It has been a little over a year since we closed on the house, so I wanted to share how our kitchen is looking today, what we have done, what we want to do, and what we are liking.
This is what the space looked like before we moved in. Clean and airy, but a bit outdated with wood-facade appliances, a built-in desk in the dining space, and a quaint-but-not-us floral wallpaper. The flooring was also a light maple hardwood.
Although good quality maple, we wanted uniform flooring throughout the house. The maple floor was only in the kitchen and nook, and was not original to the house (the kitchen and dining nook were part of an addition made in the nineties). So, we had new red oak installed throughout our first floor. We were able to salvage the kitchen maple and give it to my parents for their cabin. I loved being able to save quality products!
We also made a few other cosmetic changes. We took down the wallpaper and the large cabinet and desk near the range.
(Photos: progress happening in the kitchen)
In addition, we tweaked the lower cabinet by the range so that it could function as a seating space. I was able to find a contractor on the Thumbtack app (so convenient) who removed the cabinets and installed a wood backer. I then matched the stain to the cabinets, and it looks great now. We still need to install a corbel for support and bottom trim for a more finished look, but we are happy with it all for the time being.
The most recent cosmetic changes include swapping out the older appliances for stainless steel and painting the kitchen and dining nook walls and trim (as well as the entire house) and adding quarter round trim. Pete took on that job, and he did great. For paint colors, we stayed tried and true 🙂 We chose Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Grey at 75% strength for the walls, and Benjamin Moore Simply White for the trim. These colors are extended in our living room space and hallways.
Furnishings remain basic and will stay that way for the foreseeable future. We are using our same basic upholstered Target stools that we had in our old apartment at the counter. We purchased a used 48″ pedestal table at a thrift shop and painted it for the dining nook, and added these Pier1 wicker chairs.
We still need to get shades for the big windows and some art to hang on the walls. In the next few years, we hope to swap out the existing cooktop for something more contemporary, but that will also require us to change out the counters since the cooktop is large and built in. Long-term, we might make some other changes. I’ve always dreamed of a white kitchen with black counters. To me, it’s the epitome of classic. However, if we never paint the cabinets, I could be happy with a light marble or quartz as an update.
(Source: Revival Construction)
Dreaming aside, a cabinet and counter overhaul is not in the picture right now budget-wise, and also, I think it’s best we live in the space for awhile before making any more serious renovations.
On to our likes and dislikes.
- Layout. Something we won’t change is the layout. We really love the layout, which is a partial galley-kitchen. The space is well thought out and 2-3 people can work in here without running into each other. There is a ton of useful cabinetry and the quality is great. We can cook and see what is going on in the living room and eating area.
- Counters. Surprisingly, I do like the solid surface counters for now. They are durable and clean easily. I am fine waiting a few years for new counters as long as the old cooktop keeps working.
- Open Cabinets. I could do without the open cabinets that were made to keep wet towels and cloths– definitely a remnant of the nineties. I am trying to think of an easy way to change up those cabinets, but my mind has been drawing a blank. We currently store baking tins in the open cabinets, but I would prefer a more clean look.
- Kitchen Faucet. What we have is very functional, but I think a new faucet would update the space and not cost a significant amount.
Lots of exciting things to dream about. Thanks for following along!
Camp Avenue 