Anyone else ready for the weekend? My body is so sore that Labor Day suddenly has a whole new meaning for me this year. :) My parents are going to watch our girls while Michael and I go to California for the long weekend. On the agenda? Eating and sleeping. That’s it. Doesn’t that sound amazing? I couldn’t be more excited. I’m signing off early this week, but wanted to share some exciting-for-me updates on the kitchen.
Over the weekend we pulled down just the right-most upper cabinet. I tell you, the room suddenly felt about 50% bigger with that little change. I’m hopeful that, with some work, this room can be one of my favorite spaces in the house yet!
After living in the house for almost two months, we’re feeling like a big reno for this space might not be necessary for quite a while – maybe five years or more? We’ve decided to not plan for anything at this point and to assume that we won’t be changing anything in a major way (as in moving walls and plumbing) for a good long while. We’ve actually felt like the existing layout is working pretty well for us. It’s not completely ideal, but it so, so much better than I anticipated. So the new goal is to DIY the heck out of this room over the next couple of months and then just see how it feels and how it’s working for us, and if after the new year I’m still itching for bigger changes then at that point we might spring for new cabinets and counters, but will still leave the big reno for down the road quite a bit.
So, here’s what I have planned for the kitchen, with help from my Keep collections (which are getting my wish lists about as organized as they could be!):
The granite counters are not really my favorite, but I think with a few tweaks, we can make them less of a presence in the room.
I’ll be pulling off the granite window shelf and the short back plate that runs all along the wall.
I’ll also pull off the granite on the range wall and the brick surround. So the only granite in the room with be actually on the counters and that’s it.
It looks like it should come off pretty easily. I’m hoping the brick underneath is in good shape.
The walls and the brick will be white and the cabinets are going to get sprayed at light gray (Ben Moore’s Gray Owl) after they’ve been transformed with a little corner moulding. I’m so excited to tackle this project! The drawers will be a cinch to redo, but the cabinet doors, with their exposed hinges, are proving to be a little tricky, I’m going to make new door faces so there will be only square angles and clean lines on the door and drawer fronts. Can’t wait!
Hardware is very TBD at this point, but I think I will do brass again (surprise, surprise). Speaking of brass, you guys are going to kill me, but I totally forgot to pull out my brass bridge faucet from the brownstone kitchen before we moved. Whoops! I’d love to do something brass in here again though, but maybe a touch more modern than the bridge faucet. I called a metal plating company to see how much it would cost to have the chrome stripped off of this (inexpensive!) beauty. We’ll see what I can work out there.
I talked to my handyman, Jason, about it and he says it would be a breeze to zip through the granite with one of his special saws so we can install the gigantic farmhouse sink I’ve been eyeing from IKEA. It’s practically a done deal, as far as I’m concerned!
To the right and left of the sink area, where the uppers used to be, I want to hang three shelves on each side. I’m still working out the details on materials, but I think I want something pretty chunky, like these shelves, and maybe, depending on what I do with the cabinet hardware and the faucet, a cool style of shelf bracket in brass. I would want to do something really small though. Maybe something totally unconventional like this piece, which is made for holding up stair railings. The round shape could be really cool on the wall.
You can see in the photos that the wall texture is all messed up where the upper cabinet used to hang.
No biggie there because I want to put up a tile backsplash on the sink wall up to the top of the three shelves and stopping at the door frame and then again on the stove inset wall. In my dreams I’d be able to find a cool encaustic pattern that would work with the existing granite and potentially with some of my white countertop wish list choices for down the road.
I’ve only started to think about wall sconces, but I’ve loved these swing arm sconces for so long now. Seems only appropriate to use them at this point!
I’m sort of stumped on barstools. Most of them are so expensive and it just doesn’t feel like a fun purchase to me, so I’ve been dragging my feet a little. The most obvious choice is CB2’s Vapor stools. I’ve used them in a ton of projects and they are gorgeous in almost any kitchen and they hold up beautifully. The West Elm wire and wood ones are kind of calling my name though.
Yesterday I scored the deal of the century on a set of Louis chairs for the dining area (photos coming!). I kept the big long Drexel table from the loft and might just use it again in here, but it might not be the right fit both in look and size. If I end up going with the Vapor stools, this hairpin leg table could be really great in the space with my new Louis chairs?
The pair of ginormous lanterns I bought in Jersey a couple months ago are going to get the red treatment (just like this lantern) I think and they’ll hang above the dining table.
Becky – Granada Tile is so, so gorgeous!! It costs an arm and a leg though. I wish I could afford it!
Lauren @ craft my life away – SUCH great ideas! I'm definitely planning to reuse the granite if I can.
Susan – If you can find me some great vintage stools, I'd really love that! I've been searching but keep coming up empty handed!
Matthias – Thanks for the feedback on the IKEA sink. I've heard both good and bad reviews on the Domsjo sinks, but I think for the size and look, the price can't be beat. I think we'll just have to make it work. I've heard Bar Keeper's Friend works wonders on the surface.
Colleen – THANK YOU for that Lonny link! You totally nailed it on the counters! Awesome inspiration! I wish I had those floors though… :)
Rachael – Ha! Yeah, I'm a little all over the place when I share ideas on my blog. Might come off as split personality sometimes. :) If we did an intermediary reno in between the DIYs and the big reno in five or even ten years, we'd try to be smart about it and mostly invest in things we could reuse in the big reno (like installing a gas line). Many of the cabinets and at least 50% of the new counters would stay put. We're mostly adding on, so the additions wouldn't be wasteful. Plus, five or ten years is a long time for me. I'm okay investing a few thousands dollars into our kitchen – it's the most lived-in and used room of our house.
All that said, though, I'm so hopeful that my projects in here will transform the space and we then we won't have to change any of the big stuff for a long time. :)
Kari – THANK YOU for the link to the Etsy stools! Those are so great!
Cathy – so excited to check out your round ups!! Thanks for the link!
Katie – Aren't the Vapor stools the best? I'm totally leaning toward those. You're right that they're not cheap. OUCH.
Unknown – I actually really love the brick and the arch! I think it will be really cool when it's painted white (and the walls too). I'm not planning on using any of those specific tiles for the backsplash – I just like the idea of something other than subway tiles. Love subway tiles, always, but you know, it's been done a lot. I'd like to go with a more unique look in here. It'll be a challenge for sure to pull it off. I'm glad everyone's chipping in ideas here.
Thanks for your input!
Heather- I LOVE that project you linked too! Those IKEA stools are awesome. I wish they still made those. I love the cloudy-ness of the seat and back material!
Caitlin – Those Tex tiles are awesome!! Great idea! Thanks!
I haven't bought anything from them, but I've been looking at encaustic tiles from granadatile.com
Kackie – To add products to your own feed, they have a little one-step process where you click a button and a "Keep It" bookmark is installed in your menu bar. Then on any webpage where something is for sale, you just press the Keep It button (similar to a Pin It button) and it opens a little window that helps you file the product in the right collection in your Keeps. You don't even have to leave the original product web page. It's a slick little design. I'm (honestly) loving it.
KVS – The concrete overlay method would most definitely NOT work on a slick, solid surface like polished granite. Maybe if I attacked the surface with a mini sledge hammer or something? :) The polished stuff is just too smooth and there'd be nothing for the concrete to grab onto.
I'm going to just experiment and see if I can make this granite work, pared down. I'm thinking of it like a personal challenge. Worst case scenario, I drop $2500 on new Carrara at the end of the year. Merry Christmas to me! ;)
Zoe – one of my friends just emailed a link to a kitchen redo where the owner had bad polished marble countertops honed. The finished look was GORGEOUS. I'm definitely going to do some calling around today.
Thumperandsam – So good to know about the faucet! My old brass faucet got hot too and it didn't bother me all that much. Thanks for the feedback!
Hey! I have seen people use entire slabs of granite as bathroom flooring or as shower stall flooring. I think that is WICKED cool!
ALSO —- I think that you could use the granite to top some outdoor tables, using the thinner ledge pieces as maybe topping a fence railing or something near a potential outdoor bar area.
ALSO —- I don't know how big of a cook you are, but someone bought me a HUGE marble slab, (like huge) to use to roll out dough, and you could keep a reasonable sized slab for that.
ALSO —- you could use some of the thinner pieces as serving dishes for cheeses, charcuterie, olives, etc.
OK that's all I have this early in the morning. Good luck, can't wait to see it all.
I would definitely use the brass shelf brackets for under your sink-side shelves. It will add such an amazing slightly elegant touch.
We have the same granite countertops that came with our house. My husband hates them because food/crumbs blend in. Also, SUCH a pain when we had an ant problem for a few days… you can't see them!! Just a few thoughts. :)Enjoy California!
There are a ton of stools on Craig's List which need some love, I'd start there, but I do love Ballard stools too! Good luck with the granite removal, I have some of that in my future as well!
I'm poking around on your site for the first time and I love that brick!
I think you're so smart to start with a DIY in your kitchen… plus it inspires your readers (aka ME!)
We just redid our kitchen (total DIY – took 3 years) and for bar/counter stools I actually stressed a lot about it but decided that we spend so much time there that they had to be comfortable. So I bought a couple of parson-style stools from one kings lane then had them slipcovered in the warsaw linen in Oatmeal so they can be cleaned. Just an idea… but it looks like you will spend a lot of time in there so a comfy spot to rest your bum might be key. :)
Just sat in the West Elm Rustic bar/counter stools last week and I loved them! Very comfortable and stylish!
http://www.westelm.com/products/rustic-barstool-g294/?pkey=cdining-chairs-seating&cm_src=dining-chairs-seating||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_–_-
i realy dont recommend the ikea sink. its beautiful, for sure but the ceramic is cheap and so the sealing breaks fast and you wont be able to clean the sink. In germany i use scheuermilch, translated in english its: scour milk, nothings else helps more to keep the sink clean…:/
I cannot wait to see what you do with that kitchen. And please feel free to follow me on Keep. :)
I think I have the exact same granite in my new apartment. I haven't found anything that is earth shattering, but this kitchen nicely counteracts the overwhelming beigey-ness?
http://www.lonny.com/photos/May+June+2011+Issue/4h_TALy9c4d
These ideas sound wonderful! Enjoy your weekend away. It's a truly well-deserved break.
I am a long time reader but rarely ever comment….BUT.
Why would you spring for new cabinets and counter tops and then in 5 years do a full kitchen reno? That seems so wasteful to me! Especially if you are planning on moving walls and plumbing. And you are looking for inexpensive bar stools? I feel like I'm reading two different bloggers…one who spends like crazy and one who is frugal to the moon and back.
I have seen the attacks on commenters on other blogs, but I am not trolling so fellow readers be gentle. I just want to know.
I'm so excited to hear about the replating…I've looked into it occasionally but never pulled the trigger!
The brass wall sconces with the open shelving and the graphic geo-cube wall tile is all to die for. I love where you are going with the kitchen. Hollie
{ww.thepinkzipper.blogspot.ca}
I found these fabulous barstools on etsy! They would be great and are sort of inexpensive :)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/157881463/reclaimed-wood-bar-stools-with-metal?ref=col_view
HI Jenny, I am always inspired with the ways that you are able to take an existing space and make it your own and this kitchen is no exception, love where you are headed! A couple of months ago I pulled together a bunch of my favorite, inexpensive barstools, perhaps there is something here that you may like! http://roomrx.blogspot.com/2013/04/bargain-barstools.html
Oh! In the middle of my own kitchen Reno and my heart skipped a beat at the possibility of dropping a farmhouse sink in existing granite. Would love to know more.
Such a great read, Jenny – hope you enjoy your weekend away!
I love the shelves! I definitely think that the rounded brackets would look fabulous. I also like the idea of stretching the shelf along the top of the window. One thing that I have always loved about my grandmothers house is in her kitchen she has shelving that wraps around almost the entire room at the very top towards the ceiling. Basically any room to display loved objects is a win for me.
Emily
eageremily.blogspot.com
Eating and sleeping sounds like heaven, and incredibly well-deserved. Enjoy!
Love hearing all your thoughts on this space, especially as I'm also planning to DIY the heck out of my kitchen in the next few months. Can't wait to see the process/progress!
I know they are not cheap, but I LOVE my Vapor bar stools. They bring in the modern touch to my kitchen, which like you, is not my style.
the granite would hold up well outside as a table or plant stand (where you wouldn't see the colors that don't seem to be your style as much)
And I love the full top shelf going above the window- extra storage and would frame that/make it a bit more dramatic!
Can't wait to see pictures of what you do and hope to get some inspiration for my kitchen!!
If you are going for a big redo down the road, I would keep it simple. Can you get rid of the brick and the arch? Why not be frugal and just paint your backsplash. Keep the granite around the stove because it is easy to clean. The tile you selected is amazing but with granite?
Save the tile idea for later when you can do a more simple countertop to showcase the tile.
Hi Jenny,
I have the same countertops and I really don't like them. I can't wait to see what you do with your kitchen to get those countertops to blend in more.
If you are going for a big redo down the road, I would keep it simple. Can you get rid of the brick and the arch? Why not be frugal and just paint your backsplash. Keep the granite around the stove because it is easy to clean. The tile you selected is amazing but with granite?
Save the tile idea for later when you can do a more simple countertop to showcase the tile.
So excited that you're doing a DIY revamp as your first step! I can't wait to see the final product. I actually saw these painted gold bar stools on Pinterest this morning and thought they turned out well: http://www.brendabirddesigns.com/diy-glammed-up-gold-stools/.
We have the Smart & Sleek Stools from Wisteria (http://www.wisteria.com/Smart-and-Sleek-Stool-Tall/productinfo/W4174/) and love them so much we kept them when we moved…even though our new home doesn't have a bar. :)
Stone Source sells these "Tex" tiles in a bunch of colors and textures…you could make up your own pattern! Check it out!
http://www.stonesource.com/porcelain-selector/mutina-tex
I cannot wait to see what you do with that granite. I inherited the same stuff and hate it and have been wrestling with what to do with it.
Hi! Looks like you have quite a few ideas! I saw your table with the hairpin legs and had to comment. I would go out and try to find a large slab of wood you love, or put together something yourself and buy hairpin legs from here : http://hairpinlegs.com/
We've used them twice now and they are great! The legs we got were a raw steel, so we used a clear coat spray meant for metal to keep the look. Just another idea for you to mull over.
Love the openness removing one cabinet made, such a change!
That same granite came with my house, in both the kitchen and master bath. Not a fan of it either. I tell people it's the color of crumbs – like Carrie said, they blend right in.
Can't wait to see the open shelves and lighting above the sink…and think pulling off the granite lip around the countertop will make for a much cleaner look. Wish we had done that in my son & DILs house they just moved into before we added backsplash! How difficult is it to do? Question for you: signed up,for Keep.com and want to save product information I find on my own to my feed. Dumb to ask, but how do I do,that?
You need to add a "keep" button to your browser bar! Search around the keep site for the instructions. Once you find it it only takes a second!
Many thanks, Shannon…I will look again!
I love the long shelf over the top of the window. What about moving it lower (closer to the top of the window). It would give you more space for larger things on the top. And make the middle shelf slightly narrower, and good for mugs and honey pots and all of those important things!
Stools – Vintage? I painted two vintage stool and a tractor seat with hammered metal paint to make them work together. http://pinterest.com/pin/227783693626362629/
I am on Keep! Name is Shannon. And I am in pretty much the same boat as you with my kitchen. Nice enough dark wood cabinets, beige/gray granite, silver accents. I really don't like it, but it also doesn't scream total gut kitchen renovation either. I can't wait to see what you do with your kitchen because I bet a lot of your same changes in mine would really help it look more modern.
And yes, Keep is the best for new home owners (especially??)!
Read your blog religiously but have never commented before so here goes.
Color me surprised to see that you are keeping the granite counters in their original color. It doesn't surprise me in the least that you are going to be industrious and make something that's not broke work for you instead but I thought for sure you would DIY them and use your beloved (and AWESOME! to be honest) new laundry room counter treatment. I am indeed surprised you are willing to keep their current coloring.
Also, just out of curiosity but if you weren't keeping the existing color granite would you still be doing a patterned tile? I don't know why I would but I somehow thought you might go with a classic subway tile (with a gray grout) layed out in an unconventional pattern. In any event, those are some great tile patterns you have bookmarked—very "You".
My vote is for the Bertoia stools hands-down! Classic design (which I can also see you painting in one of your fave colors). I also think stools without backs become old real fast even though they may look good. Everyone likes being able to lean back and be comfortable in a kitchen chair of any style IMO.
Have a great, restorative weekend!
I actually kind of like honed granite – can you "hone" granite if it's already installed as a countertop? It makes it more matte and dulls the visual texture, which I like.
I have the ikea shelves you are looking at and they are great, but they are super wonky on the install, so beware. Also, since they are hollow your brackets will end up being more decorative.
Also, beware of how trendy the Kubist stuff is. I can imagine even in 2 years looking at it with tired eyes.
For what it's worth, I love anything Tolix for bar stools. I think they always work, and the knock offs aren't offensive. But, I'm loving some of the etsy finds your readers presented too!!
You are totally brilliant, so I'm sure I'm only telling you stuff you already know. Doh.
Keep up the amazing, inspiring work!!!
I think ROK misread you…right? I understood you to say that you would work with the counters and cabinets you have for now and replace later when you do the full reno.
One of the things I love about your blog, Jenny, is that you show some of how you choose to spend larger amounts of money on some things and save on others. And you certainly have the right to allot your budget however you choose. :) Right now I have no budget for much redecorating at all, but I store ideas up in my head and it is very encouraging to me to see both total hardwood floor replacement (long-range dream for me) and "for-now" fixes like painting brick (do-able now) side by side on the same blog. It helps me both hold onto my long-term design dreams and think of things I can do to beautify my surroundings now.
Personally, I'd be all for bar stools that have backs! And I think when the brick is painted white and the excess granite is removed, the granite countertops will be a lot more bearable. And I love those brass light fixtures. Yum.
I bought that faucet in polished nickel on Overstock a couple of years ago and while I like the look of it the sprayer it comes with is very weak and gets very hot to the touch if you're using hot water. It's fine if you have dish wash gloves on.
Visit this website for encaustic tile options: http://www.tierrayfuego.com
The selection is more on the spanish end of the spectrum but there are many options so dig in.
After living with backless barstools for a few months, we quickly replaced them with stools that had backs. It's just so uncomfortable to do backless. I've seen similar chairs to the CB2 stools where the chrome was spray painted gold or brass, and it instantly makes them look more expensive in my opinion. Might be a good option!
I love them so much, I had to comment just to say that those "totally unconventional" shelf brackets are gorgeous! I really enjoyed reading through all the possibilities for your kitchen – looking forward to seeing all the changes realized.
We have these stools in our modern-ish kitchen with oil rubbed bronze hardware and white cabinets and LOVE the way they add warmth to the kitchen while still being modern/fun: http://www.wisteria.com/Smart-and-Sleek-Stool-Short/productinfo/W4173/
Becky – Granada Tile is so, so gorgeous!! It costs an arm and a leg though. I wish I could afford it!
Lauren @ craft my life away – SUCH great ideas! I'm definitely planning to reuse the granite if I can.
Susan – If you can find me some great vintage stools, I'd really love that! I've been searching but keep coming up empty handed!
enjoy some well deserved r&r!! the house is looking amazing! can't wait to see how you update those cabinets and pull it all together…!