Thursday, October 4, 2012

A Tour of My New Kitchen!


When we first went under contract for our new house, the first question people asked me was "So, is the kitchen amazing?"  Knowing I love to cook and entertain, it seems logical that we'd only buy a house with an awesome kitchen.  However, at the time, the kitchen was actually my least favorite room in the house.  As a matter of fact, we almost put an offer on another house purely because I liked the kitchen better (really glad that didn't happen though!).  Going from a galley kitchen to a "real" kitchen seemed like it'd be an immediate upgrade, but I wasn't a fan of the new kitchen from a cosmetic standpoint.  The wall color was unappealing to me, I didn't like the curtains, I thought the cabinets were really ugly, the light fixtures weren't my style... etc etc.
But I loved the rest of the house so much, that we decided to to a mini-makeover upon moving in.  Since I spend so much time in the kitchen, it was really important for me to love the space.  The first order of business was initially to paint both the walls and the cabinets.  However, the quotes we received for re-staining the cabinets were more than we had planned to spend, so we decided to paint the walls first and see if the cabinets looked better.  One coat of Benjamin Moore's Tranquility later, and it was a whole new kitchen!  After it was done I just kept saying over and over "I LOVE the new color, it looks SO GOOD!!"  In some light it looks grey, sometimes it looks blue, and sometimes it looks aqua.  Such a pretty color - I almost painted the rest of the house the same color, I loved it so much!  It also made the cabinets much less orangey, which was a big plus.  We may eventually have them painted, but for now they are fine, and they've definitely grown on me since we moved in.

We took down all the curtains, and while I initially planned to replace them, I kind of like the windows bare for now.  It looks clean, and I don't have to worry about toddlers pulling down drapes.


Next we replaced the light fixtures.  I am totally head-over-heels in love with this chandelier from Pottery Barn, and I thought it'd look great over the island.  When I showed it to Joey, he suggested trying a DIY version (his suggestion had nothing to do with the $400 price tag, I'm sure).  Since the pendants were already in place, we simply drilled holes in the lids of mason jars and replaced the shades.  SO easy.  SO cheap!  As an aside, is there any interest in a how-to post for this?


I also used an extra mason jar to keep all of my wooden spoons together.  And I ordered this super fun print on seasonal eating from concrete lace on Etsy.  It lists what produce is in season for what time of year.  This is actually our region, so it's accurate for my area.  So neat!


We have another set of cabinets and a small counter on the opposite wall, and the top cabinet is perfect for keeping most of my blogging dishes and props together!



And finally, what is perhaps my favorite part of the kitchen - the dining area!  As we were shopping for new living room furniture, we happened upon this farmhouse style table, and I instantly fell in love.  We had originally planned on adding some built-in seating to the breakfast area, but when I saw this table, I HAD to have it.  I loved the rustic look, but I also loved how minimalist and modern it is at the same time.  We opted for 2 benches and 2 chairs, so this monster of a table will seat at least 8 adults (or 12 Carolines).  I love the rustic and casual look of the benches - perfect for piling lots of kids at the table!


Behind the table, I had Joey install a long shelf along the top of the wall to house my cookbook collection.  Which, I have to add is now considerably smaller - I did a big purge before we moved, and these are my VERY favorites ones.  I hemmed and hawed over what to put on the wall below the books, and then I decided to use some photos that I took at the Charleston Farmer's Market when I attended the food photography workshop back in May.  I love having a bit of my own photography in the kitchen, and every time I look at the prints I remember what a fabulous weekend that was.

It wasn't initially planned this way, but as bits and pieces started to come together in the kitchen, it took on kind of a "modern farmhouse" theme - from the mason jars, to the seasonal eating print, the farmhouse table, to the farmer's market prints, I think it really embodies my style and my love for cooking, food, and photography.  And a bonus:  what was once my least favorite room in the house is now my favorite!


32 comments:

Nealey @ Dixie Caviar said...

What a GORGEOUS kitchen! Congrats!

So lovely hanging out with you today. I look forward to getting to know you better online! I'll be sending out an email list from the luncheon shortly, so we can connect more personally soon ;)

Elizabeth said...

This is absolutely beautiful!

Kim (Feed Me, Seymour) said...

Your kitchen is so fabulous! I absolutely love that DIY lighting. So gorgeous and simple. I love the clean, pared down look of the space. Kitchens can go so overboard but yours is an understanded simplicity that I love!

donna said...

Lovely kitchen Josie!

Jennifer said...

That is gorgeous!

AEOT said...

The mason light jars are incredible!!! What a fabulous idea! Have you thought about painting the base of the island the same color as the walls or an ivory with sanded edges? The details on the island are incredible, and I think it would really pop if it were painted a different color. Lots of painted islands on pinterest if you have a husband like I do who needs visuals before committing to anything!!

Meghan Splawn said...

The kitchen is beautiful, but, like you I'm more in love with the dining area! I can picture your family all gathered around that table as they grow up.

Anonymous said...

I'm in LOVE with your kitchen. I agree that the paint color did wonders for it.

I would totally love a DIY tutorial for your mason jar lights. I love it!

Congratulations on your new home, it looks beautiful. I can't wait to have a new home with a much more fabulous kitchen than my own!

Jessica @ Sunny Side Up said...

Josie! Your kitchen looks FABULOUS!! I love the color and all of the personal touches you have added! Just awesome!

jenmills said...

Please Please Please post a DIY tutorial for those lights! I'm equally in love with that chandelier and would love to learn how to re-create it.

Annie @ Annie's City Kitchen said...

So beautiful! I recently moved too and my main priority was finding a kitchen I could picture myself baking in. I'd sacrifice almost any other room for a good kitchen!

Angie said...

Beautiful kitchen! My dream is to one day have a table just like that. Unfortunately at our current house we have minimal table space, so that'll have to wait.

And, I'd love to see a DIY post on the lights. I am tool-illiterate, so anything to help me learn that stuff, the better!

Shawnda said...

The paint really did make such a big difference! It's gorgeous! You should totally do a DIY post on the pendant lights.

Winnie said...

Wow! Love it! I love the way you guys did the light fixture! I am drooling! I love those type of jars and use them for my crafting, the idea of a light is amazing! Your island and eating area are fabulous..

Kelsey said...

I love it, Josie. My new kitchen isn't may favorite either and we actually DID put an offer on another house because it had a bigger, better kitchen. We didn't get it, though, and I'm so glad.

Just like you, I don't love my cabinets or counters. I'd love to paint the cabinets white one day. We struggled to find a good paint color for the walls, but now we have it and I love it. Hooray for kitchen upgrades!

Rachel said...

It looks so great!! I love the light fixture (a how-to would be awesome) and I also love the shelf with your cookbooks. So smart!!

linda said...

Really pretty homey kitchen Josie! I love the pendants and your eating area with your prints and cookbooks. Your prints make the space come alive. Wonderful job!

elly said...

I love it, Josie! The color is gorgeous (totally saving the name for when we move, hah), and I am in love with the table, too. The major jar lighting is awesome.

Unknown said...

Love the kitchen. It will great to feed those kiddos in especially the boys who will be eating a lot. I'm going to go order that seasonally eating print now.

Jessica said...

Gorgeous kitchen! I love the light fixture - brilliant idea with the Mason jars! The whole room looks bright and clean and open - I love it. Congrats on your great new kitchen!

Laura said...

Love the kitchen! How beautiful :)

Kim Anderson said...

Love it!! I am particular when looking for places to live. If I do not like the kitchen, forget it. I am happy for your new home.

SMD @ lifeaccordingtosteph said...

Love your kitchen! I'd also love a how to on the DIY light fixture.

Your table is to die for.

Congrats!

ErinsFoodFiles said...

Lovely makeover! Thanks for sharing!

Angela @ AnotherBitePlease said...

love the kitchen...and I had been eyeballing those lights at Pottery Barn - so fun! and that kitchen table. LOVE!!! thanks for sharing.

Julie @ Table for Two said...

I absolutely LOVE your kitchen!! The color is so bright and cheery and i love that you switched out those pendant lights for the mason jar lights - seriously, so YOU! I can totally see why you did it. I love that huge farm table too. Ugh, I'm so jealous of your large kitchen island!!! Can I come cook in your kitchen next time I'm in ATL? :)

Lindsay {life and kitchen} said...

Love it! The island makes me jealous!

Tara said...

LOVE it, Josie! I totally stole your idea for the utensils. :)

Sweet Morris said...

I love your kitchen. When we purchased our house, my husband promised me that he would remodel the kitchen. I refused to cook in the kitchen until it was updated.

Stephanie @ Macaroni and Cheesecake said...

Love your new kitchen!! Especially the mason jar light fixture!

nicole @ i am a honey bee said...

love the mason jar light fixture!

Great looking kitchen

Karin said...

Josie! I love the kitchen!! LOVE LOVE LOVE. And that table is my fav.. so are the track lights.. all of it! Grand. Can't wait to come visit!

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