Question for My3dogs

11 years ago

Don't mean to put you on the spot, but would you consider posting a thread (reveal thread sounds so intimidating to me..) on your kitchen remodel?

I've caught glimpses on a couple other threads but forget which ones they were. My DD/SIL are planning to refresh the kitchen in their small Cape and I know your kitchen would be inspiring. On a selfish note, I enjoy seeing clever repurposing done well - like what you did with your island. It gets my wheels turning ;)

Featured Answer

My3dogs ME zone 5A

11 years ago

Hi, amck2,
I'm embarrassed to have my kitchen on here, compared to the beauties I have seen. It wasn't a re-model, just a 'face lift', of my old home's approx. 11 x 15 kitchen, with 4 doors off it. But I do hope it can help your DD/SIL!

Here's my 1937 cape in southern Maine on January 28th of this year. I can see GRASS now! Brown, winter grass, but grass none the less.

I had my 24 year old natural maple cabinets painted, did new counter tops, and used a $40 CL butcher block table (just the top) to make a new top for my island. I then used an old bed, also from CL to make legs for the island overhang, as the BB top is much heavier than the laminate one from 24 years ago was. I made new window treatments and put the same fabric, shirred, inside my glass front cabinet doors. My pics are really bad, but here are a few -

Before - this picture is probably 10 - 12 years old. I do have new double hung windows and dishwasher from a few years ago, and 16 year old microwave bought the farm a few days after the kitchen was done. I kept all the other appliances, as they work fine, and even my 24 year old new-looking Swanstone sink. I don't have any over all shots of the After, but will try to take one soon.

The sanded and stained butcher block island top, and the upside down bed post legs.

The butcher block top (I wish I had a before pic of THIS!) that I am still running my hands over every time I pass by it.

One thing I did that I am very happy about, was taking the cabinets to the ceiling with added wood and crown. I didn't know much when I first did the kitchen in the early 90s, but love that I am rid of that dust catcher on top of the cabs. Oh, I did put in a new ceiling fixture and some sconces. I just noted the former is reflected in those glass doors.

The new kitchen ceiling fixture, now centered over the island. I had put the other in the spot the original fixture was in when I bought the house, pre-island, and it wasn't quite centered. I have the medallion to cover up the original spot. (please ignore stuff on top of refrigerator!) That pantry wall above is on the right - you can just see a bit of the crown from it.

I put these sconces on either cabinet on each side of the large window over the sink. Needless to say, brass never went out for me - I have always thought it classic.

Fantasy Brown Quartzite and beadboard (PVC) painted trim color for black splash.

Another CL find - a Ballard Designs 'Catherine' runner, from CL for $45, 1/4 of the Ballard price, which was even professionally cleaned before I bought it. These colors are off in this night time shot, but it blends beautifully with all the colors in the kitchen.

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Comments (7)

Lily Spider
11 years ago
I am so glad you posted this. This face lift is nothing to "embarrassed" of. I love it! Especially the island. Jealous of the creativity. The outside of your home is just as lovely! Thanks for sharing the photos.
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Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you for posting those pics. I'm pleased you included an exterior shot because it shows how your kitchen refresh is so in keeping with the age and style of your home.

What you did with that butcher block top and the bed post legs would be difficult to describe - a case of a picture being worth a thousand words!

I hadn't seen your pantry wall with the shirred curtains in the glass doors that match your valance. Great wall! Your color choices aren't typical neutrals, but they're serene and charming. I love how it all came together and I'd be very proud to have created such a lovely kitchen.

Thanks again. Will show these to DD/SIL tomorrow.
maggiepatty
11 years ago
Beautiful work, My3Dogs. I'd go out and get a facelift tomorrow if I thought I'd look as good. I love the island and I can see why you'd be running your hands over that butcher block every time you pass. It looks positively buttery!
My3dogs ME zone 5A
11 years ago
Thank-you, all, it wouldn't be what most people want, but I love it.

maggiepatty, What was thrilling to me was wanting a wooden top on the island, and looking online for pricing, calling around and finding out how expensive cherry or walnut would have been. Then, I recall the table from years before that was hanging in my garage (with the legs removed and sitting nearby). I went out to the garage, measured it, and it was exactly the same sq. footage as the laminate top, but 3" wider and 3" shorter - just a slightly different configuration.

LOTS of sanding took off the scratches, etc, and Early American and English Chestnut Minwax stained was combined to make it as close as possible to the antique secretary in my living room below, that you view from the kitchen. You can see that I am a person who loves old things, including the original radiators in some of the rooms in my house. A sleek modern kitchen just isn't me, although they are lovely.

I babied that island top and was so careful when it first went in, but now I know it's very tough and I don't need to. The old bed that I just couldn't resist on CL was nearby in the garage, and one glance at that and I knew I had the legs for the island. See last pics below this one for a 'will these work?' assessment!

Antique bed posts upside down

Sanded, filled and painted
mgmum
11 years ago
It's awesome!!
Sherry8aNorthAL
11 years ago
I love your kitchen! I also love brass and do not intend to ever change. I really like the beadboard backsplash with the countertop. I wish I had room for an island like yours.