My New Kitchen

Here it is the after pictures, which means the kitchen is totally finished!  Woo Hoo This is going to be a very picture heavy post so you are warned.  I am going start with several  of the new kitchen followed by before and after photos so you can see how the old layout was and what is the new layout.

We took out the ceiling in the kitchen and vaulted the kitchen/dining area.  In the upstairs we would only be giving up a small hallway, the stairway and a closet.  This was an easy decision, the windows you see in the vault were always there, we just put in a framed window versus a double hung.

This is a before from same angle

Or here before I painted the cabinets

Here is new island, which I just love - all the room for prep and to eat.  It is amazing.

I can't get the entire kitchen in one photo.  The refrigerator is just on the other side of the opening.  It may seem like not the best location but for us it works just fine.  I love all the built-ins around it and I have so much storage.

This is what was in the refrigerator area before, a desk area.  These cabinets went to my second oldest daughter's house and she put them up in her office.  Notice the wall is now gone to the left. Let me talk about what greeted you when you walked in the side door. It was a small 3 foot landing then you went down to the basement, to the right to the kitchen or left to the dining room.

Now this is what you see

Now let me share from the other side, coming down the hallway from the bedrooms

Now you see this

here is another shot

Where I once saw this

I see this

Stove area before

Stove area after

Farmhouse sink

Countertops

What I once saw here

I see this

Here is some more railing pictures  These were all fabricated from a shop here in my hometown.  The did an amazing job and the railings are just like I described to them.  

Right here you can see into my sewing loft.  I have such a beautiful view now, no more looking at the furnace and the plumbing!

The ceiling is one of those changes in the middle of construction decisions.  We had thought we were going to do beams but they were not needed for the structure.  Once the area was opened up and vaulted, Mike and I knew we didn't want to break up the space.  We were nervous about sheetrock and possible cracks.  The contractor suggested this and we instantly knew that is what we wanted.  This is a tongue and groove product which is prefinished.  Isn't it funny how you want one thing but have to go with another and that ends up the perfect solution?  Initially, I wanted a white washed finish for the ceiling, that would have taken 3 weeks.  We did  not have 3 weeks, we needed it now, so we went with the clear finish on the pine.  Oh, I am so happy the white washed didn't work out.

Before we had a single door on the north side. 

and the window, which we closed up.  Also, note the decorating changes through the years

Now we have these beautiful double doors, which are great to move furniture in and out and also remind me of old store doors.

The old view when you opened the front door.  I use to take my dressform photos here, so I could  get natural light

Now I see this

And the view from my sewing loft

Thanks for looking.  I walk around my kitchen in total amazement feeling so blessed and fortunate to have such a beautiful place to cook and entertain.  This is one of those cases where the results are so much better than the picture in my head!  

This is our first and only house and did the initial kitchen remodel 24 years ago. One thing my mother-in-law said many years ago, when you are farmers, the first thing you look for is the land, then the house comes with it.  That was the case for us, the house has gone through many transformations and this one is really the one that is us.

Details

Wall Paint - Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter

Island color - Benjamin Moore Galveston Gray

Cabinet color - Sherwin Williams Alabastor

Windmill fan from Shades of Light

Sink Faucet from Home Depot

Hickory Hardwood floor and beveled subway tile - Flooring America

Countertop - Cambria Berwynn

Lights above dining table  - Metro Lighting

Barstools - Overstock

Cabinets - made locally by a great friend and talented cabinet maker

Appliances - locally purchased