Kitchen Refresh

With our kitchen renovation plans on hold, I couldn't take it any longer... I decided we would rip down the old wallpaper & paint the kitchen.  I figured it would be a quick & cheap way to refresh the room while we're waiting to start the real renovation!

Mom took down the wallpaper on her last visit (Yup- the woman travels with her own steamer!)  Then I spent the next weekend spackling & painting.  I must say, it all came together pretty quickly (took me longer to get arount to snapping the photos than it did for the whole project!)

Here are the Befores & Afters...

The Eating Area:

Prior to us moving in

Holding pattern

AFTER

We had the tan paint left over from the Dining Room.  I was considering the gray we used in the foyer & hallway, but my mom suggested the DR paint color instead- since the linoleum floor is a creamy tan.  She was right!

 

The tulip print we got on our honeymoon in Australia.  The colors tied in nicely, & the frame matches the corner seat.

On the right is a wrapped canvas. I took the pic  of us in our rain boots at last year's Easter Egg Hunt & added our last name to the center.  It will eventually go in our back entryway.

From the Dining Room doorway:

Prior to move in

Holding Pattern

AFTER

The curtains I got on sale for $5!  The window facing the backyard is very narrow & caused the curtain to look frilly.  So, I trimmed it, for a more tailored look.

<-- The flower hook hanging next to the window holds aprons.  I love the blue accent it provides.

From the Hall Doorway:

Prior to moving in

AFTER

Painting the bottom of the peninsula made a huge difference & lightened up the whole room!

AFTER

View from the table-->

I didn't paint the bottom cabinets on the far side of the kitchen... taking off the doors & everything would be more work than I could get done in a weekend!  

But I might do that next... I'm also thinking I may paint the fan blades... not sure yet!

The Fridge Corner:

Prior to move in

Holding Pattern

AFTER

We got the new fridge last July, but had an ugly cabinet next to it for food storage.  I rearranged the other kitchen cabinets and decided to move our bakers rack in from the back porch. It's another oldie but goodie (we got it for our first apartment back in 2001!)








I was a little hesitant about the open shelves concept for our dishes, but now am loving it.  It makes emptying the dishwasher a breeze!

The baskets look nice AND are functional (great for hiding chips and cookies... shh!)

The top of the fridge got some too!









Stove/Sink area:

AFTER

I didn't do too much over here.  Just painted the little bit of exposed wall, the moulding, the radiator cover, and added the curtain.

I still need to get some new screening for the radiator cover.

My favorite new accessory over here is the glug jug...








So, that's where the kitchen is now!
It's far (very far) from perfect... but feels so much more fresh & clean.

One more side-by-side...