Gritty to Pretty… Our Kitchen Story
Hi Again!
I’m so excited to share our completed kitchen with you.
It’s a true-blue DIY style makeover.
It’s a true-blue DIY style makeover.
Since I haven’t been blogging long, I’m just now getting a chance to share some of our
“before & after” projects with you all.
“before & after” projects with you all.
And since the house was so ugly.
{shh… don’t listen baby!}
We have lots.
Most of our projects were fairly simple.
Our kitchen by far was the most involved.
Since, let’s face it, we had to start over from scratch.
I guess we could have struck a match come to think of it?
Just FYI, I sold the stove & dishwasher
(after testing and cleaning)
so those were recycled!
Green me =)
Right out front actually, while we were there at the house working.
Remember, we were still living in the
“Dream Home” at this point.
I figured every little bit helps
and it was going right back out, let me tell ya!
Because every time we needed something
it was $100… or $1,000.
Why is that???
If case you missed my last post
here is a little
pre-reno
refresher for you…
You can see more before photos here.
In case you want to scar your retinas.
I don’t know?
You might be into that.
Here Are Our Humble Afters
Please Beware!
You won’t find marble or high-end finishes.
Just lots of budget friendly material used the best we knew how.
I was lucky enough to find this light fixture I had been dreaming about at a great price! I talk more about our chandelier here.
We started off fresh with all new
flooring and cabinets.
The cabinets are from Kraftmaid.
The finish is Linen.
This entire kitchen was a last minute DIY.
We “parted ways” with our contractor, took over and finished it on our own.
The cabinet install, counter top build, tile, back splash and beadboard were all installed by my dad.
Who had never done it before!
We learned a lot working on the house together.
And ate a lot of Subway for lunch.
What our original plans included…
(White Cabinets, Marble Counters and a “Cottage Chic” Vibe)
and what was left of our budget after the dust settled
Left Us Oceans Apart.
I tried my best to get the
cottage style look I craved
with the finishes we could afford.
cottage style look I craved
with the finishes we could afford.
If I had it to do over,
I would have gotten white cabinets.
Budget be damned!
Live & Learn
Thanks Dad!
for building up all the cabinet tops to match the crown molding height so I could fill them with treasures!
My hubby installed all the crown molding.
Also a first-time for that.
It came out wonderful!
Learn more about how we spruced up the archway here.
I searched and searched until I found some reasonably priced jewelry.
Getting the most storage possible was key.
We added upper and lower cabinets on this wall, where previously, there was nothing.
We stayed with the white tile and beadboard theme for unity.
I did not mix cabinet finishes because I did not want it getting too busy.
Our floor plan is surprisingly open considering how old our home is. The living room flows into the kitchen, then straight into the sun room. I am certain there were some changes made at some point.
We did run into a few snags to be sure.
(not so many after the bad guy got the boot though)
But all that is boring and I’m sure you don’t have
All Day Long.
Though at the time, it was hard to go through,
I am so thankful for the kitchen we ended up with.
I know we are truly lucky.
Many people don’t have the family, skills, tools or time
we did to take over and finish on our own.
See how we got our light fixture to match our faucet here.
If you have any questions about our kitchen
I would be happy to answer them.
Thanks so much for stopping by.
Linking Up At:
This content is original to Fox Hollow Cottage and belongs to Shannon Fox.
Appearance in full on any site other then Fox Hollow Cottage is theft!
Appearance in full on any site other then Fox Hollow Cottage is theft!
Very Nice!!!
Well it looks just beautiful! Lovin’ the new hardware and you could never tell the window wasn’t aligned with the sink….at least I never could. Just beautiful!
Wow!! Just wow!
I love that your grandma’s rooster watches of over your kitchen now! I feel ya on the wishes vs the budget conundrum. We DIY’ed our own gut and refinish on our kitchen and there was lots that got left out
. Maybe on the next house?
Girl it is beautiful! I love your Grandmothers roo, how special!
Shannon, as a custom kitchen designer (for over 10 years) I can tell you that you did an AWESOME job! Remodels in older homes are the hardest and you did a BEAUTIFUL job!!! And, I LOVE the finish on the cabinets vs white. It’s very warm and cozy and packed with charm. So pretty!!!
Shannon, it’s beautiful! You should be proud. Where did you get the “jewelry”? I likey
What a nice job. I’m all about white cabinets too, but don’t have them either. I love the cabinets in the dining area and the molding. All great.
I LOVE your kitchen redo!! So refreshing to see a beautiful kitchen done on a budget. I enjoy your blog, and I see that we pin from each other on Pinterest. Where do you live in “the Pacific Northwest”? I live in Albany, Oregon. Debbie
simply beautiful, a great job indeed
Goodness Gracious! You and I have been busy! Thank you SO much for stopping by and leaving me a sweet note about my bathroom redo. I can’t wait till all my other rooms are totally done! Fantastic job on the kitchen! Seriously! I wouldn’t have even noticed that the cabinets weren’t white, white.. until you said so.
Darling!! Hope you enjoy your new space as well!!
Ohhhhhhhh, what a beautiful kitchen! Wow….you / your family did a fabulous job.
I know it’s a lot of work, but it’s well worth it.
Thanks for sharing, Shannon!
xoxoxo
Shannon, I love it! The display areas are fantastic and the light/white colors will go with anything! Your husband and dad did a great job and you too! You’ve come a long way baby! From green to Queen, it looks great!
Debbie
Oh Shannon, I am sure I have told you before, but it is just lovely!!! I can feel all the love that you put into it right through the computer. What a great family memory too, when your son looks back and sees how hard his family worked.
Hugs,
Karin
You all did a great job on your kitchen, Shannon! I know well the blood, sweat, tears {and money} that is put into DIY projects like this. You wound up with a lovely cozy cottage kitchen! I envy the cabinet tops being level; I haven’t had that good fortune yet. I’ve used books as risers for years and had to continue that in our new place, too.
Shan, I think it turned out beautifully. I’ve told you before…I love it!
It turned out beautiful, Shannon! I know how proud you must be. Love your dark floors. I am about to paint my really really dark cabinetry white before they put my wood floors down. Not looking forward to this job.
Your kitchen looks beautiful. And I love that chandelier!
Holly
Beautiful! I think you did A LOT! Total transformation. And how awesome to have MORE STORAGE!
Aren’t before and afters great? You and your family put a lot of thought and hard work into your new kitchen. You should be so proud!
Oh so very lovely… Seems life is now treating you well. Enjoy the moments….
WOW! What a change. It looks fabulous. It is now such a cozy, inviting room.
I Love your kitchen. What a great job you have done decorating it after the remodel. Congrats!!!!
Your kitchen is beautiful! It’s the little touches – the rooster, the unique hardware – that make it extra special!
So beautiful Shannon! As someone who has remodeled her own kitchen, I can so relate to the effort it takes…but it is so worth it!! You now have an absolutely gorgeous kitchen!
May I ask, the store, manufacture and name of your flooring? And is it hardwood, laminate? Thanks!
Heather
Shannon,
Wow – it looks amazing!! You are so lucky to have a DIY dad and hubs! The hardware and chandelier are fabulous! Your kitchens got it goin on!!
Kelly
Shannon it truly does look amazing! I think the backsplash is my favorite part!!
Wow! its gorgeous!! Love the display area above the cabinets!
gorgeous! i love the idea of builing up above the cabinets for your stuff! i just place 2x4s all over the tops of mine! lol
Your story sounds so eerily similar to mine. We redid our kitchen last year and there are not high end finishes, but I love it and it is 1,000,000 times better than before. You did a spectacular job with your budget – your kitchen looks amazing!
It turned out gorgeous! (Found you at Funky Junk.) We had a wonky contractor and ended up in a similar situation. I love that you were willing to compromise your existing plans for budget friendly materials…looks just as beautiful!
Wow! You did a great job on your kitchen. You gave it a lot of character.
I adore the chandelier! The whole remodel is unbelievable- just gorgeous! I’d love it if you stopped by my linky party and link up one of your favorite posts! http://www.serendipityandspice.blogspot.com
-Melissa
Shannon, I am a new follower! I LOVE your kitchen. I think the cabinets are a great alternative to all white. It makes the space more interesting, yet keeps it light and bright. You have it decorated just perfectly, too. I’ll bet you’re really enjoying it!!! ~Sally
Hi, there! I featured your post here. Please feel free to grab the feature button and thanks for joining us at CBPH
I love your kitchen, you all did a wonderful job!! Can you tell me where you got the plate rack?? I would love to put one in our kitchen redo!!
Wonderful transformation; you must be so pleased!
S
xo
Absolutely gorgeous, Shannon! Great job!
I just love your cabinets. That’s exactly the color I wanted but I had contractor problems too. He didn’t understand the concept of ‘painted’ cabinets….crazy man! I prefer the look of white appliances over stainless. White will never go out of style, matches everything and makes your kitchen look clean. Good choice
Shasta
WOW Shannon- your kitchen is gorgeous! So so pretty! I will be over for coffee in the morning ok?! I Love all your storage, knobs and cabinets- so so pretty! -Jen
Y’all should be very proud of the work you put into it. I think the finishes and materials you chose create a very pretty kitchen. I love that the rooster used to be your grandmother’s. Sentimental decor is so special. Your whole kitchen is special. Truly.
sharon @ mrs. hines class
Wow what a fabulous kitchen.
Love how it turned out.
Waaah! I can’t see any pictures! All I see is big circle/ minus sign thingy. Boo! I got a little teaser of a couple pics (which look FABULOUS) I need some inspiration since we are FINALLY getting ready to remodel our kitchen 40+ yr old kitchen after living with it for 12 miserable years.
I love your kitchen! Found you through Pinterest~great blog! Where did you find your plate rack? I’ve been searching forever!