Monday, March 8, 2010

Getting my cooking groove and a kitchen reveal...

This was my kitchen before, on move in day, two years ago.



It was painted a medium green, had a terracotta ceramic floor, oak cabinets and a drop ceiling that was very greased out (and therefore even less light came through)...

Here is my new kitchen....themed coastal farmhouse cottage. I went with a two tone, open shelving concept. The color of the bottom cabinets is Behr's Seacoast, the top cabinets is Drifting Snow, the walls are Falling Rain and the ceiling is 100 Acre Rain. (isn't it interesting that all the colors deal with water...? Hope we have no leaks in this kitchen!)








We put up wainscotting (actually paintable wallpaper) on this blank canvas and added some shelves for artistically "well placed" items. My husband added hooks for our aprons. I even found a little apron for Eliel -- for when the time comes that he can help me bake cookies! There are only two aprons for I "donated" my yellow one to my husband so I can make me a new one (now that I know how!). The doors to the cabinets above the refrigerator are still in the process of being painted....those will be closed, no open shelving there. With some of my cookbooks there, it tends to be a bit messy...so no airing my messiness.





Wainscotting (painted the same color as the lower cabinets) was also added to the bottom of this counter. We decided to raise the counter and make it more usable as a breakfast bar. Prior to this, it was rarely used because it was so low -- practically resting on our knees --- that we had to become human shaped C's in order to eat.



Yup, that drop ceiling is down! It totally made the kitchen look brighter and bigger. We found a ceiling light fixture on sale at Home Depot (for 50 bucks) that matched the theme and installed that. As said before, the kitchen is open shelving (not only do I like that look much better, but I think it gives the same sort of open "feel" one gets being at the ocean). I found the beach sign at a lovely store (found online) called the White Flower Farmhouse. Initially, it was placed in our family room (has the same color scheme) but this little spot seemed to be perfect for my little sign.





It was a lot of work but Damion took up the terracotta ceramic tile floor and replaced it with a warmer, more matching laminate wood floor. We had to take up the subfloor as well because it was uneven and well, all old. I love how smooth it is and it's so much nicer and easier to have Eliel in the kitchen with me (see the pics below)! Oh by the way, the door to the lazy susan cabinet is also in the process of being finished....(there were 40 cabinet doors and drawers to do....so, we either ran out of painting space or painting energy!)



I have so many favorites to this kitchen but this sink is one of the top! I LOVE this sink and have always wanted a farmhouse/apron front sink. And the faucet -- yup, that too is new! Would you believe me if I tell you that the sink was $250 and the faucet was $94?

There are still things to be done. In order to get my sink in, Damion had to cut and move the countertop. Now we have to figure out what to do about that gap....ideas, anyone? Also, the farmhouse sink is quite deep so we had to cut into the lower cabinet. That space right there --- yeah, we have to re-install the newly cut cabinet piece and I plan to put a vintage hook there to hold a hand towel. We also have to put some tile on the windowsill and do some paint touchups.





Since my kitchen has been finished, I have been it so much more --- and completely enjoying my time. Coupled with the Eat from the Pantry challenge and just my regular joy of cooking, I've whipped up some fantastic (as said by my husband and guests) meals.

Recently, I've created what I called "Fiesta Eggs" and baked some homemade Cheesy Biscuits (recipe courtesy of Salihan, who I "met" through the One World One Heart Giveaway. The Fiesta Eggs were just scrambled eggs with salsa, green pepper, onion, garlic, basil, garlic seasoning, italian seasoning and cheese. And I've actually used my slow cooker three times this past week. THREE. As in almost half of the week! The slow cooker was used for sweet potatoes, a "pantry" soup and for cuban black beans that we had tonight.







Even Eliel has been enjoying the new meals and kitchen...



prepare yourself for an Eliel photoshoot...










giveaways

Get your craft on Thurs.
The Girl CreativeASPTL


Photobucket




<br />http://www.thethriftyhome.com

Decor Mamma



Show and Tell at Blue Cricket

My Backyard Eden
The Shabby Chic CottagePhotobucket

32 comments:

  1. I love that you painted the bottom cabinets that pretty blue! I have been wanting to do that so bad...maybe when we have our own house :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh my goodness Ellen, your kitchen is beautiful...wow!! The work that you both put into it was so worth the finished project. I love it. The colors you chose are perfect and I really like the sink and the flooring. All of it goes together so nicely and you definitely made it a beautiful cottage beach look. I wished I could visit for a cup of coffee. It just seems like a house warming kitchen gift should be sent your way. :D

    ReplyDelete
  3. LOVE this transformation!!! The colors your used are my FAVORITE. Think I'll need to feature you on my sidebar today :)

    So glad you could Mi4M!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your kitchen looks so bright and cheery, you guys did a great job! I am drooling over your farm sink and beautiful faucet!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I LOVE that beautiful blue color. Very nice kitchen. We plan to replace our cabinets soon. I can't wait. And what a beautiful boy you have.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Your new kitchen is absolutely gorgeous!!! Thanks for sharing all your hard work!
    God's blessings,
    Sarah :D

    ReplyDelete
  7. wow! that looks so much brighter than before. I can tell you certainly had a vision for this kitchen transformation.
    Love the sink, open shelving, bead board and the bracket shelves on the outside of the fridge cubbie!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Whoa! First, your son - cutie patootie. Second - that blue is gorgeous. Third - hello sink and faucet....A-Maz-ing. LOVE!

    ReplyDelete
  9. i love your kitchen. always admire the open shelves concept, but it never work for me. i'm such a messy person i need doors to hide my mess haha... lovely colours too.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I followed a linky party over to see your kitchen. It is very nice, but I want to comment on something else. Your sidebar narration of your family GOT to me. I love the way you speak about your husband. I think with a wife like you, he will be "known at the gates". AND that is one BEAUTIFUL baby. Congrats on finishing a pretty kitchen, and God bless your beautiful family. Karyn

    ReplyDelete
  11. WHAT A TRANSFORMATION! I'm big into those, by the way. Found you through blue cricket today...so happy I did. What hard work and a beautiful result! Congrats!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi again Ellen....I couldn't find your email to reply, but you can feel free to take my "I've got serious cottage instincts" button on my sidebar. :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Your kitchen looks awesome...a great inspiration...I am getting ready to do something to mine...this is beautiful. S you like your farmhouse sink...I am on the fence - I LOVE the look. You blog is fab...love the title...I am a new follower!

    Holly
    504 Main

    PS-Stopping by from So Very Cheri!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Holy cow, WHAT a transformation!! I LOVE your kitchen! That shade of blue is just perfection. I imagine cooking is so much more joyful when you're in a space like that!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm green with envy! The kitchen is FANTASTIC! I can't believe that it was DIY job. The colours you've picked and all the manual hard work looks very professional. Well done! -me@salihan.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Beautiful color choices! I've been wanting to go door-less for years but can't quite make the leap yet. But you go, girl!

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a lovely job. That is truly a total transformation!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love the colors in your kitchen. :) I've seen that paintable wallpaper before, and it is fab! You are so brave to do open shelving! It looks great on your kitchen. I have too much junk. ;)

    Thanks for linking up (when you have a chance, can you please edit my link to go directly to the party?). Have fun "mingling." :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. What a wonderful kitchen you have there. I know it was a lot of work but well worth it.

    Thanks for joining Get Your Craft on Thurs. Please join me next week for another great party.

    Lori

    Oh, btw I'm following you!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I adore your color choices. It definitely has the coastal feel now. Thanks for linkin' up to the Power of Paint Party.

    ReplyDelete
  21. It looks just lovely---and if you're like me---it inspires you in so many ways! I'm so happy for you and happy that your husband could see the potential! Enjoy it.
    hugs,
    edie

    ReplyDelete
  22. I love the color scheme! Very beautiful. Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I featured your kitchen over at Life As Lori.
    Please stop over and grab my I was featured button.

    ReplyDelete
  24. It's gorgeous! I love the colors you picked. Definitely reminds me of the beach. The open cabinets are so light and airy. Beautiful job!

    Thanks for linking up to Make it Yours day!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Absolutely stunning!! I love the coastal look!! The open cabinets, the color of blue...so fantastic! Thanks so much for linking to Creative Cats this week!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I enjoyed looking thru your photos of your kitchen. We too are remodeling and always changing our 1950's ranch home into the feel of a beach cottage bungalow.

    Great job!

    Natalie

    ReplyDelete
  27. Your kitchen is fabulous! I love the light blue, the open concept, the beach sign...love it all! Thanks for linkin' up to Frugalicious Friday. And I followed. :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Wow! This is a gorgeous transformation! There are so many parts that I love. The blue color, the FLOORS!!, the sink, the open shelving...beautiful work!

    Also, I have a favor to ask...
    I'm trying to win a party contest and would love your help! Would you go here:

    http://thecitycradle.com/party-3-spy-agent

    and leave a comment at the end of the article? Your comment will give me a vote. Thanks so much! I appreciate it lots. <3

    ReplyDelete
  29. Oh my goodness -- your kitchen is GORGEOUS!!! I love the paint color you used and the bead board. Wow - what a difference!!!

    Thanks so much for linking up to my party! I really appreciate it!

    XOXO
    Jen

    ReplyDelete
  30. I LOVE the transformation ... what a great job you've done!! I especially like the blue color AND the baby photo shoot ; )

    Thank you for visiting and sharing today!
    xo
    Jill

    ReplyDelete
  31. Thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures of your kitchen. I love the colors you picked and the open concept of cabinets.
    Great Job!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for sharing your heart!