renovating

This poor sofa sat in my dusty basement for ten years at the other house.
I always wanted to reupholster it. But you know, kids and life and laundry and such.
Then when we moved, it allllMOST went to Goodwill.
But instead, I persevered and took it to Wayne at Daniel’s ReUpholstery.
He’s meticulous and cheap and worked a miracle.

It’s a Cinderella story, really.  My dirty tattered old sofa has new life!
Thanks to my sister for helping me pick out fabric.  {I’m not easy to deal with at a fabric store,  this I know!}

Thanks to Sebastian and Sara for picking up my lamp at IKEA.

I used this tutorial to make my chevron pillow.  It was fun and I love it but I will not be making these for Christmas gifts.


I listened to this song at least 15 times while I made my pillow. I listened via my iphone and it kept playing it over and over again. I was too busy cutting stripes to change it and I also happen to love it. Then when I finally changed it, I listened to this song in a continuous loop forever.
Then I listened to them both on my run today and I’ve decided two things: 1) I wanna marry Stevie in January 2) Nothing speaks to my soul like good song writing accompanied by the banjo.
Amen. And amen.

~~~a few sources have been added to the bottom of this post~~~

It’s almost ridiculous how long it’s taken me to get this kitchen post done. But in my defense, my light fixtures were just installed this week. They apparently sat in the Atlantic Ocean for 2 months waiting to get through customs. And sadly, now I think I should have ordered 3 instead of 2. But barring minor things like a few pieces of trim and an outlet cover and some caulk, I think it’s done.
Despite washing dishes in my bathroom sink and eating out more than usual, this has been such an exciting project. Steve’s only real ‘rule’ for this redo has been that we leave the existing major structures (wall, windows, etc) alone and find a way to work with the two full length windows that are right in the heart of the kitchen.    It was a challenge but I’m happy with the way it turned out.

I start here, with this picture, because this is the sweet spot.   This is where I stand for many hours of my day.   I love it here.  I’m at home here.   Washin’ and choppin’ and bakin’ and dreamin’.   This is where it happens for me.

But I guess we should move on.

One more thing.   Some of you are attached to my turquoise kitchen (Ahem….Elizabeth).  I know.    I still love her too.  But give the new girl a try.  You might like her.  She’s not quite as flamboyant as turquoise girl,  her qualities may be a little understated.   But she’s a work horse (hence the patriotic horse) and she’s quirky (hence the orange owl) and she’s practical (hence the IKEA sink) and well, I kinda think she’s kinda wonderful.

And she’s definitely a she.

So without further adieu, here she is.   It’s like photographing a newborn baby—I took a bajillion pics from every possible angle.

You’ll be sick of her by the time this post is over.

We chose to go with Mid-Continental cabinets rather than Kraftmaid. They just started a customization program where you can pick from a very large selection of colors. I didn’t like the stock colors that came with Kraftmaid and although there was a small sacrifice in quality, I knew I’d be happier if I loved the color. And this option was MUCH cheaper than custom cabinets. MUCH MUCH cheaper. I chose maple cabinets in the concord style (paneled doors) in Florida Sand.  I love these cabinets.   And even though they may look standard ‘off-white’, there’s a huge difference in the whites that are offered.   I ordered four cabinet doors before I picked this one.  It’s the perfect hue of off white—a little modern, a little vintage—just perfect.

And then there was the huge dilemna of how to make the windows feel like they were part of the room.   I knew from very early on that I wanted to try open shelving that would span the windows.   But what kind of shelving?  Where would I find it?   Would it look right?   Would it  be possible to ever open the windows again?

Well, I’m happy to say that despite everyone’s (including mine) bit of skepticism that it would actually work,  I love how they turned out.  I had a local cabinet company come and tackle the project.   They made them double thickness and then sprayed them with a melamine finish to match my other cabinets.    They did a fantastic job and although installing them was a bit of a bear, they turned out great.   We had to brace them to the existing cabinets on one side and then use brackets on the other—because ya know, it’s kinda hard to hang shelves OVER WINDOWS.   (I know that’s what the cabinet guys were thinking.   And dear kitchen people, I know you still think I’m crazy with my quirky ideas.   But I think we pulled it off. )

It still amazes me how hard it is to find the simplest things.  I looked for brackets everywhere and for…..ev…….er before I found these simple little brackets.

One thing I’ve discovered after living with open shelving for a while is this:   it can easily look cluttered.   Cabinet doors were invented for a reason.   I’m working on finding some large glass items to place on the top shelves to give it a more uniform look.  For now, until I find the right pieces,  I realize it looks a little busy.  I’ll still store my necessary items on the bottom shelves but I think I need to streamline the tops.

This is probably my favorite view of the kitchen.   Probably because it’s where I have the best view of my crack pot/espresso machine.

I took this picture whilst sitting on the floor.  It’s such a lovely view from here that I wished I had brought my latte along for the journey.  I sat here for way too long.

And can I say that hoods just rock?  They look so industrial and chef-y—and this guy inspires me to new heights of fried food.   Because that hood will suck every ounce of fried food smell out of this house.   I almost lost a small child the first time I turned it on.   That hood is all business, baby.
I also had originally painted the small walls beside the hood white.   But after living with that for a bit, I tried a light grayish color.   I think I like it better but the walls are so small that it may be four different colors before I find exactly the right combo.

In the original kitchen, there was a separate breakfast area in the corner.   We made the island fill the entire space and gave up the breakfast nook.   It’s hard to tell from the pics, but the new island is ten feet long and nearly fills the entire space.   It’s not only great for prepping and cooking but I love it for crafting, cutting fabric, etc.   I think I’ve taken a nap on it before.   But maybe that was just in my dreams.

And see what I mean about needing a third pendant?   I ordered the largest size they had (14 inches in diameter I think) but they get lost over the large island.   I think I’m gonna have to order one more.   And then wait for three months ’til it can cross the Atlantic.

I also have decided to order cabinet doors in ‘lazy susan corner’.    Right there beside the microwave and to the left.   Because I have four long open shelves, I really think adding doors to that corner will help in the streamlining.

And see how my beautiful queen chair sticks out right there.   Yeah, Steve has hit his knees on it forty seven times and I fear I will have to move it.    But it just seems so at home right there, don’t ya think?

The countertops are quartz (silestone) and from Dupont.   I chose the color snow white and they are truly snow white.  They are non-porous and won’t stain but they are rough on glasses.   Between the cast iron IKEA sink and those counter tops, I’ve already had to replace very many glasses.   I can be a klutz.    And these surfaces are not very forgiving.


So there you have it.    I’m so thankful for this space.  It’s modern and vintage and cottage-y and industrial all at once.

And then there’s this little spot in the kitchen where I blog and check my email and get inspired by all the wonderful people in blogland.

{Visit  my friend Kate at Centsational Girl to see where all the blogging magic happens for lots of your favorite bloggers.  And complain to me later how you couldn’t get off her site because of all the DIY wonderful-ness!}

And now for my acknowledgements:

I’d like to thank Erica, for endless inspiration and ideas.   I wish I could afford to hire her.

I’d also like to acknowledge this kitchen from Southern living which I studied and dreamed about and tried to emulate in some ways.

I’d like to thank Stevie, who has endured innumerable inconveniences during this process.  He was so kind to let me renovate this space right away.  I think he’s hoping the payoff (in yummy meals) will be worth it.
The owl cookie jar, vintage tea towels and latte bowls are brought to you courtesy of Anthropologie.

The pot of Late Summer Vegetable Soup on stove, courtesy of me.

Voluminous handprints on all stainless steel surfaces, courtesy of two little girls who shall remain nameless.

The paint color is Collanade Gray from Benjamin Moore.

The rug is from Pier One.

I ordered these brass knobs.

Pendants from Kichler Lighting {freznel lens in polished nickel}.

Patriotic Horse painting from T.J. Maxx.

I’m still digging around trying to find where I found the knobs and brackets.

If you have any further questions, I’ll try to answer them and I profusely apologize for taking so long to show you the results.

Now, have a great weekend!

So, here’s where we stand:
1. The countertops came in on Thursday and they are seven kinds of wonderful. Crisp, clean white quartz (the color ‘snow white’ from Zodiac). I wanted to snuggle up on them and have a sleepover. I missed them during the night. They’re amazing.
2. Before the dust could clear from the installer’s truck leaving, I had snipped fresh hydrangeas  from my yard and placed them gingerly on the lovely snow white.
3. My Rohl country bridge faucet is a work of art. Elegant lines, strong sleek construction and simple functionality.
4. My white subway tile backsplash is being installed today and Monday. My open shelves that will span the windows won’t be ready for a week or so and my Dacor hood will be delivered this Friday. OH, and the lighting, which is the absolute most important accessory, is being installed next week. We are so close.
5. I would love to show you more pics but it’s like trying on a prom dress and then remembering that you have tennis shoes on and haven’t washed your hair in three days. The dress is beautiful but the whole package is a little wonky.  So, bear with us while we (the kitchen and I) wait for the crucial pieces to fall into place.

Happy Weekend!

Post Edit: Y’all are so funny! So I’m posting one more pic—which shows that my sink is not totally done–out of gratitude for how you make me laugh.
Enjoy this comment from Elizabeth Highsmith, who often makes my day with her kind and generous and witty remarks:

i love you because you used the word wonky
however, lovely that snow white and her pink hydrangeas are, i can’t i just can’t
do it, i cannot fall in love with your new kitchen
for better or worse so help me Jesus I will not cheat on your turquoise kitchen.
amen

p.s can’t wait for the big reveal!

Ok, now that’s IT! No more looking at me in tennis shoes and a prom dress.