Sunday, June 26, 2011

Kitchen Progress


I was supposed to be making progress on some of the projects that were already under way but one thing sometimes leads to another.  When I was finishing up painting in the kitchen, I got sidetracked and started a new one.


The kitchen has gone through a few different stages.  This is what it looked like when I bought the house, the scrambled eggs and band-aids color combo.  It's been painted a few times including the hideous tile that was primed and painted BM Decorator's White.


To make room a new bathroom, I gave up about 2-1/2 feet out of the kitchen.


That ended up looking like this.  I had a 1960s dishwasher (used only for storage) on one side of the stove, and a microwave cart on the other.  The old table in the middle of the kitchen that used for prep space was too big for the smaller kitchen.


I tried the green antique console table which looked great but was too low and too small to be practical.


I was lucky to find an old, paint spattered lab table with slate top that was the perfect size and height for an island.  A real bargain found in Maine.  So, as I was painting, I thought this dishwasher and microwave cart solution was just a little too pitiful.  So I scoured the house for Home Depot gift cards and cashed them in for a few adult kitchen cabinets. 


I primed and painted them with Benjamin Moore Rockport Gray.  It was great luck that the top to the old dishwasher and microwave cart fit the cabinets so I didn't have to buy countertop although I have my eye on a butcher block slab at IKEA.

Yes, I've decided to go without a microwave.  Totally old school.

I thought this looked so much better although not a great deal more efficient.  As much I loved my vintage cow print above the stove, I thought open shelving would let me keep things I use everyday (and a few snazzy decorative items) right at hand and open up a little room in the cramped pantry.

Back to Home Depot.



And voila, new kitchen shelves.  The brackets are a 10" wood bracket that I painted Benjamin Moore White River.  The walls are Sweet Spring.  The shelf is 1x8-inch pine to which I tacked a 1x2-inch board on the front to make the shelves look chunkier.  You can see what I mean on the end of the shelf (above).


But from the front, it looks just like thick slab of wood.


I'm still working on where everything goes, but I love having everything at hand.  I also added a vintage metal clipboard that's perfect to keep a recipe at eye height.



I painted the sink cabinet to same Rockport Gray as the new cabinets. The old upper cabinets match the open shelves for a consistent look.

A few weeks ago when I met Carol from House and Home Defined, she mentioned that she liked going antiquing so we made a play date and went to the Cambridge Antiques Market today to look for a few things I wanted for the dining room and kitchen shelves.  


The Cambridge Antiques Market is a multi-dealer store and has a little something for everyone.  This was one of my favorite booths.


I have real weakness for pottery and this stuff was beautiful.

As luck usually has it, you never find what you're looking for but you find a few things you didn't know you needed.



I came home with these old mezzalunas and some weird pair of clippers.  I think they're great as sculpture.



And those have found a home on the wall as you walk into the kitchen.

Carol and I had a great time.  I can't tell how nice it was for me to walk around such a place with someone who shares my excitement and vision for things.  What until you see the little project she talked me into!

I'll add it to the list.







60 comments:

  1. Sounds like a wonderful day antiquing.
    I love what you found and they look right at home on your kitchen wall.
    Lovely
    Helen Tilston

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  2. You've been busy! I love everything you've done in the kitchen. You find the best things in Maine! I love that table with the slate top. I'd go antiquing with you any time. Hi Kitty!

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  3. It looks just great! Wow, amazing what a difference a few small changes make. I love it all except no microwave!!! How will you exist? Mine is in constant use. :)
    BTW, my bottom cabs are fieldstone and my top are white....I love that!

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  4. I'm headed to Boston in a week or so, I am going to have to check out the antique market. Love what you are doing. Bonnie

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  5. Dianne,
    I only used it for oatmeal and I can almost a quickly make it in a small pot. Not a big sacrifice.

    I love Fieldstone! That was in the running for my exterior.

    S.

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  6. Jesus, it looks great. You are really talented. There is something really liberating also about the "making do" concept that means you can try those shelves you wanted, knowing it is not permanent. You did such a great job. I am jealous you have a new friend who is not me to go antiquing with. :(

    Love the clipboard and the clippers. Terri xo
    : )

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  7. I never use my microwave for cooking. Maybe oatmeal on Saturday and heating my bean bag for my aching back. That's it.

    :)

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  8. Oh, and I love your green stool. Sorry to leave 3 comments. I need to think harder about what to write and put it all in one comment. :)

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  9. The kitchen is charming. i love an unfitted look.

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  10. love that rockport gray color. i'm making a mental note of it...

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  11. enjoyed this post about your kitchen evolution and all the things that goes into it. I think the shelves look great, how smart are you?

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  12. Thanks for a great day! Had a blast. I just blogged about it because of what you said when I was pulling out of the driveway -- it was brilliant! When are we going to Maine??

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  13. Steve, I love it all! There's so many aspects I would love to have in my own kitchen. The colors are perfect and I love all the vintage eclectic pieces...let me know when you want to get rid of those 2 tins on the shelf! :)

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  14. I love this kitchen and if I were livin alone I wouldnt have it any other way ...simple.

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  15. The kitchen looks beautiful! Love your new decorations!

    Check Lumber Liquidators for the butcher block, I believe it's VERY reasonable!

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  16. It is fantastic. Every detail. You are a very talented man.

    love the colors, the shelving, the table, all the details.

    it's bed time but I'm going to go grab GG so she can take a look.

    Love it. Mean it.

    xo jane

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  17. Hello

    You have done such a good job on your kitchen. As always, I am so impressed by your thought process along the way and your ability to discard some solutions in favour of even better ones.

    I believe the old clippers are for sheep-shearing.

    Anna

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  18. oooooh Kitchen boy. I like. You remind me of me...I HATE the look of microwaves, and in our old 1800's home in NY I actually kept it in the garage...friends that were over would be like "whaaa?!"

    The cow...did he find a home on the other wall (next to the stove). LOVE him...he needs to be there somewhere.

    ...and nothing says welcome to my kitchen like sharp shears and mezzas on the wall! ;P

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  19. Love the shelves above the stove and that clipboard is a great idea for having recipes close by. What a charming kitchen. Of course I love the cow print, too.

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  20. I knew I'd love rockport grey! ;) (my iPhone just attempted to change "rockport" to "ticklish"!!).
    I also really really love sweet spring.
    And I was at the antique market recently drooling over that vendor's square metal and wood table which you have in the photo! And their vintage number metal signs.
    Love that green piece that was too small in the kitchen. I hope it got moved to a great new spot!

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  21. Gillian,
    Rockport Gray is a WONDERFUL neutral!
    I know! That vendor's booth was THE BEST!

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  22. Gorgeous! Can't wait to see what you're up to next.

    Sue
    xo

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  23. Love your kitchen (whole house)update. I see a mirror over the sink, I have one over my stove.

    BTW, I'll be vacationing at the Cape next week (from Texas).

    I like the choices you have made and I'm looking for a gray. Have to check it out.

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  24. hi steve,

    first, i'm jealous that you are shopping with other women bloggers.

    second, i never use my micro.

    third, i loved the cow above the stove. but that's b/c i don't know how to style shevles.

    fourth, i like the way the kitchen has that english unfitted look.

    fifth, it looks real good.

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  25. fun new purchases! think the scissors are fabulous there. the kitchen looks like it is fun to be in and cook! can't wait to see what Carol has talked you into!! and that mall- I swear I've never been to one that had more floors, and more stairs;) We were there around xmas and drove by a liquor store close by that had a sign out front.... "holidays are for family. we sell liquor!" :)

    joan
    happy week!
    joan

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  26. I had to giggle at your description of "scrambled eggs and bandaids" colors in the old look. Very apt description! I like that you painted the tile too. BTW, I had some really gorgeous {tongue in cheek here!}70's green vinyl flooring that I painted several years ago. Sooo happy to get rid of that. It's amazingly durable :-)

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  27. Steve, what a great transformation. And once again, you just hopped to it and go it done. Love the little black island and even more the mirror above the sink. Nice contrast, nice shelf styling. Everything looks great. I bet you are very pleased with it -- I would be!

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  28. Wonderful, you are really talented, to do so much with so little! not much left to do in your kitchen, now. I have a very small kitchen myself, and have come to realize that small kitchens are much more practical for cooking. Now all you have to do is change the floor for some nineteenth century cement tiles, and you are done! And don't buy that idea of knocking down the pantry!

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  29. Steve...love the new look for your kitchen. Looks more thought out than you give yourself credit for. Really, really nice!
    LOVE that cow print!!! Love it! I've been looking for one for my diningroom. :-)
    Once again...you hit tha nail on the head when it comes to staging and styling your room.
    **Tami

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  30. Kitchen looks great Steve! And what a surprise to see you like MY booth at CAM! I"m flattered! I have a love of pottery. : )

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  31. Hi Steve,
    Just caught up with my blog reading and your last three posts. I can't believe what you accomplish in what? A week?! Love what you're doing in the kitchen (and the porch, as well). Love your kitchen wall color and the cabinet colors, and the open shelving. I LOVE open shelving. And I'm with you - who needs a microwave? I have one but can't remember the last time I used it! Keep up the good work and thanks for keeping us all posted!
    Karin
    Lifeinsmallchunks.blogspot.com

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  32. Your kitchen looks so cute. I love the shelves and the table as an island looks perfect. Nice job!

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  33. Your kitchen looks really good. I like the changes you've made and am in awe of your energy! I have one question...what do the cats' bowls look like?

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  34. J.W.,
    That's an interesting question! The cat dishes are to the left of the stacked black tins on the upper shelf. White dessert plates for wet food and cafe au lait bowls from Cafe Fannie in Berkeley, CA.

    S.

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  35. Steve,
    You are inspiring with your sense of style and design. You have such a keen way of recognizing and pulling together design elements that make things look as though they have been there all along.

    I'll be in Boston next week and will be sure to visit the Cambridge Antique Market.

    Thanks for sharing.
    Bridgemor

    PS I haven't used a microwave in over twenty years.

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  36. Very nice! Mine is served his meals from white ramekins until I find something that really suits him.

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  37. There seems to be a comment missing. Good riddance.
    I have cow picture envy!!!

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  38. OK...now I'm pissed. I wanna go antiquing with you guys. Steve...how did you do that kitchen from just Home Depot!!!!! It is SO cute....I absolutely love it.

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  39. Looks great! I've been dying to go into the Cambridge Antique Mart (Sadly I lived in Inman for five years and NEVER made it - tut tut to me). I've also managed to survive without a microwave for the last four years, and I don't remember missing it ONCE!

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  40. Your wall art - those are sheep shears. I used to breed and show Hampshire Sheep and so learned how to "block" the fleece for show purposes. When I saw those shears on your wall it brought back wonderful memories. Of course one can use them for clipping grass as well but a true sheepman would cringe.

    Nice work in the blossoming kitchen. Keep having fun and sharing it with us.

    My log cabin is coming along. Two logs are in place and the stone mason finished four front piers for the posts that hold up the roof gable. The log lifter is costing me $2000 a month and in 2 weeks lifted 2 logs. The stone mason has another job and will not be back for a month to finish stone facing on the foundation. Building a log cabin is not for the faint of heart or the light of pocketbook.

    Ann

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  41. It looks great...but you are a braver soul than I to try and make it thru life without a microwave!

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  42. Well done kiddo, and by the way, those are sheep shears or wool clippers on the wall. Keep up the good work!

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  43. WOW!! This blows me away!

    Good jobbie!

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  44. Ooh, that antiques mart in Cambridge is on my list. It looks fabulous! Notice your kitty had to get into your photos! Mine always do too.

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  45. I thought I commented on this but then see I did not. I love the new kitchen island..it's so you. Love the shelves over the stove and I really love the mirror over the sink. Love the color you chose for your kitchen cabinets. But then I always love everything you do. How did you NOT buy that brass bar cart at the antique store? I've been looking for one of those.

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  46. Just took Martha's John Derrian tour. Don't love Derrian. But those horsehair and plaster walls are pretty cool...unless you live there in the winter .

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  47. What a stunning kitchen,finished or not it looks soooooooo pretty,love all the little details!!All the best,Chrissy

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  48. The kitchen is looking great. It is classic and timeless, the colours are soothing and keep a small room from looking cluttered. It's so nice that you don't feel the need to spend gobs of money, either. Makes the dream within reach. Keep up the good work. Lana www.lifeatwildberrycottage.com

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  49. Wow, talk about a silk purse from a sow's ear!?! LOVE your new kitchen, but must ask: Do you cook? I mean really turn on the burners on the stove and saute, make splashy tomato sauce, fry chicken? I adore the look of open shelves and could certainly use the style in my dark and tiny space, but I do saute, splash, and fry, and have a microwave above my stove with a (admittedly weak) fan beneath it, so grease and grime end up everywhere. I clean up every night after cooking, but don't do a deep clean/scrub the cabinets type very often and worry that open shelving would just become a grease-layered collection of blechhhh...Your thoughts/

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  50. BAE, That's something I've always wondered and I've done this as a test to see for myself. The eventual kitchen which will demo the bathroom and pantry behind the sink to expand the kitchen by four feet, is projected to have a six-burner stove with range hood and exhaust fan and open shelving flanking the stove. If this turns out being a sticky, greasy mess, I'll certainly rethink that plan.

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  51. Steve, Just incredible! And who needs the micro, just one more thing to clean, never use mine, I,m with Janet on this. Always looking forward to see what you are up too. Best always, Joyce

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  52. So glad I found you! Your house is wonderful and I look forward to following you now. I spent several weeks in the summer for the last few years in Boston while my husband was in school. One of my favorite finds was the Cambridge Antique Market - jealous you get to go there as often as you like! Great finds!

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  53. Just found your blog, as a Bostonian living in Toronto this all reminds me of home. Some of my favorite spots are in Maine,you should also check out Essex, MA. Some great antique shops there. Sorry was off topic inspiring kitchen could I bother you for all of the paint colors. Thanks

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  54. Just noticed you did list the paint colors...sorry about that. Was so excited about finding your lovely blog I totally missed them.
    Thanks

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  55. you're on apartment therapy re-nest! http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest/interior-design/before-38-after-900-diy-kitchen-makeover-an-urban-cottage-160159

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  56. You did a great job-I love your creativity! No microwave in our homes for the past 7 years or so-and I don't miss it at all.

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  57. Those weird "clippers" by the way are actually old hand shears, for shearing sheep.

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  58. yes, they are right they are for sheep. talk about back breaking slow work. i have a pair they work great for dead heading old flowers and hang in my tool/garden room.

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  59. Hello, just to add to the clippers comment, I have two pairs that are only a few years old, made by a company burgeon and ball (have been making them for ages) as topiary shears. Look exactly like those... and work beautifully for small hedges and topiary! ;-) Found your blog randomly today and have spent (hours) time reading and loving your posts and style.

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