Thursday, November 12, 2009

before and after: kitchen/dining area


thank you for the lovely well wishes on my birthday!
yes, the husband got the necklace. i don't know how he knew exactly what i wanted. but he did so good! ;)
okay so...this last summer we did a little remodeling in our kitchen/dining area. here are the before and during and well, i can't really call it an after because i'm always wanting to change things. my husband calls me the "Winchester lady" because i'm always moving and changing things around...sometimes i even have "big plans" that i talk about.

here's our dining area when i looked at the house. unlike the rest of the house, this wasn't painted when they were on those good drugs and the color isn't so bad. but i like neutral on the walls so that i can paint furniture or accessorize any way i want.

here's a picture of our window no longer going to be a window. it was right next to the fireplace.
and here's the now.

french doors are where the window was. the walls and fire place has been painted (but not finished because i still need to paint that one wall..see "winchester lady") and here are my "big plans" that table holds special memories...as in it was one of the first things my husband bought for "us" when we got married...so i want to keep the table but i want to paint it and i would like to get different chairs for it. see? winchester lady...

and while this picture paints a very organized kitchen area...the "picture" behind me is atrocious as i've been "creating" while kids are in school and late into the night. i'm in between so many things and they all seem to throw up their left overs in my crafting area. my goal is to have it organized by next years this thanksgiving.
i have to. people are coming over.
my plan of action...maybe a power hose...or a bulldozer.

tomorrow i'll post my tutorial for the wheat pillows. monday we will have a new theme for sytyc (it looks like i'm moving to the next round as of right now) AND on tuesday we will have a sponsored giveaway.
fun fun fun!

50 comments:

Karin van Dam said...

Your kitchen looks lovely. I love the doors, I would love some doors in my kitchen to throw open in the summer!

And your husband, well, he must be clairvoyant, really. Amazing!

Audrie said...

Such a great change! I love the french doors... I'd like to have them installed where we have a great big window in the kitchen / eat-in area eventually.

Unknown said...

love that fireplace and the french doors - and the plate rack, and the window (is that a window?) with the wreath on above the fire.
Actually, I love it all.


Oh, happy belated birthday - I'm 34 too, and in my head I am still 24, and act like a 4 yr old. Must be the hormones or something.

Rachel Berry said...

Holy loving the light in your kitchen!!! The doors make such a difference! I love the painted fireplace as well!

I Purr-Furr to Craft said...

that kitchen is to die for! so perfectly lovely.

amylouwhosews said...

French doors up the awesome factor everytime! OR an doors with paned windows. I especially like them in interiors to separate rooms.

The white painted fireplace is genius too! I'm with Rachel - I love all the light!

Aimee said...

I have that same table and have already painted the bottom black/distressed and stained the top a bit darker. I want to replace the chairs, also, but I'm curious as to what type of chairs you are looking at for yours. I can't settle on a style.

Tess Smith said...

gorgeous! i just found your blog through sytyc. i loved those wheat pillows. adorable!

i love a painted fireplace. my husband and i just sold our century home in june and have been waiting patiently for our new home to be built. talk about a drastic change! we're currently living at his parents house until the big day arrives. my my my how i long to have our own home again. and so do the kids!
i love the window over the fireplace. gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

Wow! I LOVE everything in your room. It just says, "Come in and relax!" What color and brand is the paint on the walls? I love it!

Elisabeth said...

The french doors are such an improvement on that space, and my fave thing in your home is the fireplace and your buffet thingy. So pretty!
I personally like the table how it is, I have the same table too except it's all the plain wood, no white on the bottom. I don't think I could ever get rid of it either, because it was the first furniture we ever bought other than a mattress and a crib. Here is a story- we bought it with the money we got from insurance when my inlaws had a fire in their house and my wedding dress was in it and got ruined. I got an anniversary ring too so that helped a little. Still- wedding dress, charred! It was a downer.
Anyhoo- I don't know if I could even paint it because I'm sentimental about it, and if I did I might paint it with white on the bottom like yours is. Of course, now it is way too small for all of us, but I love it anyway!

Becky @ Our Sweet Peas said...

Gorgeous! I absolutely love it!

Design A-Peele said...

It looks so great!! I just painted my kitchen table too. It looks similar to yours. I just have different chairs that I painted red. they make me smile :)

trish said...

What a great makeover Mrs. Whinchester Lady! :o)

onlymehere said...

I love what you've done with it. Those French doors are divine and the fireplace looks wonderful painted. Great job!

Two Little Tots said...

Love the doors...really want to do that in our kitchen...we are not moving, so some day it will happen!

NorahS said...

You are brilliant! Not sure if I have ever come out of lurkdom to say how much I love visiting your blog. You have great taste! I love to see your ideas.

Anonymous said...

Awesome like possum..hc

Jboo said...

Great makeover -- it turned out beautiful!

janet

Crystal said...

Your dining area is beautiful. It looks like a picture out of a magazine!!

Kendra@My Insanity said...

Wow! What a transformation! Did you change the flooring at all?

Sunny said...

It looks so light and bright and just plain lovely!

Tricia said...

Gorgeous! The french doors are amazing!

XO*Tricia

Purple Quilter Queen said...

Your kitchen is so cute! Each little piece of your home that you share with us is like looking into an issue of Better Homes & Garden! Love it. Thanks for sharing your talents.

Megan said...

Beautiful!! I love it!

Emily said...

I need that big "C!" Where can I find one?

Marie said...

That turned out great!! Love it.

Tasha said...

Gorgious! You are seriously so inspiring. I just love it!

dana said...

You guys have done some major work to the kitchen! Impressive! French doors are on our list too. They add such charm and warmth to the room. Cute cute!

Powers Fam said...

"WinchesterLady"! That is hilarious. I used to live in San Jose and anytime someone would visit us we took the to the Winchester Mystery house. After exercising yesterday I sure wouldn't mind some of the little stairs she installed. I loved you wheat pillows and am now rethinking my bedroom color scheme.

brittany marie davis said...

Oh my gosh. LOVE it! You so rocked it.

Terri said...

Love it! :) What a great re-do!

Mauri said...

Love your kitchen. With those beautiful french doors and the painted fireplace it looks like a beautiful vintage farmhouse. Lovely!

Anonymous said...

amazing. looks like out of a magazine page.

V and Co. said...

the big C is from a craft store called provo craft.
the paint color is dijon by true value (?) that's what the tag said.

Victoria said...

Love the necklace. :)

I always enjoy seeing pictures of your house because, not only are they beautiful, but calming and peaceful as well.

Anonymous said...

It looks just beautiful now! I can't believe what a difference painting the fireplace made. Love it!

Heather said...

Wow! It looks just beautiful :D I am so glad you are getting it the way you want it. The french doors look awesome. We are going to do that as well :) Great job!

Allison said...

when can I move in? I had a dream last night that you were teaching a sewing class at our fabric store here...but you were making a butt ugly blouse with big ol' ruffles down the front and sleeves. So I didn't go to your class but then I felt bad. :)

Laurel said...

holy cow! my mouth fell open at the transformation. i love the painted fireplace, it just makes the room so much more open and calming. so beautiful!

Dogwood said...

Beautiful remodel job on the eating area and kitchen. I love the colors and change in door and window. What a super cool idea. Looks like such a brigh and happy room. I bet you love being in that room.

Brittany said...

This seriously is amazing! I had to look back and forth between the before and after pics to make sure it was the same room! You did such a good job. I'm putting this on my blog for inspiration. I just wish I could see the other side of the room!! I'll be looking out for that post... :)

Melanie @ Whimsical Creations said...

Looks fabulous!!

rachel griffith said...

i wanna be like you when i grow up.
and my house wants to copycat your house.
:)

tell jake hi-5 on the necklace!!!
i reckon you owe him that 45 minute drive to walmart for those xxxl sweats he wants.
HAHAHAHAHA.

Kersten said...

Ooo, I love it! Bright and inviting. I have a dark and dungeon (at least it feels like that do me) like kitchen. I guess there is only so much you can do when you are renting. Someday though...

Melissa {polkadot chair} said...

This is a WOW! I seriously thought it was a photo from a magazine and had to do a double take!
why not paint your chairs and leave the table as is? you know a splash of color...

Kellie said...

It's absolutely beautiful! I love it! We are in the mix of revamping and woo does it take TIME! Kudos! :)

Sophie said...

oooh love the new kitchen. Would give my eyeteeth for that kitchen, whatever it looks like behind the photo!

She sews and scraps said...

Gorgeous home! thank you for sharing it with us!
I NEED to know where you got that tray on your table?!! tell me, pretty please?!! ;)
shesewsandscraps@gmail.com

Corrie said...

gorgeous! I'm ready to move in...I'm sure your family won't mind!!!!!

abby jenkins said...

Can't believe that is the same room! Looks like something right out of Country Living. GORGEOUS!

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