Before I get into the Christmas decorating, which I’m scrambling trying to finish, I wanted to go ahead and share before and after shots of my kitchen. Oh, how that space has changed. If you weren’t here at the beginning, you might not know how BAD it really was. Well, it was extremely dated, dirty and ugly and nothing short of a gut job would do. How happy I am that we did gut the space and start over.
If you’ve been with me through all of this process, you’ll remember this pic. Dated pine 70’s cabinets and this kitchen was filthy disgusting. I couldn’t wait to get them out of here. We closed up that door above that went into the living room and that was the best decision we made too. That gave me room for my open shelves and to extend the lower cabinets and countertop all the way to the windows.
AFTER: It’s a whole new space and I could NOT be happier with my kitchen. It truly is a dream kitchen to me. It has everything that I need and it’s all handy and just the right size.
Sink side before. Dated laminate butcher block, nothing in this kitchen could be saved (except for that old fridge, it’s now in my storage room downstairs).
AFTER: Lighter and brighter and my Ikea cabinets are the bomb. Love, love them!
Another disgusting Before shot, those lower cabinets were falling apart, they were so bad.
Here’s a shot from the same angle as the Before pic. Amazing the difference!
And now, it’s a whole brand new kitchen with Kashmir White granite countertops and a Metallic Gray Blanco granite sink. You’ll notice that I finally got that window painted.
And another view of the dishwasher and fridge. My cabinet installer did a great job building in the fridge and I love how it turned out.
Looking back to the dining room, this is the only door coming in here now and it works just fine. I adore my new kitchen! In fact, I adore my whole house. I added my cute little chalkboard by the door. That was a yardsale find, actually a mirror that I painted with chalkboard paint. It will come in handy for grocery items.
Those open shelves made from salvaged wood that I got from Southern Accents in Cullman, AL are such great statement pieces in here. I’m so glad I saved them from 2 years ago and finally got to use them in my new home.  That subway tile is exactly what I wanted too and I’m really happy with all my choices. Planning a kitchen from scratch can be quite intimidating and I really tried to make classic long-lasting choices and I sure hope I did.
My coffee station is to the left of the sink.
Did you notice I painted my island? I thought bringing in the gray in the rug and countertops would be a nice balance and I really like the color (which is Timbermine by Dutch Boy, in case you are wondering). And I finally figured out the best way to place it in here, all the way against the windows. I like it a lot and can still get into my large bank of drawers and the fridge to the left.
The chevron runner is from Ballard Designs.
That green pottery piece on top of the island is a bean pot and was a gift from a reader and it came from Celebrating Home. She let me pick out what I wanted and it’s a cooking pot. What sweet readers I have! Thank you, Leah! I have barely had time to start cooking again, I’ve just been grabbing what I can from the grocery store, but soon I’ll be back to cooking meals again.
My bunny chef will be on guard on the island.
And looking back towards the pantry (which I love, love), this kitchen is all I could ever dream of. Truly, it’s very functional, has plenty of storage space and I adore it. It’s the nicest kitchen I’ve ever had.
Here’s the post on the breakdown of all the kitchen costs, so check it out for all the details. It was a very affordable kitchen renovation!
Thanks for sharing in this renovation journey with me, it’s been so much fun having all of you along for the ride! I can hardly believe I’m actually in here now, but it sure feels good. Â
Don’t forget our Holiday link parties start on Tuesday and Layla’s up first with mantels! Since I don’t have a mantel, I’ll be showing you my dining room sideboard all decked out!
Monday at 3 pm EST, I’ll be doing a Google hangout with these fun bloggers and we’ll all be sharing ways to use cloches from Wayfair. It’s all about the Holidays and how to make them fun and festive!
Oh wow, that is a beautiful transformation. I love, love it! The before and after are amazing. I’d love to cook in this kitchen! Wow again!!
Rhoda,
You saved one of the best for last because I love everything about your kitchen. Right down to my fave, the white subway tiles. I have saved the name of that granite too, b/c I really like that pattern. Now you can hopefully relax a bit and do some Christmas decorating and really truly fall in love with your home even more. Have a great week, my friend. Can’t wait to see your holiday decor. BTW, me and Suzy of Worthing Ct will be in Atlanta next month for the mart. We are gonna try to met with Savvy Kim and hope we can hook up with you too. 🙂 xxoo
Can you tell me where you got your pendant light over the sink? I have been debating what to put over mine and just love the way this one looks in your new kitchen. I love your blog and enjoy all you great posts.
Hi, Terry, that green pendant is from Ballard Designs.
Rhoda, you did a beautiful job! I never thought Ikea cabinets could look so fine. Your choices are classic and lovely and that kitchen should last you as long as you live there.
I love your kitchen as much as you do! You are such an inspiration. .Merry Christmas.
LOVE! Ikea is a wonderous place! I’m so happy for you and your new beautiful kitchen! 🙂
Good morning Rhoda, It all looks so pretty.You have chosen so much of what I have chosen for my kitchen , and we are planning an ikea kitchen also . Your counter tops and tile back splash and white cabinets are all what I have picked out so I am kinda excited to see how they are going to look when we get it finished in there. Not on your level , but this summer I spent the summer redoing large amounts of our home also , so I know what you have been going through and it is hard work . You have done a beautiful job.I
Wow, this is just beautiful. I noticed the island right away and it is so gorgeous. I love the color and the details, BEAUTIFUL!
Cynthia
Rhoda, Your kitchen looks fabulous! I love your choices and how you made the entire space “you”! That is so important when designing your own kitchen. The color combos are great, and I love those cabinets.
Have fun cooking and entertaining in you fresh new space. You should be so proud!
Jen
love your home
Simply beautiful!!! You did an amazing job!
You will love cooking with the bean pot. If she didn’t pass along some of the recipe books, they are a must to have with some very yummy and easy recipes.
Melissa, she did send me recipe books too!
Looks AMAZING! Congrats on your new home/kitchen/remodel!! Say hi to your parents for me!
An absolutely amazing transformation! Turned out beautifully, every detail. Enjoy the holidays with family and friends.
WOW! Beautifully done!
Beautiful!
I’m new to your blog and didn’t see this adventure from the beginning. After seeing your before photos this morning, I had to check your location because we had these same cabinets in our house and the builder’s son made ours. We also had the same rangehood with an almond colored stove just like yours. We did have different door handles but yikes we had the same kitchen cabinets down to the knotty pine with a v-groove cut into the door face and a curvy cut valance over the sink. I have to say, these cabinets look much better in our shed where they are now than in our kitchen.
Your kitchen is bright, sophisticated and charming. I adore the wall of cabinets and open shelving you’ve created.
We still havent finished our kitchen yet, but I love what you’ve done with yours. Thanks for sharing your home. You are inspirational. Pamela
It looks great, Rhoda! I love that it has a modern edge yet possesses some country charm in the details! Gorgeous! xo Kristin
I’ve followed your blog for a long time, and I know you’ve had some bumps in the road. It’s wonderful to see how far you have come in the last couple of years. Congratulations on your new house, it’s beautiful. Merry Christmas.
Oh my word, Rhoda, it’s gorgeous! SO bright and fresh.
I looked at Ikea cabinets and just got confused, I can’t figure out how to go about putting my purchase together. Are the bases and doors separate pieces? Maybe I will give you a call for some help when I get closer to that project 🙂
Leen
Hey, Leen! Absolutely, I’d be happy to walk you through the Ikea cabinet process. It is not really easy, you have to do a lot of legwork and get it laid out on their 3-D computer program, but it can be done. If we could do it, you can do it!
Rhoda,
Your kitchen looks beautiful. I especially love the big drawer cabinets under your reclaimed wood shelves. I think I should have you and your sweet folks come stay at the Fairfield House for a month. heeheehee
Your Friend,
Deborah