Transformation Tuesday: My Kitchen

Afternoon peeps!  I want to start by saying mea culpa for the three week hiatus (i.e. radio silence on here blog).  I was on a vacation in Istanbul with family, including the cutest 13 month old twins ever. So, despite my every intention, blogging just wasn't happening.  However, I'm back now and ready to swing into action.

It's Tuesday. You know what that means! Another TT post: my kitchen transformation.  This reno happened a couple years ago when antique white kitchen cabinets were my ish.  I was debating between antique white and white shaker cabinets (note, the color of the cabinets had to be light to open up the space).  Then, a fan-freaking-tastic deal on the antique white kitchen cabinets fell on my lap, and it would have been plain stupid to pass it up.  So, antique white it was!

The kitchen looked like vomit before some major TLC.  The cabinets, the mirror backsplash (uber gross, right?!), the 1980s appliances-- errrything had to go.  The one thing I couldn't change all that much was the fact that the kitchen is not-so-spacious (we live in a townhouse, although it's a larger than typical townhouse).  I tried tearing down the wall where the refrigerator currently sits to open up the space into the connected dining and living room, but I learned that the bathroom pipes and all the essential thingamajjigs were inside the wall! Yikes.  While I ultimately couldn't tear down that wall, I tore down the wall where the pantry was originally located, which you'll see in the fifth picture below.

Here are some before snaps.

Remember when I said wallpaper was everywhere.  I meant everywhere.

 Mirror backsplash done wrong. 

Bye bye bye awkwardly located pantry/wall

And, voila, after the reno:

Let me tell you about the kitchen backsplash tiles.  I fell in love with these Arabesque ceramic tiles and had to have them.  And get this, I got the tiles at a fraction of the retail cost thanks to Craigslist (and these were not easy tiles to find in stores which is why the CL find was such a big deal) Score!! I don't think my contractor, who had to install each tile individually, shared my sentiments-- especially when we realized after starting the installation process that some would require a bit of"shaving" on the outer edges to get the right fit.  I felt his ire at the time. I think (hope) I'm forgiven now.

I used the original granite countertops based on an agreement with the hubs that we would replace the granite with a quartz countertop a year later.  Uh, it's been two years and his repsonse now is "you wish."  I'm willing to let this one go knowing a future move is imminent.  You got lucky, Mr!

This is the breakfast nook in the kitchen (you can see the before above).  One of the key features of this house that made me drool are the floor to ceiling windows (similar setup in the master bedroom). The light oak window frames weren't working for me, so we painted them white. 

And that's that for my kitchen renovation.  

If you are looking to give your kitchen a facelift, but don't want to drop a big chunk of change, there are a few simple steps you can take to spruce things up.  

Kitchen Cabinet Facelift

First, if you aren't bananas about the color of your cabinets, change it with paint.  I am all for DIY projects, but in this case, hire a professional to paint your kitchen cabinets.  Trust me.

Kitchen Jewelry

Second, a super inexpensive and easy way to take your kitchen from drab to fab is changing up the hardware. You would be surprised at the transformation you'll witness if you change the cabinet knobs. I chose brushed nickel cabinet knobs and a nickel sink faucet after testing a few options, including brass, which clashed with these antique white cabinets. If you are looking for something fun, check out Anthropologie's knobs like these ones.  If you're really in a daring mood, consider an eclectic mix of knobs.  

More Accessorizing

Lights. Incorporate hanging lights in your kitchen if your space allows for it.  I went with a brushed nickel pendant over the sink, recessed lights for more light (my husband added a dimming feature, ha ha), and a gold chandy in the breakfast nook.  Don't stop there, consider an accent rug in your kitchen.  I am looking at some options, but haven't settled on one yet.  When I do, I'll share.

Do you want to renovate your kitchen, but not interesting in giving an arm to do so, shoot me a message by clicking here.