2.29.2012

Kitchen Remodel

Right before Christmas we decided to finish remodeling our kitchen. See, we half did things 2 years ago and never got around to the rest. We talk about what we want to do with certain spaces and then never get around to doing it.

This is going to be a lengthy post with picture overload so bear with me, mmkay?

So here's what we started with over 2 years ago...




These pictures were all taken before the previous owners were completely moved out so their junk is still sitting around everywhere. But seriously, don't these pictures make you want to puke?!? I do {gag}.

When we first started working on fixing up this revolting mess, we removed those weird decorative barrier wood things on top of the bookcase. And the heavy cedar beams that run around that opening to the kitchen. Buh bye! I mean, what are those things away? Hideous! So if you look at the cabinets, there is this weird braided thing running down the inset on all of them. Those were barely stapled on so we popped those off too. And we also did away with all the ugly scalloped trim along the top of the cabinets.

Ok, so after we did that destruction, next came paint. Painted the cabinets, the walls, trim, painted that bookshelf, got a new dishwasher and fridge and all new hardware.  And then we stalled out. About a year later I couldn't stand that awful lemon yellow tile. We put up a faux tin backsplash. Then another year went by. We had talked of putting a bar top on the top of the bookshelf and adding a kitchen island, but never did. And lets not forget that we still had the old fake butcher-block laminate countertops. I LOATHE those counters. They are the same ones my parents had growing up, ugh, gross.

Now that you are up to speed on what we did in the beginning, let's talk about what we completed this Christmas....

I want a kitchen island. Mr. wants the bar top. Are they both going to fit and still have walking room?? We don't know. I found a desk with a hutch on Craigslist for $20 that I wanted to convert into the island. It was solid wood and in excellent shape. So we brought it up into the kitchen and put an old door on the bookshelf to see if this was going to all work.


Yep! Looks like it will work out just fine :)

When we were doing this, we were shocked at how perfect that door was. Right length. Right height. And free! I'm totally giving Mr. Perfect credit for this idea...it was all him. Saved us from having to buy wood. I LOVE the fact that we recycled a door that had no use in the basement. Win Win!

Let's get to the good part....the REVEAL!!! YAY!!







It's a breath of fresh air in here. I absolutely love how it all turned out!

Our kitchen has been so much more useful since adding the island and bar. See the laptop over there on the end of the bar? Yep, that's where I sit to do all my blogging and blog stalking and pinning :)

Let's look at the before one more time...
PUKE! And the after...
AHHH..

Friday I'll show you the process of making the island so watch for that.


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20 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh, SOOO much better!! Kitchen remodels can be so scary. This turned out so cute! Looking forward to that island how-to. I'd like to do that someday. When I have a kitchen that belongs to me and not to the apartment manager/owner/whoever I'm paying rent to.

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  2. How do you like the faux tin backsplash? Hubs and I have been thinking about doing that to our kitchen, but haven't heard how people like it. It really looks great!

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  3. Nice transformation! The kitchen looks so cheery and bright and useful now! And the backsplash looks great!

    I just put up my kitchen remodelling pictures as well, come by and check it out!

    www.onedogwoof.blogspot.com

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  4. This is awesome! Such a huge difference! I bet you love being in your kitchen so much! I would love for you to stop by and link this up to our Naturally-Nifty party!

    http://www.natural-nester.blogspot.com/2012/02/naturally-nifty-linky-party-4.html

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  5. I Love what you did with your kitchen. It is so open and airy and has a new life.
    Great job!

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  6. Wonderful! It is actually REFRESHING to look at the old and then at the new. I just kept scrolling up and down lol. I found you on my girlish whims link party. I linked up about my sones new love for making mosaic house numbers

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  7. Wow! That looks so amazing! It looks so fresh and pretty now! You did a great job!!

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  8. Love your new bright kitchen. I'm your newest follower. Come check out my blog @ http://sister-number-5.blogspot.com

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  9. This is one of the best before & after kitchens ever!! thanks for posting this. I'm featuring you on our link party this week. come on over and check it out!

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  10. WOW! Your kitchen looks amazing. I bet the owners before you had no idea. I love a good remodel story and honestly, yours takes the cake! Great job!

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  11. YAY!! I love the curtains. They're amazing!! What a fantastic reveal. This makes me want to make over MY kitchen! Thanks for sharing at oopsey daisy!

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  12. Hey, just wanted to let you know that YOU had the most views of Show & Share last week! Congrats!

    http://southernlovely.blogspot.com/2012/03/show-share-29-features.html

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  13. The changes look really good also.But for me the old one is still good looking for me.Look classic and simple.But anyway the new one is also great.congrats for a good kitchen renovation.

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  14. Its like you took all the sadness out of the room. Beautiful!

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  15. You have an interesting idea with the island kitchen. You pulled it off quite well. Great job! I believe the next important thing with the kitchen is maintaining its beauty. :D Clean up spills as they occur so you won't be faced with one huge cleaning session. Try cleaning the countertops with white distilled vinegar as a way to avoid using harsh chemicals. You’ll also be glad to know that it is environmentally friendly and very economical.

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  16. I enjoyed reading your articles. This is truly a great read for me. I have bookmarked it and I am looking forward to reading new articles.

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  17. Much, MUCH better! You captured simplicity and elegance in just one look. I like the details on the cabinetries and the countertops. The bar chairs covered with white fabric is a nice touch, as well. You are right! The entire design made your kitchen look fresher. Way to go, Meredith!

    Herb Koguchi

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  18. Great work done with creative ideas. It prove useful for all those who are planning to remodel. looking wonderful.

    kitchen remodeler andover ma

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  19. Hi there, nice post. This is an interesting and very informative topic. Thanks for sharing you thoughts on this issue. Keep it up, looking forward to read another one in the future. Cheers!
    Kitchen remodeling is not only an aesthetically pleasing renovation for your home, but also a great investment with tremendous resale value. Kitchens are considered the center of the home.
    Kitchen remodeler in wenham

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