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.
We have similar counter tops in our rental condo. I don't love the color but it was really affordable and I chose to think of it as the color of butcher block. What we did was use white subway tiles (boring, I know) with a tan color grout (Sahara tan). In our case, it was enough pop for a condo that is supposed to stay neutral for tenants' tastes.
You can see the granite and the grout color we pick out here (we opted to use the same in the bathroom as in the kitchen).
http://projecteventually.blogspot.com/2012/06/condo-bathroom.html
You could mix subway and regular square tiles in one or two colors laid out in an interesting pattern, and then add grout in another color. I think you could do it on a budget, too.
A quick Google search provided this and I thought it could give you ideas.
http://retrorenovation.com/2009/01/05/88-mosaic-tile-patterns-for-your-retro-bathroom/
The tiles you picked out are amazing but I would keep those for when you completely redo the kitchen.
As for the bar stools, I might not be of much help. My husband wanted something comfortable and with a back so we got the HENRIKSDAL bar stools from IKEA. I like that I can change/wash the slip covers. I could see you painting the wood part an interesting color and dyeing the slipcovers.
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!
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.
Thank you ! This will be so helpful when trying to view paint colors along with another product or 2 that I would like to view on one page!
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!
I just put in that sink. It is a love story.
Just painted the bathroom grey owl and love it!! I live in SoCal and would love a post on your fave shopping spots in the area. Palm Springs consignment? LA thrift stores?
We have almost the same granite. I think painting all that brick white and removing the backplate and that XL slab from the wall inside the nook on your range wall will make a huge difference. Our kitchen has painted cream colored cabinets, oil rubbed bronze hardware and we have a backsplash made from flat finish cream colored natural stones like these:
http://www.pebble-tile.net/pebbletile/flat-birch-pebble-tile
We don't have the granite backplate so the backsplash goes from the upper cabinets and shelves down to the countertops, and it's grouted in a very light, almost matching color. All of the light colors and toned-down textures, as well as lack of vertical granite, help keep it from dominating the space.
Unlike your other readers, I love that this granite hides crumbs! But then I am a messy cook and less than the best housekeeper.
Can't wait to see what you come up with! Those encaustic tiles are very cool.
I'm no plumber, nor have I ever installed a sink before, but if you have a one hole (for the faucet) sink can you do a four hole faucet? I love that sink, but hate most single hole faucets…. what does Handyman Arizona say? ;)
Jason! Handyman Jason :)
I have no idea how close you are to a Garden Ridge nor can I attest to the quality of their products, but Garden Ridge has a HUGE selection of barstools, at somewhat affordable prices,but like I said, I have no idea how well they will hold up.
This is great advice for kitchen plumbing and remodeling. Gives me some inspiration of what to do with my own!
Thanks for sharing all your projects with us, it's really.
I saw this great Target stools makeover on Cuckoo4Design's blog just this morning and I think they look great for $15 stools. At that price it doesn't matter if they aren't forever stools…
http://cuckoo4design.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/counter-stool-makeover.html
Have a great break.
Oops, missed a word out…I meant to say: "it's really inspiring"
Have you used Gray Owl before?? I just tried painting my living room that color, but I got it at Lowe's to save some money and it was BLUE! It was pretty, but definitely not gray enough! Just curious if it's a glitch in Lowe's paint mixing system, or if the actual BM color is the same?
I can't wait to see how this all turns out! I am always amazed at how resourceful you are!
And, I am obsessed with my keep! It's so nice to "keep" all my wants and needs organized! You can follow me
HERE
http://www.brassarrow.com
It's so funny, as I was reading about the open shelves I was thinking "she really should do one long one across the top" and then you did!
I've always really liked the look of these stools from Ballard – they come in bar and counter height. No idea if they're comfortable or not:
http://tinyurl.com/nvrjg9b
And I have a Domsjo sink – a wipe down with Bon Ami does a fine job keeping it clean. And if you want to put in a three-hole fixture, knocking extra holes isn't complicated. Just google it for instructions.
Looking forward to seeing the transformation!
It's so funny, as I was reading about the open shelves I was thinking "she really should do one long one across the top" and then you did!
I've always really liked the look of these stools from Ballard – they come in bar and counter height. No idea if they're comfortable or not:
http://tinyurl.com/nvrjg9b
And I have a Domsjo sink – a wipe down with Bon Ami does a fine job keeping it clean. And if you want to put in a three-hole fixture, knocking extra holes isn't complicated. Just google it for instructions.
Looking forward to seeing the transformation!
Oh, and I saw the butcherblock cutting board you have on Keep. I recommend the handmade ones here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/GreenRiverWoods?ref=ss_profile
I had one made and it's not only gorgeous, it still looks beautiful after two years of heavy use.
I have the single bowl version of that Ikea sink. So happy with it! It's been 3 years and it looks perfect, no chips, scratches or quality issues of any kind.
having the counter tops honed may give them a better look. I think honed is 1000 times better than polished.
I have that IKEA sink and love it!
Now that you've got me thinking about cement tiles…have you tried Mission Stone & Tile?
http://store.missionstonetile.com/Handmade-Cement-Tiles-s/270.htm
We got the faux Bertoia stools from instylemodern about a month ago and I'm so happy with them. We ordered a set of three and one came with a partially broken base, but the company shipped us a new base immediately. They're sturdy and comfortable.
Something about Bertoia makes me feel like they won't go out of style whereas the Vapor look is a little more trendy.
Nina – Oh man, those are some bad reviews for infurn! I actually bought the lamps off a craigslist seller who mentioned he bought them from Infurn (didn't say anything about a bad shipping experience though?). I did recently order the Grasshopper lamp though, so I'll be sure to update you when I get that. Hoping it doesn't take months like some of the reviewers said!
Everything is looking so wonderful. Painting the cabinets and walls a light color is going to really unify the kitchen and make the ceilings look tall. I can't wait to see it. One note on the sink. If you choose that design, install some strong undercabinet support. Those farm sinks are really heavy and I've had a couple friends with sinks that have started to fall in after a couple years. Have a great vacation!
I love what The Painted House did with her kitchen with granite similar to yours.
http://www.tphblog.com/the-kitchen-after/
Hi Jenny – I'm curious – did you order your Serge Mouille sconces from Infurn recently? I've been eyeing up the ceiling lamp version but all the reviews online say the company is too good to be true and doesn't deliver ever, but charges you still. Would love to hear you had a good experience!
If California = San Francisco, Heath Ceramic is having a special tile sample sale at their Sausalito factory from Aug 29 – Sept 2. I could see pattern in their cool shapes scratching the encaustic itch for now ANDD working with the granite – pry a piece off and bring it to them to :-)
Think I have a code for free shipping too…
Hi Jenny,
I had to look up encaustic to find out what type of tile you were looking for. I've learned so much and have been so inspired by reading your blog. Thanks for sharing so selflessly (is that a word?).
I have recently been eyeing some beautiful tiles that although not encaustic, just seem to be different/better than anything I've seen lately. The company on the back of the 3 tiles I purchased is Doremail with one of those accents above the e. I Googled it but didn't go far enough to find out where they can be purchased in the USA. Take a look at their website if you have the time, I think you'll like their tiles. Best, Jeanean
Boy it's refreshing to see so many of your readers that don't love the granite. I live in Utah and it's EVERYWHERE along with knotty alder cabinets. Drives me crazy. I love that you're painting the brick arch white; I think that along with the shelves and tile will help with the countertops. I'd LOVE to see you do some DIY wood countertops! There are so many beautiful wood countertops out there and I want to do it in my kitchen, but I wonder how well it holds up?
Jenny, I forwarded you a CB2 15% off coupon to your gmail if you decide on the Vapor stools. I recently bought the Ikea Domsjo for the laundry room in the home we are building – I'll let you know what I think (assuming we ever move in, lol).
Nina – Oh man, those are some bad reviews for infurn! I actually bought the lamps off a craigslist seller who mentioned he bought them from Infurn (didn't say anything about a bad shipping experience though?). I did recently order the Grasshopper lamp though, so I'll be sure to update you when I get that. Hoping it doesn't take months like some of the reviewers said!
I love the blue tile (#2). I think it will make your kitchen look more happy and young. Check out those tiles, i think they are beautiful (i have no idea though where you can buy them in US): http://www.contemporarytiles.se/
http://www.designergolv.se/mijoerkelim.html
i don't recommend the ikea sink for one reason…it's not DEEP enough! Looks like the sink you have is nice and deep to stack dishes and wash a large pot?! Take it from me…you will be splashing water on yourself all the live long day!! :/
Love your plans! I also love the idea of using the simple brass "brackets" for the shelves. Also the brass sconces are a fave. For the granite, what about trying to hone it. Not sure if you can DIY that or if it can be done in place but it might dull the color and make it less obtrusive. Also remember my hardware line! Would look fab with those brackets and I have brass. Would love to help you out with that. I can totally see them on your flat cabinet fronts. Good luck and can't wait to watch the progress.
So pumped to see EVERYTHING you do with the new house.
Also… I'm on Keep thanks to you.
Amanda Jerkins
I also have another Keep account called Whoa, Wait. Walmart? — I know, but trust me.
@whoawaitwalmart
This has a similar counter to yours and has the "look" you are going for I think!
http://pinterest.com/pin/18718154670741466/
This has a similar counter to yours and yet has the look you are going for, I think! Hope it helps get you inspired!
http://pinterest.com/pin/18718154670741466/
We painted my daughter's nursery, Gray Owl. I really love that color. It's so neutral. Our carpets are that typical beigey color, kind of like the main color in your counter. I think the grays and whites in her room have really helped modernize it.
I think keeping everything clean and modern will help the counters. It might be a difference in computer screens, but is there a bit of oxblood in there? Some hits of that could be really beautiful and super fresh if done in the right way. The combination of that with the brass hardware would be stunning!
I'm so excited to see where you take this!
Love your blog. I'm in the market for a kitchen Reno on a house we are buying. I love the encaustic tiles too but they are too expensive for my budget plus they entail "commitment" to a color scheme. I'm going to stencil the backsplash to look like them. I did this on a concrete floor once and it turned out great. I just picked two or three geometric stencils at the craft store and layered them in different colors. Just a thought :-)
I like these stools from Restoration Hardware. They are similar to the West Elm ones but less expensive and come in two heights. As far as the sink goes I think it is a poorly made sink. I would buy a nice one and just reuse it down the road when the big renovation comes around.
http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod2110535&categoryId=cat280014
I am excited for these new plans. I think working with what you have is so creative. I am especially curious about the cabinet hinge solution.
Hi Jenny –
Was looking at your Keep book….watch out for the gold banquette from World Market. It LOOKS great, sits nice, but the wheels on the front legs snap off really easy. I have one in my basement TV Room – which gets little traffic – and they snapped right off. Trying to get a replacement leg has been impossible! You are handy so you could probably whip a replacement easy. Just FYI!
Both Martha Stewart and I like the Lyon Industrial Stools. :) They come with and without backs, with a wooden seat or a steel seat.
http://www.imbusyprocrastinating.com/2013/03/even-martha-is-fan-of-lyon-industrial.html
They come in three colors, but can be painted as well. I'm considering giving mine a makeover in black or royal blue.
Hi I just found saw these stools in a little eatery in my downtown…. found them easily on overstock.. perhaps they fit the bill.
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Modern-Adjustable-Curved-Bar-Stool/1505746/product.html
Love everything you are doing…
Colleen
You mentioned that your granite countertops aren't your favorite. Just that particular color or would you go with something else? We are taking out laminate and trying to decide between granite or a white corian. Thoughts? Do you think corian is dated?
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