my kitchen update-before and after

 

I’ve decided that it’s about time I put a home tour on my blog.

What do you think"?

Do like visiting blogger’s homes? Personally I love it when I stop by a blog and see that big, friendly “home tour” button, it’s such a nice way to know more about the person behind the blog, their personality and style, even where they live.

But my problem is that I’m always changing things around and my rooms never feel quite done.

Can you relate?

Anyway, I’ve decided that September is my action month. So ready or not, here’s what my kitchen looks like today. I’ve made a few changes during my busy summer that I haven’t shown you yet. On our anniversary trip to the wine country I found this rustic looking sign that fit perfectly over my French doors.

Before

with empty space over French doors

After

I had been waiting  SO LONG to find something for this space. And the best part of this sign is that it will always remind me of our sweet little anniversary trip. It’s nothing expensive, but I love it because it tells a story.

You can read more about your home’s story HERE.

Before

The last time I posted on my kitchen I had this black and white damask curtain over my window. But it started to feel ‘heavy’ so I recently removed it and put this chalk tray up instead.

I guess I have a thing for black and white.

I have two healthy ferns planted in urns and my old clay pots on the sill.

I changed a few kitchen vignettes around.

It’s hard to take photos from this angle because our kitchen is so long. From this angle you can glimpse the chalkboard art I made for the island. For more DIY info click HERE.

Instead of a standard size table we opted for one that was the same height as the island. It’s provided great space for entertaining over the years and I think it’s been good for our family. It’s made our kitchen more of a casual hang-out spot.

 

this is the view from the stairs

If you want to see what the table and chairs looked like when they were black you can click HERE

Well that’s my kitchen for now, I’ll be adding the Fall touches shortly, but I sure hope you enjoyed your visit. If you would like to see my Fall dining room you can click HERE.

What about you?  How are you getting ready for Fall?

xoxo

Leslie

 

I’m linking up at these lovely parties":

• http://www.stonegableblog.com/2013/09/tutorials-tips-and-tutorials-64.html
• http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/2013/09/open-house-blog-party_11.html?
• http://www.adelightsomelife.com/2013/09/home-and-garden-thursday-46.html?
• http://elizabethandco.blogspot.com/2013/09/be-inspired-features-and-link-party-86.html

 

Technorati Tags: kitchen decorating,vignettes,cottage kitchen decor,adding vintage touches to kitchen,DIY kitchen before and after,white kitchens

Black to White: a kitchen update

This is a BEFORE photo of my kitchen.

Although I like having touches of black in my white kitchen, these dark chairs and table started to feel too dark. Especially since I don’t get a lot of natural light in here after the morning hours.

Funny when I look at this photo, I still like this look. And I might have kept them black except for my brown sectional that’s next to this kitchen. The combination of my dark chocolate sectional which I have a love/hate relationship with

( love how comfy it is, sick-of-the-color)

and this black table and chairs created a heaviness in this space. Do you do this kind of balancing act with color too? It felt like something needed to change.

You can see more of my before kitchen HERE.

Before

Anyway, since I can’t afford a new couch I decided to focus on what I could change so I painted the furniture. You can see how I sanded, dismantled the chairs and used a chalk paint recipe HERE. 

I won’t deny it, painting chairs are a lot of work (thanks Dad for your help).

After

But now that it’s done, I’m SO happy with it. I’m just loving all the white.

 

What do you think? I took this picture in the morning.

Black table in background (ignore smudgy island)

White table in background

Black chairs next to brown sectional

White chairs next to brown sectional

Well that’s it for now. I’ll be back with photos of the whole kitchen

(hopefully with better lighting)

when I’m finished with my kitchen island chalk art. Now that the wedding’s over I finally have time to finish it! Although I still think the biggest transformation has been the white-chalk painted fireplace in this room, it changed the entire feeling in here. Amazing what paint can do.

In the meantime…this weekend is the annual Mother-Son dance at Michael’s school and it’s my Mom’s birthday on Sunday so I’ll be doing a little brunch. So I’m off to check out recipes….

I sure hope you have a wonderful weekend!

xoxo

Leslie

 

I’m linking this post up at these fun places:

• http://www.commonground-do.com/2013/04/be-inspired-134-april-showers.html?
• http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2013/04/feathered-nest-friday_11.html?
• http://missmustardseed.com/2013/04/furniture-feature-friday-kathleens-favorites-a-link-party/
• http://www.redouxinteriors.com/2013/04/link-party-99-the-fantab-features-and-giveaway-coming-up/
• http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2013/04/party-junk-182-hydrangeas.html
• http://suburbsmama.blogspot.com/2013/04/sunday-linky-party-3.html
• http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/04/160th-inspire-me-tuesday.html

 

 

 

Technorati Tags: kitchen decorating,white chalk paint,country white kitchen,DIY update