April 22, 2011

Repainted Kitchen

It's done.  My kitchen is fresh and clean.  This is going to be a long post, so bear with me.  As you might know I am not very good with a camera.  I've never really been interested in photography, but as a blogger it is the most important part of your blog.  If you are going to post something, you want everyone to see right?  So I have been practicing and experimenting with my little camera and am learning a few things.  I know it is very hard to get a good picture when you shoot into the light.  My kitchen is full of light.  I have done my best to give you good pictures without burning your eyes from over exposure to the light. 

I want you to know that very rarely is my house top to bottom clean.  REALITY!  I love a clean home, but we are a very busy family with three teenagers, who are on the go.  It was fun to stage these pictures for my blog.  It was a lot of work.  I turned on the stereo to some real good Classic Country  - George Straight, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Reba (real loud) and went to work.  In a couple hours the kids will be home from school, with backpacks on the floor, shoes strewn about, and hungry for after school snacks.  I'll enjoy it while I have a little peace and quiet.  I might send my husband out to lunch since he is home today, so it won't get messy!  NOT REALLY (but maybe). 

So here we go!!!!



Before


After

I decided I wanted an all cream kitchen.  While I know this may not be exciting, I have painted this kitchen probably six times.  I've never been afraid of color, so this is a new look for me.  My cabinets are not new, but we had them painted about four years ago.  I didn't want white, I went with an off white.  I love the look of white on white, or cream on cream.  I knew I could add enough color with appliances, counters and wall decor to make it work.  I hope you like it.  WE LOVE IT.


My valances are tops of shower curtains.  I cut the bottoms off and used the holes in the tops for the shower curtain where the hooks go, to hang the valance.  They are fabric and perfect for the look I like.  The picture in the corner above the phone will be another post.  I used Chalkboard paint for the first time.  I realized I didn't have any chalk to put a message on it when I was finished, but will show what I did in another post.




These are vintage recipes from my Grandma that I had displayed up high above the microwave.  I decided to make a grouping on this wall.  They are very special to me.

I have seen this word being used in other blogs and some TV show made this word popular, and I knew I wanted to do the same thing.  I got the letters at JoAnn's on sale for half price and used my Chalkboard paint to paint them. 

There is a story behind this vintage fork that belonged to my husbands Great Grandfather.  It deserves displaying and is very, very old.  It also is engraved with their family name on it.  That's another post.








Please disregard these ugly chairs.  I loathe them.   I don't even want to redo them.  I want to get rid of them.


If anyone wants to invite House Beautiful, Good Housekeeping, Country Living or any other magazine over to my little kitchen, you have my permission.   (Smile)


Wait, here is reality.  I will get to this tomorrow.
Before

After

31 comments:

Renegades said...

Love your ideas for the recipes.

Jacqueline said...

Looks beautiful! Love the letters, hope you link this up at my party today!

Yvonne@StyleBurb said...

Your kitchen looks amazing- it has such a light and breezy feel to it now! I love all of your personal touches, especially the framed recipes and the spoon. The other idea that I noticed, and I think is so smart, is the fancy post/knob where you hang a tea towel. Fantabulous!!

Yvonne@StyleBurb said...

Oops...just went and checked...it's a framed fork!

Tiff said...

Oh wow! I am in a swoon over your kitchen! It looks fantastic! I love those framed recipes, they just spoke to me! If I had any wall space I would definitely do that! I also love the chalkboard and the EAT on the wall. The framed fork is so inspirational! You are very talented! I think that white on white is so bright and cheerful! You are really going to enjoy cooking in there! X

Alida Sharp said...

it looks awesome, Lanell! Great job!

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

Love the cream on cream! And you are SO creative...hoping one of those magazines gives you a call :)

Amy Chalmers said...

Thanks for telling me to check out your paint job. What a big difference. I love how it looks now. I am totally into the lightness in living spaces and am getting rid of all darker colors and am just loving it. Your kitchen looks great, if it were mine, I think I would paint the backs and the legs of the chairs white and leave the seats natural...

d e l i g h t said...

It looks fantastic Lanell! I love the two shades of cream and the EAT and Grandma's recipes. A white kitchen always has such a "fresh" look to it. Bet you are glad you are finished!
Linda

Cris said...

Itlooks gorgeous! Eat out everyday so it doesn't get messy! :)

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Thanks Lanell...it worked! The kids loved the almost lasagne. I had plenty of leftovers for the next night too. Keep it up...great blog!~ Jill

Jill said...

Love the lightness of it! All the wonderful things you've put on the wall pop out now...especially love the recipes and fork. A home linked to other generations with sentimental pieces is priceless :)

Unknown said...

I love it! And by the way, your pantry looks great! That is what mine looks like when it's cleaned out!

Misty said...

Lanell I love your kitchen! You sure did paint it fast. I just finished my bathroom and I'm hoping to start my next paint job sometime in the next week or so. I'm lightening up things around here too. I love all your great ideas. I, especially, love the knob hanging near your kitchen sink where the hand towel hangs.

:0) Misty

Alison @ The Polohouse said...

Such a great reveal!
Love your Grandmother's recipes framed... how sweet is that? I love old handwriting and especially when it is from a loved one! Your framed fork is great to -- can't wait to hear about that when you post.
Thanks for stopping by my lil' blog. I am your newest follower!
xx
Alison

Doug and Kristen said...

Lanelle, I didn't even know you had a blog! I love it! Your kitchen looks great. You have such amazing taste and style so I'm not surprised :)

Kaylee said...

I love your kitchen aunt lanell! it gives it a clean fresh look most definitely! I love the fork you displayed and your clock above the stove and your EAT sign! I may have to come eat in you kitchen again soon :) love ya

TanyasTreasureTrove said...

Hi! Following you from
UBP! Hope you visit me
and return the follow!
:0)

Kathy in Orange County California said...

Love Love Love it Lanell! Of course, I always love what you do with your house!

Kathy

LBB said...

I LOVE IT!! It turned out so pretty! It so bright & airy. You make me want to paint....again :)

Mallory said...

Awesome job! I love how crisp and fresh it looks!!

Dawna said...

Hi..I am your newest follower, comin over from Debbie's :) I knew I would love your kitchen as soon as I saw the EAT...your kitchen looks great!! I really like the tone on tone color scheme and everything looks so fresh and up to date! You have so many great details,,,,,love the recipes from your grandma! We are just about finished our kitchen reno at That Country Place, so I hope you come on over and take a peak. I have a spot for the lettering EAT on my wall as well,,,but I think I have to find a bit smaller letters. Have a great day!

Daniella said...

Fabulous!!! Love how organized you are too!!
I thought I was following you, but I guess I wasn't!! I am now though!!
xxDaniella

Reunion Committee said...

Oh Wow. Love it. Looks so fresh and new. like new life was put into it! Great job!
Tana
Stop over my blog for my giveaway.. Im excited. I never have these things lol

Teresa@magazineyourhome said...

I LOVE your kitchen, I want to paint mine the same color, I'm just waiting for the time I have a week straight of doing nothing but that. Your did an awesome job. Thank you for the sweet comments on my bathroom redo. I'm your newest follower!

Debbiedoos said...

GORGEOUS! You have a great looking kitchen. Thanks for sharing at my newbie party. I love the big letters EAT!

Allison Nicole said...

I LOVE your Kitchen!!! So crisp, bright & clean! I really like what you did w/your grandma's recipes, the cream cabinets & the EAT sign the most! I'm now a follower & would love for you to come by my blog sometime for a vist & maybe follow me back! Have a great day! Allison @ leomommyof4.blogspot.com :)

The Clay Trowel said...

You did a great job with your pictures. (the kitchen is very pretty too) I love it how you realize that pictures are so important. Uusally people who are not used to the camera put up very small pictures and I always just wish I could tell them to make them big (I am not that bold though!) Anyway, I love the large pictures and I think you take great ones.

An Oasis in the Desert said...

I really like your kitchen. Probably because it reminds me a lot of my current kitchen which I will be leaving fairly soon. Love your idea of the recipes -- I just cherish things like that. I'm a new follower & would love to have you visit my blog. Maybe you'll even want to follow me back. LOL!!!
CAS

Comeca Jones said...

Hi found your blog while prepping for white Wednesday.I love it so I am a follower! Id love it if you'd stop by to visit me and follow if you so desire!By the way what was the back splash paint color you used in the before photo I thought it was great!Lovin the new white cabinets!