Major Kitchen Renovation – The Big Reveal

I guess I should preface this by saying, we are 98% done.

The main thing missing from the kitchen is crown moulding, which will be done at our leisure. Other than that we are looking at painting the wood window sills, moulding around the bottom of the cabinets, and overall touching up some paint. So, just bear with me and imagine some crown moulding above the cabinets to the ceiling, and we will be good to go for this reveal!

I am so excited to show you the finished kitchen, but first let’s go back to the beginning so you can fully appreciate the transformation!

Also, you can click on the links below to see the progress at specific weeks.

 

Week 1 The Big Plan

Week 2 New Windows

Week 3 It’s Demo Day

Week 4 The Wall Came Down

Week 5 Roughed In Electrical and The Island Dilemma

Week 6 The Cabinets and Fan

Week 7 Tile Floor

Week 8 How We Faked The Pantry

Week 9 The Doors Are In

Week 10 Paint

Week 11 The Week Of Stand Still

Week 12 A Functional Kitchen With Countertops

Week 13 The Cracked Backsplash

 

In the beginning, the kitchen was straight out of the 50’s.

It was closed off and the layout never flowed.

 

 

Once we moved in, the green wallpaper had to go and the kitchen needed to be cleaned top to bottom. We lived in this kitchen for about a year and a half contemplating what we would do to change it.

 

After a while we compiled a list of must haves for the new kitchen. It included more counter space and storage, an open concept, a large eat-in island, a pantry, and a bright space that would blend with our previous renovation.

After many weeks of planning, demolition, stress, dust, and reconstruction – THIS is how it all came together!

 

 

I think you’ll agree – it feels like an entirely new house!

The layout is open and we can both be cooking at the same time without getting in each other’s way. We have spent more time hanging out in the kitchen than we ever have before.

I wanted to keep the kitchen palette bright with white cabinets and countertops.

Taking out the wall certainly helped bring in tons of light from the dining room windows.

The kitchen needed a darker element in order to not look so sterile. The wood floors from the dining room and the dark gray tile in the kitchen help create contrast against the white cabinets and countertops.

Let’s talk about the backsplash – I love the impact of taking it up around the window to the ceiling.

Also, it is unobstructed with outlets, which are hidden tucked under the upper cabinets.

 

 

The goal was to create an open, unobstructed view into the dining and living room.

The only thing that could potentially stand in the way was the island vent. Usually you find them hanging over the cooktop to collect smells and steam. It was a challenge to find a flush mounted fan, but I am delighted with the way it blends in with the ceiling.

 

 

 

Overall the kitchen has a ton more storage!

There are 25 lower drawers alone and plenty of upper cabinets.

I should also mention we ended up with a great pantry for food and small appliance storage! It started out a little rocky with the stair header underneath, but it turned out wonderfully with roll out drawers even!

I am looking forward to adding some more decor pieces to tie in some color.

My inspiration for color will come from the multicolored blanket we have hanging on the dining room wall.

 

 

It is so hard to believe we have finally made it!

We started the One Room Challenge around 14 weeks ago and the transformation in that time has been unreal.

We are so grateful for everyone who has helped us along the way. There would be no way we could have done everything ourselves! Though, if you are thinking of doing your own renovation, don’t be overwhelmed or intimidated to start yourself. You can accomplish more than you think, even with limited skills and resources.

We now have our dream kitchen and I don’t think we will ever leave. It feels even better to actually use this portion of our house once again and we are enjoying every minute of it!