Just about a year ago I was beginning a small kitchen reno and was full of doubts about what I really wanted. I thought about it for months. I waffled back and forth while driving myself crazy. I finally had to go for it, make some decisions and get started.
I knew this reno had to be about making the most of what I had. There would be no stainless steel appliances, granite countertops or glass tile back splashes. I knew painting the cabinets had to be at the top of the list so that’s what we did first.
I removed old wallpaper and painted the walls Windy Blue by Sherwin Williams. We installed new Oil Rubbed Bronze lighting and a new faucet.
This runner was added when the reno was finished.
I found it at Dash and Albert.
I found it at Dash and Albert.
We kept the existing floor, ceramic tile counter tops and back splash.
Never underestimate the power of paint. By simply painting the walls and cabinets we lightened and refreshed the whole room.
After the cabinet painting, the biggest project was replacing the hardware. You can read about how it nearly got the best of me here. I think changing the hinges and handles had the most impact. It took my kitchen out of the 90′s and let me tell you that made me a happy camper.
I wanted to make the separate bank of cabinets stand out and look more like a piece of furniture. I picked out the Sherwin Williams color Naval. I liked it so much it also ended up on my front door.
It took FOREVER to dry.
I waited 2 weeks to put my glasses back inside and a few still stuck to the shelves.
I had the island made by a co-worker who moonlights as a carpenter.
I designed it from pictures I found in magazines and he built it.
That front door hides my trash can.
I had fabric left from the window treatment so I made cushions and pillows for the bar stools.
Sadly, no one really sits at my island except me. I know the little pillows might not be very practical but I think they are perfect. I spend a great deal of time in this kitchen and I love looking at them. Reason enough for them to stay!
By today’s standards my kitchen is small. I am always looking for new storage ideas. When I was given this new set of flatware I had to find someplace to store it. The pitchers work out great and it’s certainly convenient.
I almost didn’t write this post…but I decided I should go ahead for a few reasons. First, I want to update my Home Tour so I needed better pics of the kitchen.
Second, I waited until almost the very last minute
but I’m linking up to the Talent Scouting Party at
A bouquet of flowers and a bag of lemons was all it took
to provide a little inspiration and motivation.
This is sort of like playing the lottery.
You just never know…
Good luck to all the other awesome entries.
Someone has a hard decision ahead.
I love everything about your kitchen but probably my favorite is the island and the window. What a great place to sit and contemplate what recipe to try or watch the birds with a cup of tea. We're going to remodel soon and I will take many of your terrific ideas to our redo.
Gretchen
Ann:
I love your kitchen. The island would be a wonderful place to sit in the morning with a cup of coffee. It is amazing when cabinets are painted and how the room changes are dramatic. I did this once in in my home and ended up loving my kitchen even more. Your window treatment is adorable too!
such a beautiful room, but still cozy and homey, I love the black and white and yellow, its just perfect!
Good for you Ann! I have always adored your kitchen! it is a very happy bright and cheery redo!~ You did a great job and really showed what one can do with a little money but more thought and creativity.
Hi Ann,
I think your kitchen is lovely and I especially like all the simple, yet big impact details that you've added.
You have a great eye for design and it shows.
hugs
Sissie
I really admire how you painted the other cabinets navy. Instead of making the room appear darker, they really anchor the room. Love the styling with the eggs.
The colors in your kitchen are so beautiful and I love the Dash and Albert rug! You have so many gorgeous touches in there. I really love your style!
-Shelley
I love your kitchen and the best part is that you transformed what you already had rather than spend thousands for new cabinets, appliances etc. Your kitchen is charming and beautiful. You definitely showed your creativity with this update. I think the talent scouts will be very impressed. You've shown how gorgeous a small kitchen can be!
You have a beautiful kitchen, Ann! You did a fabulous job updating it with just a few simple changes. Love the pale blues and yellows, your island, your window treatment…I love it all! I would spend a lot of time here, too! :)
XO,
Jane
Your kitchen looks adorable and so inviting you want to be there! The island would be a really cozy place to have tea in the afternoon. The runner is so pretty too! Enjoy it!
FABBY
Oh Ann, I love your kitchen. Your cupboards look great. I can't imagine replacing all of that hardware, good for you. Good luck!
Hi Ann! Oh, your kitchen is so pretty! I love white kitchens. I have a tiny little white kitchen. Everything you've done looks fabulous. Love the dark navy cabinet too and how your pretties really show up in it!
Be a sweetie,
shelia ;)
Ann,
Your kitchen is so pretty! Love the blues. Wonderfully done!
Ann I LOVE everything about your kitchen!! No need for granite I think the white and blue tile looks pretty and I love the mural over your sink! Oh yeah and let's not forget my favorite that fabulous lantern over your island!
I just love your kitchen. How wonderful to have the large expanse of windows. The island is so darling and I love the little pillows on the chairs. You have made this a very cheerful and lovely kitchen. I would sit there with a cup of coffee and my laptop–probably for too many hours…..
Wow, Ann, you did a really nice job on your kitchen. Painting those cabinets made a world of difference. I wonder why it took the side cabinet, in the blue, so long to dry? Weird, huh?
It's too bad no one but you uses your sweet island. They are missing a sweet sit! Everything looks great- xo Diana
Ann, your kitchen is perfect!
Ann, Your kitchen is so bright and pretty! I love all the choices you made. xo, Sherry
Your kitchen remodel is lovely! I thought the bank of cupboards behind the island was a piece of furniture! So, I'd say that you succeeded! It looks beautiful!
The blue that you used on the walls is very pretty, I love it with the yellow and turquoise with the dark blue.
Love and hugs, Cindy
Your kitchen is wonderful. Love how you bravely painted the "cupboard" cabinets, and it really paid off. they are gorgeous! It all came together so perfectly!
Oh Ann!
I ADORE your kitchen!
You have made it the best space – so light and airy and clean and fresh – absolutely awesome in every way- so clever all your changes, wow.
Would have LOVED to see the before of it.
WELL DONE, honestly it is awesome.
Lovely job, Ann! I think painting kitchen cabinets makes for a great and immediate update. I love your lantern fixture over the island.
Ann, your kitchen is so pretty. I am so glad you decided to share. I adore the colors you feature.
We painted our kitchen and did a little sprucing last year. It made a world of difference, and I love it.
Good Luck on the Talent Scouting party…I love your Kitchen it's perfect! What color were your cabinets before? Ours are Cherry and I want white so bad…..just can't talk my hubby into it ….I hate them!
Loved it last year, still love it!
Your kitchen is just lovely and definitely magazine worthy, Ann. Good luck with your entry!
It is a beautiful kitchen. Great ideas came to fruition to create such a great place!
Your kitchen update is fabulous! It goes to show that you don't need to replace counter with granite. I love the look of your kitchen.
I so enjoyed seeing your kitchen again, Ann. You did such a wonderful job!! And, those flowers in the mason jars are too beautiful!! Good luck!! blessings ~ tanna
Love your kitchen. Big is so overrated! Your yellow island had me at hello. It is the perfect bright spot to sit and look out the window. And, I agree with you that if something makes you happy to look at—keep it!
I love love your kitchen Ann!
It should be featured in a magazine. I love the warmth and feel of it. That window lets in so much light which is fantastic. You did an amazing job. I would never want to leave this space!!
Ann I ♥♥♥ your kitchen. It is so nice to see a room that is unique and not a stamped out room of stainless and granite. Love all of your color choices. Bright fresh and inviting!! Your staging was spot on. I pinned the mason jars, great job!!! Kathysue
Your kitchen is very pretty. I love blue and white together and once had a blue and white kitchen myself. Love the painted cabinets too!
Pure gorgeousness! I love the blue so much, and your island is fantastic! I'm so glad you revisited your kitchen and shared all of the details with us!
Heather
Ann ….your kitchen make over is so beautiful. I must do this and keep putting it off because I am afraid to paint my cabinets…..such a big job! I love your kitchen sink…I need a new one so badly and have been living with ours for far too long…..it is even beginning to rust (I know…waited far too long, but that is where indecisiveness will get you)…..I would love to know the brand and model of your sink!!!! Andrea
I'm still loving your kitchen. It is so bright and shinny. Very inviting. Thanks for letting us look:)
Such a beautiful job! The tile countertops really make it and I love the light fixture too! Wow, your photos are terrific and best of luck! Thanks so much for your visit.
Such a charming kitchen! I love all the little details but the island is my favorite. What a wonderful pop of color!
I love your kitchen! Love the wall color and the white cabinets together, with the blue and white details everywhere. Great job! And your light fixture is to die for! :) Great job!
LOVE IT! The island is fantastic and the colors are perfect. I like that you didn't put in granite counter tops. I think they have been way overused, and in a few years everyone will think they are dated!
Ann, it's just gorgeous! Beautiful updates… colors are great. Blessings!
Hi Ann-
I've never seen your kitchen before, but I really love the after! I really love the dark navy color of the cabinets and your island is wonderful! I have a very narrow "galley" kitchen and I always wanted to install a bank of cabinets near the dining area. I imagine yours provides a lot of storage! I did add stainless appliances, but I have to admit they added another new task of keeping them looking. I like the look but not the maintenance! By the time I changed my counters I ended up with Corian because granite wasn't even in the budget..6 mos. later granite dropped and I could of had it- but I'm not sure I want it!
I love your hardware choice- excellent job!
I believe in "embracing" what we have. We can't always change up to the newest and most current thing but we can tweak what we have and make it work.
I'd love sitting there too! Great spot to read a magazine and enjoy a hot cup of coffee!
You've done a terrific job and should be proud! I tip my "coffee cup" to you!
Yours isn't the last entry–because mine is after yours! :-) You had me at the first line–with no granite, stainless, or glass tile. I also have tile countertops, and it was really inspiring to see a kitchen that looks so lovely with them. Glad you posted and entered, so I could find your blog!
Ann, your kitchen is fresh and beautiful. I love the yellow island. The little pillows do work. I do not have any modern surfaces in my kitchen either but I do not mind because in my 1830's house I have an awful kitchen so in the yellow house I appreciate anything I have. Because I go to estate sales in very high end sub divisions I have been surprised that kitchens in these half a million dollar homes and up are actually quite small. Maybe they eat out?
I love every choice you made! So glad you didn't replace your countertops. I actually like them. They are unique. And of course, I love navy blue! That navy cabinet is my favorite!
Have a wonderful week my friend!
Absolutely gorgeous! Your taste is impeccable, Ann. No surprise. Love the yellow island, but your navy cabinet is so classic and stylish, my favorite indeed. Stopping by to say hello from my new page. Needed lighter. I still included my tag page and I haven't forgotten about the tags that I was working on which reminded me of your tail-wagging friend. They're more for Christmas time so I'm hoping to share them in July.
Looking forward to staying in touch.
Much love,
Marcia
LOVE your redo. Anyone can take $100,000 and create a beautiful kitchen. It takes someone with talent to get the look you created.
Your kitchen really looks so fresh! I love those blue mason jars (?) for your flowers. Really pretty!
Ann, your kitchen is just gorgeous!!! I love the mix of blue and white! Gorgeous!
Te ha quedado preciosa !!!
I always love seeing your beautiful kitchen, Ann … so inviting and clearly one of your favorite spots in your home. I love the splashes of blue and yellow … gorgeous!
Great photos of your kitchen – love the one with the flowers lined up and the eggs on the counter.
So pretty and unique…Im following you
What a beautiful kitchen! It's so charming. I don't think this look will ever look "dated"
What a beautiful kitchen! It's so charming. I don't think this look will ever look "dated"
I think your kitchen is fantastic! I love the navy cabinets. I’m hoping soon you will show the center island up close as I’ve been trying to figure out how to make one like that. Thanks for sharing, love your blog.
Love your beautiful kitchen.