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Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Kitchen face-lift


I'm finally able to unveil one of the projects that I have been working on for the last couple months. Since tomorrow is Wednesday I'm going to participate in Kathleen's "White Wednesday" I have been wanting to paint my kitchen cabinets since we moved into our home 10 years ago, but Mr Desert Cottage has this "thing" about painting hard wood. But after 10 years I finally wore him down, and of course, he loves it!



This is what the kitchen looked like before...


And this is after. It's not a major change but it's enough to where I love my kitchen now. We compromised and I painted only the center panel on each cabinet. Even though there are a lot of windows in the kitchen , (it's the only room in the house that has any natural light to speak of) the new paint did a lot to visually brighten the room and break up all the wood. (The floors are wood to)


Here is another before.



And after. I loved the numbered plates that Jennifer used in her Cottage 8 kitchen and decided to make some of my own. Since they were purely for decorative purposes I printed the numbers out on my computer, cut them out and glued them to each plate. You can't even tell they didn't come that way!


I made the EAT out of paper mache letters and did a real rust finish on them. When you look at them up close they look like real metal letters.




I brought my chalk board out of the laundry room and put it in the kitchen.



Jennifer was a huge inspiration for me. When I saw here kitchen my heart skipped a beat. I've always loved apple green and decided to go for it. So there it is. My kitchen face lift. I just love walking in there every morning.




32 comments:

Julie Ranae said...

How beautiful! Isn't it amazing what subtle changes can REALLY do!

I love all the windows...VERY envious of those...just lovely, Karen!

Char said...

Karen, I am so happy to have found your blog. I have been a follower for a little while now, and I have to say I love your country kitchen and the makeover. I too live in AZ. We are in Queen Creek and I love the primitive and country style. You and your blog have given me so much hope that I can still enjoy all the things I love even tho I live in the great southwest. THANKYOU so much and I look forward to so much more. You are an inspiration, Char

Amy Kinser said...

Your kitchen looks beautiful. What a wonderful place to be the heart of your home.

peggy gatto said...

May I come by for a cup of coffee, tea, a glass of wine?
I love the warmth of your space!!

Jo said...

WOW I love the cabinets- I'm always telling my girls less is more and I think just doing the the doors has proved that in your kitchen - it really makes the room pop! I love all the windows you have!

Stephanie Suzanne Designs said...

Karen,

I love the unique windows in your kitchen. Painting the centers really added "the light" to the room..it looks very nice.

Have a wonderful evening,
Stephanie

Tracie~MyPetiteMaison said...

It turned out so nice, Karen. I love all the items you have on your counters too, great idea. The plates are a real eye catcher, I may have to borrow your idea over one of the windows in my kitchen. I agree about the apple green, after seeing Jennifer's kitchen, I couldn't resist buying some Granny Smith apples just to have sitting on the desk (whoops, I mean work table/butcher's block) in my little kitchen - love the color.

Still waiting for your slipcover post, I thought I had seen it in one of your past posts, as I love the cover over your sofa. Gosh, I didn't mean to write so much... back to spending some b-day time w/my daughter. Always love your posts and ideas - I'd love to hear the technique for the EAT letters from you.
~Tracie

Blondie's Journal said...

Your kitchen is awesome, Karen!! You really worked some magic in there. All of your changes are subtle but really work so well together. I love it!!! And with all that sunshine coming through those windows, I can see why you are happy to get up in the morning!! Great job!

xoxo
Jane

Sheila Rumney said...

What a beautiful re-do. Just love your windows!

Mary Ann said...

I just love your kitchen!!!!!!!!!! Those windows are just the neatest. You have such a beautiful decorating touch.

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

Karen....What a great compromise to the painting dilemma! It really perks up the area and with having hard wood floors too it breaks it up I am sure. Your kitchen is charming!~Patti

The French Bear said...

It is beautiful!!! I love all the changes. I really love your dish rack/drainboard, where did you find that? I have always wanted a metal one!!! The numbered plates are so nice!!! Great job!
HUgs,
Margaret B

Lisa said...

Everything looks great! It's amazing how moving things around makes such a big difference. Sorta like you have all new stuff.:)

Connie said...

Ohooohh, Karen, I loooove it, honey!! I could eat in that kitchen...actually, I could eat in any kitchen, but yours has that certain atmosphere that I love so much in my home. Turned out fantastic, sweet chick....
xoxo,
Connie

Jean said...

Karen, I love all of your new kitchen accents. I too had to convince my hubby to paint our kitchen cabinets and the paneling in our family room... Once he did it he realized how much lighter the rooms were and he now loves it too. I so enjoy seeing your beautiful and comfy home.
Have a wonderful day.
Jean in virginia

Ana said...

Hi Karen,
Even the smallest changes can make a big difference. Your kitchen turned out great. Love it. Oh and thanks for the nubmber plate idea. I've been wanting some too. Now I now how to make them. Thanks. Have an awesome Wednesday.

Hugs,
♥Ana

mommyof3 said...

Hello
I love those eat letters. However did you make them I have a blank wall in my kitchen just waiting for something like that!

Claudia said...

It is amazing what a little paint can do! The plates look fantastic, too! Great job, Karen!

Michelle May-The Raspberry Rabbits said...

Karen it looks so wonderful! I know you must love walking in there every morning. I know I would!
bunny hugs,
shell

Jodie (everything vintage) said...

Oh Karen, your kitchen is delightful! I love all of the touches you made...the plates are precious! Plus, the cabinets look great ~ what a great compromise between you and hubby!!! I love love LOVE all of the windows in your kitchen!!! Great job girl!!!
everything vintage

The Vintage Vagablonde said...

I think Jennifer inspires a lot of people..it was quite a change for her.

This look suits your style well...just little touches and it looks amazing.

I always admire your creativity. I may purchase some letters myself....I have a space I need to feel. Mine will not say EAT though.....trying to watch it~LOL

The Old Painted Cottage said...

I just love how you transformed your kitchen, and I'm thrilled to be a noted source of inspiration. Thank you so much!

oxox
Jennifer

One Shabby Old House said...

Your kitchen is amazing. I can see why you love to walk in to it. I loved visiting today.
Great work
Becky

cindy said...

Likin' it lots! Pops of white really add to a lightened room. Great blog, signed up to follow. (my son's a rock star too *grin*)
peace.

Sarah said...

OH my GOODNESS! Completely love & adore it Karen!

I, too, want to paint my cabinets & siding..but talking the hubs into it is a toughy. I'll end up like you and wait for 10 years! LoL.

Rebecca said...

Hi Karen
It is good to be back!
Your kitchen turned out just beautiful! Love all those windows you have, and your decorating is fabulous
Thanks for sharing your home with us
Blessings
Rebecca

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

What a great facelift. It's amazing how something rather simple can make a huge difference in the way we feel about our surroundings. Sometimes just moving something from one room to another helps spark it back to life. Congrats on the makeover. Love all your creativity and imagination with all that you do. Best wishes, Tammy

chicroses said...

I like your kitchen..These men having something with hard woods..we just sold our home a couple months ago...had oak cabinets..It took me 9yrs to talk hubby into painting them..and just when we decide to make a major move he thinks there outdated..grrr. anyway we bought a new house and we have some kind of wood. With natural wood holes..will take pics soon. Anyway love those pumpkins. I would love to make one. Hattie fills my days with no time..barely time to paint. I like all your windows in your kitchen..Im glad your computor is up and running again. I visit your blog alot..sally

Donna, The Decorated House said...

Hi Karen~
I had the best time catching up with you! The kitchen and living room are both looking fabulous. And I love those pumpkins you made!
Donna

Lisa said...

Karen,
I always love to see your transformations. I also have a kitchen that needs redoing. I love the idea of a mini face lift. Love the numbered dishes. Lisa

Kerrie said...

FUN SITE! lOVE IT! Kerrie

Anonymous said...

Hi Karen! What a difference just a touch of white made!! It ties the countertops in too!! My hubby is the same about wood can't understand why you'd paint "good" wood!lol So this was a great compromise!! Love love all the windows in the background! Jennifer inspired sooo many in blogland and I too am loving the touch of apple green! I was going to comment on your most recent post but I'll tell you here I LOVE THE ART CARDS ALSO Everytime I visit you I tell myself to get back in the craft room!(gotta clean it first!lol) Have a great week - Sincerely, Jeannette

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