Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Farmhouse Kitchen Update: Freshly Done!

I'm sure by now you thought I'd never show you....and to be truthful there are several minor details that aren't done, but I didn't think it'd make any difference to you if my antique crank phone was back on the wall or the outlet cover in the corner by the dog dish was mounted before I snapped the pictures. I had been waiting for a bright, sunny day to avoid using flash, but alas, the weather in these here parts ain't been cooperatin'.
Shucks.

Warning: this post is the opposite of short.

So here goes! (Remember that you can click on any photo to enlarge.)

We began our 28th year anniversary day tearing apart the old kitchen (on July 18th). You can read more about that whole deal here in a series of posts under the category "kitchen remodel". (If you scroll down to here you can see the kitchen the day we tore it down.)

Finally, the first week of October we got most of the small details taken care of and I can show you the results of all that hard work. I'm very pleased with how it all came out and the thing I love the most is the colors and my dishwasher! I can't tell you how my heart sings when I turn on a load of dirty dishes and when I can put them all away again, all clean, dried, and spotless and I don't have a dish drainer living full time to the right of the sink!

The back splash is a special material (plastic that's durable and scrub-able) that's made to look like an old tin ceiling. I absolutely LOVE it and am so glad I avoided tile. This back splash gives me the "farmhouse" look I wanted and to look at it, you'd think it was the REAL DEAL! And for those who want to know, it's easy to install. You'll need a utility knife, a straight edge, some special double-sided-sticky tape and the trim pieces and corner moldings. It went pretty fast and I'm glad my husband did it, because I would have gotten it crooked, plus me and sticky tape just don't get along too well!

We had trouble finding outlet covers to match, and I happened to find a spray paint that was silver and said "hammered aluminum" and lo and behold, it solved our problems and the covers look like they were made to match. Don't you just love spray paint?






(Here's a close-up. Oh, say can you see that paintbrush mark there that the camera picked up and I'd never seen? I need to go clean that off right now!)

In the window sill are some little salt-glaze mini-crocks ...most everything I have on display in the kitchen is stuff that I already had collected over the years and had on display here before the remodel. It's back, just in different spots!


Here's another thing we found to use the rest of the can of hammered aluminum spray paint: an old one dollar metal stool from a garage sale this spring.

Here's the little microwave cabinet that wouldn't work for our microwave that we instead purposed for my cookbooks! Turns out it's one of my favorite things about the kitchen now that we're done. I never knew that having my (prettier) cookbooks out on display would make me so happy! It's fun to change the cookbooks and the display with the seasons...and to change out favorite sets of nesting bowls: right now it's my favorite soft yellow Hen bowls from Stonewall Kitchens.

Mr. Farmhouse put up synthetic bead board inside, there used to be ugly "faux wood" on the interior of this shelf, and it now looks so much brighter and makes the cookbooks stand out so much better.

Another view...see my little pastry blender I picked up at a garage sale this summer? The table, below, is under consideration right now. It's the one we had, but I'm wondering if for this space, if we should get a round table. I'm not going to worry about it before Christmas, but if we decide to keep this table, it's going to be painted. Too much wood in the kitchen now. Oh, and we decided not to paint any of the old woodwork in the kitchen, because none of it in the rest of the house has been touched by a paintbrush and we think it needs to remain the same as the other 111-year-old trim.




The pantry is another thing I never expected to love so much. You'll remember that I had to decide whether to use this or put my old pie safe back in this corner. Well, turns out that the pantry was the better idea. It holds SO MANY groceries, way more than the pie safe and my sister Anne had told me I'd be glad I used it, and that it was a pricey piece to have purchased and then leave out of the remodel. I'm so glad she talked me into using it. Here's a shot of the inside. Both of the shelves pull out to reveal more shelves behind. No more running to our entryway to retrieve ingredients from the closet there...YAY!

Overhead is a deep and wide cabinet that I keep all my kitchen appliances in; and they all fit! No more going into the basement stairway cabinet to bring up my electric fry pan!



My sister Mary called me one day and said she was at a Ben Franklin and they had the perfect fabric for my kitchen curtains...and she got me this apron fabric in bright blue (she got herself some in yellow!). I already had the red gingham and I made these curtains. I have another piece that I stuck back to make some accessories like place mats and potholders but haven't done those yet. I'm so glad my sister knows what I like and what I NEED! It is the perfect fabric for my kitchen and I love it--thank you, Mary!



"Mom! You're killin' me!"
Tap, tap, tap....you still awake? Just thought I'd check....!
Just in case you're wonderin', that's my crazy kid on the beach in Hawaii.
Not really. She's actually shown in Colorado.

(You're almost halfway through this neverending post, so good job. *Ü*
Is your fanny numb yet?)



The fridge cabinet wouldn't work with our old side-by-side, so we're saving that for when our oldest son moves out, and we got a new, plain-Jane fridge that was the right dimensions, and it's unique in that the front panels of the fridge are curved outward slightly, therefore making it look a little bit retro. I love it because it doesn't have handles to clean, there's just a little notch in each door!

And there's my dishwasher (with the stainless steel interior) that I love. The stainless steel is nice because we have well water, and we can avoid the interior looking orange over time because of the water.





I changed the display on the old clock shelf, and here again, I'm noticing some paint that was over brushed on the woodwork, and I need to clean that up, too!


We got a new five burner stove (again, we're saving the old one for Mark when he moves out) that I thought would be handy for canning purposes. I have canned a LOT of tomatoes and salsa since we got the kitchen finished. I like the counter top and am surprised that the dark color shows so little when I'm working in here. Splashes and crumbs just kind of disappear! Jamie got me the tomato red teapot for Christmas a couple years ago, knowing that I eventually wanted to use red in my new kitchen. (Red makes me extremely happy!)

And so do these amazing red-topped canisters, recommended by Ruthie of Sugar Pie Farmhouse...I got them through Amazon.com and couldn't be happier...they hold a ton of sugar, flour, etc. and I always know when I'm getting low and they're right on the counter and convenient for baking!


Also, upon Aunt Ruthie's recommendation, I found me a real old "play" stove (it plugs in and everything!!) to use for my dishcloths near the sink...and I even found a mini iron frying pan at a garage sale for $1 that fits on the top! It makes me happy every time I look at it!

Next to it is another item I've been waiting years for and I found it on sale and with a rebate and that's my bright red Kitchen-aid mixer! Now I know what I've been missin' all my life, girls! It's the most awesome thing!

(Oh, and did you hear the news? The same day I found out I was going to become a nana, Aunt Ruthie told us her daughter and son-in-law are going to have a baby, too!!?)



I found the perfect farmhouse kitchen faucet and it's a thing of great beauty, and sits up nice and high for when I'm washin' up all those cannin' kettles, suits me just fine and I love it! And, I found the absolute deepest stainless steel sink I could find; it's a foot deep! It's something I'm going to enjoy for years and I'm glad I found it.

Goodness, this has been a marathon post, but I'm going to go ahead and give you some photos of all the cute farm-fresh goodness going on over my cabinets...I thought you'd want a look! I can't get enough of farm-fresh colors and am happy to have a place to display the goodies I've picked up here and there, each item tied with memories...who I was with and where I bought it, or what friend or loved one gave it to me.


I am so happy to have my retro-style red clock sandwiched in between my old-style tin signs. The clock is from Wally-world for under $16.


(My old friend the rooster said he'd come back in and live in the new farmhouse kitchen, and I told him I was glad, he spent all summer on the porch waiting to come back inside. My kitchen wouldn't be the same without him! He has a prime spot over the fridge cabinet.)


Oh, and my old-timey covered cake carrier and my robin's egg blue mixing bowl...they all have their own spot to shine!



See that sweet little glass pie plate with the apple and the pear in the center? My friend Shelley brought that over one day, because she thought it would look so cute in my new kitchen...she was right and I love it so much! She found it for a quarter at a garage sale and it's priceless to me! Thanks, Shelley!

This bowl, displayed in front of a garage-sale gingham tin tray, is also from Shelley, she got it at a garage sale. It looks so Mary E., and the colors are so perfect for my kitchen. She is a thoughtful friend who loves garage sales as much as I do. Every time I glance up at these pretty things, I will be reminded of my friend for life.

Here's a little tribute to coffee...with my husband's dad's old coffee grinder and some old coffee cans. I have to go diggin' in the attic to find my father-in-law's old white porcelain coffee pot and matching metal cup. They're trimmed in red, so they'll look perfect here.



Love my little old windmill...


This pair of chickens are really old and were given to me by my mother-in-law...I love them and they'll always have a spot in my kitchen!


This cute chicken came from an antique store for a few dollars, and I can tell he's old, just loved the colors. Behind him is an old dishpan.

I gained a bit of counter space in my new kitchen, and I found this really old, heavy jar in the basement that I'd picked up years ago at a garage sale. I painted the lid robin's egg blue, and it sits on the counter and today it holds snickerdoodles! I'm enjoying all these old things in a brand new way!


Since the microwave didn't have its own little shelf, we went back to using my husband's granny's old "Frezone" ice box. It's perfect anyway, what did I think I needed a special cabinet for? I keep my ugly recipe books in the little shelves behind those adorable doors ... tiny shelves that once held Momo's groceries away down south in Dixieland.

I will get another post together soon and show you some of the new things INSIDE my cabinets that I've enjoyed gathering and putting to use in this space. This post has gotten long enough and if you've made it this far, I'd say you're a good friend!

Hope you've enjoyed this long journey to a new kitchen! I'm so proud of my husband for doing all but the counter top himself, and each day, I try to tell him thank you in a new way, and let him now how much I truly enjoy this wonderful new workspace! The best thing is that we've done it together!


(AND....you've just witnessed the world record for the number of times the words "garage sale" appeared in a blog post. Congratulations!)

37 comments:

Valerie said...

Love your knew kitchen...who wouldn't? I especially love your little microwave cabinet-turned cookbook/nesting bowl display! What a geat idea. And that pantry is wonderful too...I don't have the room for a huge walk-in, but would love what you have.

Thanks for sharing,
Valerie

Unknown said...

Bravo! Pat yourselves on the back, you deserve it!

Very cute and wonderful attention to details. Love the pantry and I have the same backsplash which I also love. I would love spending time in your kitchen. ;D

LeaderOfTheChickenParade said...

I s'pose it meets with my approval ma.... You know how I felt about the old kitchen going -- I think you have just wanted to change everything since I moved out -- lol --- the 2nd bathroom -- making my room into your sewing/vraft room, adding a barn, removing our old cool barn, a new awesome Mustang, a few new doggies, and now the kitchen... hmmm..... Maybe it is because you save so much money by me not living there anymore?!?! hahahaha!!! It looks great -- tell daddy good job! And doesn't he wish he would have gotten those cabinets out of the garage 12 years ago??? My favorite is the back splash and the overhead space to display all your crap! (You know I mean crap in a good way -- you know how we kid with you about all your garage sale finds.) Maybe I will get to see it sometime in the next year... I sure hope so. Anyway nice job !!! Love you!!!

Your preggo kiddo ~
Jamie

Flat Creek Farm said...

Love it all! My faves: the embossed "tin" backsplash (been thinkin' about that very thing for a long time) and your pantry. Wow, that sure holds a lotta stuff! And you've given me an idea for outlet & switch covers in our Barn/Cottage. I have used that hammered tin spray before on ceiling fixtures & such - neatest invention! Almost forgot about it, so thank you! Great post - I just love your kitchen!! -Tammy

Unknown said...

This post originally showed up in my reader on my phone...but too many pics for it to handle. Could nt wait to get to my computer to look at it all. Soooo many wonderful treasures...I could look at the pics and find something new each time!! What a work of love too...for all of you! Wishing you many happy memories!!

Bloggin bout my Boys said...

It looks even better than I imagined! What a great job you did on those curtains. I am in love with your little stove --too cute! Love how Jamie signed her comment "your preggo kiddo"!! That new backsplash stuff is GREAT!! Looks just like the genuine article! Thanks for a GREAT post been waiting anxiously for this one! Sue

~from my front porch in the mountains~ said...

Wow! Amazing job you guys did! I adore the tin backsplash and all your pretties!
Thanks for sharing..I've been waiting!
Blessings, Misha

Elise said...

I guess I am a true friend, cause I made it all the way to the end. LOVE the kitchen...looks great!!
Elise

Sue said...

Wow, Joni, it turned out great. And what a clever idea using the spray paint for your switch plates.
I love your rooster-glad he got to come back into the new kitchen.
Congrats---it looks wonderful!

Kathleen Grace said...

It couldn't be more beautiful or perfect Joni! Every time I have visited for the past few months I have been waiting to see the reveal of the kitchen. I'm so glad you posted everything! I can't wait to see more details. LOVE the red touches and all the gorgeous antiques sprinkled throughout!

KathyB. said...

Very, very nice! I love the chicken accents to your kitchen and it is so well organized. Do you find yourself wanting to spend much more time in the kitchen? I would!

More than Survival said...

THANK you for the post and tons of PICTURES!!! So enjoyed the tour! I'm sure you will enjoy your new kitchen for a long time.... You did a great job!!
heather

The Pleasures of Homemaking said...

It looks great! I have that same backsplash and faucet! They actually make lightswitch covers for the backsplash. It's another smooth piece and you have to cut out the wholes for the switches or sockets. Those curtains are so cute too. I'm so jealous of your red Kitchen Aid. I have one but it's from back in the day when they had about 3 colors!

Manuela

Shannan Martin said...

I was so excited when I hopped on your blog and saw that the kitchen is DONE! Hooray!! I am loving that cookbook niche and the pantry is a dream come true. I also have the "faux" tin backsplash, which I adore. You guys did a fantastic job!!

Kathie Truitt said...

I love it. I especially like the 'tin' backdrop. By the way, your house looks exactly like a 'nana's house should! Heaven.

Erin said...

Love the kitchen. You did a marvelous job!

Farmgirl Cyn said...

Oooh Joni! I am SO happy for you! I would choose each and every thing you have in your kitchen! Fine minds think alike, eh? The pantry is awesome....so full of good food!
LOVE the retro style clock! And the bowls, rooster, etc....oh yeah!
It will be so much fun creating goodness for the holidays from your beautiful kitchen! What a guy you have!

Kim @ Home Is Where The Heart Is said...

What a wonderful new kitchen you have! It turned out great.

LindaSue said...

A truly delightful makeover and I enjoyed the long version of seeing details - love the sink and faucet a lot. Glad you went with that pantry cabinet - SO very practical and useful. Just charming - absolutely charming!

Mary your sis said...

Be-you-ti-ful! I love the microwave turned cookbook cabinet; it looks great with the beadboard! And the curtains are adorable, love the ric-rac on those. I'll bet you enjoyed canning much more this year than usual, surely the dishwasher is a speedy shortcut for washing canning jars and so on. ingenious idea on the switchplate covers and kitchen stool, too. Great job to you and your whole family, it is a work of love which really shines through. Your kitchen truly is the heart of your home! Congratulations and hugs and kisses to Nanna and Papa.

decorator to the stars said...

LOVE YOUR BLOG, STOP BY & SAY HI :) GIO

morninglorycottage said...

Great redo. I just love everything. You did a terrific job. Congratulations on a great new kitchen!

Sue said...

I love your kitchen! It is so cozy and welcoming! Your house is the house I have dreamt of for years-love it!!!!!

Carey's Farmhouse Kitchen said...

Your kitchen looks great! I love your repurposed cookbook area and your touches of red throughout.

Very nice,
Carey

Gena said...

I love, love, LOVE your kitchen! I'm so glad you posted so many photos - I loved looking at all of your things.

That pantry is absolutely amazing! I would love to be able to do that with one of my cabinets. It is just incredible how beautifully organized it is.

And I do love how the "tin" backsplash turned out. It is still at the top of my list when I redo mine.

Enjoy that kitchen!

Serena Thompson said...

Congratulations on your kitchen re-do! And thanks for sharing all of your pictures. : )
And your song takes me home....thanks!
Hugs,
Serena

Deanna said...

Your kitchen turned out fantastic!!!
Wonderful,
d from homehaven

Dee said...

Joni! Everything looks sooo nice, I love how you put everything together, you did a beautiful job. That pantry closet is something else, oh the storage you have! Love it, love it.

Sister Number Five said...

Finally! 12 year and three months waintin' for pics! I was really looking forward to those pictures; it was worth the wait. It looks great and inspires the rest of us to re-work old stuff into the new. Great ideas with the spray paint. I know where you could get a great table to go with it!!! I'll hire you & Mary to put the final touches in mine!Great job, Lem & Joni

Donna said...

WOW, your kitchen is adorable and so YOU!!!!! Thank you for this spectacular post!

Rue said...

Oh my Joni! It's the perfect farmhouse kitchen!! You and your sweet hubby did a wonderful job making it fit right into the style of your home. I love every nook and cranny!! Congratulations on a job well done :)

xoxo,
rue

Rue said...

Oh and congratulations on your future grand-baby!!!!

(((hugs)))
rue

gailsgarden said...

I can't believe that:
1. I, too, am a huge ME fan! So is my daughter AND her mother-in-law!
2. I want tin (or a tin look alike) for a backsplash when I get a new kitchen in a new/old farmhouse!
3. We have an old pie safe which I also love!
4. We have an old ice box which looks very much like yours!

We could be friends who have never met!

Autum said...

Joni, your kitchen is amazing!! I love all the special details that make it so "you". The pantry is AMAZING!!
You and your husband did a fantastic job!!

Cousin B said...

I don't know where to begin! It's wonderful! The cute things you collect and decorate with really make this your own special place to create for your family. But the work is amazing and beautiful. I love the tin backplash, the sink faucet, the cuboards,the walk-in! Everything is perfect! Congratulations on a job well done!

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

Your kitchen is AWESOME!! Looks fabulous!! Love the microwave nook turned cookbook area! GREAT!

And that pantry! I WANT your pantry~!

It looks fabulous!!

Thank you for visiting me and leaving such a sweet comment!

Lou Cinda :)

Anonymous said...

I absolutely love your pantry...where did you find the shelving for it? That is exactly what I need...sliding shelves!