Kitchen.... Check!!

Yes, at long last I can say that we have finally completed the kitchen. Mr. Hughes took the pictures this morning with his fancy schmancy camera. So here it is, our kitchen before:


And here is our after:





Yes, it has been a long journey, but I am very pleased with the way it turned out. I realize there was nothing fundamentally wrong with our kitchen before, it just didn't feel like me. I have an aunt who is dying that I painted those maple cabinets. This whole project started when Mr. Hughes bartered a web design for a granite company. For some reason, I couldn't choose the less expensive stone that matched what we had... I chose (unknowingly) the most expensive. So, then we HAD to change the cabinets. And, while we were at it, we NEEDED to add the backsplash. And, we couldn't leave the hideous bubble light (exempt from the before shot.) So, we added the backsplash after we had the granite installed. And then added the schoolhouse light fixtures in the kitchen and  breakfast nook. Then, a YEAR later ( because I was pregnant) I painted the cabinets. I couldn't decide if I wanted to do them all cream or do the lowers a different color. Then, I couldn't decide whether the lowers should be black or grey. I settled on grey just to brighten up that area. I tried to take inspiration from all the things that I love:


Ironstone, of course! The top paint color is even called China White.

And vintage black and white advertising ware, especially my collection of Dundee Marmalade jars.

We also spiffed up the breakfast nook with drapes and a rug.

This is also where my absolute favorite piece of ironstone lives. Mr. Hughes got me this cake pedestal for a gift, no special occasion required.
And, here is my newest acquisition:

I found these corbels last weekend at an antique mall. They were priced great, but I still managed to leave without them. I couldn't think exactly where I would put them. After we left, I couldn't stop thinking about how I had just walked away on such a good deal on something I really loved. So, the very next day, I rushed on my lunch hour to go get them. I am just lucky that they were still there. So, there it is. Our kitchen. I hope you enjoyed the tour. And I am off to make Mr. Hughes a key lime pie for putting up with all my nagging this week.


I am linking up to Jennifer's Impromptu Linky Party!

31 comments:

  1. I LOVE how your kitchen turned out! The cabinets look awesome and the wall color is SO perfect! I love white cabinets...lucky for us, the woman that previous owned our house loved white cabinets as well, as installed them before we purchased our home. :) Enjoy your "new" kitchen. :)

    Rachel

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  2. Your kitchen is gorgeous. You have fabulous taste. Thanks for sharing the "befores" too. You're right, there was nothing wrong with that kitchen, but now it is fabulous and a sign of who YOU are (and Mr. Hughes).

    Daryl

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  3. I love how your kitchen turned out. Funny that when we change one thing...pouf...everything has to go!!
    Terrific job both of you.
    Thanks for sharing!
    Nerina :)

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  4. Isn't it a blast decorating! I always say a good house is never done, it just keeps evolving!

    Love your kitchen!

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  5. freakin' amazing! Love your blog!!! :)

    Susan @ www.peanutpetunia.blogspot.com

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  6. Thanks so much all of you!! Hearing your comments makes all that painting worthwhile!
    Smiles!
    Michelle

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  7. Wonderful job!!! I found your site from the RMS Web site (my ID is gkmdc). Love it! I have the EXACT same cabinets (Aristokraft?) in our five-year-old house and have been trying my hardest to mentally match a countertop to them (mentally since the pocketbook can't support my dreams yet!!), but EVERY kitchen I adore has white cabinetry, subway tile and white/gray granite/marble. Seeing your space has inspired me to paint them!!! We even have the same nickel knobs! Could you give me the lowdown on how you went about painting them? Did you sand? I have a two-year-old to corral, so how did you manage with your little one? I just painted our front living/dining combo using a child gate to keep her at bay, but I don't know how I can do it with the kitchen! ;)

    Many blessings!
    Kristin

    blog: gregoryandkristin.blogspot.com
    blogazine: www.domesticease.com

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  8. I just found your blog and I LOVE it! I think "Vintage Junky" (+ a lot of Glamour) is my style, too! Can't wait to read more of your posts, your pictures are very inspirational! :)
    ~Lindsey

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  9. WOW Michelle, your kitchen looks amazing, I love everything you did, the cabinets looks fantastic..and the counters and, I love, did i say love, oh yeah I love the ironstone {{sigh}}...and the corbels, now those are amazing, and they look great right where you put them. Isn't all the hardwork so worth it in the end???? Thanks for leaving me a comment today on my blog, so glad I clicked over here to say hello!! Hope you have a wonderful week~
    XO~
    Tara

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  10. wow this is one fabulous transformation, love the colours you used - the cabinets look totally different, in fact it all looks like a brand new room

    Sarah

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  11. Now THAT is one beautiful and gorgeous transformation! GREAT JOB!

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  12. Hey! This is Kristin from Domestic Ease...Thanks so much for writing! I was dreaming about painting the cabinets all night! :)

    I would love to get the instructions! Were you planning to make it an entry on your site? If yes, then I can check it here. If no, would you mind shooting me an email with the details? domesticease@yahoo.com.

    I would love to feature you and your amazing before and after on the blogazine (domestic ease)...would you be okay with that? I would also love to start a blogroll on the site...can I add you?

    Blessings!
    Kristin

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  13. Love, Love, Love your kitchen. Great Job!
    Where did you get the shelves above your buffet?
    Thanks, Christy

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  14. Hi Christy!
    I bought the black shelves with the corbels from Ballard a couple of years ago. I am pretty sure they still carry them.

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  15. hello. just came across your blog this morning. love it :O)
    i too just painted my kitchen white. it was natural maple, pretty, but not me at all. i don't think many would have changed it but what good is it if your no in love with it. i love the way it turned out. looks fabulous.

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  16. hi! i came across your blog a few days ago. your kitchen is absolutely stunning! i just love your taste! those kitchen chairs remind me of old Steelcase office chairs...are they?

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  17. Love love love your kitchen!!! You are giving me the courage and the inspiration to take on my own kitchen. Please post more details. I would love to know the paint colors!! How easy is this to do? How hard is it to do?

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  18. Where did you get the light fixture from? I'm desperately looking for a new kitchen light and love this one.

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  19. Wow, what a great transformation. This is really inspiring. I love white kitchens. You've done a great job!!! Thanks for sharing.

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  20. Painted cabinets on the wood just wakes up the kitchen and brings it life. Mine were a dark wood in a small kitchen closed off from the rest of the house so painting mine was a must, it opened up the kitchen so much...that was almost 12 yrs. ago. Everything looks so nice. Great job.
    Pam

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  21. Just wanted you to know that you've created my dream kitchen!! It is awesome!

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  22. Hello! I just stumbled upon your blog and I must say I LOVE your kitchen makeover!!! So wonderful! Where did you get that light fixture?? It is amazing and just what I may need when I get around to transforming my kitchen! Also what color gray did you paint your lower cabinets? They look fabulous!

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  23. What a fabulous room it is now! The breakfast nook, round rug, those chunky corbels and the shelving...its all wonderful.

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  24. LOVE your kitchen re-do! Definitely inspiring for my natural wood-colored cabinets. I also would like to know: did you sand before painting? i have 2 little ones, but would love to just venture out and change up my cabinets! and you've got me thinking about a butlers pantry, too. you are so creative & i love your style. found you through "My Chic Retreat" blogspot

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  25. Sarah,
    I tried to reply to you directly, but I couldn't :( So I hope you will see this and not think I ignored you. Yes, I sanded and primed. But just a light sanding by hand... not like with a rotary or anything like that. Our cabinets had a matte finish anyhow so it wasn't like I was trying to paint over lots of gloss.

    You should paint your cabinets... but you are talking to someone who loves painted cabinets!! I will tell you that I did this like 2 years and I still love it and it has held up really well... very, very few dings and chips. Mainly where our child proofing devices were. Hope this helps!
    xo~

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  26. I'm over from Jennifer Rizzo, and I LOVE your kitchen. I did different colored lower cabinets too and I love how they turned out. Yours are so subtle and nice, very elegant! Fantastic job!

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  27. Great makeover, I have been following you for awhile but I had not seen your kitchen it is wonderful...Thanks for sharing it at Jennifer's!

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  28. Gorgeous! I love the light fixtures too!

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  29. good morning...I'm over from Jennifer's party...I was so happy to see your gorgeous kitchen because we are currently painting our maple cabinets as well...everyone paints the oak, but as you said there was nothing wrong with the maple...I think ours were the exact same cabinets as yours...we have one more coat to go...wondering if you used a roller or a brush??...we are doing both...your kitchen is so pretty and I love your ironstone and the corbels as well...going back to follow along...thx for sharing your accomplishment!!...Mariaelena

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