Wednesday, January 23, 2013

If you can't stand the ugliness, get out of the kitchen

We had high hopes of getting new appliances and doing some upgrades in the kitchen with our tax return this year but it's looking like that won't happen. Hooray for medical bills and upcoming root canals/crowns! :(
 Regardless, I'm revisiting our kitchen/dining plans today because I've had new epiphanies and it's fun to day dream right!? I especially need those day dreams as I'm potty training our toddler this week. Pray for me!

  (FYI- this is the longest post ever so if you can hang in until the end kudos to you!)

Here is our hideous, disgusting, 80's kitchen. I can't believe that I'm showing you pictures it's so embarrassing. By the way, aren't soffits the best!?  I'm pretty sure that there is nothing in the one below, except the electrical for that awful track light, either way it will be coming down! 

NORTH WALL


A view into our beautiful dining room. Yep, you read that right...... not breakfast nook, DINING ROOM! That stupid peninsula is an absolute waste of space and will be ripped out...dishwasher will go flush against the wall and we'll add an L shaped banquette under the window and down the far wall. After we rip out that faux rock of course.





EAST WALL



SOUTH WALL
Yet another wonderful soffit, not sure what's in there.


See how far the fridge sticks out into the dining area? Counter depth fridge for sure when we get new appliances and then we'll build it in on the right side.





Isn't it lovely?!? 
(Some of those pictures are from the real estate listing...can you guess which ones? Yikes!)


Enough of that hideousness....here's the plan.


NORTH WALL


my kitchen 1


SOUTH WALL


my kitchen 2


EAST WALL

my kitchen 3





So, here's the specifics:
Brass hardware, probably something similar to these ones on the far right, from Lee Valley Tools...

                                                                           Source: leevalley.com via Katie on Pinterest



Black and white checkerboard flooring, set on a diagonal, probably will be linoleum.



                              Source: habituallychic.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest



I know you're all going to tell me to do tile or continue the hardwoods into the kitchen and believe me wood would be my first choice (that's what she said..sorry I can't help myself :) . However, not only do we not have the funds to add more hardwoods, we would have to refinish the entire first floor which means $$$$$$$. The floors are in AWFUL shape in the living room and the hallway....it's seriously a minefield of drywall screws IN the floor. I guess it was too squeaky in some spots for the previous owners...WHO DOES THAT!??!?!? Also, if we sunk all that money for wood or tile into this house we'd never get it back out if/when we sell in the future.


  Anyway, my in laws have a great checkerboard lino in their laundry room and I'll probably do the same. 

See....it's pretty!





Ok, bottom cabinets will most likely be darker but not as dark as my moodboards. Farrow and Balls Down Pipe is a favorite of mine and look how pretty it is with brass hardware!


                                                      Source: littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

                                                             Source: littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest


I think I want something with a little more green in it though, like this.

                                                        Source: danielleoakeyinteriors.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest


I'm definitely planning on painting the window sashes black. It's such a beautiful detail!

                                                                Source: makingmacy.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest



                                                                      Source: houseofturquoise.com via Katie on Pinteres

t
                                                             Source: Uploaded by user via Katie on Pinterest


                                                                              Source: papernstitchblog.com via Katie on Pinterest





                                 
Counter tops will most likely be laminate, yeah, yeah I know it's not ideal. Like I said though we have to think long term and keep the budget VERY small. I love the look of wood counter tops but they are pretty high maintenance. At least there are some decent looking laminates these days.  


                                                                              Source: lowes.com via Katie on Pinterest




                                                                        Source: lowes.com via Katie on Pinterest



Banquette will be built in and look similar to these.


                                                                  Source: georgianadesign.tumblr.com via Katie on Pinterest




                                                        Source: chinoiseriechic.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest



                                                                    Source: bhg.com via Katie on Pinterest



                                                               Source: indulgy.com via Katie on Pinterest



So, there you have it. Any amazing ideas or advice you have would be wonderful. 

Anyone have wood counter tops and love/hate them?

Got any great resources for brass hardware or awesome paint colors I should know about?

Talk amongst yourselves while I potty train my two year old........


(All images except laundry room are from my Pinterest)


5 comments:

Erin said...

Potty trainIng... Fun!

So your kitchen is vying with mine for crappiest kitchen. I think your space may ultimately be better, though.

I LOVED our cheapo ikes butcher block counters. Highly recommend. Otherwise, laminate is fine. Maybe get a metal edging strip.

I have a down pipe sample and it's pretty good. Also have Pratt and lambert wolf and BM gray gardens -- all good. Going for Chelsea gray next.

I'm planning to get Martha Stewart brass cup pulls. Ssshhhhh, they're a secret ;)

Erin said...

IKEA! Although I'm sure Ike thought they were his counters...

Katie Waddell said...

Hahaha! Glad to hear that you liked yours! Did you have to oil them frequently?

Chelsea Gray is SO good! Jenny at Little Green Notebook just painted her powder path that color, you should go check it out!

I love those cup pulls too....your secrets safe with me! ;)

sohappyhome.com said...

I was going to suggest the wood tops, too. The rule of oiling them is like this: once a day for a week, once a week for a month, once a month for a year, once a year for life. They DO require frequent maintenance, and if you're busy chasing after wee ones, it might not be worth the effort. Also, if you know that this isn't your 'forever home' you might want to go with a choice that will sell better in the future. I'm pretty sure that IKEA laminate does NOT have that awful backsplash lip built in (like so many home center places do), so you can still do a nice tile backsplash. And I think the floors will look great. And I LOVE the idea of the banquet!

Katie Waddell said...

Thanks for the great ideas Kati! That was the one thing I forgot to add, (I plan to do a tile backsplash at some point) so good idea about the Ikea laminates!