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, then took over and finished it all on our own.
The cabinet install, countertop build, tile, back splash and beadboard were all installed by my dad.
Who had never done it before! I was the runner, fetcher, hepler but definitely my dad was the steam that drove that engine!! 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, and my dad did his best to make it happen, with the finishes we could afford. If I had it to do over, I would have gotten white cabinets. Budget be damned!
Live & Learn though… I was trying to be responsible.
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.
(which I found on ebay, and later discovered, was Kraft Maid brand! Pretty funny.)
Getting the most storage possible was key.
We added upper and lower cabinets on the wall above, 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 to read about it!
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.
(again… thanks DAD!!!!)
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.
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!
Holly Lefevre says
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!
Tammy @ Type A says
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
Faith says
Wow! its gorgeous!! Love the display area above the cabinets!
Pamela says
Shannon it truly does look amazing! I think the backsplash is my favorite part!!
Eclectically Vintage says
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
At The Picket Fence says
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
Kristin says
Your kitchen is beautiful! It’s the little touches – the rooster, the unique hardware – that make it extra special!
Dusty McRae says
I Love your kitchen. What a great job you have done decorating it after the remodel. Congrats!!!!
Robin says
WOW! What a change. It looks fabulous. It is now such a cozy, inviting room.
Sweet Old Vintage says
Oh so very lovely… Seems life is now treating you well. Enjoy the moments….
Kathy says
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! 🙂
Vicki says
Beautiful! I think you did A LOT! Total transformation. And how awesome to have MORE STORAGE!
Full Circle Creations says
Your kitchen looks beautiful. And I love that chandelier!
Holly
Teresa@oursoutherncountryhomeandfarm says
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.
Gina says
Shan, I think it turned out beautifully. I’ve told you before…I love it!