Dec 12, 2013

Our New Kitchen!


 Our kitchen remodel is finished, and it's time for the big reveal!


 We removed the wall between our dining room and kitchen.


 And added an eating bar.


 Our new leather bar stools are on back order until who-knows-when, so I parked my little craft studio stool here to give you the idea. Our contractor, Trent, and master finish carpenter, Luke, did amazing work designing and duplicating the old dining room wainscot and trim on the new bar. 


 The top of the bar wraps around the dining room wall to seat three and gives me a niche to decorate. I love niches!


 The hutch that was on the dining room wall we removed is now in the kitchen. The entire kitchen remodel was centered on moving this hutch to this wall. To give you an idea of the scale of this cabinet, we need a ladder to reach the upper shelves. Not a step ladder, a real ladder. It's enormous!


 The doors were stripped, repainted and rehung with the original hardware. This cabinet is our favorite part of the new kitchen, and we're so glad we can still see it from the front rooms of the house. We feel like we've preserved a big part of the history of our home. 


I don't really have a decorating style. I like a little bit French, a little bit farmhouse, and a little bit vintage. If I like something, I just try and make it work.


 Our bar is forty-two inches tall to hide kitchen clutter from the dining room.  We've never had a kitchen bar before, and we love it.


 First and foremost, our kitchen is a working kitchen. It's all about cooking big family dinners and easy cleanup afterwards. The criteria for every surface we chose was whether it would stand up to hard kitchen use, was it super easy to maintain, was it waterproof, and did it look like something you might see in a cottage one hundred years ago.


 We chose Mannington Serengeti Slate for a floor that will last another one hundred years. Franklin Building Supply did a great installation over our uneven wonky old sub-floors.   


The cottage two doors down from ours still has the original kitchen with a wood back splash and wood counters, so along with a slate floor we knew this look would be authentic to our old kitchen. 


 Our cast iron sink is the Wheatland from Kohler.


 Our faucet is the Waterhill from Moen.


 Our counters are new green certified Old Mill Oak HD laminate from Wilsonart. Surprised? I was!


 Our new curtains were sewn from one 84-inch curtain panel purchased at Target.


Our coffee station fits perfectly behind this little dining room wall with coffee cups in the new small wall cabinet above.  


 Three people can now work comfortably in our little kitchen at the same time; two on either side of the sink, and another over here by the stove.





 We switched out our old office-style whiteboard for my big homemade chalkboard for writing shopping lists and notes next to the pantry. 


 A new custom drawer cabinet replaced the upper cabinet space when the wall between the dining room and kitchen was removed. Our kitchen is tiny, but we have lots of storage. We spray painted all the old hardware oil rubbed bronze, and it's wearing just fine.


We love our kitchen's new bigger work spaces, the bar, the new cabinets, and all the updated surfaces.


  But the main purpose of our remodel was to open the kitchen up to the dining and living rooms so we can spend more time together as a family. 


 My brother was here from California for Thanksgiving and sat at the new bar and visited with me while I cooked dinner during the day. Later, we lit the candles and dimmed all the lights to a soft glow and had our traditional formal dinner in the dining room. It was perfect.


We brought in a few front porch chairs to help us get a feel for the scale of the new furniture we'd like to buy. My new favorite place to sit and read is over in this corner by the front window where I can see the whole house now. My domain!


Our vision was for having a modern day open kitchen and living arrangement that works with our contemporary style of living, while still maintaining the historic integrity of our one hundred year-old cottage.



It's been a big success, and we're so happy we took the huge scary plunge to remove our dining room wall.

I love my kitchen!

If you'd like to see the kitchen and dining room "before" and inspiration pictures, just click here, and if you'd like to see and read about our entire remodel saga, just click here.


{We can't thank Harrison Renovation Company enough for sharing our remodel vision. Owner Trent Howie's expert knowledge of historic craftsman style homes along with painstaking attention to detail and superb craftsmanship helped make the vision we had for our kitchen come true.}

   
C'mon along and party with me at:
Common Ground 
City Farmhouse 
Rooted In Thyme 
From My Front Porch To Yours 
Coastal Charm 
Elizabeth & Company 
Green Willow Pond
The Charm of Home 
Craftberry Bush 
My Repurposed Life 
French Country Cottage 
My Romantic Home 
 The Shabby Nest
The Cottage Market 
Funky Junk Interiors
DIY Showoff 
Between Naps On The Porch 
Mod Vintage Life 
The Scoop
Cozy Little House  
A Stroll Through Life 
Savvy Southern Style
My Love 2 Create  
A Joyful Cottage


 

 

69 comments:

  1. W O N D E R F U L !!!

    Everything is beautiful. I would like to knock down one little wall to open our kitchen and dining room into one large room and I would love to have glass cabinets like yours.

    Enjoy Christmas with your family in your new space.

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  2. Oh, Laurel - your new kitchen remodel is AWESOME!

    I absolutely LOVE IT - you did a fabulous job, I am so so so so happy for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  3. It is perfect!!! I really love that you (&your contractors) keep the cottage feel ~ Well Done!!!

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  4. I LOVE it! It looks like it has always been there and that's what I love about it. I also love the cabinet you were able to move. Awesome idea!

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  5. Beautiful, warm and inviting, great remodel Laurel, congrats hon! Every part of your 'new' kitchen is aesome! Merry C'mas and enjoy cooking and baking here for the holidays.
    FABBY

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  6. I love it all-pure perfection and happiness! Every single detail is awesome, you must be having so much fun!
    Merry Christmas!
    Jemma

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  7. Laurel, I missed you! :) You new kitchen is gorgeous! Oh, my! I know that had to be a lot of work, but worth every minute. What a beautiful space you have created and just in time for the Holidays! Merry Christmas!

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  8. Oh wow, it came out awesome and I just love hardware! Love all the little touches, thanks so much for sharing with us.

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  9. Laurel, Oh my goodness! I just LOVE your kitchen!! It is beautiful and homey and magazine fantastic. It still looks completely livable though too. I would love a kitchen like that. The hutch is beautiful. The counter tops and sink are so pretty. Fantastic job! Thanks so much for your sweet comment about the new look of the blog. :) Have a great week enjoying every minute in your stunning kitchen. ~ Jamie

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  10. Hi Laurel, I absolutely love your new kitchen! So open and bright, and full of charm! I can't believe those counter tops are laminate! They are gorgeous, and I am very interested in going this route. We are remodeling our kitchen in Feb., I will have to look those up in the store. I look forward to visiting your blog again. Merry Christmas!
    Kimberlee

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  11. Laurel, I just discovered your blog through a linky party -- (I don't remember which one. Sorry!) Your kitchen is adorable as is your home. I have always LOVED cottages. I love quaint, intimate interiors. I will explore your blog more!

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  12. This is one of the nicest and well-thought-out kitchen makeovers that I have seen~

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  13. I love your kitchen, too!!! You should make a profit off all the HD laminate countertops Wilsonart is going to be selling after this post! I love everything about your kitchen. Thanks for the tour!

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  14. I love your kitchen too! Every little detail is perfect and so welcoming. Perfect.

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  15. I love it! All of it! I can't believe those countertops are a laminate - gorgeous and it is so nice to see something other than granite. You all did a great job! I am pinning.
    Patty at Home and Lifestyle Design

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  16. love love love!!! the hutch looks fabulous on the wall!

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  17. Gorgeous! I love your style and your new kitchen! I love your countertops! I wanted wood when we did our kitchen about 10 years ago, but the wooden laminate did not look like that back then! May be time to revisit! Thanks for the tip! :)
    Kim @ Exquisitely Unremarkable

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  18. OMG, when I saw the first photo, I thought it was a BHG cover!!!! Fantastic Laurel, I love everything you did, it's prettier than I imagined it would be and just in time for the holidays too!!!! Yes, you should shout out your love for this space! Congratulations on great planning and choices made!

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  19. Laurel,
    I'm so happy for you to have this new wonderful space that suits your home and your family! Your kitchen (and dining room) look beautiful.
    the hutch is amazing, I know it was a lot of work, but so worth it!

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  20. Your new kitchen is beautiful!! I love how it opens up the whole house.
    Mary Alice

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  21. You did an outstanding job! I love your kitchen too! Great job! :)

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  22. I love your kitchen too! Beautiful job - so warm and inviting and definitely a place I would like to spend lots of time in. Enjoy your new space.

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  23. love everything about your kitchen and dining area. did you paint the chandelier or did it come that way?

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  24. Oh my goodness Laurel, your beautiful new kitchen was totally worth the wait! It is absolutely gorgeous - so open, warm and wonderful! I love every little detail and it totally suits you and your home. It's perfect, but yet totally real and functional. I can just imagine all the lovely family gatherings that will happen here! And in the quiet moments, sit back and enjoy!!!

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  25. Your kitchen looks so beautiful!!! You did such a fabulous job.

    Kathy

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  26. Oh my goodness, your kitchen is beautiful! I absolutely love the countertops - looks like wood to me and to think it's Wilsonart laminate! I need to go check that out as I'd love to have that in my kitchen. Thanks for sharing your wonderful kitchen with us.

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  27. Laurel, you luck girl....your kitchen is wonderful! I am crushing over those super tall cabinets and the colors you chose!

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  28. Oh Laurel, it's just beautiful! I love the floors, the cabinets, the beadboard...all your personal touches. You must be so thrilled!
    Cheers! - Shelley

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  29. Congratulations Laurel, what a wonderful Christmas present for the whole family! It looks amazing -- warm and functional and I can't believe those countertops! Enjoy the holidays in your new space and I too never met a niche I didn't like! xo

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  30. Laurel, Your kitchen is absolutely fabulous! What a fantastic job you've done! Have a beautiful Christmas - how could you not!
    Linda

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  31. Just adding my congratulations and "aaahs" of praise to everyone else's! Lovely! In fact, now I'm re-thinking my kitchen countertops. I'd planned on granite, but yours are gorgeous!

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  32. Laurel, what a wonderful transformation. Love that the hutch made the big move and is beautiful. You nailed it!

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  33. Wow, wow, wow! I love the counter tops and had to go back to look at them again. And I love the wood back splash! Great job...You have to be LOVING your new space! And glad the remodel is over!

    Carol

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  34. It turned out so lovely, Laurel! I can just feel how happy you are with the outcome!

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  35. Awesome Laurel!!! I'm so excited for you. Definitely worth all the hard work and planning it took to create it. The kitchen really opened up. I love the countertops!
    ENJOY!

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  36. It is absolutely beautiful Laurel! I love everything about it. I'm so happy for you that you got what you wanted and still perserved the history of the house.

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  37. O - M - G !!! I love it! You don't have a decorating style - lol!, it may not have a name, but you most definitely have a style! Your kitchen is absolutely beautiful and I love the way you designed a great working kitchen with everything a modern cook would want while blending so perfectly with the period of your home. Fantastic job, Laurel - you must be so very happy with it!

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  38. Laurel, it is gorgeous! I can't live without my island it is a workhorse!
    Sherry

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  39. Hi Laurel, What a beautiful kitchen....I love every detail! I am a new follower and on my way to check out your archives.
    xx
    Sherry

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  40. I love your kitchen too!! Gorgeous! That is laminate? Seriously?? Wow! It has so much character - love the board and batten and the strong wall color... with all the white and beadboard. Perfect!! Love it! pinning to inspire me for my upcoming kitchen reno:)

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  41. It's beautiful! Light. Bright. Pretty and a workable space. Love it! Congratulations on your new kitchen.

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  42. Oh my word, your kitchen is absolutely fabulous. I love it. You did such an amazing job and saving the hutch is priceless. I adore those countertops too. Laminate, who in the world would ever guess. Love them. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

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  43. Laurel, it's just perfect!! I love everything about your new kitchen. It's bright and airy, charming and quaint, perfection everywhere you turn! I love all your decorating choices. You must be beaming from ear to ear!! Sharing this on my Facebook page tonight!! And pinning ... definitely pinning!! :)

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  44. Laurel,
    It is just beautiful. I love every aspect of this new kitchen. We spend most of our time in our home in the kitchen so this is so charming and inviting and I bet you will love being in there. Just gorgeous. Great reveal.
    Kris

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  45. Charming!! I love your touches....tres chic! Enjoy Christmas in your new kitchen...
    Nancy

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  46. Laurel, what an amazing transformation, everything has turned out beautifully!! Love the modern cottage feel!! I'll be featuring this post on Be Inspired tomorrow!

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  47. Your kitchen remodel is beautiful!!! And good for you for maintaining the integrity of the time period that the house was built in. That is what I tried to do with when I remodelled the kitchen in our 1927 home. Yours is really gorgeous!!! I'm sure you love your glass front antique cabinet that you moved into the kitchen.

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  48. I love your kitchen and the countertop. I'm considering the same kind for my kitchen and seeing your pictures almost convinced me.

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  49. The whole kitchen is picture perfect!!!! LOVE IT! : ) Sending Holiday Hugs and Wishes!

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  50. I love your new kitchen too!!! I've pinned almost every photo... sigh. My kitchen is next on my agenda!

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  51. Laurel-you did an amazing job on this kitchen! I love, love, LOVE that you switched the hutch to be used in your kitchen. Stroke of genius. I have a hutch in our kitchen and because our house is so old it doesn't really work as a kitchen for us so we are going to turn our DR into an eat-in kitchen and use the "old" kitchen as a mudroom, craft room, office. Everyone keeps telling us to remove the hutch and have a pass through instead but I keep saying NO WAY! That thing will hold a boat load of crafty goodness!

    And the countertops really were a surprise. They look amazing and I would have never guessed that they were laminate. Well Done. I now have a new idea for my kitchen…..if we ever get moving on it! Have the Merriest of Christmases!
    Kim

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  52. Laurel, I found you via Deborah's blog. No wonder she featured your kitchen remodel; it's fantastic! I love everything about it, and really appreciate your respect for the history of your cottage. My husband and I have been searching for a cottage that hasn't been remuddled (screwed up). It's almost impossible to find. I have no idea what people are thinking when they take a beautiful older home and modernize it to the point where it's original architecture is unrecognizable. (Excuse me for ranting, can you see this is a pet peeve of mine?) Anyway, you have restored my faith in humankind to remodel sensibly. LOL. Congratulations! Well done. It's beautiful, functional, and inspirational. I have pinned it to my Fabulous Kitchens board. And I'm following you so I can be inspired more and more as we continue to look for a home to love as you love yours. Thank you, Laurel. Have a Very Merry Christmas -- Nancy @ A Joyful Cottage

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  53. Oh Laurel - it's just lovely!! Stunning! And you captured it so well with your beautiful photography! Magazine worthy, my friend!

    Wishing you and your family the happiest of holidays!

    :) Linda

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  54. Oh it is so Beautiful! Truly, you did an amazing job! I love your kitchen too!! The pictures are awesome! If you have a minute I would LOVE it if you shared this at our Wowza weekend link party! Merry Christmas!!
    http://mylove2create.blogspot.com/2013/12/wowza-weekend-link-party-35.html

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  55. LOVE IT! FEATURING this on The Patriotic Pam this weekend. Thanks for sharing. Stop back by to check out the feature, goes live tonight at 7pm (EST).
    Happy New Year!
    Pam @ The Patriotic Pam

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  56. Laurel -
    I'm just now seeing how fabulous your kitchen reno turned out! I've been off line a lot the past few weeks with working and xmas but I'll be featuring this on MOd Mix MOnday this week!
    It looks great!

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  57. Laurel, it's FABULOUS! We share a similar aesthetic, so it felt very much like home! Saw you at Nita's Mod Mix Monday, and am a first time visitor and new follower. Come see me!
    -Revi

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  58. Laurel, thank you for linking up your fabulous kitchen at the Every Room In The House party @ A Joyful Cottage. Cheers! Nancy

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  59. Laurel, your kitchen looks absolutely amazing. I love the open feel and all the charming touches you added.

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  60. Laurel, your kitchen is gorgeous! It definitely has the feel of an old home. Charming and cozy! I found a laminate similar to that for our basement kitchen and I love it! I hopped over from Joyful cottage. Thanks for sharing!
    hugs,
    Jann

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  61. Hi Laurel! Just popped in to tell you I've featured your lovely kitchen in this month's Every Room In The House party. Thanks for partying with us and I hope you'll link up this month in The Living Room. xx ~ Nancy

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  62. I love your countertop! I am planning to do the same laminate in my kitchen, and I am wondering if you did any kind of special edge or if it's just a self edge. How do you feel like the seem looks on the edges? It looks great in your pictures, but I can't really tell what it will be like close up.

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  63. Just found your blog! Love your kitchen floor! Your kitchen looks wonderful! I hope you will stop by my blog too! I am in the midst of finding a new home in NC after our recent move from Beaufort, SC. Have a wonderful day!

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  64. I've been looking at laminate countertops online and came across your blog. Oh my goodness! You kitchen is absolutely lovely! I can't stop looking at those countertops! They look fantastic!! After seeing this post, I hopped on Wilsonart's website and ordered some samples. I see it's been two years since you remodeled. May I ask how has your countertops held up? Are you still happy with them? I'd appreciate any input you can give. (I'm so glad I found your blog.)

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  65. I have looked at your blog in the past and still have these countertops stuck in my mind. It looks gorgeous! We painted our cabinets white when we moved in and we've been saving up for new countertops. I'd love to hear how you are liking it now and if it has held up! I'm also curious if you ever looked into undermounting the sink. I've heard conflicting reviews and was curious if you had thought about it too, before deciding to do your overmount sink. Any tips on the edging choices? Thank you for your blog post!

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  66. Hello! I just discovered your blog when researching countertops on Pinterest. Wonderful kitchen! Can you please tell me if these are countertop sheets yoy have to diy? I can only find this product sold in sheets. Thanks!

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  67. Hey, I was looking for pictures with those same countertops before making a decision & am so glad I found your blog! Your kitchen looks wonderful! We just bought our first very inexpensive income property to rent out & I was planning on painting the cabinets a similar color & actually bought almost the same sink & faucet-only in oil rubbed bronze & different hardware, & obviously was looking into the same countertop, & was maybe going to do a subway tile look backsplash, only now you've convinced me to do beadboard! I was just hoping you don't mind sharing what color of paint you used on the cabinets & beadboard 'cause that's the exact color I've been hoping for! So warm! :) If you could get back to me asap, that'd be amazing! Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful kitchen! I'm so excited & feel confident choosing that countertop now!

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