Sep 9, 2013

Kitchen and Dining Room Remodel

I'm getting a new kitchen! 

Except for the purchase of new appliances earlier this year, I've lived with the same kitchen for almost twenty-five years. I've had the same lay-out, cupboards, floors, counters, sink, and appliances for  twenty-five years. The only thing we had to replace in all that time was the faucet about ten years ago, and I repainted my cupboards myself about two years ago. 

Notice I said had to replace. I sure wanted to replace and update all those things, but as long as everything worked, wanting new ones wasn't enough of a reason for us to spend the money or waste the resources. There were always better things on which to spend our limited income, like the bills, car repairs, family vacations, and college educations. (I bet it's the same way for 
a lot of you, too.)

Now our daughters have graduated from college and moved out on their own, and we've managed to finally save enough money to fix up our old kitchen. I've been researching and reading and pinning and measuring and shopping and planning, and I'm so excited to get started that I could practically burst! 

Of course I have to share it all with you!

 This is my dining room.


 You can see the kitchen and the dishwasher there just beyond this built-in china cabinet, and the family room is beyond the kitchen down a hallway.


 If you step through the dining room door to the kitchen, this is that wall with the dishwasher in front of you. 


The sink and window is to your right. (I think I need a wide angle lens because my kitchen is so small.)


This is the wall to your left.


 And if you turn back around towards the dining room, this is the wall behind that china cabinet. This wall is coming out to open the kitchen to the dining room.


Witt Construction via houzz
 This is my inspiration photo I found on houzz by Witt Construction. Our kitchen will be open like this to our dining room, which is open to our living room. I'll have the open concept floor plan that I love! 

We absolutely could not part with the beautiful 103 year-old built in china hutch that's original to this house, though, so we're having it moved to the back wall of the kitchen above the dishwasher where it will still be seen from the dining room and now hold our everyday dishes.

Country Living
  Like in this inspiration photo from Country Living.

 Before on the left, with our inspiration on the right.


 Before on the left, with our inspiration on the right. We're hoping to have wood counters and a bead board back splash like this, too. Both of these finishes could have been found in our 1910 cottage the year it was built.

   
 Future floor plan with the wall removed.

We'd love to hear what you think about our plans so far, and we'd especially love to hear any advice you have for us about remodeling our kitchen as we get started. We meet with our contractor tonight to sign our building contract, and then I guess we start packing up our kitchen. Of course, I'll take you with us as we progress through our remodel.

I'm so excited!

 But first I better finish today's project which is repainting our guestroom. It's off to the store for more trim paint. 

I hope you have a great day!

I'm sharing my new kitchen plans with these great parties!


33 comments:

  1. How exciting Laurel! I have an open concept plan and love it. Looking forward to sharing in your progress.

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  2. I just finished with my kitchen renovation Laurel and I'm so excited for you! I think that is a perfect idea and the china cabinet was one of the beautiful things I noticed first - those butterfly hinges on it are gorgeous! Love the open concept too! If you have time, do check out my kitchen too. :-)

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  3. WWWWWWHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE - I am so so excited for you- though I actually really love your kitchen and dining as is, with those inspiration pics I can def see why you wish to do this.

    Also loving the new colour on your guest room walls. yay, well done.

    This is going to be fun as you go forth with your redesigns, how exciting!!

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  4. I am so excited for you Laurel.Plans and inspiration pictures are wonderful.
    Awaiting your reveal :-)

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  5. Oh my, I just love it when a gal gets her kitchen! I can't wait to see. I adore that old house of yours. I'm so glad you're not getting rid of that lovely historical piece. I would have had conniptions!
    Brenda

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  6. Ooooh! Lucky YOu! I can't to see how it goes!
    Take time to enjoy our weather!!

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  7. I'm so excited for you!!! This is awesome - I love your plans and ideas. You have such a great flair for these things, I know it will come out fantastic!

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  8. Laurel, I am so excited for you! Your inspiration pictures are gorgeous and since your home is already beautiful, I am sure your kitchen remodel will turn out perfect! Can't wait!
    -Shelley

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  9. I am so happy and excited for you Laurel! That's one of the perks of being our age... we can finally do these things! :)

    I can't wait to follow the journey!

    gail

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  10. I absolutely love your kitchen now, but can't wait to see it all finished! Gorgeous!!

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  11. Looking forward to see all the new things in your kitchens. You are very talented and it will be beautiful I am sure!

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  12. Laurel,
    I cannot wait to see what happen in the kitchen. I know it will be awesome. Good luck.
    Kris

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  13. Laurel, your kitchen is already so pretty. Can't wait to see what you do. It will be just perfect!

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  14. Your home is lovely already...including the kitchen, so it is going to be very nice indeed when you do your update yet retain the charm of older homes / going to be fun to follow along and see it! :)

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  15. Laurel,
    Your kitchen is already very charming as it stands, but I'm very excited for you and can't wait to see the final results of your new kitchen to come. I really like the bead board backsplash idea and the warm color the countertops will bring in. The open concept will definitely be a big plus too! I'm sure the remodel will end up being terrific because your thoughtful planning and decorative touch will be shining through!

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  16. I am so excited for you. Are you ready for all the kitchen interruptions involved with a major reno? I love how you are going to save the old china cabinet. Well thought out.
    Good luck.
    *Smiles*

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  17. Oh Laurel, I am so excited for you!!! This will be so much fun and the plan looks great. It seems you have done your homework, and saving that china cabinet is a great idea. Can't wait to see the goings on and what you decide and pick out!! How exciting.

    Cynthia

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  18. I love your kitchen now!! It's gorgeous. I know your new kitchen will be gorgeous too!!

    Kathy

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  19. I'm so excited for you----Yipppeeeee!!! Can't wait to see the finished product.

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  20. Laurel,
    Love your kitchen and the paint color too!! I love that you have lived here for the length of time you have! That makes me happy:) Love that you are keeping your historical china cabinet!
    And I love what you are going to do to improve your kitchen!!
    So-you could say it is Wonderful!!
    Happy Hugs,
    jemma

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  21. I'm so excited for you! We did a complete "gut-job" on the kitchen in our previous home and have done several DIYs here. My advice is to be patient and realize there will be delays & issues along the way, but everything will work out. It will absolutely be worth it! I think your plan is great, and I really like that you are saving the china cabinet.

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  22. I have no remodeling exerience to share but I LOVE what you have planned. I think it is great that you are preserving the old cabinet and that the changes you are making really fit with the style of your home. New follower looking forward to seeing your project become a reality.

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  23. My first thought was ....but what about that built-in? I love it! Glad to hear you are moving it to the kitchen. I'm sure your new kitchen will be great. I'll be looking forward to the posts about its progress.

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  24. Oh, how exciting! I can't wait to see how it all turns out.

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  25. Oh my goodness, I'm so thrilled for you Laurel! It's going to be so bright and open. I love your inspiration photos. And I'm so glad you are keeping the cupboard. This is going to be so much fun to watch!!!

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  26. Lucky You! It must be exciting planning and choosing all the items that will go into your new kitchen. Enjoy the process. I found your blog on, "From My Front Porch To Yours," and I am your newest follower.
    Patty at Home and Lifestyle Design

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  27. So excited for you, Laurel! I know it will be a dream come true kitchen for you! Can't wait to see the progress unfold. By the way, I just went to Anthropologie and bought that bumble bee plate, I had to have it! Thanks for stopping by with your wonderful comment!

    Hugs,
    Jody

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  28. Your before beats my present by a long shot! I love the small kitchen and the cabinet in the dining area. I guess opening up will be better. I am wondering if in the distant future people will wall up large spaces back to the cozy small rooms of the 1940's and 1950's!

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  29. I think your kitchen is great the way it is but I know there's always the little things that annoy you when you're actually using the space. Thanks for sharing! Stop by my Friday's Five Features and link up this post (and others)! diy-vintage-chic.blogspot.com/2013/09/fridays-five-features-no-8.html

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  30. I love your small kitchen and dining room...but I guess you know what you want and will do an amazing job, which I can't wait to see it...I adore kitchens, no matter what size! I am your newest follower, so I know I won't miss your kitchen rebump, lol.. I hope you like to follow back. Have a nice weekend.
    FABBY

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  31. How exciting!! I love your kitchen now, and I am so excited to see what you do with it. I dream about the day when I can change/design my own!

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  32. Laurel can not wait to see it when it is all done! Thanx for sharing at THT.

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  33. I am so excited right there with you! I can't wait to watch the transformation! :)

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