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.
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!
Hi Rhoda, I love your home! Great Job! I wanted to know if you would share with me the brand and color of the yellow/gold paint that you used in the other room. It had a stencil over it on the wall in your office. That’s the exact color I have been looking for.
Thank you very much,
Ann
HI, Ann, if you mean my current office, it’s Fennel by Pratt and Lambert, but Sherwin Williams also has the formula.
Hi Rhoda! Would you give me information on your bamboo (style) blinds in the kitchen? There are so many out there and I’m trying to narrow down my choices!
Your home is gorgeous and so are you!
HI, Julie, I’d be happy to share. I’m a brand ambassador for Payless Decor and love the products I got from them. My kitchen has Java Vintage bamboo blinds and you can see them here:
http://www.paylessdecor.com/Bamboo-Shades/Payless-Decor-Premium-Bamboo-Shades.asp
Love, love love your kitchen! I’ve read your blog for years. While searching for reviews, pics or ANY info on the Blanco Silgranite sink in Metallic Gray, I came across your blog again! I’m sink shopping right now and your sink in the single bowl is my front-runner. How are you liking it now? I have Typhoon Bordeaux granite and am bouncing back and forth between a sink in white or gray. There are very few reviews on this gray model. Thanks!
Hi, Kristin, I absolutely LOVE my Gray sink by Blanco. I could not be happier with it. I had a black double bowl in my old house & love this one even more. The gray was the perfect choice for my kitchen.
Great to hear, Rhoda. Can’t wait to get mine put in! I appreciate you getting back to me.
I love what you’ve done! We were just at Ikea looking at the Adel white last night. Question, in the store they look more off white than white, but in your pictures, they looks so bright white and fresh and crisp. In real life, is it more off white? Or does it have a lot to do with lighting in the space? We really want white, but I also fell hard for the Shaker style Adel cabinets. Thanks for sharing!
Hi, Alyse, I think the Adel cabinets are the perfect off white. Not too bright white like some of the old laminate cabinets are, but really a pretty shade of creamy white. I am in love with them. I went with a slight creamy tone in my subway tile too. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. They will read nice and white, trust me!
Hi Rhoda, I LOVE your kitchen! I am redoing my kitchen and using yours as my inspiration! Where did you get your kitchen hardware from? I especially love the pulls on the large drawers. You did such a great job!
Thanks, Alyson
HI, Alyson. thanks so much! My kitchen cabinets and hardware are all from Ikea.
Hi..
Just found your blog! I really like your style. Your story is inspirational, too. I’m an Atlantan (been one forever). Thanks for sharing your style, story and ideas!
Thank you for stopping by, Trudie! Hope you’ll hang around with me.
Can you please tell me what brand/model of faucet you used. I like it very much and would like to use it in my new kitchen.
Hi, Terri, it’s Moen Anabelle, in Oil Rubbed Bronze.
Hello Rhoda,
I just stumbled on you site today while looking for French Country ideas for my 1970 something split level. I’ve looked at your pictures and couldn’t believe how your before pictures looked like my house. I guess in the 70’s most split levels were built very similar! I too have had a rocky road and am finally in a place where I can start working on my house room by room to get my home the way I want it before retirement. Your site is pure inspiration for me!
I do have a question … your kitchen floor is not original. Did you go with hardwood? Was your entire house hardwood or did you have to install it? My carpet and vinyl flooring has got to go!
Luckily when I purchased the split level the end of 2006, the kitchen cabinets were just installed and nothing I need to worry about! The walls and the floors are screaming “help!”
HI, Carol, thank for stopping by! I’m glad you are finding some inspiration for your 70’s house too. I have had fun fixing mine up and glad the worst is behind me. I did replace all my flooring. There were old hardwoods in the kitchen and dining room, but I had to rip them up to get the look I wanted and have the whole house cohesive. I have hardwoods on the main level and upstairs in all the bedrooms too. Best decision ever! I got engineer hardwoods from Shaw Floors.
Hi Rhoda, I’ve kind of been using your kitchen as inspiration along the way as we redo ours. It’s just lovely. We, too, used an off white subway tile that we were planning on grouting with a color as close to the tile color as possible. However, after living with it un-grouted for a week or so, we really like how it looks and yours has a similar look. Can you tell us what grout color you chose? Thank you for any advice you can give us. You’ve done a GREAT job!!
HI, Kathy, thank you. Here is the post I did on the subway tile and grout, with grout color & all the info, so read it all:
http://southernhospitalityblog.com/how-to-tile-subway-tile-backsplash/
It’s a medium silver gray color and I am very happy with it. I didn’t want white, but the gray is a nice accent color esp. with my granite color. If I can find it quickly, I’ll come back & update here. But,
I’ve just discovered your blog; Hometalk had a link to it through Facebook today. Your new kitchen looks so lovely and fresh! I love that you added a whole lower section of nothing but drawers. That feature is on my wish list in my dream kitchen, as well. My aunt has lower drawers in her kitchen and it is so much easier to find items this way.
Hi Rhoda!
Just curious, and I’m sorry if you’ve mentioned this, but I don’t see it. Where did you find the light above the sink? I just love it!
Kim
HI, Kim, that light is from Ballard Designs. Got it at the Roswell Ballard outlet for a great price.
I have been following you on Facebook for a few months but never really read about you until tonight. I really admire your courage to keep going, creating, and inspiring women despite your hardships. I love your fashion posts. What a great idea. It is so hard to know how to dress when you get to be over sixty. Thanks for the ideas!!
I just hopped on over from your Ikea post and I’m drooling over your sweet kitchen! Now I want to go home and rip out my kitchen and start over!! I’m stalling on a kitchen reno as I have some other big construction I’d like to do at the same time (connecting house and garage) so I’m afraid I’m stuck with my 90’s style kitchen for another (long) while. I guess it’s better than the 70s style you started off with so I shall count my blessings!
Hey, Debbie, thank you so much! I’m still so happy with my new kitchen, best to you on getting yours updated one day too. Amazing how those decades were so obvious!