Before we dive into today’s post about kitchens, let me just tell you about a fun giveaway coming on Monday. I’m partnering with an exciting online decor company that you’ll be reading about then AND they want to give a little something to my readers! So, don’t forget to stop back by on Monday to sign up for the giveaway. You’re gonna love it!
Kitchens are such an important part of a home, the center of living, where all the food preparation and lots of hanging out is done, so isn’t it nice to have a pretty and functional kitchen? While I would be very happy to have any of the kitchens below, mine does not resemble any of them, however, I’ll be happy to do a little facelift in there and have it a bit more functional.
(Southern Accents)
I think this one above is my favorite. So classic and traditional.
(Southern Accents)
And of course, I just love all the open shelving on this one, even though it’s probably not all that practical. Anyone have open shelving and do you like it?
(Coastal Living)
This one is so pretty and inviting too, with the warm walls and the large island. Dreamy!
(South Africa Black) Not sure where this came from
I adore the above black kitchen, take a look at how much light comes in and how open it feels. Ahhh, that is so pretty! And so we come to my kitchen. The one getting a little bit of a makeover that I’m jumping up and down about.
Our kitchen is not all that big. It’s a galley style with cabinets on both sides.
This side has an L shape with a curved corner. We’re getting ready to do a little facelift in here and looks like I’ll finally be able to get granite countertops. The previous owner put down tumbled marble tile over the old laminate and after 3 years, the grout is looking pretty dirty. Tumbled marble is also not a great idea for a countertop, as it has so many pits in it. I never feel like it’s clean. It looks pretty, just impractical to live with. So, hubby says we can do this and I’m so excited to get a little update.
It’s a functional kitchen and it gets lots of use, since I’m in here cooking every single day. I’m really loving the new tracklight in here too. The bright white light is great shining on the counters.
The eat-in breakfast area. Not one of those large and spacious kitchens, but it works for us and I’m grateful for it. Someone will ask, so I’ll tell you the paint color in here is Laura Ashley Olive 4 (from Lowes).
Do your counters look this cluttered? Real life here!
See my little shelf area? I’ve got a little something planned for that too, so can’t wait to share that with you.
I also hate my white sink and faucet. Would never pick that for a kitchen, so I can’t wait to replace these too. I’m looking at the granite composite sinks (black undermount) and it will be so nice to have everything seamless and get away from a dirty white sinkbowl. This one shows every pot mark and is impossible to keep clean. Now, should I get an oil-rubbed bronze faucet or a brushed nickel one? I’m debating that one. I’m leaning towards oil-rubbed bronze, cause I like that look so much. Any of you with the ORB, have you had any problems with it turning colors on you? I want something that will stand up to years of use. I had brushed stainless in my last house and it was easy maintenance. This will never be a true dream kitchen, but it’s just fine with me and I will be tickled pink to get a new countertop. I don’t sit around dreaming of new houses or dream kitchens anymore. I’m just thankful to have the one I’ve got.
This is the granite we are looking at. It’s called Napoli and I like the colors in it. We are keeping the backsplash we have, so I need something that will work with it. I was thinking about going dark with my white cabinets, but from what I’ve heard, dark granite shows every fingerprint and spot and it’s a nightmare to keep it looking good. Anyone have experience with that? I’d love to hear it all. I even got feedback from the granite people that they had so many complaints about the shiny dark granite and he told me that honed was just about as bad. Honed is pretty too, but more expensive and my hubby really didn’t like the looks of honed, so this is what we settled on.
Close up of the granite. This was very similar to the granite tiles I had in my old kitchen and it never looked dirty, so I don’t think I can go wrong with this. It has enough black and white mixed that it brings out the white in the cabinets, yet the black and gold gives it interest and ties it into the backsplash. So, I think this is the one!
Here’s the granite sink I’m looking at, Blanco Silgranite undermount. Home Depot also has a version by Pegasus that is less expensive, so that might be an option too. Anyone have that one?
And this faucet was a favorite of mine from my old kitchen and I had it in brushed stainless. This time I think I’m going for the oil-rubbed bronze. This is the Marielle by Price Pfister.
Also, have any of you bought kitchen knobs on Ebay? I bought some matte black ones 2 years ago that are already changing colors. The black has worn off especially on the knobs we use a lot. So, I’m going to get oil-rubbed bronze ones to replace. Do any of you have any favorite sellers or sources for knobs that won’t turn for a good price?
Can’t wait to do it in the next few weeks! I’d love to hear from all of you who have granite countertops. What color do you have and do you love it?? Do tell, let me hear all about your kitchens, what you have now that you like and what you’d love to change if you could!
Edited to ADD: In case you’re new to my blog, I posted last year about the kitchen renovation we did in my OLD kitchen in Georgia, so this little kitchen update is small compared to that one. You can see the pics here. I was really proud of how that one came out.
Birmingham Girls! I have just found out that the flea market is NOT opening this month, so we will have to reschedule that for another month. Apparently, they are doing construction at the fair grounds, so I’m hoping May will work out if they have it open again by then.
I have a similar granite counter in my condo in FL. It is 12 years old and still looks great and I am not tired of it. I have black shiny granite at a lake house and it is hard to keep clean, you have to wipe it with a clean damp cloth after you have cleaned it and then polish it dry with another cloth. It looks good when it has had care but!! It is also 12 years old and shows no wear. I love your blog! Gayle
I have purchased two faucets on EBay…both from the same seller, The Faucet Discounters. One is brushed nickel and the other is bronze (both by Price Pfister) I’ve been happy with them and about to purchase a bronze shower faucet from the same seller. I love your blog…thanks for all the great decor ideas!
Hi Rhoda,
Loved taking the kitchen tour! Your kitchen is lovely but I do know what you mean about the tumbled marble. Granite will be much better to keep clean and the type you have chosen is gorgeous. I live the black sink. I too have a black sink and I love it! I prefer the brushed nickle. That is what I have but all my cabinet hardware is brushed nickle too so it blends well. I like the picture of the ORB faucet. Very stylish too. I haven’t ever heard anyone say they turn colors but that is a good thing to research before making the purchase. Good luck on your mini-make over. I can’t wait to see your pictures! Warmly,
Alisa
Sounds like you have some great ideas planned for your kitchen, looking forward to seeing the process.
I love the black and white kitchen! I would do so many things differently, if I could have a do-over building my home. It was already built when we bought it, so I didn’t have any choices. 🙂 I have those same tile countertops and I’m with you, they never ‘feel’ clean. All of the kitchens you pictured are so spacious and open…I love that.
Can’t wait to see your kitchen, once the granite countertops are in…that will make a huge difference!
Thanks for sharing the pics. 🙂
Hi Rhoda, well, functional and not perfect is what I’m about. But I can’t wait to see the results. woo hoo!
Hi , I am full of advice for you . As far as the granite goes , it looks like my MIL granite , she has never complained about finger prints and it looking messy , feely messy I have experienced , because someone missed the mess , theirs is polished.
I have a BIG opinion about the faucet because I have that faucet , and I would NEVER buy it again , it is cheap , it drips , the finish has basically come off the handle and it now looks shabby , I am OK with that rustic look , but would love to get a new faucet in brushed nickle.
I think you should to brushed nickle and stainless undermount sink , I think that would look gorgeous and function beautifully.
I love Lee Valley Tools for knobs , so many choices fantastiv quality and amazing prices .
Can’t wait to see what you do .
I had a black shiny granite sink in our old house and it showed every water spot under the sun. I love the look of ORB fixtures, but be careful if you have hard water…that finish seems to show the worst water spots. I’ve heard cleaning it with vinegar helps. Love the granite you’ve picked out! Can’t wait to see the new counters 🙂
-Hayley
I just bought my house this past summer and am currently living with builder’s antique white paint on everything. I love the color of your walls in the kitchen. Would you be kind enough to tell me what it is? I have the most hideous stainless steel sink and I know it was a very expensive unit but I hate it and the faucet is equally ugly. As a single woman with a limited budget, I am going to use granite on the baking center in my kitchen but I am using granite tiles. I should would like it if I could afford a big old slab of it!
I have a copper faucet from Price Pfister for 5 years now and the finish is wearing off on the handle and the sprayer cracked on the seam and leaks. It wasn’t cheap when I bought it but it didn’t hold up.
have you thought of adding trim below your upper cabinets? We did ours and it really updated and finished off our cabinets.
I think the granite you picked out is very practical…those colors are very popular and I have seen similar granite with many different names. My own is also similar in color but is a juperano and has more movement. It is very good (almost too good) at hiding fingerprints etc… I will think I wiped everything down really well and will be sitting across the room looking at it from a different angle and see that there are many hidden crumbs that i missed! I have an ORB faucet, it is almost 5 years old and the color is fine. I think if you go with the black sink you should do the brushed nickle…I personally wouldn’t like the dark faucet on the dark sink. Looking forward to seeing all of your changes, I am sure it will look great!
Can’t wait to see the updates on your kitchent. I love the granite you’ve picked out. My kitchen is in desperate need of a redo, so I don’t have too much input. I agree with the white sink though, I have one and can’t wait to change it. I also love the bronze faucets and hardware, it will look great with the granite you chose. I would love to hear how you like the wood floors in your kitchen. I have always had tile, but am thinking I would like the wood better. It’s warmer looking, feeling and easier on the back and feet I hear. Good luck with your makeover!
I hear you on being thankful for your kitchen. No dreaming of dream kitchens or dream houses here either. In this economy, and seeing so many people losing their homes, I am so very, very thankful for our home. Of course I love doing this and that to it (and re-doing LOL), but we are not doing any big project (big expenses) right now. I guess we not stimulating the economy LOL. I do love your granite choice and think it will look great with your backsplash. I have ORB in our masterbath, no problems with it and it gets alot of use! We recently re-did our handles and I was lucky enough to find the ones I wanted (birds nest style) marked down at Lowes or Home Depot (can’t remember which one). My sink is off-white, but it is the stuff you can sand if it gets stains or marks – although I haven’t had to (11 yrs old.) Soapstone maybe? I do bleach for stains if needed.
Good luck – can’t wait to see the finished product!
tina
The granite you chose is so pretty! I love the little shelf you have iwth your collection of green plates! Very cute!
The Santitas chips are a staple at our house!! I’ll bring the salsa!
Good luck on your kitchen! Can’t wait to see it all put together! Love that sink and that faucet!
Hugs,
Susan
My name is Holly and I read you everyday but have never commented. I have an ORB faucet in my kitchen and it looks beautiful, but you can really see the mineral deposits on it from the hard water(we do have a water softener) and I have found it difficult to get them all off. Can’t wait to see the changers!
Your kitchen is lovely!
Rhoda: This is going to look great! I can’t wait to see it finished. My mother had ubba tuba granite in her kitchen and it was hard to keep also. It was like a huge window that showed every wipe she made. She was constantly polishing her countertops!
I love what you picked out!
Lou Cinda 🙂
Hi Rhoda! I’m the girl who asked you about your hardwood floors and you were kind enough to personally email me back about them. Thank you for that. Thought I’d let you know that you need to see my kitchen because we have similar kitchens. I have the granite that you’re considering (or very similar). Also I have antique gold tumbled tile backsplash, pegasus orb faucet, venetian gold granite, white cabinets with orb handles from Pottery Barn, walls are Grass cloth green (like your laundry room)etc. I’ve been featured on a blog called southernlady-nancy.blogspot.com this week if you want to check it out. You will LOVE this granite. You can never see any crumbs or liquid on it! The faucet is NO maintenance at all. Go for it!! Good luck with your renovation.
Kelly
I Love youor kitchen ideas! Just yesterday my husband and I were talking about renovating the kitchen a little ( posted pics yesterday). I am going today to look at new cupboards and see what we can do. We won’t be able to odo it all at once, but I am happy that I get to start.
Our kitchen/dining area is tiny too. I would really like to have a dining room but I the house just didn’t come with one.
I love all the choices that you picked.
I also like the green walls you have! I have red ones right now and am thinking of painting them to a more neutral and lighter color so the whole kitchen/dining area feels bigger!
I can’t wait to see your kithen when it’s all finished.
Good morning Rhoda 🙂
I’m so excited for you! My mom has the exact same granite in her home in AZ and it looks gorgeous. I can’t wait to see yours when it’s finished 🙂
Talk about real life… my kitchen is a reck right now from painting the walls. Stuff is everywhere and I still cook in it LOL
Have a fantastic day!!
hugs,
rue