.
Here’s a earlier than and after…
The distinction was astounding!
I’ve all the time stated paint works magic! It actually does!
WHAT WAS CHANGED IN THE EVOLUTION OF A KITCHEN MAKEOVER
Our kitchen makeover took three months to finish.
Listed here are the issues that have been modified…
THE HARDWARE
Altering out the {hardware} proved a bit more durable than we thought.
The unique {hardware} have been knobs and the brand new bar-shaped {hardware} didn’t match up with the unique knob holes. So the holes wanted to be stuffed in.
However there was one other subject. The previous knobs left “ghost rings” on the cupboards. The again of the pulls dug into the cupboards a bit and dented it, leaving a lightweight depressed ring within the wooden of the cupboards. And that may very well be seen even when the cupboards have been painted.
This was a course of! The cupboard holes and ghost rings have been stuffed in once more and sanded and primed and painted for a second time! The kitchen firm we have been utilizing for the makeover didn’t catch this subject the primary time round! However I did!!!!
The lengthy bar {hardware} was a superb match for the type of our residence home. We selected a brushed nickel for 2 causes…
- I like the gentle look of nickel
- and it labored with the {hardware} in the remainder of our open-concept
I used to be wishing to go together with gold tones however the focus of gold tones within the U-shaped kitchen would have fought with home equipment and the remainder of the home.
Generally we’ve to make changes to our wishlist!
When the bar pulls have been added I used to be very completely happy we went with the brushed nickel.
THE BACKSPLASH
Let’s discuss concerning the backsplash. Please discover a image of the previous backsplash above! What have been they considering!!!!!!
A brand new backsplash was a giant splurge. As a result of the kitchen was so monochromatic I wished the backsplash to work with the white kitchen however showcase the colour palette of our residence with out being apparent. And produce a little bit of sample and texture to the kitchen.
The images don’t do the backsplash justice. It’s rather more tonal than proven.
The backsplash is Calacatta Gold marble in a basketweave sample. I’ve cherished baskets for so long as I can bear in mind. And have collected them for many years. So this sample has a particular that means to me!
After I noticed it at our native stone showroom I knew it was “the one”.
As a result of our cupboards are slightly plain I really feel the backsplash grabs numerous the eye.
THE COUNTERTOPS
We not solely modified our counter tops from granite to a marble-like quartz we additionally dropped the bar top counter across the U-shaped kitchen to a countertop top. And we added a spot to sit down.
One massive tip for anybody who needs a white kitchen with white counters is to actually watch out that your countertop works along with your cupboards.
Identical to paint, white Quartz additionally has numerous totally different undertones like yellow, grey, greige, pink, brown, and extra. So watch out, pal!
We selected Extremely White for our counter tops for a number of causes however a very powerful purpose was Extremely White Quartz was spot on with the cupboard paint colour. It was not too yellow and never too grey.
I additionally am not a giant fan of numerous huge or darkish veining on kitchen counters. Extremely White has pretty gentle muted gentle grey veins.
When you look rigorously you’ll be able to see a few the gentle grey veins on the counter.
Selecting a counter edge was one other choice we needed to make. My mantra on this kitchen makeover was KEEP IT SIMPLE. So we saved the sting quite simple.
We additionally curved the countertop on the bar aspect of the kitchen. This was a good move. It seems fairly and provides a bit of further seating area.
THE SINK AND FAUCET
Our sink was one other change for the higher within the kitchen!
We went from a stainless-steel sink to a truffle-colored composite farmhouse sink. Composite sinks are great! Our kitchen sink is by Blanco.
Composite sinks are available in so many colours, are antibacterial, don’t stain, and clear up with a bit of cleaning soap and water. They’re made up of a composite of floor granite and different supplies. If you’re searching for a brand new sink be sure you take a look at composite sinks. I extremely advocate them.
Right here’s the earlier than and after…
We additionally modified out our faucet and rubbish disposal.
At first, we selected a wise faucet, the sort that you just wave your hand in entrance of to make the water comes on. Nonetheless, I might not get a “sensible” faucet once more. Our faucet was an fool! So I changed it with a dumb one which simply squirts water and works. LOL!
THE STOVE THE HOOD AND THE MICROWAVE
Our vary is from the GE Cafe Assortment. Since we didn’t need to change the footprint of our kitchen we would have liked a variety that may match into a regular 30 ” area.
I actually would have cherished a giant industrial oven with numerous burners and different facilities.
Nonetheless, this vary has 6 fuel burners and a griddle attachment, two electrical ovens that bake, broil, proof, and extra. One can be a convection oven.
It’s an awesome skilled oven that matches in a conventional vary area!
I LOVE this vary.
Right here’s a earlier than and after…
As a result of the unique vary was electrical we had traces run from our propane tank into the kitchen space of our residence. That was a little bit of a multitude! However so value it!
We moved the microwave to the pantry and ran electrical energy for the microwave.
The microwave is housed within the center cupboard to the left of the fridge. You may see the place we stashed the microwave within the picture above.
We had a hood customized constructed and a really robust exhaust system put in in it. The wood piece across the backside of the hood is painted to appear like the wooden on my French desk in the lounge. It’s truly a bit of yellow oak.
THE LIGHTING
Our kitchen initially had solely can-style overhead lighting they usually weren’t on dimmers. I’m such an enormous fan of dimmers! Now all of the lighting is on dimmers!
We saved the overhead lighting and added different lighting to our kitchen.
All of the glass higher cupboards are lit in addition to the center glass cupboard. When these cupboards are dimly lit within the night the kitchen seems so fairly!
And activity lighting was put in beneath all of our cupboards.
To have our kitchen be as much as code we’d have had numerous retailers on our backsplash. And I didn’t need to break up the backsplash with retailers. So I had outlet and USB port strips put in up underneath the cupboards.
These aren’t seen until you’re looking up shut from a crouching place like I used to be to take the picture above.
We even have two pop-up retailers put in in our quartz countertop. These are superb! And now have USB ports.
Considered one of my favourite issues we added to the kitchen was the massive hanging globe lights over the countertop the place there may be seating.
I wished one thing daring as a result of the kitchen may be very white!
Right here’s the earlier than and after…
THE BANQUETTE
We turned the world within the kitchen with all of the home windows right into a small seating space by constructing a banquette with cubbies for baskets beneath. The hampers are stuffed with my grandchildren’s books and artwork provides.
I like sitting right here within the morning to drink my espresso and do devotions.
We additionally changed the blinds with retractable shades. What a distinction!
Here’s a earlier than and after…
A YEAR IN THE KITCHEN
Despite the fact that our kitchen is essentially the most used room in our residence, I nonetheless like to embellish it for the season at hand. Nothing over-the-top or fancy. Extra like a nod to the season.
Right here’s a bit of peek at our kitchen in the course of the seasons of the 12 months!
Let’s begin with my favourite vacation…
CHRISTMAS KITCHEN
Christmas at our house is a vacation and a season. We love to embellish early and luxuriate in our residence in all its vacation finery!
I adorn my kitchen a bit of extra at Christmas time than the remainder of the 12 months! This image was taken when the nice and cozy morning gentle was pouring via the home windows.
The hood is the proper place to hold an evergreen wreath.
SPRING KITCHEN
Spring in my kitchen is all about herbs! The little pots of herbs are so completely happy on the kitchen counter!
The counter within the background is usually used as a dessert bar or a pop-up cocktail bar.
SUMMER KITCHEN
Summer season backyard blooms abound within the kitchen! After selecting flowers within the backyard I put them within the sink. Then I clip and fuss over every flower and snippet of inexperienced to create little bouquets to embellish our home.
The little bouquet by the sink was made with pink and pink knockout roses that bloom behind our residence.
My favourite methods to make use of our sink are to wash infants and to make use of for arranging backyard flowers.
FALL KITCHEN
If I had to decide on one phrase to explain my kitchen within the fall it might be “heat”. I feel the kitchen seems its greatest throughout this time of 12 months!
