PORCH
A CHRIST-CENTERED
WEEKEND NEWSLETTER
gentle conversation
calming snapshots
uplifting linkage
occasional surprises
A CHRIST-CENTERED
WEEKEND NEWSLETTER
gentle conversation
calming snapshots
uplifting linkage
occasional surprises
Welcome to our kitchen, friends! The cabinets are about four decades young and the quartz counters and sink were installed five years ago but pretty much everything else is new. It took a long time to figure out what we wanted to change ... and then a whole lot longer to work our way through the details.
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| before |
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| after |
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FEBRUARY
We decided to have the cabinets painted the same color as the walls and built-in shelves throughout the house. We added matching wainscoting to the side of the cabinets before the new appliances were installed and painters arrived. They did at least two coats of primer and two coats of paint and a whole lot of sanding in between.
It took us many weeks to find a refrigerator small enough to fit the space available. This one's a beauty with three roomy drawers in the bottom freezer. Whoever designed it must have been a genius.
APRIL
It took months to hunt down the backsplash I was dreaming of, tiles that reflected the subtle colors of sea glass, the everchanging shades of Cape Cod ocean and sky. It was love at first sight when I came across these small subway tiles in muted hues of blue, teal, and gray. The color changes depending on the weather, time of day, what lights are on, what mood I'm in. The backsplash calms the space and yet keeps the kitchen from looking too sterile. These variable shades meld beautifully with the furniture and collectibles in our small-ish open concept living space.
JUNE & AUGUST
The floor was installed in June ... he wanted a roll-out vinyl, I wanted one that looked like gray stone. We found exactly what we were looking for in five minutes and it was quickly installed. And then began the hunt for the perfect cabinet hardware. This took forever. If I looked at one style, I looked at a thousand. As soon as these wonderful antique silver pulls and knobs appeared on my laptop, I knew they were meant to be the icing on the cake.
I'm relieved and grateful that we're done. You guys helped me get unstuck and I'm forever thankful for the brilliant, common sense ideas you put on the table. If it wasn't for you, I'd probably still be sitting here, seven months later, looking at those brown cabinets.
Coming up ... a handful of things we learned while doing this project.
LindaFrigidaire 30" Freestanding Smoothtop Electric Range with 5 Elements
Frigidaire 24" Energy Star Built in Dishwasher with 7 Wash Cycles
Countertop
questions? want details?
meet me in the comment section
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Thanks to those of you who support my work by using the Amazon links here to do your regular shopping. No extra cost to you, ever!
Love it! ❤️
ReplyDeleteThanks, friend!
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Linda, it is beautiful. Love the subway tile backsplash. It is not fun living through a kitchen remodel, but worth it when you see the results. Great job!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pam. Yes, this is something to appreciate and enjoy for years to come ...
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Linda! Your kitchen is beautiful! I love your backsplash (among so much else!). There's just something about redoing a kitchen that makes a body wanna clear out all the clutter. I LOVE IT!
ReplyDeleteYes, I combed through the closets, reorganized what was there, and donated a whole bunch of odds and ends that hadn't been used in forever (one of my favorite things to do!)
DeleteHow many mugs do we really need, right? Just don't ask me to get rid of any wooden spoons though.
🤦♀️
Stunning! I love the matching wainscotting, and the colour of the back splash tiles. So many details lovingly placed to make your kitchen reflect your Cape Cod setting. Better than Better Homes and Garden worthy!! (In Canada, Style at Home would be equivalent, I believe)!
ReplyDeleteI love imagining details ...
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That is absolutely beautiful and I just love the tiles you found for the backsplash! What a transformation.
ReplyDeleteJoanne, thanks.
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Loving your new kitchen,
ReplyDeleteit really sets a style,
'specially that bi****n'
sea-green backsplash tile.
The flooring's really groovy,
cabinet hardware, too,
and in this you prove me
inspired, yes, by you.
Don't think it's gonna fly here, though,
the kitchen is the Chi's domain,
and a 3d printer's glow
and rattle sets the room's refrain
as a place whose constant use
would give Martha Stewart the blues.
And your backsplash inspired a song, sung with apologies (not really) to Blue Moon. Lucky you, Linda!
DeleteBlue Moo,
you're such a colourful cow,
and I just don't know how
you got that lovely hue.
Blue moo,
oh won't you say it's true
that God's painting crew
can make you turquoise too.
Blue moo,
this song is nearly through,
I hope through it you knew
how much we all love you.
Well you are doubly poetic today, Andrew! And yes, the kitchen's become command central for charging stations, phones, tablets, laptops, and other tools of the trade.
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Wow, Linda, just wow!!! Your new kitchen is just gorgeous, my friend. Your choice of tiles absolutely makes it stand out with calm and serenity. May you enjoy this space for many years to come.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Calm and serene. Yes, that's what we truly yearn for our homes to be for all who come and go.
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Love, love, love! Thanks for sharing the details along with the photos. If I can ever talk someone into redoing our backsplash I'm going to take your tiles as a cue. I know you're enjoying this refreshing redo.
ReplyDeleteI can just picture these in your FL location, Debby!
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It looks terrific, Linda. Congratulations. That's a long time to be in kitchen-limbo but it certainly looks gorgeous. I think you'll be cooking plenty just to be in your new digs!
ReplyDeleteYes, it'd be nice to be inspired to do more than smile when I walk into the room! I'm sure my husband would appreciate a bit more attention to meal prep.
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Stunning! Taking special note of the backsplash. That’s the one missing piece to our kitchen renovation puzzle!
ReplyDeleteLovely! I love the lighter look overall, and the subway tile colors fit you and your area perfectly. All the decision-making is half the battle. May you have many happy years of enjoyment in your new kitchen!
ReplyDeleteThe hardest decision was to just DO IT. One decision led to the next. The first step always seems to be the hardest, doesn't it ...
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The entire kitchen is beautiful! But the tiles!!! They are just wonderful. I love the way they not only reflect the light but also appear differently.
ReplyDeleteYep, I swear they keep changing color!
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Oh Linda, I LOVE your new kitchen, all of it! What a beautiful idea to find backsplash with the colors of sea glass! Thank you for sharing this. I even showed my hubby your before and after pics. :) Love and blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteOh that's sweet that you showed your husband, Trudy!
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New kitchen is beautiful. Now you are ready for more hospitality and outreach.
ReplyDelete* subscriber email response
Yours is a good and needed nudge, friend. Fortunately, we live in an area where people always bring part of the meal and things are kept simple. I'm so grateful not to have to try to impress anyone. You take us as we are ...
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wow! My favorite is the backsplash. How cool
ReplyDeleteJean, thanks ...
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Oh my what a beautiful kitchen! I'm totally jealous! It's so airy and bright. Simply gorgeous. Doesn't even look like the same space!!
ReplyDeleteOur house isn't big but it is airy and bright. It's a bit like living in a fishbowl. And I absolutely love it.
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I'm in love with that backsplash too--absolutely perfect to reflect your hobby of sea glass collecting and your Cape Cod surroundings! WELL DONE, Linda!
ReplyDeleteYou're such an encourager, Nancy.
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Wow! It looks so great!
ReplyDeleteThanks ...
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Looks absolutely beautiful Linda but please, please, PLEASE don't show my wife. Our kitchen is really small I am un-handy so please..... :)
ReplyDeleteUm ... let's see ... do I have her email somewhere in here?
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I love it! Its so bright and cheery.😍
ReplyDeleteBright and cheery lifts the spirits, let's us breathe deep, makes us smile.
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This is so beautiful, Linda! I love the white! It's so bright and cheery, a beautiful place to cook and gather with loved ones.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing what beautiful paint colors do for our spaces?!
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Oh my, your new kitchen is so fresh and inviting!
ReplyDeleteLinda, it's so good to see you again!
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Linda, your kitchen looks marvelous!!! I love everything about it. Patience paid off.
ReplyDelete* subscriber email response
Thanks for that reminder that patience matters ... no matter what we're up to.
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Your kitchen is everything beautiful....worthy of one of those fancy home magazines!!:) I know you will enjoy it for years and years to come!! Thanks for sharing all the details!
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to add that I answered your "just one question" post through the email (and not directly here on the blog) and I see it recorded me simply as "J":) Not sure what the difference is (here or by way of email) but just wanted to say. I am J! Ha.
Have a wonderful week ahead. Cook all the yummy things in your delightful kitchen!:)
Ok, I'm glad to know you are that Jennifer!! Whenever someone emails or texts about content, I do a copy and paste and only use their first initial when posting their words. I've always done that because sometimes people don't want to be known and I respect that and don't want to do anything that'd keep them from feeling safe or welcome or whatever.
DeleteThanks for connecting with me, no matter how you do it. I always love when you're here.
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Your kitchen looks fantastic, Linda.
ReplyDeleteI especially love the backsplash.
Hugs and blessings
Veronica, thanks!
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Some things are worth waiting for! Your kitchen is gorgeous! I have always been a fan of quartz and white cabinets. Enjoy your beautiful new space!
ReplyDeleteQuartz is so easy to take care of. And I love the look of carrara marble without the cost and the ongoing upkeep. Thank you, HGTV!
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Linda, your kitchen is beautiful! All the time it took to make decisions was definitely worth it. I love the backsplash and the story behind it. And also that you kept your same cabinets but gave them a facelift. Contrary to what HGTV would have us believe, real-life renovation doesn’t have to be a total gut job to look amazing, does it? And I know it wasn’t part of the remodel but that window above your beams? I need one of those in my next house. Can’t wait to read what you learned from all this!
ReplyDeleteYep, that window's been there since the house was built in the '80s ... we took the el-cheapo plastic mullions out of all the windows after we bought the house and I love the result.
DeleteLois, I don't know how people do one of those year long gut jobs ... in this season, I'm not sure we would have survived!
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Love, love, love your renovation projects. Those shelves are perfect and kitchen is stunning.
ReplyDelete* subscriber text response
I always loved your kitchen and had fun enjoying watching you do those cool updates along the way. I miss you, I wish we lived closer, ol' pal ...
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Beautiful renovations!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're here! Welcome.
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Dear Linda,
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful! Enjoy! 😊
* subscriber email response
Thank you! It was fun to get your email ... hope you are doing well.
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Oh my goodness, Linda! What a calming, peaceful, beautiful transformation to the heart of your home! I love everything about it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your visits to my blog. I always appreciate you coming by. Have a great week cooking up something yummy!
Kitty, thanks for your visit! I've got all those delectable recipes of yours to try out. Won't be long ...
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Oh, Linda! This is absolutely gorgeous!!! I LOVE the backsplash you chose. It is very soothing to look at. I'm so happy for you and glad you shared with us. God bless you, sweet friend.🙏❤😊
ReplyDeleteAnd God bless you, too, friend ... may His gentle presence be soothing to your soul this week.
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