05.28
2014

Our Kitchen Makeover (Before and Afters and a Full Source List)
Well, it’s been almost 11 months since we moved in and we finally have our kitchen pretty much finished! We did it in two parts – (you can read about part one, which included replacing the appliances, painting the trim and cabinetry and removing that upper cabinet that awkwardly broke up the space) we did that pretty much as soon as we moved in and then we saved back up for part two which finally got finished up last weekend! Part two covered replacing the counters, adding a farmhouse sink and new faucet and adding a backsplash. We still have a few minor projects left in here – we’d like to get rid of the flush mount in the middle of the room and add several recessed lights, then we plan on moving the island and using it possibly out on the porch, and  I am going to attempt to build a piece of furniture that we can store all the items that now are on our island and also our microwave and put that where the bench currently is. And then we will leave the center of the kitchen open. Personally I really like having the island there but I think just about everyone else thinks it’s easier to manuever when it’s not there so I am going to concede this one. =( And then I need to paint the back of the pantry doors and update the pantry in general and then that should be it for the kitchen! YAY!!!!!!
So, except for those little details listed above we are pretty much done! Here are several before and afters:

Yes, I know a lot of people will think we are crazy but we went with marble. We chose the honed option to help hide the issues with etching and also had the installers add a stain blocker that is supposed to guarantee to keep it stain free for the next 15 years. I have to say I absolutely LOVE it so far. I read and read and read just about everything I could find on it and pretty much everyone has a different opinion on it. I think it really just has to do with your personality. Although I am really particular about everything always being tidy and in it’s place, things like marks, scrapes and dings don’t bother me at all. I think those things just make a home feel loved and lived in. So for me I felt comfortable choosing marble. If anything changes with that though I will definitely post an update.

Along with the marble I knew I really wanted to add a farmhouse sink. We were originally told by the people installing our marble that we couldn’t add a farmhouse sink to our existing cabinetry. I knew that couldn’t be true to we pursued it a little more and were able to find a wonderful contractor name Jim McKenzie from McKenzie Restoration. He was able to install the farmhouse sink and I am so thrilled with it. He also did the subway tile backsplash. I was really torn on the backsplash. I love the look of basic white subway tile but I felt like I was seeing it everywhere so I kept trying to talk myself out of it. In the end though, I knew that I loved it and decided to just stick with it and I am so glad I did. Even though it might have been a little more interesting to have gone with something else, I love the simple and timeless look of subway tile. And then the final addition was a new faucet. I knew the look I wanted but had a hard time finding one that wasn’t quite pricey. I ended up running across one on Wayfair though that was a much better price than most of the ones I liked so decided to go for it and I really love it.

Sorry – the only before shot I have of this angle was from moving day which obviously make the before worse. =)

We had the counters extend over the peninsula so that we could add some stools. Eventually I would like to add some with a back (I have some that I like so might be asking for them for Christmas) but for now these inexpensive Target ones work well. Lillie especially loves being able to sit up at the counter. And the menu chalkboard is a new item we are making for our shop. We hope to have our first batch ready at the end of the week.
All the pink makes the kitchen look a little more feminine than I intended but it’s hard to pass up such beautiful peonies that were blooming in our yard! 

One question we get asked quite a bit is how this room looks compared to the rest of the house seeing how we painted the trim in the rest of the house white but painted the trim in the kitchen gray. We were able to do this because the kitchen is relatively separate from the rest of the house so you really don’t see both trim colors anywhere at once. I am not sure I would have dared do the kitchen differently if it weren’t for the way our house is laid out. This hallway is pretty much the only view where you see the kitchen trim and the white trim.

Well, that’s it for this post! I also have some updated photos of the table and the other side of the room that I will share once I finish going through them all.

Source List:
(as you can see many of the accessories were gifts and were purchased quite a few years ago but I did try to include pretty much everything)

Cabinet and Trim Color- London Fog in Semi-Gloss by Benjamin Moore
Wall Color- was here but very similar to Simply White in Matte
All appliances are Whirlpool and were purchased at Lowe’s during their Memorial Day Sale
Hood – Custom Built
Farmhouse Sink – Signature Hardware
Faucet – Wayfair
Backsplash – purchased from McKenzie Restoration (but just basic white subway tile that can be purchased pretty much anywhere)
Counters – Honed Carrara Marble
Hardware – Lowes (not sure what the knobs were but just found the packaging from the cup pulls last night – they were marked Brainerd and the color is Wrought Iron)
Runner – Gift from my mom (from Home Decorator’s Collection)
Counter Height Stools – Target
Bottle Holder – HomeGoods
Menu Chalkboard – Dear Lillie (for sale in our shop coming very soon!)
Flush Mount Drum Shade Fixture – Lowe’s
Pendants – These were a hand-me-down from my mom and they worked perfectly in here (originally from Bellacor)
Metal Island Cart – IKEA
Circular Mirror – gift from my sister, Dana (from Antique Farmhouse)
Metal Baskets – Joss and Main
Jug on Rolling Cart Island – White Home Collection in Wilton, NH
Bowl on Rolling Cart Island – Wedding Gift
Dishes – Emma Collection from Pottery Barn (wedding gifts)
Dishes – Mikasa
Chocolate Cups and Saucers – gift from my sister, Jamie (from L. A. Burdick)
Canisters – wedding gift – Williams-Sonoma
Vase on Stove – IKEA
Vase under Menu Chalkboard – Target
Three-Tiered Display Piece with buckets – gift from my mom (from Mothology)
Vase next to wire basket – gift from my mother-in-law from Spring Mill in Indiana
Marble Rolling Pin and Board – gift from my mother-in-law (from Sur La Table)
Table – Pier 1 years ago and has since been painted in French Linen from Lady Butterbug
X Back Dining Chairs – IKEA
Slipcovered Dining Chairs – IKEA
Oversized Chalkboard – made by me, you can read more about it here
Bench – made by me, you can read more about it here, and a tutorial here
Sectional – IKEA
Chevron Picture Frames – tutorial here
Pillows – Home Goods, Target, Dear Lillie
Tufted Chairs – TJMaxx
Script Chairs – TJMaxx
Painted Cabinet – makeover here
TV Console – Antique shop in Camden, SC
Frames above chairs – tutorial here
Striped Roman Shade in Window above Sink – made by me, you can read more about it here.
Drapery Panels – IKEA Ritva Panels
Drapery Rods – Lowe’s
Sconces – RH Baby and Child
Mirror – gift from my mom (Restoration Hardware)
Rocking Horse – gift from my mom (from RH Baby and Child)
Urns on Fireplace – Seasons in Williamsburg (years ago on clearance)

I hope you all have a fabulous Wednesday!

P.S. You can see more of our makeovers from this house here.
The Kitchen Table and A New Rug in the Family Room
A Few Updated Kitchen Pictures
View Related Posts

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87 thoughts on “Our Kitchen Makeover (Before and Afters and a Full Source List)”

  1. Jennifer – Love the makeover. The bowl with apples in it, do you know the maker? Love your style.

    Joanie

  2. My favorite kitchen renovation – simply beautiful!! Happy to see you chose marble – timeless and elegant and at the top of my list for our future kitchen reno as well. Reminds me of a French patisserie. Wishing you and your girls hours of happy cooking in your new kitchen.

  4. Jennifer, you have got to be one of the most talented people I know!!! What a transformation. It looks just like you! And that is the biggest compliment!!! Stunning, beautiful, welcoming, chic and every other stellar word I can think of!!! May your kitchen be filled with food and those you love and God's blessings!

  7. Amazingly beautiful! I have changed my house to neutrals, because of your inspiring work, and my family and I love the cheerful effect that it has! Thanks for sharing!

  9. It is SO gorgeous. I love how you incorporate charm with pretty – like mixing the rustic large barn wood framed chalkboard with the more refined marble counters. The farmhouse sink is perfect – – so glad you found a contractor who could do it… it really adds so much! Enjoy!

  10. I'm curious….how does your table hold up to daily use with the chalk paint? I'm thinking of doing mine but I'm worried about the durability. Did you use any sort of clear coat over the paint?

    1. It takes a little bit of a beating, seeing how the girls do all of their arts and crafts on it (which is pretty much all day everyday) and I need to put a fresh coat on the top of it every few months but I'm okay with that. I haven't put any kind of clear coat on it, although I may after the next time I paint it.

  11. So pretty. I actually just bought a can of French linen for my chairs. I'm curious…how does the chalk paint hold up for daily use on your table? I love the way yours looks and may now use it for the table.

  12. It unturned so beautifully! I LOVE our marble, and plan to do it in our next home too. We used the same DuPont stain guard, and no stains yet. There is etching, but you'd never notice unless you know where to look and look at a certain angle. I can relate to your uncertainty with the white subway tile. I was so unsure, and thought it may be too plain, or too much white, but I looooove it! I prefer my 1$ sq ft subway tile to the expensive options we looked at. I do regret not putting in a farm sink-it's in the plans for the next house (we are hoping to start building this summer). I looked at very expnsive faucets (over 1k), but chose one for half that price (still not cheap!). It's a bridge faucet too, which I love…..a beautiful faucet makes all the difference!

  14. I have to say, you definitely have a talent in making the not so attractive beautiful! Actually, stunning is more like it. Love the countertops, and you definitely made the right move on the backsplash.

  15. Just beautiful! I love everything you do. What happened to the barstools with the back that you had in your last house? Would those not work, they were very pretty. Can't wait to see the other side of the room.

    1. Thanks! The microwave is plugged in in a little room right off of the kitchen for now, but I am planning on building a spot for it under the oversized chalkboard where the striped bench is now.

  17. Jennifer,
    The kitchen is just beautiful. Love all you choices and really admire you for your bravery in choosing marble. We are looking at new countertops and have been to two different places and each time I mention the word "Marble" the salesperson advices me against it and directs us to the granite. So I am still debating it looking at the pros and cons of both materials.

  21. I TRULE CAN'T BELIEVE THE POTENTIAL YOU SAW IN THAT DARK HOME AND HOW YOU HAVE TRANSFORMED IT. You have been on a painting marathon!!!!!!!!

  22. are you happy with your appliances? hoping to replace ours soon and start our kitchen ! yours is my inspiration, simply stunning!
    thank you!
    Shabbib

  23. Hi Jennifer! So beautiful and inspiring! I have almost the exact same kitchen…same style cabinets, stainless appliances, gray painted cabinets but still white formica countertops…ugh! Can you say where you got the marble countertops? Thanks…Angie

  24. your kitchen looks fabulous.I'm getting ready to paint mine and maybe i'll be lucky enough to add a farmhouse sink. I'd like to know what size yours is? I did by my bathroom faucet from Signature Hardware and it seems not very heavy…so I'm wondering how you like your sink so far?

    1. Thank you! I've been very happy with it so far although it's only been a month or so, so its hard to know how long term it will hold up. We bought a wire thing to set on the bottom of it to help protect it though just to be safe.

  25. Hi Jennifer,
    Im also curious how you like your gray cabinets? torn between gray and going with white cabinets? the gray is so soft and calming…but white is so classic…regardless i LOVE IT ALL!

    1. Thanks so much, Shannon! I really like the gray but kind of wish I had gone a tiny bit darker. They turned out a little lighter than I had hoped. I do think white is timeless though, so you can't go wrong with that!

  27. As Kristincita said – I can't believe the potential you saw in the house. I don't think I would have. You have transformed it into a showstopper! I love your style; elegant yet understated, beautiful yet warm and inviting. Simply put – perfect

  31. Hi Jennifer.

    Do you have contact information for Jim McKenzie? I'm in the Hampton Roads area but can't seem to locate him. Thanks!

  32. You have done a beautiful job! It is absolutely lovely! I am about to build a house and you just confirmed my plans for the kitchen/interior. Do you happen to know the name of the sealer they used on your countertops? I am planning to use honed Carrara too.

    2. Jenni – how is the marble holding up? Any etching catastrophes? Poor marble has such a bad reputation, but I am doing it in my kitchen too and cannot wait – picked out the slab today!!!

  33. Wow, Jennifer. This turned out amazing! Such a wonderful transformation you did and thanks for sharing it with us:-)

    Have a nice weekend,
    Kathleen

  34. Oh my goodness, your kitchen looks absolutely beautiful! You have such a knack for pulling things together. All your choices are so perfect. I love subway tile too! In my mind, it's just one of those things that's timeless and won't be something a person tires of quickly 🙂

  36. Ever since reading your source list, I have been scouring J&M for those cute baskets. Score! They are available today and I picked up a set. I can hardly wait to receive them. Thanks so much for all the information you provide to us.

  38. Love your home decor and really insipiring! I noticed that you've removed the microwave with a hood. Did you hide the microwave somewhere inside the cabinets or totally not having one? I have similar kitchen, and my husband can't live without microwave! While I want a hood like yours!

    1. Thank you! We have the microwave in a tiny little room right next to the kitchen for now. Hopefully sometime soon I plan to make a little spot for it in the kitchen though!

    1. Thanks, Emily! I couldn't find the receipt to double check, but I'm pretty sure it is the 30" Reinhard Fireclay Farmhouse Sink!

  41. hi there! i wanted to check in and see how your were enjoying your counters?? we are finally at the stage of getting our counters (we have had plywood counters for 2 years :)), and i really want marble, but it is amazing how quick the granite shops try to talk you out of it. and although I have done my research and read joans 'for love of a house' wonderful post, they manage to make me nervous about getting marble! have you had any etching yet, what are your thoughts on it now being a few months out?? of course, it is gorgeous, but how is it holding up thus far ( i WANT marble sooooo bad :))!!
    love you and the blog so much! -eileen

    1. Thanks so much, Eileen! Ours is honed so we haven't had any issues with scratching, although we have had some water marks. It doesn't both me at all though, I think it just goes with the look of marble. I definitely think it might bother some people though, so it's tough to say whether or not I would recommend it to someone else. Would I get it again? Yes, in a heartbeat! But its hard to recommend to someone else without knowing their personality.

  43. Hi- love your home! I was wondering how you like your painted cabinets? Do they hold up well? We did our kitchen about 5 years ago so my cabinets are not ot old but I want white so bad …. nervous about the upkeep. And did you have a professional paint them? How did you find a specialist? Finding it hard to find someone who specializes in kitchen cabinets. thanks …

  44. I am getting ready to do my kitchen and I have older cabinets like yours. How did you fill the holes where the existing hardware was and how did you paint the exterior hinges? How have the hinges held up being painted? Any tips would be greatly appreciated!!

  45. Hi! My husband and I are beginning renovations on a house we just bought, and it is a very similar layout to yours. I've been using your blog as an inspiration for a lot of our projects. We are renovating the kitchen, and would like to add an overhang to our countertop so we can pull up stools to the counter like you have. However, we are worried it's going to be too tight. Would you mind telling us how many inches is your overhang? Also, how many inches are there from the edge of the overhand to the back of your dining room chair? Thanks so much!

  46. Hi! My husband and I just bought a house that is a very similar layout to yours, and we have been using your blog as an inspiration for a lot of our projects. We are interested in adding an overhang when we change out our kitchen countertops, but we are concerned there isn't enough room for seating in the eat-in area. Would you mind telling me how many inches your overhang is? Also, how many inches do you have between the edge of your countertop and the back of your dining room chair? Thanks so much! 🙂

    1. Thank you! We have a 9.5" overhang and about 37-38" to the back of our dining room chairs. So far the layout has worked well, and we haven't really had any space issues.

  47. I am searching for a new kitchen faucet and I love yours. I clicked the link and found it on Wayfair however I do not see the soap dispenser? Did you also purchase that at Wayfair? And if not do you have a source? I love the faucet but would want the soap dispenser to match! Thank you so much!
    Your kitchen (and whole house) is just beautiful!

  49. Hi! I made the chevron wood plaques and they turned out great. I was wondering if you could tell me what size frames you have on them 8×10?

  50. I have had honed marble in our kitchen for the past 13 years and would not have anything else! I LOVE it! We also have the same faucet and Arte Italica (I think that was the brand) white/pewter bowl. It's safe to say we both have excellent taste!

  51. Hi! I'm just wondering, when you installed your farmhouse sink, did you have to make adjustments to the cabinet or was it "square" enough? We're thinking of getting the same sink for our kitchen! 🙂
    Thanks!

  52. Your kitchen looks lovely! I am purchasing a similar faucet and was wondering is your faucet chrome, stainless steal, or brushed nickel?

  53. Hi! I hope this isn't a silly question but I've looked and looked and don't see your microwave anywhere in the pictures. Where did you put yours? Our over-the-range microwave just broke and I want to move it so I'm looking for alternate positions for it. Thanks!

    1. Hi! It is now down on a lower shelf on her side table below the large chalkboard so her daughters can easily reach it (the table isn't seen in this post, but you can see it in newer kitchen posts).

      -Jason

      -Jason

  56. Hi! I know this is an older post and you since re-painted your kitchen cabinets a dark grey (which is gorgeous of course). But I am looking for a lighter grey and love the London Fog you are showing here. I'm a bit nervous though because when I look at the swatch it looks more beige. I'm fine with kind of a greige or grey with a beige undertone, but I wanted to know how you felt about the color in person? Did it read grey to you?? Thanks so much!!! <3

  58. Love your kitchen…very soothing. May I ask how is your fireclay farmhouse sink holding up? I was researching and fireclay sinks tend to be less forgiving and possibly chip. Thanks in advance.

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