how beautiful it turned out...and what a wonderful tribute to your husband that you carried out the plan/dream you two had.

Beautiful kitchen; I love so many things about it--the cabinets, the spice jars, the sink... and more. Very powerful that you were able to move forward with it in the face of tragedy.

I love the kitchen, your colors, accessories, everything, wonderful job. I am so impressed with your ability to make this happen as a tribute to your husband. What a touching story.

I'm so very sorry for your loss. You've created a beautiful space that looks both cheerful and peaceful at once. Although it was never something that you imagined that you would have to do, I hope that you find comfort in the knowledge that you were strong enough to complete this project. Your husband would no doubt be very proud of you. I hope that this room is filled with much love and laughter in the future.

Wow, now I'm even more impressed after hearing your story. I'm so sorry for your loss but what an inspiring woman you are!

That is exactly what I'm thinking of doing to my new kitchen! (As soon as we close.) I'm fantasizing and planning. It has old crappy cabinets in it and I was thinking of doing a Depression-era cream on the bottom and a creamy green on the top, or vice versa. I was wondering what to do about the counter tops. I was thinking either white or black or wood, but that black looks nice! What is it? I couldn't tell. My dream would be soapstone or marble, but... I also want to get a farmhouse sink. I put it on my Christmas list.

That was amazing what you did with the glass cabinet. I looked in your photo album. It looks like it's original. I never would have painted it but it really looks great!

Mama Goose, I am both heartened and humbled by your story and your accomplishment . You have successfully completed a wonderful project, and I'm sure your DH is proud of your accomplishment. It is a beautiful kitchen, and it's evident a lot of love and thought went into each facet of it's design. Congratulations on a job very well done, and may you have many, many happy hours baking in that lovely kitchen.

Wow, great job! I can relate to the idea of work as therapy, yet I can tell that you also adhered to the principle that a job worth doing is one worth doing well. It looks fantastic!!

Your farmhouse sink looks nice and deep. I had the real deal once, it was horrible. So shallow and so very low that after the dishes were washed, it looked like I had wet my pants! Which was hysterical the first time, not so much thereafter.

I love your glass mason jars, and your metal bread boxes. I like it when the accessories in a room/home carry a theme. I'm also a fan of the black counter-tops. Please share details, granite is so over-done.

I am in absolute awe of your kitchen. It is amazing! Can you share the size of the room? Your layout is similar to mine and I want to redo ours one day. If only I could find those incredible school cabinets...

Thank you all so much. I was hesitant to tell my story, but I thought folks might wonder what was going on. I still have difficulty saying or writing 'my late husband,' and it took a long time for me to use 'I' instead of 'we.'

I'm so overwhelmed at the response to my simple kitchen. I was able to keep to our original vision and budget, using a lot of scrap material from previous projects. And it helped that we already owned all of the tools that I would need.

The kitchen is ap. 13.5 x 13.5, one of four equal-sized rooms in a four-square bungalow, built in the late 1920's.

The countertop on the glass cabinet run is black marble tile, on a plywood base. The marble was purchased for $1.49/sq.ft. at Lowe's--cost of counter ap. $100. The countertop in the stove/sink area is epoxy resin lab-top, salvaged from an old high school. We found the lab tables on craiglist for $20.00 each, including the oak table bases! I used three 30x54" slabs for the kitchen counters, so the cost of those counters was $60.00, $90.00 including the cost of gasoline to pick them up, and another $60.00 for router bits and sand paper for the runnels, so $150 total.

I don't mind sharing the cost of materials that I find on craigslist, clearance outlets or thrift stores. My advice is watch ebay and craigslist, visit your local Re-Store, be flexible, and wait for the bargains.

Again, thank you for your kindness and understanding--it means so much to me.

Oh, I love so many things about your kitchen. It really does look like it evolved, and wasn't just copied from a favorite movie. :)

Love the sink and especially love the spice jars!

beautiful DIY job- looks professional. And it is a touching tribute to your husband.

So much storage, that is a big plus in my book when it comes to smaller kitchens. Congrats.

Your kitchen is amazing, and thank you for sharing the details about your DH. Like others have said, I'm sure he is very proud. Seriously, yours is one of my favorite kitchens ever on this site.

I'm so sorry for your loss, too, mama goose.

Great kitchen, I love it.

I can't even imagine. I am so sorry for your loss. You are one STRONG woman.

Beautifully done!

Thank you all for the good wishes and encouragement. Tonight my grandson and I are making biscuits on the marble table--to have with leftover turkey and gravy. This kitchen is going to be a mess. :)

Now that I read about all the salvaged materials I love your kitchen even more. It takes a lot of creativity and effort to get salvaged materials, that work perfectly for your design vision, at a reasonable cost, but it makes your kitchen that much more authentic. Your kitchen is perfect for your home.

What is your plan for the floor? Before I read your post I thought it was finished. I kind of like it.

Mama Goose,
Congratulations on a beautiful job on your kitchen. You should be proud of what you've done. I'm so sorry for the loss of your husband, I can't imagine how hard it's been for you. I hope you and your family find the kitchen to be a healing place.

Beth P.

Mama Goose, I am so very sorry for the loss of your dear husband. I agree that you should be very proud of what you've accomplished. Your kitchen just makes me happy to look at. It exudes warmth and friendliness and has genuine staying power - not trendy or cutting edge - just real. What an amazing woman you are for learning to do so much yourself. I admire you.

What a cozy, warm kitchen. I love everything about it! I am so sorry about your husband. I hope that your new space will be filled with joy and great memories. Deedra

Lab tables you found on Craigslist? Bravo!

You and your grandson are making bisquits on the marble countertop. And the love goes on.

Thank you all so much for the kind, heart-warming thoughts.

gmp3, the Tarkett 'Rock' has served us well for 17 years, and is still in good shape. The new addition needs flooring, and I wanted to use the same material in both rooms, for continuity. I've been considering vinyl tile (VCT), in a checkerboard pattern--probably charcoal gray and cream. I love the idea of apple green and cream, but I'm afraid that would be too much of a good thing. The gray/cream would leave more options for changing cabinet colors.

Charcoal {{!gwi}}
Antique white {{!gwi}}
Little green apple {{!gwi}}
Buttercream {{!gwi}}

My parents home had the VCT (asphalt) tile in the 60's, and I'm all about nostalgia. My father took a blow-torch, pulled up some of the tile in the middle of the basement floor, and inserted a lighter color to make us a hopscotch pattern. :)

Other options are sheet vinyl, wood-look laminate, or painted plywood. Anyone have advice?

So sorry for your lost. Love your kitchen, and I think the floor looks great the way it is.