Project Kitchen: Ideas and Design

Behind the scenes I’ve been working on finishing some projects in the master bedroom and will be sharing those over the next weeks until the big reveal.  Exciting, I know!  Next up on my list of projects is the kitchen.  I have some definite kitchen ideas and design choices and thought I would share my vision with you today.  Here’s a glimpse of where I am starting…

Now, I can hear some of you out there saying, “What is wrong with that kitchen?”  Nothing. Absolutely nothing.  To me, it’s kind of like going to this incredible hand scooped homemade ice cream shop…and ordering vanilla.  It’s just vanilla.  I like vanilla.  But I like vanilla a whole lot more when Oreo cookies are crushed up in it.  So I’m turning my vanilla kitchen into a Cookies and Cream kitchen.  You’ll totally get this reference a little further down the post.

When we built this house I had a choice of two knobs to go on the kitchen cabinets.  Two.  I can’t believe we have lived her for more than two years without changing them.

One thing I do like is the island.  I was able to make the change of having the whole island at counter height.  It was going to be bar height with the  step down ledge.  Making this change makes it feel like I have a ton more counter space even though counter space is kinda slim in this kitchen.  I seriously have never had a really big kitchen in any of the four homes we have owned.

Want to hear something crazy?  This pantry has a bi-fold door.  While the home was being built I stopped by to check on progress and they had a full size door on the pantry which didn’t really catch my attention but I did comment to the builder how nicely the kitchen was coming along.  She called me later saying the bi-fold door comes standard and the full size door was an upgrade which I didn’t make (I never was told about it).  To have a full size door I would have to pay for the upgrade and a change order fee resulting in an $800 door upgrade.  Ummmmm…no.  They ripped the door and trim out and reinstalled a bi-fold door.  That’s going to change.

One thing we did that I am so happy about is purchasing a counter depth refrigerator.  At the time, it was hard to stomach the idea of a smaller fridge costing more money (something hubs just didn’t get) but I knew it was the right thing to do in this space.  It makes such a huge difference in this kitchen to not have the refrigerator sticking out into the walkway.

As I said, counter space is a little bit of a premium so I don’t want to have a lot of things cluttering them up.  I do want to add some interest with a back splash though.

This is the eating nook.  I picked up the cane chairs and table at the local thrift and want to give them a little extra style.  This area is just a blank slate that needs some interest.  So let’s take a look at some of the spaces that are inspiring me to make these changes.  You can see what I’m pinning on Pinterest as I embark on this kitchen makeover by following along on my Pinterest Dream Kitchen Board.

I love the contrast of dark and light.

Now, I’m not going to paint my cabinets black but I do love the dark fixtures mixed in the space .  Remember Oreo Cookies?  This looks like you could really enjoy eating Oreo cookies in this kitchen.

I couldn’t find the source for the above photo but I do love the mix again.  That looks like it could be the stove of my dreams.

I like woodwork

This image from Southern Living magazine by Laurey Glenn is amazing.  I love the planked wall.  I know planked walls have become a big thing since Fixer Upper has become popular, but planked walls in a kitchen just feel fresh to me.

This kitchen from Modern Country Living is the stuff of dreams.  I love the pulls on the drawers and the fact that all the cabinets, trim, and wall color are the same tone on tone is so peaceful to the eye.  Love.

Kitchen Lighting With Style

I love a good statement piece.  If you knew me in real life you would know I’m known for jewelry.  I love mixing things up with a new necklace or earrings and I don’t think it should be different in the kitchen.  Lights have to have style.  Nothing plain going up in my kitchen.

Oil Rubbed Bronze Hardware

I love the oil rubbed bronze look on cream/white.  I love the faucet the most.  So much more interesting than the standard builder grade faucet my kitchen is sporting.

I can’t wait to get started on this kitchen and bring some personality to the space.  Be watching for some of this inspiration to show up in my kitchen very soon!