Our hard working little kitchen finally got some updates this year.  When we moved in 12 years ago it got a quick coat of paint by yours truly and new counters, not much else.  Two little boys and many years later it was in dire need of a fresh coat of paint and a few updates. Nothing major, we opened up the dining room wall last year and that has been huge but the actual kitchen itself needed some attention: Appliances, paint, new lighting and faucet and removing cabinet doors. Even just the few simple things we chose to do made a huge difference in this small space.

We have more planned for the future but these updates have been like new brake pads for us..giving us many more miles and usage.

First thing, new appliances.  I blogged here about our Bewitched era stove, its been replaced (angels singing) with the Kenmore elite with side oven (I think the particular 36″ model has been discontinued) and the original stove went north to live with a collector of old stoves. (Seriously, someone drove from Michigan for it).  We did install a new faucet as blogged about here and here.  Not a Rohl or Grohe but good for now until we replace counters and sink down the road.   We had used the same fridge since grad school when we were married.  It was so small.  Can’t believe we had that fridge so long but it made me really appreciate the big new stainless COUNTER DEPTH replacement. Can’t say enough about the counter depth in a small kitchen. (can you see where Henry has already dinged it??)

 Updating the appliances was huge for me.  As was the lighting. I had a fluorescent (cringe I know) long light for YEARS…I thought that was the only way to get enough light in that room.  Until I called Rejuvenation and figured out way to make a schoolhouse fixture work.  I used the Jefferson fixture and flared school house globe. They set me up with the right fixture to accommodate safely the wattage i would need for good lightning and its been wonderful.  I love pendant lights in kitchens over island but I just don’t have one, luckily I get to pick out this lighting for my clients!  And in the end I am happy, I love schoolhouse lights! I also have a set of vintage lamps on my desk and I have really enjoyed them in the kitchen as well.

 A few more of my faves..the desk we added that hides my work stuff and craft supplies underneath and doubles as a server when needed.

Other little things I love, my back door painted BM Black Jack, moving the Kitchen Aid off of precious counter space, the chalkboard wall behind fridge and on stairwell door and the vintage English street sign over the sink (a gift from this special friend).

The other big thing for me was removing the cabinet doors. I have never been a fan of that look. I learned, NEVER say never. I blogged a bit about it here. When we moved in the house all I wanted in the kitchen was white cabinets and some glass doors. I still think glass doors are very pretty but I was tired of them in my space. A complete tear out and adding shelves didn’t seem feasible at this time so removing doors ended up being the way to go for us. And I have eaten my crow, because I love it!

Ok, so just remind you this is what our kitchen looked like when photographed for BHG back in 2004. Butter color walls and glass doors, before we opened the wall to dining room.

And now with no doors. and no wall between kitchen and dining.

Makes unloading dishwasher and grabbing plates and glasses so easy.

We painted the walls Martha Stewart’s Sharkey Gray and used Low VOC paint from The Green Painter in Houston, Texas, for the cabinets. During the weeks of painting, it was so nice to be able to allow the kids back in the house each evening for sleep and know they were not inhaling toxic fumes. We used their pure basic white. I blogged more about the excruciating sanding and paint process here. It was a long process (and I didn’t even do it) but worth it. I originally painted the cabinets with semi-gloss OIL paint because they were covered with old green oil paint. My painter had to sand really well and then cover with a bonding primer before going over with the new WATER BASED paint.

My 8 x20 kitchen also has a door to the upstairs of our home. The stairs are a little hidden which I love.

No matter where I live, I hope I always have check floors.

 A few more details…you will notice we have kept our granite tile counters but just changing up styling and adding the shelf has freshened it so much for me. I must admit, wooden IKEA counters and farm sink  are on my wish list for someday. But for now I am very happy and at the end of the  day these little notes in my kitchen window remind me what is really important! 

 Thanks for looking and thanks for asking to see the updated photos after the sneak peak in Texas Live Magazine. If you are interested in any sources I didn’t mention please leave a note in comments and I will try to address later in the week. 

A big thanks for Natalie Lacy Lange for the photography.