A Labor of Love – Kitchen Reveal!

I’ll bet those of you who have been along for the ride thought this day would never come.  To bring the new peeps up to speed, the mini-kitchen renovation started a year ago (yes, that’s right – a whole entire year) when we had to replace our hardwood floor.  To say this transformation was a labor of love is quite the understatement.  This is what our kitchen looked like when we first moved in almost two years ago.

Then a few months after moving in we gave it a little face lift with plantation shutters, curtains, and some new light fixtures. 
Last February when we were faced with having to replace our hardwood floor, we took it as a sign to go ahead and begin project “mini-kitchen renovation”.  We had always dreamed of having a range hood and a tile back splash.  We really wanted to give our kitchen a custom look that felt more like us without the custom kitchen price tag.  We had our contractor (the same person that laid the new floors) add some molding to our builder-basic-painted-white-by-the-previous-owners cabinets, and then we distressed/glazed them for a custom look.  
                                  
This molding completely changed the look of our cabinets.  It was a very cost effective way to get a custom look at a fraction of the price of what new cabinetry would have cost.  By painting the molding and glazing ourselves we were able to spread our budget to cover some of the other costs.  
The marble back splash and range hood were also installed by our contractor.  
Bringing in a hood over the stove meant having to find a new home for the microwave.  We took the doors off of a rarely used cabinet and had the microwave fitted inside.  This also gave us the perfect spot for a wine cooler and a shelf for wine glasses.   
                            
I’m amazed at what a difference just a few key changes made in our kitchen.  We took our time obviously. We did and had things done as we had the money and time to complete each project.  It feels like a brand new kitchen, and I’m completely head over heels!  Ready for the full reveal?! 
Picture overload – be warned! 
I made a faux roman shade for the window over the sink.  The EAT letters are paper mache letters from Hobby Lobby that I painted. 
Check here and here for the deets on this table transformation.  
Added some black grosgrain ribbon trim to these white cotton Target panels with the help of my hot glue gun. 
I’m so happy that this project is finally finished, and I’m beyond thrilled with the final results!  It took a whole year to get it done, but it was definitely worthwhile.  Now it feels like “our” kitchen and not just one that we inherited from the previous owners.  
The wall color is Macadamia by Martha Stewart.  It reminds me of butter cream frosting.  
The little details are some of my favorites – kind of like the cherry on top of my sweet kitchen cupcake!
I warned you about the overload of pictures.  I can’t help it – I heart my kitchen almost more than I heart guacamole – which is a lot  – like a whole lot!  
****UPDATE***** I made some tweaks and brought in a new table and chairs  -take an updated tour here
I also added a new pendant over the sink.  
                            kitchen lighting


*Linking up at Home Stories A to Z,  My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Savvy Southern Style,  At the Picket Fence, Thrifty Decor Chick 

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  • I love your kitchen! What a great idea to put the microwave and wine refrigerator in that cabinet. Everything looks fantastic!! Happy Valentine's Day.

  • Wow! Beautiful backsplash and love the trim on the curtains for an extra touch. We are hoping to start our kitchen redo this spring, painting cabinets, backsplash, etc. Thanks for inspiring and wowing me this morning! Great work!

  • Fantastic!! I take awhile to get a project done too because of funds. No need to bust the bank to get the instant look. I so want a hood and that wood require the micro moving on. Just can't convince my husband..perhaps your photos will help my case. Thanks for sharing..you all did a great job!
    Maureen

  • Well done!

    "We did and had things done as we had the money and time to complete each project" Better words could not have been spoken.

  • There are so many things I love about this: the microwave, glassware, wine fridge built-in is spot on GENIUS!!! The in/out/keep slots and the two-tiered tray below is simple and functional. The backsplash is beautiful. Fabulous details! I am only surprised you didn't want a little color or pattern in your valance.

  • So funny you mentioned this as this is something I may change in the future if I ever find a fabric I love. This diy'd plain white faux roman shade was my plan b. It cost me nothing but about 20 minutes and it works for now. 😉

  • Wow, what hard work! My favorites are the backsplash tile (I have almost the same thing), the molding on the peninsula (I'm totally going to do that to my sister's kitchen), and the microwave/wine fridge/wine glass tower.

  • Fabulous! When I come visit we can hang out by that little wine station, I won't mind 🙂

    Seriously you should enter this in your local home magazine at the least, send to BHG or something!

    Happy Valentine's Day!

  • How wonderful!! We bought a house with a beautiful kitchen, but it hasn't ever felt like "MY kitchen"… hoping to find the time and inspiration to do something like this someday!!! GREAT job on your remodel!!

  • I love love love your new kitchen! I can't wait until we move to have a bright white kitchen… 🙂 Congrats on such a great job!

  • yay!! It looks awesome! and well worth the wait & hard work. I bet everytime you walk into your kitchen you just smile- I know I would.

  • Seriously fabulous! I love everything about it. That organizing station is awesome too. I love the in, out and keep piles. 🙂 I definitely need that.

  • Your kitchen is wonderful! I know you must be enjoying it. We are in the process of putting molding on plain doors. It is shocking that it already looks 1000% better and it has not even been painted. Now I am "molding" obsessed and looking for more areas to place molding!! Job security for my husband. Altho he is pretty proud of himself – and loves the compliments.

  • You guys did an amazing job. The kitchen is stunning now, even though before it was really pretty too. I love the details in the molding and the new wine cooler! It all looks great.

  • The backsplash – the built in wine fridge – the molding – it all came together fabulously Carmel! I love it!! The best part about it to me is on top of being updated it has a classic feel AND it has your personality infused into it. And it's so crazy that you posted pics of your dining table turned kitchen table because I had that exact same table and have such seller's remorse for getting rid of it after seeing your transformation so time ago. I wish I still had my set now that I am refinishing our kitchen table for the 10th time. The dining table was so much bigger and yours looks so great in white!
    Congrats on being officially done with this project and enjoy your beautiful space!

  • I have to admit, I saw the first 'reveal' (the one after the shutters and curtains), and I thought that was a beautiful kitchen (maybe its because mine is so shabby?). And then I when I got to the final reveal and was blown away! Who knew backsplash could make such a difference? I would have never thought to pair the pale blue tile with the buttercream walls (and even seeing it, I don't think its a combo I'd prefer personally) but it totally works for you! Color me uber jealous! Oh and hi, btw, new reader, new blogger, just a newbie I guess! But after seeing that reveal I think I am hooked 🙂

  • Ahhhhhhhhhhh! Carmel, it's so gorgeous. I am in love. All of the little details are so beautiful. I just love the wood trim on the island and how you accessorized it. What time should I pop over to open up that wine fridge?!

  • Love, love, love everything. You have inspired me to paint our kitchen, your technique with the glaze is awesome. Maybe I will start with the cabinets in our sons bathroom as a try out first. Love you blog.

  • It's stunning. And gorgeous. and amazing. and perfect. and so worth the wait!!! I love all of it…the backsplash, the wine rack, the trim on the drapes…on and on!

    and thrilled my tips on blog organization helped…love your new gallery!

  • Completely stunning! I am in love with the all the details, the buttercream frosting walls, the chandy the contrast between black and white, the backsplash, but I really really heart that little wine fridge & wine glass storage, when can I come over?
    xo
    Kate

  • Your kitchen is lovely. Just a tips for adding trims to curtains or pillows. The product Fabic Tack is a washable glum made for that purpose which I have used successfully for years. It is VERY sticky so a little area at a time, dries clear and I guarantee it will ruin your manicure!

  • WOW!!! Your kitchen is AMAZING!! You are truly talented! I especially love how you made that little cabinet into a wine cooler, etc. That takes a true creative eye! One that I do not have and am so happy that others, like you do, so that I can steal your ideas 😉 It is truly beautiful!

  • Just gorgeous! I love the black and white. I am so jealous over the wine fridge. Oh, you must just love walking into your kitchen in the morning for that cup of coffee! 🙂

  • That's really wonderful! The new space you made for the microwave, wine cooler and glassware is by far my fave. Gives us hope for our kitchen!!! Thanks for sharing this Carmel.

  • Wow. This is gorgeous! I love it all. Where did you find your chandy over the dining table and that chevron towel? I'm going to need both….love.

  • The tiered shelf is from Willow House. It's actually a 3 tiered shelf that you can adjust. It comes in a brownish color and I spray painted mine black. It is one of my very favorite pieces! It's perfect for so many things!

  • Your kitchen is absolutely stunning! Love every single little detail that shows so much care and thought that went into it. Bon Appetit! Denise Cosgrove

  • I love the EAT sign and I can't believe you used black ribbon on the curtains, I thought they were bought that way:) Awesome job! I also love how you waited to do your projects when you had the budget for it, we did that too and it's so much better that way!

    Rondell

  • Love everything you have done. Your floors look amazing! I would love to know where you got your original curtains ? the geometric patterned ones? I need some very close to those and cannot find anywhere!
    thanks!!

  • I love you kitchen first of all. We just bought a house and I am in charge on planning the new kitchen within a budget. I am having the same dilemma you were with where to place the microwave. I love your microwave, wine glass and wine fridge section you guys made in a cabinet. Can I ask what kind of microwave you guys got, was it just a counter top one or a built in kind? I also love that wine fridge, what brand is it? We have two that are larger but wont fit with the new house so I'm looking for something without all the depth to fit the cut out in our kitchen I want to get built out. By the way, I just found your blog yesterday and love it! You rock with your style and I love and am super jealous of your North Pole! What a cute idea! Also, is your chalkboard with your kitchen menu just a mirror sprayed with chalk board paint? Thanks so much!!!

  • I love it when I see a wonderful blog post like yours, accompanied by great photos. I especially love it when I see we have the same taste in chandeliers! I have the Celeste chandy too!

  • I loooove what you did with the microwve! That was so clever because it looks built in! Your kitchen looks great! We are somewhat renovating/upgrading our first home and we are really excited! We want to make it nice but not over due because we know it's not our forever home. Maybe my forever home kitchen will look like this one day! =]

  • I loooove what you did with the microwve! That was so clever because it looks built in! Your kitchen looks great! We are somewhat renovating/upgrading our first home and we are really excited! We want to make it nice but not over due because we know it's not our forever home. Maybe my forever home kitchen will look like this one day! =]

  • Just seeing your kitchen as I am doing mine. I also have white cabinets. I am about to get the marble backsplash as well. I have a sample of a similar one from Home Depot, Greecian it is called. I have 2 questions, how is the marble holding up for cleaning and what do you use to clean it? Also what color grout did you use? I am choosing countertops as well. You're black counters are beautiful, what type. And color are they? Thanks for the help, your kitchen is an inspiration!

  • Where did you get that wonderful small etegere ( 2 story wire basket!)? I need one just like that and all I have. Seen are the vert tall ones! Thank you!

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