FINALLY! My Kitchen Reveal

As promised, I have finnnalllly photographed my kitchen to share with you all. Like I mentioned last week, the kitchen is still not completely done - I am ordering new rugs, bar stools (we have none right now), and I'd like to add a chandelier or pendents - still trying to decide which way to go (suggestions welcome). I have always dreamed of having a white kitchen, and while this is not our 'forever' home, I was bound and determined to make that happen - and it did ;). 

The renovation only took two weeks (luckily, because I was 38 weeks pregnant!). We were not living here at the time, but my husband was over here every three hours (literally) checking on the progress since we were on such a tight timeline. 

Here's a breakdown of what we did: 

- demo: counters, backsplash 

- painted existing cabinets

- installed new cabinet hardware

- installed new marble counters

- installed new roman shades 

- installed a subway tile backsplash to the ceiling (although it's hard to tell in some photos) 

- new refrigerator

- new sink

- new faucet 

- new paint 

Here's a look at our kitchen before: 

...and after:

here you can see the subway tile - to the ceiling 

What do you think of the results? 

Have a fab weekend! 

Counter Stools

Our kitchen is finally (almost) complete, and I am totally in love! We have a few MINOR things to do before I can say it is really done. One of the things still on the 'to do' list is to find and purchase stools for the island. I have been contemplating several different styles, and wanted to share them with you all. I am looking for a stool that easily blends with the space, and isn't too noticeable. That being said, some of the looks I am drawn to are more dramatic than others...I'm feeling a bit confused. Here are a few of my favorite looks.

Industrial

via Design Within Reach 

via West Elm 

via Crate and Barrel 

Elegant 

via Ballard Designs 

via Ballard Designs 

Sleek

via CB2

via Sears

via Overstock

I have to say, my current favorite is the acrylic (backless) stool. It would definitely blend with our kitchen, and I like the funky feel it would bring to our classic space.

Which is your favorite? 

Have a great weekend! xo 

Sneak Peek: Roman Shade Install

Our roman shades have finally been completed, and were installed today! A little 'sneak peek' for you this afternoon, with more photos on the way - I promise. I am totally in love with the way they turned out - couldn't be happier!

Here were the shades/kitchen BEFORE: 

 PROGRESS: 

And again (to get the 'full effect')...AFTER:

What do you think of the shades? 

A House Update ((and a paint FAIL))

It's Friday! I am SO happy it's the weekend...how about you? As I mentioned earlier this week, we will most likely spend the majority of our weekend organizing and packing (one of my least favorite things in the world!), but it will be nice to have a bit of downtime as well. My husband will be heading to 'Daddy Boot Camp' tomorrow - can't wait to hear how it goes, I just laugh every time I think of it!

I will leave you today with a few updates on the house - some of the painting is complete, and I love it all most of it. The one epic fail occurred in the nursery - oh joy! But let's start off with something a little more pleasing to the eye...a sneak peek of the kitchen! I am very happy with the way the it's turning out...we're almost there!

Ok...back to the nursery. I ended up going with a Benjamin Moore color (instead of Valspar, which I originally wrote about) for quality and VOC reasons. Anyway, the color I chose looks absolutely hideous - like a pink highlighter! I know neon is 'in' and all, but somehow I just don't think it works for a wall color. I was so shocked when I walked into the room, and kept trying to talk myself into liking it, but it wasn't working (I was up for 3 hours in the middle of the night thinking about how much I hated it). It was simply NOT what I had in mind for the room. This morning, I caved. We are changing it (hallelujah!). I ordered three new samples to be tested in the room over the weekend, and will let the painters know the decision so they can 'fix' the room on Monday. Oops. Without further adieu, I present: the NEON PINK NURSERY.

*please note, these photos don't even do it justice

The color is Benjamin Moore's 'Mixed Fruit.' - don't. do. it. 

It almost glows in the dark - seriously. 

Let's move on to some of my better color choices, shall we? For the majority of the house, we chose BM's 'Revere Pewter,' and to say I love it is an understatement! I was having the most difficult time choosing a color, and couldn't be more thrilled with the way this gray looks on our walls - love! 

I wanted something a bit more dramatic in my office, and decided on BM's 'Stormy Monday.'

Do you like the colors I chose (besides the obvious neon nursery disaster)? 

In other exciting news, I am an auntie again to a beautiful baby boy - Graham Reid! This is my first nephew, and I am so happy for the (now) family of 4! Congratulations you guys! xo 

Have a great weekend! 

Renovation Realities

So far, the renovation process has been fairly simple (my husband may tell you a different story). We haven't had any major issues, and each project is turning out better than we had anticipated, which is very exciting. I think this is one of those situations where you're hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst. You never know what you're going to get when you hire someone else to do the job, but we feel that doing research and making expectations clear have really helped us (along with getting more than one bid for each project). In addition to those details, not having to live WITH the renovations has definitely kept stress to a minimum - our lease isn't up until September, so the timing couldn't be better!  I can't imagine living in home that is somewhat 'under construction' - especially a kitchen...props to the people who do that!

The kitchen is coming along extremely well, and I am loving all of the changes - SO happy we decided to go for it! The look and feel of the room have already changed so much, I can't wait for the final reveal!

Again - I apologize, as you'll have to live with the photos from my iPhone for the time being. I need to take my camera over there to get some better shots...but for now, these will have to do!

New countertops & sink installed, backsplash demo complete, and cabinet boxes painted white (terrible lighting, making everything look yellow-ish, which it isn't...well, except the old paint color which is now covered up by subway tile). 

Subway tile going up! Again, terrible lighting, but with the shade removed from the window, this was the best I could do. You can see the subway tile on it's way to the ceiling...no grout yet (we decided on bright white grout). Also seen here - new faucet. 

And here is the kitchen from the same view BEFORE: 

Old backsplash:




New backsplash: detail is a little better in this photo - no grout yet.




We are having roman shades made (to replace the bamboo shades) out of this fabric:

I can't wait for the cabinet doors to be replaced, complete with new hardware. This will (almost) complete the project! We chose cup pulls for the drawers, and chrome knobs for the cabinets. 

On to the master bedroom! We had a built-in made for this awkward HOLE in the wall, and I love the way it turned out (still needs to be painted). It makes the space so much prettier and more functional.

Before:


After: 

Hardware: 

Today, painting begins! We are repainting every room, and I am anxious to see how this will change the look of everything...more on that to come. SO close, yet so far! Happy hump day! 

My Kitchen Facelift & Inspiration

I have been dreaming of an all white kitchen for as long as I can remember, and the day has finally come (hooray!). Here is our kitchen before...By no means would I consider this a bad kitchen, in fact, it is very nice, and only a few years old. BUT, it just seems dark, dark, dark- which is definitely not my style. I am so excited to brighten it up, and turn it into my dream kitchen!

(sorry for the not-so-great iPhone photo) 

It's not even close to being done, but I am happy with the progress thus far. As I mentioned yesterday, the new counters and sink have been installed, and the backsplash demo is complete. Next up: white cabinets, new hardware, roman shade re-do, and a subway tile backsplash to the ceiling (I can barely contain my excitement). 

Here are a few of my inspiration photos for this kitchen overhaul. 

all images above via

via

Hope your weekend is going well!