Wednesday, January 6, 2010

WhaT to dO About the KitcheN?

{A little bit of the holidays in my kitchen window}

As I may have mentioned before, we live in an older (way older, almost ancient!) home. It has a bit of charm and character, but I will admit that I sometimes wish we had a brand spanking new house. I hesitated to say (or write) that out loud as I’m sure the house is going to hold that against me and the roof will start leaking . . . again!!!

Last year, we were forced to make a few changes in the kitchen – the 1964-vintage oven/stove, brown-rusty-orange in color, went kaput! Don’t you love it when people call old things vintage?? My dentist should have called my old fillings "vintage" and maybe I wouldn't have gotten so cranky about her ill-timed remarks (but that's another story)!! Anyway, we replaced that honking huge stove and the refrigerator, the countertop, backsplash, hardware on the cabinets and the sink/fixture. While all those improvements were needed and helped the kitchen, it just didn't seem like enough or that it looked as good as it should. What to do??
{Before}

The thought of renovating the whole kitchen crossed my mind . . . but only for a second. For one thing, I'm not a great cook. If I had a beautiful new kitchen, I'd think I needed to cook all the time and that is definitely not me. So, when faced with the prospect of an expensive, dusty, messy and lengthy kitchen renovation or a fairly quick re-painting job, we made the easy decision. Yes, we decided to go ahead and paint the cabinets. My Dad was shocked!! What!?!? You’re painting wood cabinets???? Oh my word – he was aghast!

{After!}

{And look, there's Maddy's Christmas art project next to the microwave! }

But guess what -- it turned out beautiful! I absolutely love it. We also had some beadboard/wainscot paneling (whatever you call it) put up around the edge of the counter. I asked my painter about using beadboard wallpaper and painting it and he looked at me like I was possessed! He said - - never, repeat after me, never paint wallpaper! So, he had a carpenter friend put up the real thing. More fabulousness!! I sang, I danced, I baked!

I am so thrilled with my "new" kitchen! Hubs is also thrilled that his wallet didn't take such a big hit as it would have for a fancy-schmanzy remodeled kitchen!

{Loving the beadboard look!}

23 comments:

Tutus and Choo-Choos said...

The kitchen remodel looks awesome! I would have been scared to paint the wood cabinets, but the finished painted look is great! I would want to start baking right away.

Kim said...

It is AWESOME! It turned out great! I also love the window decor.

Can you believe another snow day?

Denise said...

You know I love it!! I have never regretted painting my cabinets. Happy New Year~

a Tonggu Momma said...

Oh, I LOVE it! That's exactly what I was going to suggest, but - like you - it somehow feels wrong to paint wood cabinets. I would never have thought of it except that a neighbor of mine did it a while back and her kitchen just looks STUNNING. So does yours. Love the new look!

Heather @ Simple Wives said...

Wow...this is beautiful! I've been thinking of paining out kitchen cabinets...they are in a much needed facelift. I think I'll show my hubby these pictures!

fleur de lis cottage said...

Paint is such an inexpensive way to make a marvelous transformation.

Looks beautiful!!

Gail said...

LOVE your kitchen Janet!!!! it is really awesome. I know many ppl who have painted their cabinets and all have turned out beautifully. I bet you smile everytime you walk into that room...enjoy!

TanyaLea said...

It looks amazing! I had to laugh about the part of your dad gasping at the thought of painting those nice 'real' wood/oak cabinets... my father-in-law owns a lumber yard, and he about passes out anytime I mention painting nice wood. Too funny!! ;) You got your fancy-schmancy make-over without the pricetag... I love thrify people! It looks INCREDIBLE!! Thanks for sharing! :)

Rachel said...

You kitchen looks fantastic! When I saw your first picture I so thought you should paint the cabinets - it makes the kind of out of date looking cabinets look so updated!

I love it!

Wanda said...

I LOVE IT!!!!! What a great decision. It looks wonderful.

I'm in the same dilemma here but I can't even do a paint job - I really need to start from scratch. Oh dread!

Enjoy your beautiful (new) kitchen.

Laura L. said...

Oh I think it looks lovely! I love white painted cabinets. I think it makes he kitchen look homey and inviting.
We owned a home when the big kids were small and it had the white painted cabinets. I miss that house sometimes! Anytime I see a kitchen like that, I get wistful. :)
Enjoy! It looks great.

Lucy said...

Oh my gosh, it looks fabulous!!! I love when paint can fix things just like that! Awesome, awesome job and I love the beadboard. We have it around our island and it's painted a grey green to contrast our cream cabinets, love it!

Kim said...

Great job!! Love it!

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

Oh WOW!!!! It looks FABULOUS Jan! It doesn't even look like the same kitchen. Isn't it amazing what a little paint can do?

I also love the beadboard.....

You made some great choices, now go enjoy that new kitchen!!

xo,

Lisa

Casey said...

Oh my!!! It is like you are reading my mind. We have been debating if we should put a ton of money into our kitchen / livingroom and do major renovations or just do some minor improvements. I was afraid the impact of minor improvements would be minimal but your kitchen looks fab. Think you answered our questions!! :)

melissa said...

Your kitchen looks fabulous! I love the beadboard :)

Jodee said...

You know how much I love your painted cabinets! They look sooo fresh and new! I also love the fancy beadboard too! This post makes me want to run right out and buy a whole lot of WHITE paint!

Happy Hump Day!

Lisa said...

that looks so awesome!! I am totally jealous. Our cabinets were painted (before we moved in) and they didn't do a great job and it shows.

now go cook something!!

Robin Beck said...

Oh my goodness it turned out BEAUTIFUL!!! What an amazing difference. I adore the beadboard/wainscot! CLASSY!

Hope you and yours are having a wonderful new year so far!

Robin~♥

Sue said...

LOve it! Especially the beadbord idea. I am facing the same problem with my kitchen..it needs an overhaul but who has all that $$$ laying around. YOur cabinets look great!

Shell in your Pocket said...

Oh..how I love wainscoating!!Looks wonderful.

sandy toe

Bridget said...

Hi Janet! Happy New Year!!! Hope you had a great Holiday (weather and all) Just caught up on your posts and sounds like it was fun! Your kitchen looks wonderful - see what a little paint and beadboard can do! I really do love it! you did a great job!!! I bet it just makes you want to get in there and cook up a storm heh?! Hope all's well and you are able to keep warm. It is just freezing here- I am ready for Spring right now! (I better stop dreaming and get back to reality)!

Take Care!!

~Bridget

Michelle R Photography said...

Wow! It looks wonderful!! It is amazing what a few coats of paint can do. Why do a $75,000 remodel when you can get results like that? It looks beautiful!