Thursday, February 28, 2013

a new look

Kitchen time!  We are mostly finished with kitchen projects (still hunting for a light fixture for the breakfast nook..gotta finish some painting...)  But it feels so good to be here.  Good to be done with the crazy parts.
  I walk downstairs each morning and pinch myself.
Kitchen before (well, we had already refinished the floors)





I like the antique brass hardware, warms the space up.  Knobs on top, pulls on bottom.
It's a big process trying to decide exactly where you want to spend your money,
and your (husbands) time.
There were a few ideas that didn't make it pass the chopping block, but all in all, I am loving the changes we did make.

 This little nook to the left of the refrigerator is one of my favorite places.
It's my baking pantry in a cabinet (idea ala pinterest)
I keep most baking supplies here as opposed to in the pantry.
The drawer on the right is filled with baking spices, 
and the drawer on the left contains all those baking gadgets
(measuring cups and spoons, mixer attachments etc.)
Below are my baking pans and trays. 
Organizing in this fashion has really streamlined my process.
 I love this little area in a ridiculous way.
I love that it's something one could implement in any kitchen.
View from behind the island.
I soooo appreciate how quiet the dishwasher is :)
(anything that lowers the decibel level in this house is a friend of mine!)
There were decisions to save or splurge the whole way through.
The faucet was one place I spent a little more, and I don't regret it a bit.
It's front and center in the kitchen and to me, like jewelry.
We saved on hardware (clearance find!), backsplash, and doing most work ourselves, 
but the other splurge was probably the countertops and again...we are so happy with the result.
It's a white quartzite stone with beautiful veining.
Between my wonderful (but messy/destructive) children, and my own kitchen habits,
I appreciate that it is durable and performs like a granite. 
Also loving....that deep single basin sink.

 David ran a new gas line, and my cooking dreams came true.  It's as wonderful as I suspected.

 Most all of the changes we made were cosmetic.  One thing I always loved about this kitchen was the layout.  It functions so well and has pretty little corners (like the glass cabinets) that keep it interesting.
Like most good things the kitchen was a combination of preparation (saving up our pennies) and right-timing (how long I dreamed of my own home again) and a large dose of blessing.  I feel the blessing part every time I walk into the kitchen.  It's super fun to dream and scheme and then to make it/see it happen.  Lots of satisfaction in the process for sure!
Now it's on to other projects, like actually hanging something on a wall.

18 comments:

Lora said...

Tara it's STUNNING! I love the clean fresh look of a white kitchen! How fun seeing your ideas come true! It looks perfect. I can't wait for other little reveals as the rest comes together just as you imagine it!

A said...

I am in LOVE! It is beautiful. I am dreaming of white cabinets myself :)

Jamie and Kiley said...

WOW! It looks amazing! Wonderful pictures...made me feel like I was looking at a kitchen featured in a magazine! Absolutely love it!

Christy said...

amazing! i agree with lora, white cabinets make the room look so bright and clean! i want some of my own when i'm in my "forever" house. i love all the details. that sink is perfect.

Lou Lou said...

Oh.my.gosh. You guys are amazing! I am so, so happy for you! It has been so much fun to see you guys turn that house more into YOU. It is SO beautiful! What a dream come true!

Maria said...

Gorgeous. If and when we ever buy a house, I am flying you out to help me with the kitchen :)

Erin S said...

I love everything about your beautiful kitchen! Good job Dave!

Tish said...

Seriously I am in awe of the two of you. David's workmanship and your eye...you two are amazing! This is a dream kitchen!

Totally peanut butter and jealous!

Anonymous said...

I love the lights!

Heather said...

Tara, I just stumbled across your blog and am so glad that I did! Wow to this kitchen and all of your other home improvements! Every little detail is perfect. I love reading the stories about your family. So glad you're in this ward! -Heather Grossman

Tiffany said...

Oh my WOW!!!!!!!!! It looks amazing!!!!! I would love to come see it sometime. I absolutely love love love your style! Please come decorate my bedroom. Seriously, you did a great job, it is perfect.

Sean and Janet Eyring said...

Um, could your kitchen look any more like a magazine spread? I think not! Very very beautiful. And you are just the sort of person who could be baking all day and have it look just as pristine as it does in these pictures! BTW, we have that same kitchen faucet, and we went with white cabinets when we redid ours last week, and love them.

Sean and Janet Eyring said...

*last year, not last week ;)

Danielle said...

Hey! (I'm friends with all the girls that used to live in the Tanasbourne area so that's how I stumbled onto your blog forever ago).

Anyway.

Your kitchen is GORGEOUS!!! My kitchen is so dark (no windows, same type of color cabinets, and black granite counter tops). It's a cave. I've been begging my husband forever to redo it and I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to show him your hubby's work.

What a dream kitchen!

Missy said...

This is amazing Tara. Really. I can't stop studying every facet of it! I want to pick your brain about all the details when I get to this point someday...:)

dixonfamily said...

I keep coming back to stare at these pictures!! It is GORGEOUS!! I am so impressed you guys made it happen!
I keep showing it to Jeff as we discuss plans for our own kitchen update...in the next year or two.
One question, which type of paint did you go with on the cabinets?
I'm so happy for you Tara!

S.A.S. said...

So beautiful! I love a crisp white kitchen, and this is just lovely! Especially love your baking nook, and that faucet!

S.A.S. said...

Revisiting this as we think of replacing our countertop. Does yours have a name or brand to be copied? Or is it some lovely piece you found in a local store? Would love to know if you would share... sarahstancliff at gmail dot com. Hope all is well with your beautiful brood!