Hey friends – happy weekend to you! Hope it’s a great one. We continue forward with our kitchen renovations here – and it won’t be long ’til running water, gas cooktop and ovens happen. (Translation: a real meal that doesn’t involve the electric griddle.) Hopefully this coming week, fingers crossed. And no. more. blizzards.
Posting Kitchen Ideas here to give you hints of our kitchen reno if you’re into that kind of thing. Especially if you’ve got a remodel on the horizon or are on the fence about it.
Truth is, I’ve felt like a crazy woman these last few weeks. Yesterday I made a beef stew with the electric griddle and slow cooker balanced on a plywood plank stretched between counter frames. A balancing act. Just call me Pioneer Woman.
That same day the big nor’easter hit us hard, and I was bundled up to my eyes refilling the backyard feeder in 18″ of white for my feathered friends. That would be Tundra Woman. Me.
Then my asthma kicked in with all the mudding, spackling, sanding etc. and I had to wear a ridiculous white dust mask around my own house for days. Bird Flu Woman? LOL. (I’ll answer to plain Crazy too.)
Jon and I were in the paint store yesterday picking out the wall color and the guy at the counter mentions the coming storm.
Naive me: What storm?
Him: You didn’t hear? Another nor’easter’s on the way, arriving Monday or Tuesday.
Me: For real? (Jaw drops a mile. Or three.)
And all I can muster back: “So don’t shoot the messenger, right?”
Folks, it’s MARCH. April showers bring… May flowers. So what do March blizzards bring? Give it time. Then mud. M-U-D. In my sparkling white kitchen no less. Funny. (Or not.) The grand prize for March blizzards is mud.
Posting some Kitchen Ideas and pics about the journey today, sharing some of our choices. It’s amazing, there are SO MANY choices out there and it’s dizzying even knowing where to begin.
Pot fillers are a fun new accessory. Install above your stove top for effortless pot and kettle filling.
If you’re thinking about kitchen remodeling, start looking at kitchen ideas in home decorating magazines, online decorating sites and Pinterest.
Shaker white cabinets by Forevermark. (This isn’t our kitchen, but similar cabinets.)
Pore over lots of kitchen pictures to see what you like. Think of kitchens you’ve been in and love – family and friends’ kitchens. Even kitchens you don’t like. (Why don’t you like it?) The tough thing then, is to break down the why. Why do you like a particular look? What reels you in? Is it color? Style? Cabinets? Appliances? Floor? Lighting? And then note the individual components that contribute towards the look and feel you like.
For instance, do you like wood cabinets? Dark or light? Painted? Stained? Or maybe you’re drawn to white? Do you like lots of moldings and bevels? Or simple clean lines. Do you like living with neutrals and muted colors, or color drama?
When I was in my twenties, I loved bold color and lots of it. But as we were looking at homes for sale last year, I found I’m drawn to quieter, more muted color palettes now, with color pops here and there.
My girlfriend J put this fixture in her kitchen (different finish) and I love it! (Photo creds: thanks Moonstone Fox !)
Not sure if it’s my age or styles have changed dramatically. But with this kitchen remodel, I’m going for light and bright, clean, classic lines, neutral colors and an industrial flavor.
My sister has a hot water dispenser and finds it… indispensable! Make tea, hot cocoa or oatmeal at a moment’s notice, no stovetop necessary. Mounts next to the kitchen sink faucet.
And I have to say, as it’s all coming together… I’m loving it! I know this farmhouse/industrial mix was the right choice for us, but everyone has different tastes and house style to work with. So first you have to figure out what works best for your scene.
You can always hire a designer, but if you already know what you like and have experienced contractors to lean on – why not save the pesos and go for it? I think I can. I think I can. The little blue engine, chugging right along.
The web is a great source of design inspiration. And if you happen to have a friend who dabbles in interior design like me, I’m sure they’ll be happy to steer you in the right direction.
In case you missed it, here are my previous posts on our kitchen remodel:
Don’t Get Scammed On Craig’s List Like I (Almost) Did
My next kitchen-related post will be the kitchen reveal. Can’t wait!
What’s going on in your world? Would love to hear from you. Have a beautiful weekend.
Annmarie says
Need some plumbing done around the house and this inspired me! I will have a Pot filler next to my stove! Thank you for the ideas!
Allie says
Thanks for dropping by Annmarie! It’s been quite an adventure, looks like about one more week and it will be finished!
Ellen says
Love your ideas. Can’t wait to see it all together!!
Allie says
Thanks Elle – me too! Looks like about another week and it will be finished. Hooray!!! Glad you’ll get to see it in person soon. <3 <3 <3
Barb Ruka says
Hi Allie! We got the same hot water dispenser with a filter! Thanks for the idea! Every time I use it, I’ll think of you! Our cabinets are in, trim is all done, door on pantry being installed today. Painting starts Monday. Countertops in a week. Backsplash, appliance installation and we’re done. Hope we make it by April 1st! Can’t wait to see your completed kitchen.
Allie says
Oh yay!!! I’m so glad Barb. Things are moving right along here too. Countertops were installed on Monday and I LOVE it! Have a functional oven and stovetop as of yesterday, also the kitchen sink. Funny how important that kitchen sink suddenly is when you don’t have it. The contractors have been oohing and ah-ing over the industrial brushed nickel fixtures. Today the dishwasher is getting installed. (!) Still have tile backsplash, hood range, cabinet hardware and a backordered cabinet to go. Can’t wait to for it to be done and look forward to seeing yours too. Fingers crossed for April 1st!
Joya Dennehy says
Love it Allie!
Allie says
Thanks Joya – can’t wait for you to see it! It’s really coming along, it won’t be long now. xo
Tony Molica says
Thank you for the ongoing learning and education. In my 53 years of life, I have never heard, nor seen a pot filler faucet. Now I know and what a marvelous idea! Although it looks like one of this things you think of installing before you finish your kitchen, not after.
Allie says
Sure thing Tony – and yeah, a pot filler is one of those things they’ve got to do on the front end because of the plumbing. It’s been pretty cool watching everything come together. Countertops went in on Monday – and we have functional oven, gas cooktop and kitchen sink as of yesterday… dishwasher installation today. Good thing too, I am so sick of washing dishes and pans in a tiny bathroom sink. Have a great week – thanks for dropping by!
Susie Mandel says
Definitely Pioneer Woman with the electric griddle making beef stew–wow–you’re my hero. Sorry about your asthma! We have been dealing with that down here with Jac and it can be scary. So many choices when doing a remodel–think I’d go crazy for sure. Can’t wait to see your after pictures!! (I know you can’t either!)
Allie says
SUSIE!!! It’s coming. Counters went in on Monday, oven and cooktop are now functional as of yesterday, kitchen sink went in yesterday too – and thank God for that. It was killing me washing all the dishes in the shallow bathroom sink. Anyway, hope Jac is past the asthma scare – I have to keep putting on a mask but I’m thankful it’s controlled. Asthma can be scary stuff. Have a super week my friend. xoxo
Nancy says
Allie, kitchen accessories are looking good. Can’t wait to see it all put together.
Allie says
Thank you so much Nancy! It’s all coming together – it won’t be long now! Belated Happy Birthday! xo
Elaine Murphy says
Allie it’s so exciting that your kitchen is finally coming together…have you gone to Loft 55 on Canal St…? They have different light fixtures and beautiful locally made kitchen tables and accessories.
Allie says
Thanks Elaine…things are really coming together this week!!!! 🙂 I now havea functioning oven, cooktop, kitchen sink and dishwasher….. as of a couple minutes ago. And no, I’ve not gone to Loft 55 on Canal Street. I’ve never heard of it. And YES, I will definitely be checking it out soon. You aways have the best ideas, can’t wait to check it out. Thanks so much Elaine, have a great week!
brigitte says
Merci Allie pour toutes ces belles idées d’aménagements de cuisine, il me tarde de voir ta cuisine finie, bisous, belle journée! :o)
Allie says
Thank you so much Brigitte, I’m so excited to see this project finished. It’s been a wonderful adventure and I feel so thankful to be able to do this. Thanks for dropping by my friend. xo
puja says
Kitchen accessories are simply awesome. Loved those ideas Allie. Thanks for sharing my friend. 🙂
Allie says
Thanks Puja – I’m having a lot of fun putting this kitchen together. Can’t wait to share the after pictures. Thanks for dropping by.
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Barbara Child says
Such a major project! It will definitely be worth it all when it’s done! Can’t wait to see the finished product!
Eva says
Bonjour Allie! J’aime beaucoup tout les idées, spécialement les lampes! xoxo
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