We’re pretty much done with the kitchen remodel on Stone House Lane!
I’m going to show you those after pics and some before photos, but first I wanted to talk a little about my process, just in case you give a hoot!
When I remodel or redecorate I first want to anchor all the decisions with choosing a style and my colors. All the other decisions come easier for me when I know where I’m going. For the kitchen/breakfast room on Stone House Lane, I wanted a light, airy feel with a touch of rustic.
The specific color of the paint could easily wait until the counter top was chosen but in general I knew I wanted grays, blues and white under tones.
Below is the color palette for Stone House Lane. (I added another color: Pensive Sky in the Master Bath, I showed you that one HERE. ) All the colors are of course all Behr Paint colors. I have a long love affair with the Behr Premium Paint as you know 🙂
( I did a post about how I picked my color palette HERE. I really liked the process I used, you might find it helpful too!)
The colors are Dolphin Fin, Wheat Bread, Irish Mist and Rhino…
The walls in the kitchen/ breakfast room are Behr Dolphin Fin…
The cabinet color is Behr Irish Mist
The kitchen color, Dolphin Fin, turned out to be my favorite color of all the ones I used in the whole house!
***
Okay…now the before and after pics!
This photo is from the real estate website when the house was first on the market…It was a nice kitchen just not our style.
The cabinets were stained, the counter top was cream Corian, the backs plash was cream tile, the stove was electric, the sink was cream Corian, the dishwasher was from the 90’s, the light fixtures were bronze…all of that had to go.
The Husband did most of this remodel. He tore out the existing counter top and tile, took the cabinet doors and drawer fronts off so he could spray them, installed the dishwasher and the stove top and tiled the back splash and installed the Queen-aka: Farmhouse Sink-
I primed and painted the frames of the cabinets (with the color Irish Mist which is not a bright white. It’s got an ever so slight silver/gray undertone).
There are so many choices when remodeling a kitchen, but the hardest by far was the counter top surface. I posted about our dilemma HERE.
We ended up going with White Galaxy Granite which was my third choice. (My 1st choice was marble and my 2nd choice was quartz) The White Galaxy was The Husbands first choice…I need to have that on the record…my 3rd choice…his 1st choice.Let it be written-let it be said… I don’t always get my way! 🙂
Nevertheless…I love it!
Other choices were easier..we both love the school house pendants for over the bar.
And we both agreed on using classic subway tile for the back splash…
Another thing The Husband insisted on was to have LED under cabinet lights wired by the electrician.
I wasn’t sold on the idea, having them wired was expensive…but it made a huge difference and if I had it to do over, I’d gladly do it again. If you don’t want to have under cabinet lights wired, I would recommend getting plug-in under counter lights. The difference was significant.
This is the window over this sink BEFORE…
And here is that window AFTER we removed the plantation shutters and added a rustic shelf – (we added a rustic shelf in the Breakfast Room HERE – the dining room HERE and the Powder Room HERE!)
There was an electric stove top in the old kitchen…
A gas stove is my preference, in a big way, so we had a gas line run and proceeded to labor over the cook top decision. We considered going with the high line brands, Wolfe or Viking, but in the end we decided to take our money and spread it out a little. We settled on a Kitchen Aid 5 burner and so far I love it…
The farmhouse sink was The Husband’s splurge. I wanted it but had decided it was too pricey, he over-ruled me and honestly I’m so happy he did. I posted about the installation and the cabinet doors underneath the sink (HERE)
The sink and the faucet are probably my favorite things in the kitchen…
The kitchen is open to a breakfast room…Here’s the before picture of the breakfast room…(photo from the real estate website)
It was a pretty color green and had the bronze light fixture and wasn’t open to the den. (We added a third arch that opens to the den-Posted: HERE)
Adding an arch between the two existing arches opened up the living area so much…
The den and the kitchen feel more open after cutting out the third arch…
And when it’s cool enough outside, we open the doors to the screen porch which makes the space feel even more open.
Here is the space in June 2013, right after we moved in…
And here it is now with The Husband’s DIY Farm Table (HERE) & the new light fixture HERE!
And HERE is the Breakfast Room after our latest little makeover!
We also added a much needed pantry- building out into the garage and using a fun sliding barn door (I posted about it HERE). It’s right off the kitchen in the laundry room…
Remodeling a kitchen is kinda huge but really, any improvement you make to the kitchen, huge or tiny, gives you a big return.
(and our kitchen is a work in progress…we’re still making improvements every year.)
Whew…looking at the whole remodel makes me exhausted. I’m so happy that this part is done!
~Sending love my friends~
Eileen says
August 5, 2012 at 11:06 amAlthough I like wood stain on cabinets, I must say that yours looks beautiful. It makes the kitchen looks more open. The wood stain seemed to makes this kitchen look more closed in. What a great job both you and The Husband did! Your color choices were perfect. You have a beautiful home, Robin! Enjoy the many wonderful memories that you will make there. xxoo
Piny says
August 5, 2012 at 12:03 pmYour kitchen now looks GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is HUGE and I love how it opens to the porch!!! I love the farmhouse sink. I LOVE how you did the panrty. Can you tell I LOVE IT ALL!!!!! Hope you are haing a gREAT weekend, my friend. XOXO
Vicky says
August 5, 2012 at 12:23 pmIts gorgeous! Its soft and warm with features of old and new- its so YOU! Did you do the table as well? Love the entire transformation! Whew- you have got to be exhausted!
Stacey says
August 5, 2012 at 1:53 pmWow that looks fantastic! You made great choices for your kitchen. Love the colors and finishes. 🙂 Oh, I also like the way you mounted the TV in there.
Brenda Osborne says
August 5, 2012 at 3:21 pmRobin, your kitchen is beautiful!!! You and Mike have so much creativity and style it is awesome!!
Looking forward to seeing it in person.
Love you~
Elizabeth Stewart says
August 5, 2012 at 8:51 pmI LOVE it…LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! You all did a great job!
Jojo says
August 5, 2012 at 9:18 pmIt’s such a dramatic difference – absolutely beautiful!
Betsy says
August 5, 2012 at 9:31 pmI love the colors that you used. Very elegant.
Julie Garmon says
August 6, 2012 at 7:32 amCan’t wait to show Ricky what his BFF has been up to! Robin, Robin, it’s just so incredibly gorgeous. And so YOU. Can’t begin to pick my favorite thing. I love how the screen porch opens up to the kitchen. The Queen. The Queen. No way could you have ever left her behind! She belongs here.
Noticed you’ve lined your cabinets–or cupboards, whatever you want to call them.:-)
Love you, and one day, put on a pot of coffee and make us some GF cookies. I must absorb the atmosphere in person.
pandora's Box says
August 6, 2012 at 8:02 amThis is just a lovely kitchen – I have always wanted an “all-white” kitchen and some day I would like it to look like yours!
Casey says
August 6, 2012 at 9:47 amRobin, it is all gorgeous! Great job by you and The Husband. I know that was a lot of hard work, but a truly beautiful payoff. Love how it’s open and flows so people in one room aren’t totally cut off from people in the others. Love not feeling isolated when I’m working in the kitchen. I’m loving seeing all the progress on your new home. Much happiness to you and your family there!
mrsben says
August 6, 2012 at 10:25 amBeautiful transformation! Loving too how you opened up your adjacent spaces using the arches.
Three questions regarding your kitchen cabinets. Were they Oak? Did you use an oil-based paint? What were their finish? (ie: Semi gloss, etc.)
I am hoping to refurbish mine but am hesitant to do so as concerned the grain may show through so any information you will share is fully appreciated. Thank you so much. -Brenda-
P.S: Even though I do most of my own painting, I am planning on having them professionally done but do not want to be throwing away money unnecessarily. Also, as I don’t have a Blog, would appreciate if you could reply here.
Robin says
August 6, 2012 at 12:55 pmHi mrsben! We sanded the cabinets and used a primer and a water based paint…the bases were Behr Ultra Paint with Primer which I like to use even if I use a primer first.(I almost always prime a stained piece AND paint with Behr Ultra)
The grain did show through but I love it, I think it adds texture and personality!
Having them professionally done is a GREAT idea- xo
Good luck and let me know how it goes xo
Tracy says
August 6, 2012 at 10:35 amI love stained cabinets, however, when I saw this transformation, I am a convert! Your kitchen looks so much brighter and uplifting! Thank you for sharing with us!
FABBY says
August 6, 2012 at 12:26 pmFABULOUS!! Your kitchen reveal is amazing, I totally love it and that grey is perfect! Everything is so well thought out, so I’m in love with it all. Love the archs by the den area, looks elegant. The utility room is adorable too! Hope you come and check my reveal…we did our kitchen 2 years ago. Have a terrific week.
FABBY
Robin says
August 6, 2012 at 12:51 pmFabby, I’d love to see your reveal, what’s your blog address??? xo
Gina says
August 6, 2012 at 1:41 pmThanks for sharing all the details. I love all the finishes you chose (especially the countertop. 😉 ) It does look so much brighter and open so you achieved the look you set out for! It is amazing what paint will do. Love your little breakfast nook too. The table color is so cute!! 🙂 I believe those school house lights are exactly like mine. Are they from Restoration Hardware? 😉
Lisa says
August 6, 2012 at 1:41 pmOMGeee! I love love love it! I have a white kitchen obsession and yours is one of my favorites! The farmhouse sink makes the whole space!
mrsben says
August 6, 2012 at 1:43 pmHi Robin, thank you so much for your prompt and detailed reply. Myself I usually use CIL paint and Zinners 1-2-3 Bullseye for priming, but will definitely keep the Behr products in mind as I really like the colours you chose. (Particularly the ‘Dolphin Fin’.) Wishing you a great day!
With appreciation -Brenda-
Shelly says
August 6, 2012 at 2:09 pm{Huge sigh…} So wonderful -just gorgeous! Great accent door under the sink 🙂
the cape on the corner says
August 6, 2012 at 2:58 pmwhat a fabulous transformation! i love the white galaxy granite (totally writing that one down). fabulous!
Kim (The Money Pit) says
August 6, 2012 at 3:14 pmWow that is gorgeous. I love all your choices. It is beautiful!
Terry Moore says
August 6, 2012 at 11:55 pmSuch a wonderful makeover. Bet you are proud and love using your new and beautiful spaces.
CAS says
August 7, 2012 at 1:14 amYour kitchen makeover is stunning! I love everything you did!
Mary @ Fit and Fed says
August 8, 2012 at 10:14 amI love having under-cabinet lights, glad you have those too. The three arches look better than one, almost as if it were designed to be three. But what I really wanted to say is I love the blog redesign! The headers are beautiful, and now I see where the colors came from!
Donna M. says
August 8, 2012 at 6:43 pmThe total remodeling effort is beautiful! What a transformation! Your “new” spaces should give you much enjoyment for years to come.
When we picked out our Kohler farmhouse, cast-iron sink, I didn’t even want to know the price! I about died when I saw the itemization and the unit price. If I had known the price, I wouldn’t have done it, LOL. But it is beautiful and I’m glad that we went with the splurge. We also have undercabinet lighting. We love having it, but have been disappointed at the frequency we have replaced the bulbs. My guess is that the builder’s electricians didn’t use gloves when putting in the lights and they have failed prematurely due to skin oils. Those light bulbs are expensive!
Jeannette says
August 9, 2012 at 12:11 pmI just love all your choices. The transformation is truly amazing. Very light, bright and inviting.
Samantha says
October 5, 2012 at 12:02 pmI totally agree with the third arch. I would have wanted it open as well. I always feel like I am trapped in rooms that do not have open areas. In fact, we leave doors open for that reason.
You did a great job and I was wondering how long did it take you?
Robin says
October 6, 2012 at 8:50 pmSamantha, We finished in about a month!
Seattle Landscape Architect says
January 25, 2013 at 3:47 amLove your inspiration pics. Good luck surviving the renovation, I’m holding out on remodeling anything until the kids are a little older, I don’t think I could survive it!
Robin says
January 25, 2013 at 12:32 pmWaiting for the kids to get older might just be the secret! Good idea xo
Susan @ Oh My! Creative says
March 18, 2013 at 3:52 pmSaw your kitchen at DIY Showoff! Wonderful job…so fresh and inviting! Looks like a beautiful home
Robin says
March 19, 2013 at 7:39 amSusan, thanks so much! I’m happy to meet you xo
Kelley Wendt says
March 18, 2013 at 5:32 pmRobin, you said in your post that you had a gas line run for your gas stove top. Can you tell me how complicated that is to have done in a kitchen and was it a huge expense? One plumber I called didn’t even want to come out and look and told my hubby it’s a huge job/ expense, even though we have gas heat and water already to house… Thanks!
Robin says
March 19, 2013 at 7:38 amKelley, Our contractor got a plumber to come out for about $600.00. The plumber who worked on the rest of our house was NOT the one who did the gas line, so maybe a specialized plumber is necessary (?) I’d call around if I were you! Let me know what happens xo
Chessa says
March 23, 2013 at 8:52 amWe are getting ready to buy a house and remolded the kitchen, much in the same way you did yours! I’m wondering where you got your farm house sink and faucet? I’m obsessed with white farm house sinks and I love the faucet you chose on yours. I’ve also been researching the whole marble/granite countertops, and I have to agree with you on the staining and wear of the marble, so I too will be going with the white granite option.
Robin says
March 24, 2013 at 7:51 amChessa, we got them at a kitchen/bath shop in Atlanta (Kennesaw)- The sink is Shaw and the faucet is a Danze Bridge Faucet! I really really love them both, I’ve also seen the farm sink from Ikea in a house and those are gorgeous and super affordable! Good luck with your new house!!! How exciting Chessa, it’s such a fun journey xo
Jodi Blackmon says
April 2, 2013 at 10:12 pmHi! I love your kitchen! I had to laugh because as I was reading your blog, I realized it seems we have a lot of the same issues and the same ideas. I have the barn door between the kitchen and laundry, my husband go this way on granite and we also got a farmhouse sink…although ours is stainless. I also have the same little room off the garage. Just kinda funny. Beautiful home!
Cheers!
Jodi
Second Wind of Texas
Jodi Blackmon says
April 2, 2013 at 10:15 pmHi! I love your kitchen! I had to laugh because as I was reading your blog, I realized it seems we have a lot of the same issues and the same ideas. I have the barn door between the kitchen and laundry, my husband go this way on granite and we also got a farmhouse sink…although ours is stainless. I also have the same little room off the garage. Just kinda funny. Beautiful home!
Cheers!
Jodi
Second Wind of Texas
Robin says
April 3, 2013 at 7:56 amJodi! Sounds like we have similar a similar lay-out in our homes! I’m headed over to visit you right now! xoxo